Christmas Musings

See how Benjamin is getting a little chubby in the face!

The first time he could actually play in the snow because it wasn't -20.

Here are some recent pictures and a video. We have been lucky enough to see Santa a few times. Our friends had us over for a visit with Santa one evening. Luke has been telling him he would like a "dolly". I think that is because that is what the girls ahead of him told Santa.

There is also an infamous first performance of Luke's daycare. I was surprised with the outcome. He has been practicing these songs for weeks. He was very loud and animated during his rehearsals. I think the microphone at the actual performance really threw him off. I cut the video down to be able to load on the blog. The funniest part is on this one.

Recent Pictures

Brothers....Brothers....how much alike we are...(Emmett Otter shout out!)

Oooooh! I love this face!

Tristan has his eyes open. He sleeps a lot!

The three amigos. Luke looks like a giant next to them.

Thanks Grandma Carol and Grandpa Bobby...Luke was sad when they left and was looking for them in the morning.

They're holding hands.

A daring attempt to let Luke 'hold' Benjamin.

Sweet Tristan...probably wondering where his brother is.

Benjamin really ticked off...

Our day to day life seems busy. Really all they do is eat and sleep and you would think that would leave lots of time. With two, it seems like I have a good nap time in the afternoon, but then their demands are constant. Tristan is definitely more relaxed in general. He will wait patiently while I get a bottle or attend to Benjamin. Benjamin is more demanding, but I think this comes from some digestive issues. Night time is pretty tough because we both have to basically be up. They are on fairly the same eating schedule. Now if they could only hold their own bottles that would make life easier. Maybe they will master that at a really young age.

As for Luke...he is adjusting well. He has not really had any interruptions in sleep etc. He is a bit more clingy to me and wants me to do everything. He often asks me to "Hold me like a baby." He likes his baby brothers a lot and often checks on them when they are sleeping. He has not mastered controlling his volume yet and whispering is really hard. Of course if they are sleeping, he will choose that time to pull out the nosiest toy he has.

Boo has been hit a little harder. He seems a bit more mopey and lays down and sighs heavily so I will hear him. He is still getting his nightly runs, but I am sure he resents yet another competitor for the objects of his affection.

They're Here!

Welcome to the world Benjamin Paul and Tristan Raffaele! They are doing well and were able to come home with us today. Here is a video of Luke and their first meeting. Luke is a very excited big brother. He asked if they could play with the Legos the boys bought him. He also wants to play basketball with them and tackle them. I will have to keep one eye on Luke I suppose.

They're coming!

Well they will be here soon. If not by Friday on their own, they will be coaxed out. I have an induction scheduled for 7am Nov. 20. So ready or not here they come. The doctor thinks they will weigh in around 5 1/2 pounds EACH!!! That is a lot of baby. I have no idea how they have fit. I was just thinking of all the last minute things I thought I already had done. Now there are more. I did put up my Christmas tree anticipating their arrival soon. So the next post will include information about the 5 of us. Just like that we grew to 5!

By Popular Demand

This is 35 weeks, 2 days. How much longer or bigger?

BOO!

So poor Boo again...here is the new version of the E-collar. He kind of looks like a clown, but it doesn't hurt when he knocks into you anymore.

Luke has had a lot of fun in his football uniform. We will get many more wearings out of it as he has worn it for 2 months already. He loves the idea that people give him candy and all he has to say is trick-or-treat and thank you. Last night he spent a half hour just looking through candy.

Sad for me...I won't get to enjoy any of it this year :( Don't worry I am thinking about all the yummy things I will be eating after the babies are born.

An oldie, but a goodie

Luke likes to watch lots of old baby videos. This one is super cute and it reminds me of how he crawled with his leg out. I can't believe he was ever that little.

Best Present EVER

Blaine's dad was watching Luke for us to keep him a little germ free. He took Luke to see Blaine's mom at work. She works at a dentist's office. Of course he had to go to the treasure box. He picked out, what else, but a ball for himself. He also chose a bracelet for me. The first thing he said to me when I came home from work was about the bracelet that he picked out just for me. Isn't that the sweetest thing!

More Belly Shots!

This is week 30 1/2. It's getting BIG. I only have a few things that seem to fit lately. Too bad I can't go to school in the sweats that are the most comfortable.

BLAH!

The photo is proof enough for the title.

Embrace It!

I know that my life will mostly involve going to sporting events with a child like Luke. The first shot is what Blaine call Johnny Unitus/Oneitus (I have no idea how to spell it). Seriously he came up with these poses himself.

The other pictures are of Luke in his partial Halloween costume. He thought the helmet was the coolest thing ever. He spends a lot of time in the jersey and helmet. I will get my moneys worth out of it.

Go Pokes!

