The Willms

Back in October, Kevin and I went to a wedding for our friends here in the cities. Great Aunt Mary and (Great Aunt) Heimy were kind enough to volunteer to come and watch the twins for us. They might have been a little nervous taking care of the twins by themselves, but knew all they really had to do was keep them feed, diapers clean, naps, and bedtime. According to them, they had quite the adventure figuring out the kids' stroller when taking Matthew and Kate for a walk. We enjoyed listening to their stories when we got home from the wedding. We're not sure who had more fun....the twins or the aunts. :) We think you did great, Mar and Heim, and we very much appreciated having a night out on the town.

Here are some pictures Mary and Heimy took during their day/night of babysitting.

Heimy and the twins

Kate is sporting Matthew's new UNI hat from Great Aunt Mary.

....Don't you love the pink pants Great Aunt Mary and Heimy dressed me in? :)

Great Aunt B and Matty

The twins with their UNI hat from Great Aunt Mary and NDSU hat from Heimy.

Matthew loves his Awesome Aunt B

Okay, we aren't bad parents but we thought it would be fun to put the girly hat on Matt to see if he looked like Kate. He knows he's manly!

Great Aunt B and Kate (Punkin' Head)

Thanks for Babysitting us - we had so much fun! Come back please and do it again soon!

Halloween weekend Kevin and I decided to surprise our family and show up back at home. His grandma Ilene ended up being in the hospital and we wanted to visit her hoping the twins would bring a smile to her face. And you could say seeing the twins definitely helped brighten Grandma's spirits! Seeing her smiles made our day, too!

While we were back, our hometown was having their trick-or-treating Saturday night. My brother's kids, Kaleb, and Evan, came out and went trick-or-treating. We took the kids to a couple of houses around town but decided it was a bit too cold to have them out long. Next year we look forward to doing even more with the twins.

Hanging with my older cousins

Cousin Kaleb as Benjamin Franklin and Black Cat Kate

Cousin Ev as a Transformer and Pumpkin Matty

Out trick-or-treating with the kids.

Daddy and Kate

Mommy and Matty

Grandma and Matthew

Daddy's buddy!

We left during trick-or-treating to head to Kevin's great uncle Jim Willms' 80th birthday party. We were happy that we were home to make it back to the party. We had a great time seeing all of Kevin's relatives we don't get to see very often. We always have such a great time and we get the biggest kick out of Kevin's great uncles (especially during the competitive board and card games)! The day was pretty hectic, but the twins did great through it all. Their eating and napping schedule was messed up, but they adjusted well. By the time we got to Jim's birthday party it was getting to be past their bedtime. Tired and all...Matthew could not be stopped. He just loved crawling all around the house from person to person. Unfortunetly, I forgot my camera, so I don't have any pictures to post from the bday party.

On Sunday, you could dress up at my parent's church. My mom went as a mouse so the kiddos got their picture taken with "Grandma Carol Mouse".

Aunt Jenny got back from a weekend away for vball and came out to see the twins.

Hanging with our auntie!

Aunt Jenny and Grandma Joyce

Another great weekend back at home!

Eight is definitely great! Kevin and I are throughouly enjoying the stage Katherine and Matthew are at now. It's so fun to see all of the things they are learning everyday. Literally it feels like everyday one of the twins has some new learned skill. I just commented to Kevin last night, "Our babies need to stop growing up so fast!"

Since Matthew and Katherine turned 8 months so close to Halloween, I thought it would be fun to take their pictures with their pumpkins and costumes.

Matthew Edward

Diaper Size: Size 3
Clothing Size: 6 months (especially your pants) and 6-9 months

Sleeping: You are still a "cat napper" during the day. I've been trying to work on making your naps longer, but it doesn't always work. You have been taking 3 naps during the day. They can last anywhere between 30 minutes to and hour and a half. You are usually awake for 2 to 2.5 and then time for your nap. You go to bed anytime between 7:00-8:00 at night. We put you to bed awake and you'll just cry for a short time before you fall asleep. Lately, when we come in to check on you when you're crying we find you standing up in your crib wanting us to pick you up. We gently put you back on your side and cover you with blankets. You're favorite way to sleep is on your side or tummy with your head positioned in the corner of your crib. Silly sleeper...like father like son! You like to sleep to your lullaby CD and the heartbeat sound.

Eating: The middle of this past month you switched to eating 4 times a day. Yay! Mommy really worked on this! You eat 6 or 7 o.z. at a time. You eat baby food twice a day, morning and dinner, and eat a snack in the afternoon. For snacks you like puffs (a new treat!), yogurt, and frozen or fresh fruit in your food feeder. New foods you've tried this month are: mango, fresh peaches, fresh melons, fresh banana, orange, prunes, cinnamon mixed with pears and oatmeal, pear yogurt, puffs. You're favorites are peas, green beans, cinnamon pears with oatmeal, yogurt, and frozen fruit. You also have been introduced to a sippy cup. You still don't get much out but you're exploring the new cup.

Dislike: You get upset when you can't do something you want to do....daddy, does that sound familiar! :) You still don't like to fall asleep and miss out on anything that's going on.

