Enjoying the fall weather

After school and some errands, Anne and the twins came over to enjoy this beautiful fall day with the girls and me.  Riggs, a total boy, had fallen asleep after all that shopping, but Avery was ready to play with the girls. 

She was loving getting all of Charlotte's attention, though was not a big fan of the swing.  At first she was fine, but then started pulling at her ear - a sure sign that the motion was not helping her stubborn ear infection.  She did enjoy sitting on the mats in the grass and kept Charlotte and I busy pulling leaves and sticks out of her mouth.  That girl will eat anything!

Avery was also not content on just sitting on the mat we had set out just for her.  No, Little Miss Determined wanted to explore and get closer to her best friend Maggie (our yellow Lab). 

Riggs eventually woke up and joined in on the outdoor fun.  He loved the swing and would belly laugh when we would push him high (but don't worry Dearie, not too high!).  Of course when his mama tried to capture him laughing on video, he got all serious and would only stare at Maggie. 

That is okay Riggs, Aunt B got plenty pictures of you having a blast!

Little Miss Serious checking Maggie out

Hey, what is this?

I think I will give it a taste.

Charlotte having a ball playing with "her baby"

Avery off to get Maggie

Frances trying to love on Riggs - with him pushing her off. 

What was that!? My mama doesn't hug me like that!

the time of his life

Aunt B, this is much better than that food you gave me yesterday!

so handsome

Aunt B, are you really going to let her keep pushing me?  She really is not qualified for the job.

Adventures in Babysitting

Since Anne is extremely busy with those adorable twins, I have offered my services to blog about her babies when I get to spend time with them.

This morning Frances and I got to babysit for them while Anne ran to the Doc in the Box (another sinus infection).  They spent the morning keeping me on my toes, but we had a blast.

When I got lunch together for Frances, I decided to blend some of it up for the babies.  On the menu:  pork chops, rice, gravy, and green beans.  Wonderful whole, so it should be wonderful blended, right?

I started with Avery since she will eat anything, and got the funniest reaction.

All ready to eat with Maggie batting clean up!

Aunt B, what is that stuff you are trying to feed me?

Really?

Gag me!

Aunt B, I see Avery's reaction.  You must be crazy if you think you can get me to eat this!

Yuck!

Avery, despite her reaction to each bite, would open wide for a fresh bite everytime I offered.  She is a soldier when it comes to eating!  Riggs did try two bites, but after that he hid his face from me.  I had to earn his trust back, but he eventually ate his normal baby food from me.

Sorry kids for subjecting you to this nasty meal.  I promise to be "Fun Aunt B" the next time we hang out.

Who needs toys when you have a trashcan!

Sonny and Cher

She must have overheard us talking...

I have to be honest, the baby books I have for Avery and Riggs have been barely written in...I feel like a bad mother because its usually the second child that has the empty baby book!! I guess I have the excuse of twins :) However I am trying to go back and fill in as much as I can periodically.

This morning while feeding babies I was asking Tim what date should we put as Avery getting her first teeth. I have been seeing them for a while now under the gums and feeling them for the past two weeks. Tim said he didn't think that counted and we should wait until the first one is fully out.

When I was walking to their classroom at Mothers Day Out I could hear Avery SCREAMING! I feel so bad for their teachers when the babies are fussy. Once she saw me she calmed down. The teachers told me today had been one of Avery's worst. I mentioned she has been teething and that is probably what all the fuss was about. Right as I was saying this she gave me a big smile and I saw her TWO BOTTOM TEETH!!! So, its official Avery has teeth! I am sure Riggs will follow in the next couple of days.

I will do my best to write this important information into her baby book.

All dressed up for a baby shower...

Auntie = Homecoming Queen

LSU v Florida

Forward Motion!

It's official...both kids can do the following: (a) see something they want across the room, (b) proceed in a forward direction with no rolling or accidental reverses, and (c) retrieve. I wouldn't quite label it "crawling," but it's close.

Avery likes to come get Riggs's nunu. Riggs likes to look for ways to escape Avery.

Few of you knew that Abi is really 50% Boston Terrier and 50% Lioness

Morning Peek-a-boo

9 months in, 9 months out

Today, October 6, 2009, you kids are 9 months old. Can you believe it - you've been on the outside as long as you were on the inside! We hope you like the outside better - certainly more space out here, and the food's gotta be better too.

If we think back to when our journey with you began - way back in Baltimore (www.baltimore.com, in case you don't know where that is) in May 2008 - Mom and I had no idea of what was ahead of us. To think, at that point we thought there was only one of you! Which one? Not sure.

As we *think* you know, the last 9 months have been the best we've ever known (and, obviously, the best you've ever known, as well). Your personalities and preferences, laughs and cries, habits, facial expressions and sleeping patterns (or not) are becoming so full of character already that your Mom thinks you're growing up too fast. Maybe she's right. All I know is that, if we had been blessed with only one of you, either of you would have done the trick and would have brought more love and joy to our lives than we could have possibly imagined. That we were blessed with both of you has proven to be a miracle that we are lucky enough to see every day.

We love you, and we can't wait to see you when you wake up (hopefully many hours from now).

Surprise Visit from a long lost friend...

Michael - this post is for you!

Today my babies got to meet a very close college friend. I think they really liked her too! It was so nice catching up, and reminiscting about the good ole times. Boy did we have them, and luckily Lauren remembers them all! Hopefully she won't feel the urge to tell the babies when they grow up!

Lauren - we LOVE surprise visits, so feel free to stop by the next time you are in town. We are looking at the calendar to see when we can come visit you. Hope you had a safe drive home.

Hello Mrs. Lauren - I'd like to play with your necklace please.
This one cracks me up. Lauren and the girls.

I think Lauren is saying...wait you want to put another baby on this chair!

I love the way Avery is looking at Lauren...and you are?

Its very difficult to get 4 kids to look at the camera at the same time.

Riggs realizing where he is...

...and he is not happy about it at all!


In order for Aunt B to have time to visit she had to cook Charlotte and Frances' dinner at our house. While I am not a fan of red beans and rice, I might have to cook it more often. Avery LOVED it!! Riggs even enjoyed a few beans.

Always smiling for the camera!

making funny faces to daddy

I think I might like red beans and rice!

LSU fan...I think not!

no "real" LSU fan would drink from a UK cup!!!

(Charlotte - I know you bleed purple and gold)

Afternoon Fun

How classic is this face?!? Just sucking on my peach while watching my Baby Einstein!
Avery: HeHe, I got brothers nunu.
Riggs: I think she might pull me over!

Sweet Baby Girl

One handsome fella