Future student? I hope he has lots of choices

Watching the game. Wyoming won. He of course has Wyoming gear. Now where is his JMU gear??? Hmmm....

This was on campus. It was like a giant bird nest.

This picture hides my belly pretty well. I will take a new shot soon.

This past weekend we headed to Laramie for probably my last outing for a while. Sitting in the car for a few hours has become uncomfortable. We took Luke to his first college football game. It was a hot day! I never think it is hot, but there was no relief from the clouds or even the wind. Luke and I left at half-time. He enjoyed the game while we were there. He talked to everyone around us saying things like "He got tackled down." or "He caught it." When the cannon went off for the touchdown, he jumped into my lap.

After the game it was back to the hotel to swim of course and then off to a very good veggie dinner. I had 5 choices on the menu. Usually I can only eat 1 thing on the menu. We went for a walk on campus after dinner. I love college campuses. I know my mother probably never appreciated when I told her I felt like I was at a country club when I went to school. But JMU was gorgeous. The University of Wyoming has nice grounds as well. I wish I could bring some of that back here.

It was bittersweet knowing that this would be my last trip for a while and just the three of us, well, and Boo too. He got to spend the night at a dogfriend's house there.

Back to School!

I was only a little sad to leave Luke this morning. He was still asleep when I left so that made it easier. Also, I know I will be home in a few months. When I picked him up from Christy's (daycare) he didn't want to leave. He was running around with the other kids having way too much fun. She said he skipped his nap. This I knew would not last long. He probably didn't want to miss anything at her house. Twenty minutes after we were home-he crashed on our couch. This is what it looks like if you play and run all day long.

What I did on my summer vacation...

The kitchen-cabinets are painted and walls, but I still want to do some sort of back splash.

The new dining room floor. I still need to buy an area rug. Blaine wanted Boo to have a new bed since we have no more carpet downstairs for him to lay on.

The office/play room-the floor is almost done and we need a new desk. It is sort of a mess still.

His big bed! I bought these maps about 2 years ago. I finally framed them and Blaine put them up the other day.

We just put up the wooden sports decals from Home Depot. He loves his tent or as he calls it his 'house'.

I bought 3 shelves to install right above the 'desk' area. That's the last part to do.

I must have been busy nesting. I did not rest or sit much because we did so many things to our house.

1. Painted kitchen cabinets from 90's oak to off white.

2. Moved Luke into a new room.

3. Painted all the trim in kitchen, living room and almost all the office/playroom.

4. New hard wood floors installed in dining room and office/playroom (did not do myself).

5. Had kitchen, dining room and Luke's room painted (by someone else).

6. Lots of swimming, parks and play dates with friends.

7. Gestated 2 babies.

Road Trip

Hanging with his cousins.

Swimming in Jackson, WY

This is a picture of Luke and his best friend Ryan.

Recently we took a pretty quick road trip to Missoula then back through Jackson. It was long but Luke really was a trooper. Perhaps it had to do with the swimming in every hotel. He could have stayed in the pool forever and made friends with lots of girls while swimming freely in his tube.

On the way back we attended Blaine's aunt and uncle's 50th anniversary party. Luke had so much fun at that! He didn't even come by to check to see if Blaine or myself were around. He just ran around with cousins and loved the fireworks at the end of the night.

Photos by Luke

Once in a while I give up and let him hold my camera. He loves looking through it and has now figured out many of the features. He can turn it on and off easily by himself and of course knows which button to press to take the picture. He has also figured out how to view the picture. He took many of Elmo. These were the ones that were not just a big red blob. I think I might frame the first one for his new room.

One of our summer traditions has been to have an ice pop after nap time each day. That's a lot of ice pops! He has been working on his colors with them so it is very educational as well. He loves to see what color his tounge will turn with the ice pop hence, pink is not so much fun.

Belly Shots

22 weeks

24 months

Here is a picture we took last night. I feel bigger than this actually looks.

Luke looks exactly how much he weighs.

Power Outage

It is not a gas lamp, but battery operated lantern. Don't worry!

Last night we had an amazing storm! The power went out around 5:15-6:00. Of course during dinner preparation. So I made a pizza on the grill. It was quite yummy. Blaine is out of town so Luke and I hung out. The power went out again at 7:30 until ?. Luke and I entertained ourselves by watching the lightning, playing cars, coloring and reading books. He was unphased by this experience and liked holding the flashlight.

Monkey See Monkey Do

He is talking on the phone at the same time Blaine is on his phone. He randomly says words that pop into his head or he sees the item. I like how he paces around our dining room.

Summer Fun!

He loves to wear his helmet on his "motorcycle".

We have been busy with family and friends the last few days. Here are a couple of pictures of some of our outings and guests. We had a really fun time having some of Luke's swimming friends over to play in the pool. Swim lessons are on hiatus for a month.