Leaves, Cuddles, and Janet & Sandy

It's been quite a week - I completed my first half-marathon! It went really well even though it was raining. Actually I didn't mind the rain at all. Kurt was planning on bringing the girls but they wouldn't have been happy in the rain for the time it took me to run, so Nana Carol babysat them and Kurt got to watch me finish. Thanks Carol!  2:38:59 - 12 min miles - I'm happy!

Last weekend Aunt Kris and Uncle John and Grandpa Jim and Pat babysat the girls and Kurt and I got to go on a much-needed date. We walked in the Arboretum and got pizza. Not fancy but really relaxing :-) Thanks all for the babysitting!

We got some outside play this week although usually we only go outside in the afternoon now that the lows are close to or less than freezing.

And we got to visit my relatives Sandy and Janet up in Viroqua. It was a beautiful drive and a lovely time.

The girls are taking more and more steps. They can usually get 5 or 6 in now. Sandy and Janet predicted they'll be full-on walking in a week. Exciting! I'm hoping they get good enough before it snows that they can just walk around when we play outside instead of crawling in the snow.

Free play/path of destruction (that's Freya on the pillow)

Bench cruising

Pile of leaves!

She loves the stairs. Yes she safely gets down herself (so does Freya) anyone who is concerned

Playing with the toy cabinet Aunt Kris gave them. So fun!

Scarf and foot

Sharing the scarf

More sharing

Morning cuddles

Add in a Signe

And add in Mommy with the self-timer! Of course then the babies are more interested in where I'm going than in the camera

Playing while Sandy watches. Janet had lots of fun toys to explore

Cuddling with Janet

Cuddling with Sandy

Family! (One day after my half-marathon...my quads were just starting to freeze up about now :-))

Cousin Visit and Backyard Fun

We had lots of fun visiting (second) cousins Alanah, Imani, and Montego last week. Aunt Kerry drove us up and got to spend lots of time with the girls, Leah got to know the girls, I got to meet Montego, and everyone had so much fun in the huge baby-proofed area at the Wilson's.

I also got some good pictures of backyard playtime, and our first walk in the cold. It was easier in some ways when they were teeny and immobile - just bundle bundle and go. Now they want to tear off their blankets, hats, etc etc. They'll get used to it all eventually. And also they're not teeny so it's not SO imperative to make sure they're toasty warm.

Brick: the new cutting edge baby toy

Four tops

Leaf-chin

Playing in their fort

In her new shirt from Aunt Kerry

And Signe's (begging for food there)

Bundled. They look so different in hats!

This was our compromise on the hat. Looks pretty sweet

Freya not all that thrilled

She got out from here herself

Leah, Imani, Kerry, Signe

Rita, Freya, Imani, Signe. The girls warmed immediately to Rita because she looks so much like their Nana Carol

Kerry with Montego - what a sweet guy.

Signe and Imani playing

Walk with four kids

Freya sharing the stroller with Imani

Wishing she could be swimming - next year!

Trampoline!

Signe bothering Alanah

10 Months Old

10 months is my favorite age yet! I know I say that every month. At some point I would think I'll start at least thinking it's only equal to the previous month. But yes. 10 months - Freya is waving bye bye and hi and taking steps on her own, Signe is clapping and playing peek-a-boo, they're both cruising and crawling and babbling tons of sounds and just being amazingly cute and clever. One proud mama here, as always.

First a video of Signe playing peek-a-boo, then a couple pictures from a nice little 10 month birthday hike we took. Looking forward to more beautiful autumn hikes in our future.

Lara & Pablo Visit and Cheesedays Enhanced

Aunt Lara and Uncle Pablo got to meet the babies for the first time! Everyone but me and Kerry went to the Badger game and hung out before and after (Kerry had to work and I couldn't find a babysitter).

Lara and Signe

Lara and Pablo and Freya

We call her Two-Sock Frey

Having fun looking through the door

I'm just going to put up about every picture Errol took of the girls at Cheesedays - they are wonderful. A good camera (and good camera man/woman) makes a big difference.

Signe and Cousin Milo playing together

Me and Cousin Sara

Cousin Elsa playing with Signe

Signe hanging from the bar by herself!

Me holding Milo - truly an arm workout (but the cutest one you'll ever do)