Favorite Activities: Now that you can crawl, that's all you want to do! I find that you crawl and follow me around the house. You also love to crawl into your bouncy set. You are great at getting yourself in the chair but can't really get yourself out gracefully. You will even climb into the chair if Kate's sitting in it! Again...no personal space for Matty! You love to eat fruit out of the food feeder. I'm sure the cold feels good on the tooth you have coming in. You want to crawl through all of the small, tight spaces you can. You're a paci hoarder. No matter if you already have one in your mouth you'll pick up any laying on the floor or take the one out of Kate's mouth. Stinker! You enjoy it when Mommy and Daddy sing and dance around like goof balls.

Nicknames: Matt, Matty, Wiggles, Wiggs

Talking: You like to talk to yourself as you fall asleep. You make sounds like "hey", "yeah", and "yup". You are teething and are wanting to put everything in your mouth. Your first tooth is starting to come in (the bottom left tooth).
New Adventures: You just had your first Halloween. You were a pumpkin and went trick-or-treating to a couple of houses back in Mommy and Daddy's hometown. You went to your Great Uncle Jim's 80th birthday party. Also, you went to your friend Alma's 2nd birthday party. Mommy and Daddy went to a wedding so Great Aunt Mary and Heimy came up to babysit you. You visited Great Grandma in the hospital. You helped brighten her day and spirits!

New Skills: You started to learn how to crawl this month. Big accomplishment, buddy! Since learning to crawl you have just taken off with new skill after new skill. You can crawl into a bouncy seat, crawl up the living room step, crawl and then sit up on your own, and NOW pull yourself up to your feet! We had to lower your crib. So far you have pulled yourself up in the crib, coffee table, TV stand, an couch and chair.

Matthew,

Mommy and Daddy love to see your infectious smile. We especially love the smile you give us after you have done something you're proud of. It's like your telling us, "Oh yeah, I just did that!" You love to explore the house now that you are mobile. It can sometimes be a challenge for us to contain you when you have your mind set on getting somewhere. We are so proud of all you have been learning! We love you!

Katherine Ilene

Diaper Size: Size 3

Clothing Size: 6-9 months and 9 months

Sleeping: You are still an amazing sleeper! You take 2 or 3 naps during the day. You wake up in the morning between 7:30-8:00, have your first bottle, and then take your first nap after an hour of when you wake up. You take your second nap around noon, and then you last quick nap around 5:00. You take much longer naps than your brother averaging 1 to 2 hours at a time. You eat your last bottle between 7:30-8:00 and then we put you to bed. We can put you in your crib and you'll coo a little and then fall asleep all by yourself. We might have to put your paci in your mouth a few times in the middle of the night. You always do great at falling right back asleep. To help you sleep you love to have your pink monkey blanket. You love to feel the furry monkey and the satin with your hands. We also put your muslin blanket on the other side of you. You like to sleep best on your back or left side.

Eating: The middle of this past month you switched to eating 4 times a day. Yay! Mommy really worked on this! You eat 6 or 7 o.z. at a time. You eat baby food twice a day, morning and dinner, and eat a snack in the afternoon. For snacks you like puffs (a new treat!), yogurt, and frozen or fresh fruit in your food feeder. New foods you've tried this month are: mango, fresh peaches, fresh melons, fresh banana, orange, prunes, cinnamon mixed with pears and oatmeal, pear yogurt, puffs. You're favorites are green beans, cinnamon pears with oatmeal, yogurt, apple, sweet potato, and peaches. You also have been introduced to a sippy cup. You still don't get much out but you're exploring the new cup.

Dislike: You don't like it when I wipe your face after you finish eating baby food. You get over anxious when you see us preparing your bottle. You hate it when the car stops, Matthew takes your paci, being on your tummy too long, and when Matthew wakes you up in the middle of the night.

Favorite Activities: Now that you can sit up on your own you love to sit and play with toys around you. You like having your diaper changed. You love having someone hold and walk around with you. Jumping! You love to jump in your new Rainforset Jumperoo! You also love to talk or babble! You like it when we play Patty Cake and Peek-a-Boo with you.

Nicknames: Kate, Katers, Kater Tot, Kater Gator, Tater

Talking: You make sounds all of the time now! You like to talk to yourself as you fall asleep. You make sounds like "da da", loud happy screeches, "hi", "yeah", and "hey". You like to coo and have a conversation with us. We find you talk most when you have your hand or paci in your mouth.

New Adventures: You just had your first Halloween. You were a black cat and went trick-or-treating to a couple of houses back in Mommy and Daddy's hometown. You went to your Great Uncle Jim's 80th birthday party. Also, you went to your friend Alma's 2nd birthday party. Mommy and Daddy went to a wedding so Great Aunt Mary and Heimy came up to babysit you. You visited Great Grandma in the hospital. You helped brighten her day and spirits!

New Skills: You do great at sitting up on your own. You are rolling over more onto your stomach. You're do great at picking up and reaching for objects around you. And Mommy and Daddy's new favorite skill: holding your bottle so you can feed yourself. You are starting to shimmy around in your crib a bit more. You love playing peek-a-boo by yourself with your monkey blanket as your trying to fall asleep in your crib. You're recognizing people and love to see Daddy when he gets home. You can pick up paci's and put it in and out of your mouth.

Kate,

Daddy and Mommy think you are such a great little girl! We love to watch you jump in your jumperoo and listen to your talking. You still love to grab our faces and give us wet kisses. Your big smiles can always make us laugh. We're so proud at how well you're doing with sitting and love that you can now hold your own bottle. We love you!

We're 8 Months!