Time Passing

I can't believe how fast time goes. We've been looking forward to Christmas- and it is almost here. What next? The Babes are becoming more and more lively so I've tried to spice things up a bit here and there. I am not creative, but I try to think of fun, different things to do that is new to them. I saved some boxes from Sam's club so that made for some entertainment for a day. Tatum pulled down the basket of headbands, so that made some fun entertainment for a bit..


I know- not very creative at all, but it works!We got our Christmas tree up. The kids wouldn't dare touch it the first day- then got more adventurous and daring as the days passed. Now they have no fear of the lights or ornaments and like the show the tree who's boss! We are working on turning the guest room into a kids room...( since we never get any visitors) and the kids love it! Which also means I love it! The bed on the floor is a big hit. We may just keep it there and if someone comes- they'll have to sleep on the floor (on the mattress of course). Since we don't have stairs, this has also taught the babes how to properly get to a lower level. Carter still likes to attempt to just walk off.. still doesn't end well. They are also learning how to throw and how to do a somersault. All a work in progress. And last- we made it to our Ward Christmas Party. Started out a disaster while trying to eat- but ended up pretty good. By the time the program started the babes were so tired since it was way past their bedtime. We managed to change them while the primary kids were singing (then not everyone heard the cries while getting pants changed) and the boys rested on their Dad, while Tatum was wiggly with me. Santa made an appearance at the end and Ben felt it necessary to get a pic. I guess the boys were fine for the first 30 seconds, but by the time I made it up with Tatum... the picture tells it all. But- they got a picture with Santa so that is awesome!

Reading Frenzy

I have to brag a little bit about these kids. They are getting so fun and a whole lot easier. Ok, not brag but rejoice. They love books. That is such a good thing because we have a mini collection, but there is enough to go around. Toys- someone wants what another has and we don't buy three of everything so there tends to be bullying, usually from Tatum. Books provide good entertainment as well as learning.. I hope. So here are a few pics from two different occasions of them "reading". They are pretty awesome at flipping pages too. And if I start saying the lines from a book- they know to get that book, or something similar to. But that first pic of Linc cracks me up. He is such a cheeser for the camera... but after the smiles he just starts making the goofiest, kind of retarded faces. It is hilarious. What a character.


Friday we went up to Stillwater and had my Aunt show us around a bit- then made it to a late lunch at the hot eating joint, Eskimo Joes. It was pretty tasty and would have no problem going back. But- my Aunt got the kids some new outfits, they are awesome! So here they are supporting Eskimo Joe's. Oh- and Lincoln again. He decided to take a dive off the curb and rub his face into the street. The fall looked terrible, I thought he would have a broken a nose or cracked the head. I am amazed that this is all that happened. A scrape on the nose and over the left temple. He cried for maybe 30 seconds and decided he had nothing to complain about because he was able to roam free in the front yard.... a luxury to be out of the house!

Recent Activities

Here are some pics of our most recent activities. It involves being outside as much as possible since they love it. Another is enjoying the car seat boxes, tunnels throughout the house. Yep- new seats for the kids. Oh, and learning how to climb into this table thing. So far so good! Life is going and kids are growing...

Finally

Finally- some exciting news..... The boys can feed themselves!! Yeah. What a relief, they aren't slow, well, that is what we think now. It is great having them snack on their own and not just sit and scream for food. Carter is taking steps on his own, he is SOOO ready to walk. And Tatum can stand without any help. Another milestone for us. We have been playing outside everyday this week in the front yard and letting the kids exploring- and they are learning new tricks. We love it! Sorry no pics, too lazy to download right now. Plus- the Amazing Race is on!

Happy Halloween...

Happy Halloween!!!

We did make it out for Halloween. But first- Tatum had to get a feel of what we were going out for.We decided we had to since we got the kids some easy costumes. Here are a few pics from our fun night.... Carlson Boys had some sweet Firefighter costumes..

Tatum was our monkey, I thought appropriate since she can make monkey noises even if she didn't do it while in her costume. Linc fell asleep after about 30 minutes, Carter went to sleep right when we got home... and Taters carried around a Tootsie Pop the whole time, wide awake- so she sucked on a sucker the last little bit and was a little ticked when I took it away from her to brush her teeth. All in all, it was a fun night!!

