A dinosaur and a ladybug

Well, good thing I opted for the 70% off Cracker Barrel costumes since we didn't really do much in-costume. The kids have a cold (have I mentioned that I HATE cold weather) and we ended up not doing any trick or treating because it wasn't dark by their dinnertime and was already pretty cold. We did stroll around our neighborhood and the neighborhood by us but didn't go to any houses since it wasn't dark yet. We did go to the little trick or treat shindig at Publix and the kids were in costume most of the afternoon and had a good time - Tyler trying to walk with slippery feet and Katie showing off her tutu. Here are some pictures - Tyler was a dinosaur because it was a pretty good costume for $6 and Katie's ladybug costume was too big but it was all they had and I really wanted Katie "Bug" to be a ladybug!

Happy Almost Halloween

The kids had their little Halloween party at Nana Pam's today. They must have had a good time because they were pooped tonight! They both took a little catnap in the car on the way home and then went to sleep about 20 minutes early with not even a whimper. I am dreading the time change coming up since it means the kids will wake up at the same time as usual and I DO NOT want 5:30 to become the new time to start the day! I guess we will have to tire them out good in the next week while they get used to it. That means plenty of time practicing climbing the stairs and playing on the bed - Tyler will LOVE it! Maybe this is the week that we can finally get Katie walking. She is getting oh so close and has taken a step here and there but no real walking yet. Lance thinks it will happen any day now and I think she has at least another month before she gets up the nerve - we'll see, I hope he is right. Not that I am super anxious to have two walkers (one runner now), but I really am ready to be done with the odd, kind of alarming crawl and I know she will be so proud of herself once she does it. Every little thing that she does in preparation already, like walking with one of their push toys or taking an itsy bitsy step, makes her look at us to see if we saw it, followed by a big grin. Speaking of grins, they weren't very forthcoming with them for picture time at Pam's - she has the same problem as me, they refuse to smile at the same time when the camera is on them!

Tyler blowing a kiss - he is sooooo sweet doing it and he is eager to show off his new skill as long as we don't request it :-). They will both clap or say hello or wave bye bye, etc. all day or night until we try to get them to do it for someone else!

Feeling Better

The kids are definitely feeling better! They are back to playing and talking and seem to learn new things every day. Tyler can blow kisses now and Katie holds anything resembling a phone up to her ear and says something that we think is her version of "hello." Lance has been trying to teach them "hola" and they are both gibber jabbing more and more. They still aren't purposefully saying ma ma or da da but do know what uh oh means it seems, have started pointing (a milestone they were a bit behind on), and Katie has convinced Marley to play with her by stealing stuffed animals and scooting away for Marley to chase her. They play pretty well together, but have also learned to push each other out of the way and take something and run. They are also getting better at letting their unhappiness be known and have had a few temper tantrums already. Tyler is especially not happy that we won't let him move the pack and play (his absolute favorite new skill) to let him get access to the stairs. Here they are playing/fighting over the chair. Katie makes everything something to sit on and loves chairs and then of course Tyler wants on the chair too because Katie is there and content.

OK, now get off!

13 months old

Well, the kids seem to be getting better. Neither have had fevers within 24 hours so they are ok to go back to daycare and are on the mend, but Katie still obviously doesn't feel well. She still wants to be held constantly, is hoarse and sleepy. Hopefully she will wake up tomorrow and feel a lot better. Tyler is doing great! He is happy and playful and the cough has gotten better. Here are some pictures from 13 months old - pre-flu.

Katie couldn't decide if she wanted to clap or throw the ball.

Tyler is in a throwing stage. He loves to throw the ball, go pick it up and throw it again.

She was going through such a happy, silly phase before she got sick.
More spaghetti pictures - I gave it to them as a treat when they didn't feel good, they enjoyed it but it is definitely still messy! The only way to get a picture of them together these days is to hold them.

Getting over it...

Well, I am sure most of you heard that the sickness the kids had (have) is suspected to be swine flu. I have never seen little Bug so miserable and of course we could barely even tell Tyler was sick, even when he developed a double ear infection at the "end" of the flu. They are home with dad again today, but Tyler has not had fever for 24 hours. Katie had a fever when she woke up yesterday morning, but hasn't had one since so hopefully they will be over it tomorrow and back to "school." They get tired of spending time at the house and with mom and dad and really miss playing with the other kids at daycare so we are looking forward to being 24 hour fever free! Katie is still laying on our chests whenever possible, poking her bottom lip out (I am afraid this sickness has made it permanently that way :)), and refusing to play so she is definitely a day behind her wild and crazy brother who is all over the place - cough and all.

