Parker and Penelope

I thought I would post a couple pictures of the twins since Oliver has been hogging the blog lately. A lot of people have asked about how the twins are adjusting to having a baby brother. For the most part they have done really well. It certainly helped that Grandpa and Grandma Ballentine were here for a good month after Oliver was born to entertain and play with them. The hardest was when we went to Utah for my brother's wedding four weeks after Oliver was born. I thought the drive would be the rough part but really all three kids did surprisingly well. The rough part was being in Utah. The twins had such a hard time, I think it was the combination of traveling and having a new baby brother and seeing lots of people they didn't really know. What ever it was, it was not fun for us, for the twins, and for anyone with whom we came in contact (so sorry everyone). Tory and I have decided to not travel for at least 10 years, its jut not worth the hassle. Since being home, without the grandparents, we have gotten into a little system that works for us. The twins are in relatively good spirits and only try to push Oliver off my lap when they are really unhappy and want me to hold them. They bring Oliver toys, love to touch their noses and ears and then touch his (I think they are making sure Ollie is not an alien) and they love to hug and kiss him which is a little dangerous for Ollie but so cute to watch!! The hardest thing for me has been church. Tory is now in the bishopric and sits on the stand so I have to wrangle 3 small children and keep them quiet for an hour and 10 minutes by myself which is pretty much impossible. Ahhh good times.

Tummy Time

Look who is getting so good at holding up his (quite large) head. Oliver is such a big boy, literally: at the doctor's office yesterday he weighed 14lbs.

The twins are enjoying all the fun baby items we have pulled out for Oliver; at least they can't break this one--unlike the swing and bouncer.

A Smiler

Look who is smiling these days:




We love our baby Oliver!!

All three kids and a fun video of the twins

Oliver was chillin' on his new blanket from his Aunt Cass and Penelope decided to join him. She is becoming a great big sister:

Then Parker decided to join in on the fun. I love how he is looking at his little brother:

Here is Parker enjoying a popsicle and Penelope enjoying one as well. We have found that a little popsicle fixes just about anything that ails the twins.

And while this one doesn't imbibe in anything except milk, he sure is cute, especially while he sleeps:
This is the twins' new trick. We love to have them hug and kiss each other, it just warms my heart and makes me laugh when they giggle!!

Its Official...

As of December 31st at 11:56am, we are a family of five. Oliver Edward Randall was born weighing 8 lbs 13 ounces and was 22 inches long:

Luckily we were visited by both sets of grandparents in the hospital along with my sister so Oliver knows he comes from good stock! We got home from the hospital yesterday and Oliver got to meet his older brother and sister. They weren't able to come to the hospital because of swine flu. Oliver bought toys for his siblings in an effort to buy their affection. Here is his offering to Parker:
We went outside to enjoy the 80 degree weather, yes we love San Diego. Penelope was intrigued by Oliver:

Hopefully they will all be good friends soon:

We are fortunate to have my parents here to help with transition from 2 kids to 3. I think they may have to stay for 18 years rather than just a month.

Helpful Parker

Parker has become quite the little helper these days. He helps me unload the dishwasher (Penelope helps too), he takes dirty diapers and puts them in the diaper pail and lately he's been helping dad with his 'handyman' work around the house:


I think in this instance he is just giving moral support to dad while he child-proofs a drawer:

He and Penelope are starting to play more together which is also quite helpful except when they fight over the same toy and unfortunately that happens all too often. This morning they were playing with their toys in the great room (it has no furniture in it except a piano; someday we'll get furniture but right now the kids love playing in all that open space). Tory was able to catch on camera what they were doing:



I'm glad Penelope thought this was funny because Parker has a good 5 pounds on her. He weighed in at 30 lbs at their 18-month visit and Penelope was only 25 lbs.

New Pajamas and a Little Announcement

I just love new pajamas so when both Parker and Penelope's pjs started getting a little tight and Parker's toes started sticking out, I decided to take a little trip to Costco. They each got 2 new pair. And I have to say, my love of new pajamas lives on.

Look at that buddha belly:
Parker likes his new pjs too:
My sweet baby girl:
My cute baby boy: Smiles all around:
How I love my darling twins. I hope they do all right when their little brother is born......oh yes, I'm pregnant. It came as quite a shock, I guess that is why you get 9 months to prepare. We have until the end of the year to prepare for having 3 kids under the age of two. Oh good heavens, we are in trouble....