The Stats

Carter- W: 18.12 lb
H: 27 1/4
Head: 43.8cm all bottom 5%
Some new fun facts. Carter really does like to clap now and does it anytime you say "yeah". He is also attempting to feed himself, which when done, will be a huge relief. For now he gets his thumb in his mouth and that is it. Hopefully he will soon learn he needs the whole fist! Still loves to walk and can do it holding on with only one hand and not two. He is experimenting more with foods, still mainly carbs though. I did get him to eat a few tomatoes the other day though, always wants what is on my fork. He'll always open but may not last more than a second in his mouth. But doesn't he have the best lips you've ever seen?? You just want to kiss them all day!

Tatum: W: 18.14
H: 28 10-25%
Head: 45.8 50-75%
Tatum has done a total 180. She is such a happy, silly girl. She loved to cuddle you if you are laying on the ground- in a weird way. She is constantly moving but laying right next to you doing it. She makes some animal sounds, is jumping in her bed after naps and making high pitched happy sounds. She has mastered feeding herself and loves her sippy cup. Hopefully that helps feed her thirst when we give her the bottle less and less. Has a new obsession for this shark. If you make the noises to 'Jaws- dada,dada- she gets so gitty, we got a game going with it! She drinks so much! Made it two months with teeth before chipping the top right central, look closely and you will see it shorter and a little jagged, we are hoping it doesn't turn into a "dead" tooth. She has the chubbiest cheeks which enhance the double chin when she makes scratchy, smoker noises. She loves to laugh- still her her tantrum moments- but is our Angel Tater Tootsies!! Lincoln W: 19.13
H 28 1/2 10%
Head: 45.2 10-25%
And Lincoln- He is still our little Rock Star!! He is such a momma's boy- but can still be fun. He loves to cruise around the house and can do it all day long, just a pro at walking. (Poor Carter wants to be like Linc) He can make the funniest faces, loves to squint his eyes and move his lips in weird ways. He is SO TICKLISH it is awesome. He has the cutest laugh that I love to hear. He is a fantastic sleeper. Loves to sleep, but don't forget blue dog or else. He will roll around in his sleep with this dog. And when he wakes up he always throws it over the side- if I forget to put it back in bed he will roam the house with it. Just loves it. (thanks again Lena). But also has a game of throwing it over the side. I'll toss it in and he tosses it out. He is starting to tryout the feeding thing, but just as often as he'll try to feed himself- he'll lay is face on the table hoping a chunk of food makes it in his mouth, not sure where he learned that from. But very stubborn, does not want your help getting his fingers in his mouth and lays his hands on his lap when he is hungry and wants you to feed him. But all in all- we just love this kid. They all have there flaws and I get stressed out beyond---- everything, but I love being home with them. I love listening to them all laugh and jibber-jabber to each other when they wake up from their naps. I love having stories for Ben about them, especially when he's been gone for two days. I love that they say momma, and not daddy.. They are fun to be with (I still love my breaks though, when my awesome friends help out- I am so glad I don't have to grocery shop at night after they are in bed) They are our Babes!!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY

My How these little miracles have grown! I can not believe they are a year old, well in a few hours. I still remember sitting at the hospital a year ago playing Trains when the nurse came in and said the NICU is ready, there's room for three babies!! It is pretty crazy to think how small and helpless they were in the beginning. They are learning new things daily now. But- some things just don't change. Here is Tatum staring down her daddy, she still feels the same and can't get enough of him.Then Carter stuck in the NICU at Children's before the surgery, about 6 lbs.
And Lincoln prepping to go home--- that pacifier is gigantic compared to his face.
We did have a "party" for them Saturday which turned out to be a lot of fun. We invited a few friends.. didn't want to make a big deal out of it but thought it was a good excuse to throw a BBQ! The friends were a great help, the babes were always given the desired attention and the kids helped the babes open their presents and show them how they work. I just can't believe it has already been a year. So here is our party set up, things can get a little crazy with three babes. They had car cakes that actually turned out as good as I thought they would... Ben even decorated one as Chick Hicks. Then Spence showing Carter how to open and play with the new present! The total Chaos. And then the cutest things I've ever seen, made by Holly! So impressed!! Then Tatum, she is getting closer to walking everyday. She'll turn and just start walking somewhere- making it about 10 steps or so. It is so much fun to watch them learn something new. They just love it! They have their checkup on a few days so we'll update everyone on the stats... any guesses??