I do have new pictures, but unfortunately have major regulations at work about uploading and downloading things so I can't take them with me and am out of time this morning! It has definitely taken some getting used to - having to leave earlier, care for sick kids before getting ready to go, and not having such a casual work environment - but, it will become routine soon and I'll get it together!!! Look for new pictures tomorrow - promise.

Sick Babies

Well, sorry I haven't had a chance to put new pictures up. We ended up taking Tyler to the doctor on Wednesday night with a temperature of 101.9 and a bad cough. He has gotten better and didn't cough or wake at all last night which is good. Katie, on the otherhand, had a fever last night of 101.7 and woke up coughing this morning. They don't seem to really feel all that bad except for the annoying coughing and when Katie had her fever she was kind of fussy. We took her temperature this morning and she was back normal so hopefully it will be kind of like Tyler - a spike, and then get better pretty quickly. Of course, the cold (which is what the doctor said started it all) went straight to Tyler's chest so he is on breathing treatments again for about a week. Poor little guy just can't have a simple cold. He has a little more labored breathing and the sporadic cough but he isn't letting it slow him down. He is learning what things we are going to take away from him - little toys that he chews pieces off of, cups that he is done with, etc. - and now knows to run away from us if he wants to keep it. This morning he ran away when I brought out the thermometer - I don't blame him since this method of taking it is less than desirable! Let's hope little Bug gets to feeling better today. At lunch I am going to look for Halloween costumes for them and trying to find some clothes that will fit that they can wear for this colder weather - they are too big for 9 month clothes and too small for 12 month. The pants are the main issue so I will probably go on the hunt for dresses and tights for Katie and some pants that will stay rolled up for Tyler. He actually does pretty good walking in his new shoes and doesn't trip to bad on his pants legs but he definitely doesn't need the extra hazard!!!

New Job

Well, I started a new job on Monday and there are a few more restrictions on my time spent on the computer. I have not been able to update as frequently as I would like, but I do have a couple of cute pictures to post this evening of the kids in their new outfits from Aunt Lori and Uncle Brandon. They came into town this weekend and we all had a great time - we went to the pumpkin patch, the boys went to the Titans game, Lori and I went to a concert, Lance went with Lori and Brandon and their kids to Loveless (their first time). All in all it was a jam-packed weekend, but all of the kids were on good behavior and it was great to see everyone and enjoy some real Fall like things! Of course, I forgot our camera when we went to Gentry Farms but all three kids really did have fun in the corn maze, on the hayride, and looking at animals. We'll get some pictures next year since I can already tell that the kids will have a ball when they get a little older - 18 months is when they get to do the tractors in the mud, and since they will be 2(!) they will also next year get to enjoy the maze with slides, and will have fun traipsing around hunting for pumpkins. Speaking of traipsing - Katie took a couple of steps again last night, but still hasn't really taken off. Tyler is trying to run!!!

Grocery Cart Fun!

We got a new camera (!!!) and took it out and about! I've mentioned that the kids love going to the grocery store - especially when they get to ride in the big green race cart.

Katie's new smile when she is REALLY happy - the face scrunch. It was a day of small things that they love. Toothbrushes (and the "yummy" kiddie toothpaste) are also a big hit.

And, of course, the remote control is still high on the list. Katie loves books and has started "reading" to herself but she is always willing to make a trade to get her hands on Daddy's favorite toy.

Looking Good

Well, they would be looking good in their new sweaters (that So So made for their birthday) if their Mom wasn't an idiot! I didn't realize until I was through taking pictures (and fighting with the camera to stay on even with new batteries) that I put Katie's sweater on backward. I turned it around but couldn't get the camera to take any more pictures. You can still tell just how cute it is! They both looked so grown up in their little outfits. Their grandparents watched them while Lance and I went to the Vandy game (another defeat) on Saturday night and we took them to Puckett's Sunday morning and they seemed to be feeling fine and in good spirits all weekend. I had tennis Saturday morning so Lance was on duty and took them (with his dad's help) to get their second flu shot. Of course, Lance called when I was not 10 minutes out the door and told me that Katie had taken two steps!!! She is getting there - standing really good on her own and thinking about taking off. She can push the little ride-on/push toys now and I think will probably be walking by Halloween or so. I love her little odd crawl, but it will be reassuring when I finally can see that it won't have lasting effects! Tyler is still doing well - walking pretty much all the time now but still lunges for the closest thing to hold onto if there is something in the vicinity. Here are some pics of them in their sweaters - thank you so much So So and thank you too for watching them Saturday night - we had fun getting out even if the Dores didn't do so good.

Katie has learned to actually point to the tv to turn the volume up and down and likes to carry that remote around everywhere much to her dad's chagrin.

Tyler walking - looking at me like what now!

She is just now able to walk holding on to your hands and is learning not to do it on her tippy toes.

Tyler mid-walk - who knows what trouble he was heading toward!