We are back...Finally!

Well-this might be a long one. As some of you know our computer has been on the fritz and we have finally gotten around to getting it fixed (some 2 months later)-I guess that tells you how busy we have been! I really missed being able to do this-I have felt a little disconnected lately. I will try to recap the past 2 months-at least what I remember of it!

October was a busy month. Dickey (Kevin's dad) was scheduled to have surgery on his back. As he was going through preliminary stress tests they found he had severe blockage in his arteries. The next day, instead of back surgery, he had a triple bypass. He is recovering very well, and seems to be getting back to his old self. It still amazes me to see how Kevin's family operates. I think Dickey surely had a record number of people in the waiting room at the hospital during his surgery. Everyone was there to offer their prayers and support for him, and I was reminded how blessed I am to be part of such a wonderful and caring family...I really think that families like that are few and far between these days. Also, on October 30, my best friend Katy had her baby girl that they named Adalee Kate! She is healthy and beautiful and they are doing very well-I am so excited to have someone else to share motherhood with! And at the last minute we decided to get Halloween costumes. Hannah was a bumble bee and Hunter was a monkey (very fitting for him). We made rounds at all the grandparents so they could see them. The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves until the ride home when Hannah got tired of her wings and cried the whole way home!

November was a little more relaxed; we enjoyed Thanksgiving over at Pam and Dickey's and went to my Dad and Kim's the day after. Way too much food for one weekend that's for sure. Hannah and Hunter both started cutting their first molars which was not fun. Hannah's teeth never have seemed to bother her, but Hunter is so miserable. I feel really bad for him, but there's not much we can do I guess. I also have tried to start phasing out their pacifiers. They usually only get them when they sleep and in the car. The car thing is more of a crutch for me, because I can't stand it when they cry in the car-I feel so helpless. Evidently day care doesn't allow binkies in the Toddler room at 18 months, so we have a few more months to kick the habit! Also in November we went to a large "mothers of mulitples" garage sale-Pam got them a huge plastic pony for a great deal, and Hannah has fallen in love with it. She rocks back and forth on it and cracks up laughing! Hunter has also developed a few new interests: the first is climbing on anything and everything (scary for me); the second is trying to fit himself into things (boxes, bowls, cabinets, etc.); the third is his new fascination with his nose. To my dismay, he really enjoys sticking his finger up his nose and keeping it there (especially when there is someone trying to take a picture of him). You will see some examples in the new pictures!

December has been wonderful so far. Kevin and I went to my office Christmas party last weekend, Pam came over to babysit. We had a great time, we haven't been apart from the kids in a while. I am thinking of maybe picking up a 3rd day of work somewhere, I am not ready to go back full time, but wouldn't mind working a few more days here and there. We went on Sunday to take pictures with Santa. We were so worried Hannah would cry, but she did pretty well. The little girl in front of us had a major meltdown, but when we put them on his lap Hunter just looked confused and Hannah just stared at Santa with a very serious look on her face.

We are looking forward to the Christmas holidays and being able to see family and friends. I have posted some pics of the last few months that I liked(some are funny, some are random). Enjoy!










my sleeping beauty

Hunter being mischievious

Hunter climbing

Hunter climbing again..

Hannah being silly

Hannah riding her pony from grandma

Hunter looking handsome

this one just made me laugh

Hunter and Hannah squished in their toybox (does anyone notice the teething ring in the air-it looks like a halo?) I know-I'm crazy!

Hunter trying to fit into his popcorn bowl...

Hunter trying to get out of his popcorn bowl!

Spaghetti night!

Hannah and Grandpa Hutchins

Hannah and Grammy Hutchins

First really cold weekend

I just thought they looked so cute (Kevin was telling me enough pictures!)

Hunter meeting Adalee Kate for the first time

Hannah the bumble bee

taking in each other's crazy get up

Happy Halloween!

Kevin and I before my Christmas party

We were on our way home from church last week, and turned around to check on them. Hannah was engrossed in the Church bulletin-she's a future reader!

Grandpa Johnson and Hunter (with his finger up his nose)

Grandpa Johnson and Hannah

Hunter and Hannah with Santa

Have a Merry Christmas!!

No more bottle!!!

We have been so busy lately I haven't had a chance to update. This past weekend was very eventful-Saturday I went to a baby shower while Kevin stayed home with the kiddos-the hygienist I work with, LeighAnn, is due any day now. Saturday night my good friend Lundy got married-Pam and Dickey were kind enough to come to the house and watch the kids. They must have really tired them out because they sure slept great that night. Sunday we headed over to Pam and Dickey's to have fried dove (Jana and I had chicken tenders). We had a good time and got to visit with Keith, Jana, and Kaitlyn-she is growing so fast! Then Sunday night we headed over to my Dad and Kim's house where we had Vernon's takeout, the usual for their house, it was very yummy. We had a good time visiting w/ Dad and Kim-they usually come to the house on Thursday afternoon because that is my Dad's half-day off, but they were unable to make it last week-so we thought it would be nice to stop by their house for a change. I'm not sure what would happen if Dad didn't get his Hannah and Hunter "fix" for the week. I just realized that I use dashes a lot when typing---it's a bad habit. Needless to say we had a busy weekend.

