All of the visitors are gone ...

And that means Jason and I have to figure out how to make everything work as a family of five all by ourselves! We have been very lucky to have lots of family visiting and supporting us and entertaining Ruby. She has had a blast with all of the grandparents and has been just a little spoiled (in a good way)!

We are also lucky that we have some really good friends here in town helping us out. Ruby spent yesterday afternoon with April and Connor. April thought I could use a break since James really did nothing but scream ALL DAY LONG. (And when he was quiet, Hallie would scream and wake him up ... )

I think things will be much easier once James has outgrown his screaming phase. The doctor says it's colic -- which I basically have interpreted to mean that he screams bloody murder for hours a day and we don't know what's wrong or how to calm him down.

Anyway, here are some new pictures for you.

One Month Check up

James and Hallie went to the doctor today for their one month appointment and all went well. Both of them are growing just fine and they each weighed in at exactly 8 pounds. Hallie is 20 7/8 inches long and James is slightly shorter at 20.5 inches. They definitely weigh less than Ruby did at one month though!

Also, I did a big update to the Flickr account yesterday, so check out those photos!

Arnold and Kim are visiting this week and have enjoyed spending some time with Ruby. They took her to the zoo and out to breakfast and lunch yesterday. Today Jason and Ruby went with them to Pigeon Forge to do some shopping.

The babies are sleeping, so I should go lay down for a bit. I will try to post more pictures today or tomorrow when I take the next batch off of the camera.

Sorry for the lack of updates!

Sorry for the lack of updating the blog! We've been pretty busy around here and have had family in town -- plus, when all the kids go to bed for the night, we go to bed too.

Everyone here is doing well. James and Hallie went to the doctor yesterday and got weighed. James is up to 7 pounds, 10 0unces and Hallie is about 7 pounds, 3 ounces. So they are definitely gaining weight! They haven't gained nearly as fast as Ruby did, so they will be in newborn diapers for a while longer, we think. But, I think by the time they are a month old James will be out of his newborn clothing. Hallie will probably take a little longer to outgrow her newborn outfits.

James seems to be incredibly fussy (or screaming bloody murder) every afternoon, which can be frustrating. And Hallie continues to be pretty laid back. Their personalities are kind of interesting ... he loves to eat and she loves to sleep.

Ruby is also doing really well. She still goes to "big boy school" every Monday and Wednesday and she never wants to leave! Every morning Ruby wakes up and asks where Hallie and James are. And during the day she gives us a running commentary on what the babies are doing ("Hallie's eyes closed, sleeping. James doing? James eating. Put Hallie in swing. Ruby swing Hallie ...") Yeah, I'm sure you get the picture.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures and I will try to get a bit better about updating.

Hallie after her bath. (4 weeks)

James hanging out in his new swing. (4 weeks)

Peaceful, sleeping Hallie. (3 weeks)

Peaceful, sleeping James (this is a rare sight). (3 weeks)

Ruby stole a hat one of our friends made for Hallie ... we had to hide the hat from her.

Ruby's first set of wings and dress up skirt.

Hallie at about 2.5 weeks old.

Quick update and a picture of James

We went in last week for a weight check at the doctor's office. As of Wednesday, James was up to 6 pounds, 10 ounces and Hallie was at 6 pounds, 6 ounces. So, she hasn't quite caught up to her birth weight yet. The doctor isn't too concerned about it and said we'd see how she was doing at her one month appointment.

My parents made it back to Omaha safely, just in time for more snow. They didn't really catch a break with the weather -- it snowed when they were here and it snowed on my mother's drive home.

Anyway, I was torturing James with photos tonight. I will try to get some of Hallie later tonight or tomorrow. But, enjoy the one photo :)

Almost 2 weeks old ...

Hallie and James are almost two weeks old and things seem to be going pretty well in the Hill household. Jason was home to help the first week we were home and now my parents are here this week. We've been lucky that Ruby loves going out with her grandparents -- they have gone to the mall and the children's museum. I think Ruby is wearing them out just as much as they are wearing her out!

The babies go back to the doctor tomorrow for a weight check, so we will see how they are doing then ... but, what I'm sure you're all here for -- more pictures!

Giving Hallie a kiss.

Being sweet to James.

Ruby "shopping" at the mall.

Playing outside with the grandparents.

Sibling photo.