First swim

H&H are doing great. They went swimming for the first time Friday night. They loved it. They weren't quite sure what to do, but they kicked and had a good time. They love their baths so much that we thought they'd enjoy the pool, too. I fed Hank with a spoon the other night. What a mess we made! He really likes it now. We're only doing cereal and will start veggies in a few weeks. Hayden doesn't like the spoon, but we're still working on it. Their sitter started working last week. She's been great, and the kids don't seem to notice that someone different is taking care of them. They sleep 12 hours straight at night with several naps during the day. Of course, they started sleeping through the night just as I went back to work and Jay took over. How unfair is that??? We won't have new weights for a couple of weeks, but I think Hank is about 13 lbs and Hayden is about 10 1/2. I can't believe they're so big now. For Christmas I'm getting each of them a doll that is custom made to their birth size, so we'll always have a reminder of how small they were when they were born. I think it will be a nice keepsake for them to show their own children and grandchildren. Am I thinking ahead or what? Y'all have a great week!

6 months old

We had a great visit in McComb this weekend while Jay was fishing in South Louisiana. Hank put on a show for everyone--he is "talking" up a storm now. How I wish I knew what he is trying to say! Hayden is a sassy little thing who flirts just enough to get her way. She is spoiled rotten, but is so precious with the sweetest grin that you can't help but give in to whatever she wants. We are really going to have our hands full with her. The twins were 6 months old on Saturday. I can't believe they are already half a year old, but then again it seems like eons ago when Jay & I made that trip to Jackson, not realizing we'd be parents of two tiny babies the next day. Whew--what a ride it's been! Thanks to everyone who continues to check up on our family after all this time. There are many of you whom we don't even know, yet you are so precious to us. H&H wouldn't be doing so well without you!

Send in the clowns...

Well, he certainly took his time getting a personality, but Hank has turned into such a little clown. He laughs and smiles at us now, almost constantly, and this only started Sunday night. He is so much fun. And Hayden-all it takes is a little eye contact, and Hayden pours on the charm. She grins and sticks her tongue out, flirting with anyone who'll give her the attention. They are both getting so strong--they hold their heads up really well when on their tummies and love to "stand up" when you hold them in your lap. Hank is still much bigger than her, as you can tell by the last picture in the July photo gallery. I took that shot of them on the floor in just their diapers so you could see the size difference. You can really tell it when you hold them--2 pounds is a lot!

Zzzzzzzzzz

H&H are such great sleepers! We put them to bed around 10 each night, and they sleep until nearly 10 the next morning. Then they eat and go back to sleep for another 4 hours. It's wonderful! Hayden is still her laughing, smiling self--she loves interacting with people and watching their facial expressions change. Hank is not amused by people for the most part. He'd rather sit in his bouncy seat and grab and tug at his link-a-doos that dangle from a toy bar above. He will laugh and talk like crazy, but the minute he catches us watching him he clams up. They're both really funny kids. I put some new pictures under July 2004 Photos. Enjoy!

Hallelujah!

The thing I've been waiting for finally happened yesterday! Don't get too excited, though. It won't be nearly as earth-shattering for you as it was for us. Hank put his pacifier back in his mouth by himself 3 times yesterday! I've told several people that some people can't wait 'til their kids walk or talk... I just wanted mine to pick up their pacifiers and put them back in, and finally Hank did it! Of course, once I got the camera out he didn't do it again, but oh well. We went to McComb for the July 4th holiday weekend and had a great time. H&H got to meet some family from Austin, TX, at a get-together on the 4th. They even put their little toes in the swimming pool for the first time. We are getting them out more and more, but we're still very careful about getting near small children. Kids under two are like "germ warfare" according to our doctor. Yesterday, H&H met more family from Kilgore, TX. They are so good around strangers and tend to be comfortable in anyone's arms. I'm going to try to get better at updating this site, but there's so much going on now, yet nothing really significant--just everyday stuff. But I know that some of you need your "twin fix" each morning, so I'll do my best to update more regularly. Thanks for thinking about us!