Kids 9 months checkup

The kids had their 9 months checkup yesterday. Dr. said everyone is doing really well and that there were no issues to be seen. He checked Tobin and his ear infection and ulcers were clearing up. He was a little concern with Skyler b/c he saw some possible sign of ulcers in her mouth so he told us to keep an eye on that. He wanted to make sure everyone was either crawling or doing some kind of movement and using their pincher grab. He also said they can pretty much eat everything if they want except for honey. They have to wait til 1 year for that. They also did bloodwork to check for anemia and everyone came back normal.

Here are the kids stats:

Tobin---28 1/4" long, 17 lb 11 oz (I think he would have been 18 lb had he not gotten sick)

Hudson---27 1/2" long, 15 lb 12 oz

Skyler---27 1/2" long, 16 lb 5 oz

On mommy front, I am officially done with pumping! I did it to their 9 months and am very glad I was able to do it that long. I wish I could do it to their one year, but with them being bigger now, it's really hard to fit it in the day, beside those extra minutes are so precious when I'm sleeping. I am happy with my decision...it was a little sad seeing it come to an end, but I know I did my best to give my kids the nutrition they needed in the beginning. For now the milk bank is closed... atleast for the next 2-3 years! :-)

Swimming @ Marie and Ted's new pool on May 25

For Memorial Day, we took the kids swimming for the first time at Marie and Ted's new pool. Dan pumped up their floats while Marie and I got them changed into their swimming suits. We then took t hem in the spa area because there were so many other big kids in the regular pool. At first they didn't know what it was, there were some uneasyiness about the whole thing, but then we gave them their toys (the ones they're used to playing with from home) and everything was OK. They really enjoyed themselves, especially Skyler. She was kicking her legs in the water...I think she thought her float was a jumperoo. Overall everyone had a great time, it was really nice to get them so fresh air. For the half day outing, we had 5 bags packed full of stuff. I can't imagine if we went on vacation, how much stuff we'd have. Thanks Marie and Ted for inviting us over!

The five of us hanging out on the hammock. It took me a while to decide which pic to use b/c Hudson was not smiling in any of them. His facial expression is the same in all of them. (Skyler, Tobin, and Hudson)

Another pic of us five, this time on their swingset. Hudson, Skyler, and Tobin
Marie holding all the kids with me, my mom, and Patrick.

My mom w/the kids. Once again Hudson is not smiling. Two out of three isn't bad.

Patrick holding Tobin since he was wore out from all the swimming.

My mom holding Hudson.

Ted (Marie's hubby) holding Skyler.

Dadddy holding Skyler in the pool. This is one of my favorite pic, she just looks too adorable. Dan actually bought the kids their swimming suits. He did a great job picking them out!

Daddy letting Skyler float in his arms.

Uncle Matthew with Hudson.

The beautiful pool!

A shot of the water feature.

Daddy holding Skyler while Tobin's in his float.

Tobin resting on his float.

Hudson with his favorite toys.

Everyone in the pool, actually the spa part. It was like we had our own pool. Daddy and Uncle Matthew watching the kiddos!

(Little) Julie came to visit on May 23

My niece Julie came by to visit on Saturday. She drove in from Austin since she's has a short break from school. She's been busy with her third year at UT and haven't seen them til that day. She's here w/Tobin, Hudson, and Skyler.

The boys hanging out with their cousin.
Hudson w/Julie.

Howard and Jackie's visit on May 19

Dan's Uncle Howard and Aunt Jackie came to visit from New Jersey last Tuesday. They were flying in from California for Jake's college graduation. Jake is Dan's cousin. Here they are with Tobin, Skyler and Hudson. Skyler cracks me up in the second pic.

let me outta here---kids sleeping

The kids have finally figured out how to stand...they use the gate to pull themselves up. This setup won't last long if they figure out how to get out. Here's Daddy with Tobin, Skyler (standing) and Hudson (facing away). Sorry, our camera sux, it's stuck on some wierd setting.

Here's Tobin standing up proud!

Then Hudson! I guess it's true what they say about kids doingbetter when they're competition around.

Watch out Tobin, here I come!

It was all fun!

Hudson and Tobin hanging out. They all can sit up really well on their own.