Monday Kim and I took the kids to "Snippets" at the mall so Hunter could get his much overdue haircut. He was getting very shaggy, and I had a lot of people asking if he was a little girl--so I thought it was time. I was worried he wouldn't sit still, but he did great! They have a lot to entertain the kids with there and did a great job! He looked much better afterward, but I secretly was sad to see the shaggy hair go-he looks like a little man now, not so much like a baby.

Today, Thursday, I went to see my dad at his office. I have an inner and outer ear infection-doesn't feel to great. But-I would rather it be me than the kids-much easier to handle that way!

Also today was the first day that Hannah and Hunter did not have a bottle!! Yeahhhh!!! I have been trying to introduce a sippy cup for a while now and they haven't been very receptive. I kept procrastinating and putting it off, but I decided today would be the day!! My goal is by Monday to box up the bottles and move on! They did really well today, and it sure was nice to not have to worry about them holding their bottles upside down and spilling all their milk on themselves (they liked to do that and thought it was very funny that it upset me)!

I am going to a continuing education by myself in College Station tomorrow. Kevin has taken the day off to stay home with Hunter and Hannah, I'm sure they will have a blast! Above are some random photos of the last few weeks-I incluede a before and after shot of Hunter's hair. Sorry I didn't have a lot of pics of Hannah this time-will put more up later. Hope everyone is doing well-Love, Mandy

Pink and Blue T's

Here are some pics of Hunter and Hannah in their T-shirts that Grandma Leveritt gave them for their birthday-I thought they were pretty cute. We had just gotten back home from a trip to Walmart-I am still amazed at how many times people ask me if they are twins, and if they are two girls!!! I mean, pink t-shirt/blue t-shirt?? I guess it just seems obvious to me-ha, ha!

Katy's Baby Shower

Yesterday Hilary, Lundy, and I hosted a baby shower for one of my best friends Katy. She is having a baby girl, and they are naming it Adalee Kate---very cute I think. Her original shower was supposed to have been the previous weekend, but due to Hurricane Ike it was postponed. I thought everything turned out great and everyone seemed to have a good time. It was fun catching up with old friends we haven't seen in a while. I am so happy for Katy and her husband Jason, I know how much they have wanted this, and they will be wonderful parents. I am just as excited to have a close friend that I will be able to talk to about all the crazy stuff that happens when you are a mom!! Please pray for Katy that she continues to have a healthy pregnancy-we can't wait for Adalee's arrival!!! Hunter and Hannah have been being very mischievous lately. They have mastered walking, and are practically running now-which makes things a bit tougher to catch them at times. It is nice though when I leave the house because I can carry one and let the other one walk with me to the car, instead of making two trips. Last week I had to take Hunter to the doctor-from previous visits to my pediatrician I have learned that our wonderful side-by-side double stroller will not fit through any of their doorways (they must have skinny doors), so my plan was to carry Hunter and to put Hannah in the small umbrella stroller we have. I get to the doctor and open the trunk, and what do you know, NO stroller. Kevin, with the best intentions of course, had decided to clean my car out during the hurricane. The distance from the car to the doctor's office was quiet a ways, and I knew that they would not walk -if they tried it might take 2 hours. So, I decided to try to carry them both, along with the huge diaper bag and my purse. Let's just say I was probably very entertaining to watch. We lost 2 shoes along the way and mid-way through I had to stop because I was loosing my grip on Hannah and she was slowly sliding down my leg! We finally made it inside, and the doctor's staff took pity on me and were extremely helpful-I love our pediatrician-everyone is so nice and caring! Sunday morning, while I was at church, Kevin informed me that Hunter has learned how to stand up in his high chair. He had turned around to chop a banana and we he looked back Hunter was standing straight up smiling-I guess we will have to get their seat belts out again-scary!!

Here are some pictures of Hunter and Hannah after their bath: someone had given us these little bath robes for a shower, but we forgot about them. They were for sizes 0-9mon, so they were small-but I thought they were still cute!

Hunter wearing Kevin's hat and excited to be back home!!!