I haven't taken sleeping pics in a long time b/c they are such light sleepers, I'm always afraid of waking them up when I'm in there, but I did it anyway. I can't believe how big they've gotten. Their cribs use to have the sleep positioner and bobby pillows, but now everything is gone and they take up so much room in them. Dan has had to lower everyone cribs, he will have to lower Skyler again this week since she's standing in it now. It scares me everytime she's standing in her crib!

Tobin zzzzzzzz

Skyler zzzzzzzzzzz

Hudson zzzzzzzzzz

Tobin's sick since May 20---Cote parent visit May 3

I'm so behind on updating this blog, finally have some time to down load the pictures. With two kids behind sick back to back, it's been real tough managing everything. Skyler was sick, but thank goodness she only had the fever and it wasn't too troublesome for her. Tobin on the other hand, had an ear infection and ulcers in his mouth. It's been the toughest for us this past few weeks...with the lack of sleep we already get, add a crying sick kid who wants to be held ALLTHE TIME even during the night, you can imagine how my days and nights have been. It's always the kid that weighs the most who wants to be carried all the time. Thank goodness for my wonderful hubby! Dan did A LOT of the staying up with Tobin, rocking him and just carrying him at night. We took turns but I have to give him credit for taking the lead on this one. Because he knows how bad my wrists have gotten ever since these guys came home. The ulcers made it hard for him to eat and drink milk. The pedi said to give him cold things but it still didn't help much. He hasn't had much of an appetite. Since he can't eat much, he doesn't sleep well, and is very cranky! It's coming to an end and I'm looking forward to getting my Tobin back. He's doing a lot better today, smiling and laughing. I DO NOT want my other two to ever have to go through this.

Dan's parents came by when he was in Calgary for work. They brought me lunch and wanted to see the grandbabies. Here's Grandpa w/Skyler, Hudson, and Tobin.

Add Ba Ngoai and Grandma to the mix.
Grandparents Cote with the kids.

Mother's Day outing---Skyler is sick

We celebrated my first Mother's Day with Dan's family @ Ciro's Italian restaurant. When we walked in, all three kids were crying really loud, it was all new to them. I bet most of the people thought their dinner was ruined, but eventually they calmed down and did pretty well for the rest of the evening. My pictures are backwards. We had dinner first and then went outside so Gail and I could open our presents.

We're suppose to celebrate Mother's Day with my famiy tomorrow, but it's being canceled. On Monday, Skyler had a high fever. She's teething and I didn't think nothing of it. On Tuesday evening, her fever shot up 102 and I called the Dr. It was afterhours so we gave her some Tylenol. Yesterday I took her in and they confirmed it's viral. So poor little girl has had a fever since Monday. Dr. said we just have to wait til it passes and hopefully doesn't develop into an ear infection or pneumonia. Please pray it passes. Do you know how hard it is to hold your crying sick baby while the other two are crying also b/c they're waiting to be feed or needing attention? Yup, I can't wait til this is over and on top of that, pray the boys don't catch it from her. I've been sanitizing her toys and keeping her things separate, but there's only so much I can do...so please pray hard!!!

A pic with the five of us, it's rare we have these and hard to get everyone looking the right direction or smiling. Oh well, that's life! (Skyler, Tobin, and Hudson)

I asked Julie to take this pic which shows Hudson's hand on Tobin. TOO PRECIOUS!!!
Daddy holding Tobin and Hudson.

Me with Dan and his mom, Gail thanking her for the wonderful album she made for me.

Gail made me a photo album chronolizing (is that a word?) our journey from moving into this new house with our pets, me being preggo, kids NICU time, and all the way up to current time. I of course lost it when I opened the album...something about seeing your kids when they were so small and now growing so fast!

Hudson sitting in a highchair for the first time. I put the portable booster seat I brought just incase we needed it. We did, just in a different way.

Tobin sitting in a highchair for the first time. We don't have a pic of Skyler b/c she's Ms. Social Butterfly, someone's usually holding her.

Skyler and I.

Daddy holding Tobin as he spit up. This was towards the end and I think Tobin had a huge burp. Sorry to the person at Ciro's who has to clean this up! Dan looks so proud! :-)

Rebecca, Dan's sis.

Gail holding Hudson and Matt holding Skyler.

Gail kissing Hudson.

Bob holding Skyler.

Daddy with Tobin.

Mommy with Hudson.

Skyler with Daddy.