Hunter showing us how he can stick a WHOLE rice cake in his mouth on the way home from Marble Falls




Hannah sleeping on the way home from Marble Falls

Hananh and Hunters first real bath after the Hurricane

After the Storm

We are finally back home after Hurricane Ike hit on September 12th. Our neighborhood was hit pretty hard, trees and powerlines down everywhere. Amazingly, our house and our immediate neighbors were not damaged. God must have been looking down on us, because we initally thought it wasn't too bad when we looked out the windows to survey the damage-but as we tried to drive through our subdivsion, we realized it was a lot worse-and it looked like it had missed our house completely. Of course our power (and just about everyone elses) was out. It just came back on Friday afternoon. The first 4 nights we stayed with Dickey and Pam. Pam had converted the office into a nursery last year-so we were fortunate enough to have two cribs for Hannah and Hunter to sleep in. Kevin and I put a mattress down on the floor to sleep on. For everyone that knows the size of their office-it was a pretty tight fit for all of us, but actually worked out well. They had a generator, so we had a small window unit ac in the office, and were able to use the refrigerator. We are so thankful to Kevin's parents, especially Dickey, because we know it was a lot of work-and they kept us very comfortable. We were hearing stories that the power may not return for a few weeks, so on Tuesday we decided it would be a good idea for me and the kids to go stay with my brother Craig in Marble Falls. Kevin stayed home because he had to look after the store. I had never been able to visit them since they have lived there, and it was beautiful. My brother Craig and his wife Janna also have twin girls Annie and Taylor-they kept the babies very entertained. We are so gracious to them for opening up their home to us-and we enjoyed the visit. FINALLY, Saturday my brother drove us back and met my Dad in Giddings to take us home. I love road trips and spontaneous traveling, but I have never in my life been so excited to be home!!!! Hannah and Hunter were equally excited to be home and play with their familiar toys. Here are some pics and videos of our "Ike Vacation". Love-Mandy

Tipsy Pinguens

Well, Hannah and Hunter are officially walking all over. This is a really big deal for me, because somehow it marks their transition from baby-hood to toddlerhood. I decided the other day that they kind of look like drunken pinguens when they walk. They waddle real fast and sway side to side-very funny!. They are doing fairly well in their new room at daycare, still are adjusting to the new foods. Oh and Hannah got bit yesterday. They called me at work to inform me that one of the older babies in their class had leaned over and somehow bit Hannah behind the ear. It did not break the skin, and they said she cried for a minute and was fine, but it was still upsetting. Poor Hannah, she is so sweet and easygoing. They said they removed the girl from the class and will be moving her to the next level, if she does not learn and does it again, she won't be allowed back-I think she is a repeat offender. Well, I guess that sort of thing happens sometimes----at least it wasn't her brother that bit her!!

They also had their 12month well check at the doctor on Monday. Kevin went with me and it was actually a very non-stressful, easygoing doctor visit! Hannah weighed 19.2 and Hunter 20.2; at first I was very concerned because I expected them to weigh a lot more. The doctor said not to worry because they have not dropped on their growth chart and had gained 2 1/2 pounds since their last 3 month visit. They are, however, growing in length-so maybe they will just be tall and skinny!! He also said that it is normal for their appetite to decrease now, which made me feel a lot better--I feel like they don't ever eat anything, but they are as happy as could be! We will also be gradually switching from formula to whole milk this week, wish us luck!

We are really enjoying experimenting with different foods, I am trying to get them to eat a variety of different things so they won't be picky eaters like I was. Here are pics of them eating strawberries and blueberries for the first time:

Here is one of Hannah sleeping-she generally sleeps on her tummy now, so we were surprised to find her like this when we went to wake her up from her nap. I was amazed at how big she looks all sprawled out!!

Here are some pics of them after bathtime: Hunter hair is pretty wild, Grandma needs to give him another hair cut! Hannah was being silly as usual after her bath!

Well, tomorrow Hurricane Ike is supposed to hit Galveston. I'm not sure if we will get any of it yet, but please pray for everyone. Also if anyone knows how to download video clips I would like to know-I have some cute video but don't know how to get it on here! Love-Mandy

First Birthday Party

This past Sunday we had Hannah and Hunter's first birthday party at the house. We were able to see many friends and family and really had a lot of fun. Hannah and Hunter were in great moods, despite being very tired. Hannah seems to be getting over her stranger anxiety phase, because she was all smiles. If you can believe it, neither one of them wanted anything to do with their birthday cakes. They each had an individual cake, and when we set it in front of them, they acted like they didn't want to get their hands messy! Go figure. They had lots of fun opeining all of their gifts, but seemed a little more interested in the wrapping paper than the actual gifts. They got lots of new toys and clothes-all things that we can surely use. Grandma and Grandma Johnson gave Hannah a cute pink stroller w/ a doll, and gave Hunter a busy ball popper, along with lots of cute outfis. My mom got them a nice wagon, we took them on a ride the next morning in the driveway.

They also started in the Wobbler room at daycare this past Tuesday-so far so good. It is a big change for them, but they seem to be adjusting pretty well. They are only in daycare on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so I feel very fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with them. Oh yeah-Hunter is also walking a little now. I don't think that it is their official mode of transportation yet, but when they get a wild hair, they can actually walk pretty far! Lots of changes!-Love, Mandy