Babies:: 42 Weeks

• Both babies are sick
• Abby likes to share her food with you
• Will is getting closer to crawling

RSV

So the Monday after Christmas we took both babies in to the doctor since things seemed to be getting worse not better. At this point we hadn't slept in days and I was sick too (and then Vince got it a few days later). Turns out Abby had a double ear infection and Will had one ear infection. These ear infections made the discussion of tubes come up and we left with a referral to an ENT. We also had to go back the next day to have the babies breathing checked again. Well we ended up at the doctor every single day that week and we got told that they both had developed RSV. Ugh. Something we had been trying to avoid and something we had been trying to work on getting them vaccinated for to help prevent this. It was a rough week full or sleepless nights, lots of snot, lots of tears, breathing treatments every 4 hours, 3 different types of antibiotics, countless boogie wipes, steam showers, 2 jars of vicks vapor baby rub, endless load of laundry, lots of snuggles and lots of hugs & kisses. It took a solid week for the babies to start feeling better-at their last trip to the doctor they there was finally more smiles than tears! It took me over a week and took Vince almost 2 weeks get get over that nasty bug.  And it completely ruined our Christmas vacation week. We had plans with friends for NYE, we had a mile long to do list for the house and fun things for the kids planned. But we managed to keep the babies out of the hospital so that's something we feel very lucky about!

Christmas Celebrating Continues...

Christmas wasn't over just yet for the Rupp's-we had 2 more gatherings the weekend after Christmas. That Saturday was the traditional Piane Ravioli Dinner! We all look forward to this dinner each year! And this year Vince was the first of his generation to go learn/help make all the ravioli a few weekends before! He even took Abby with him for her first lesson!

I had asked Angela to bring her stethoscope with her to listen to the babies since they seemed to have caught another cold. Good thing we did because Abby was wearing and needed to get started on breathing treatments. So thankfully we got meds called in and started her treatments! Ben had a blast with his cousins But both babies enjoyed eating their first bites of ravioli! And we all enjoyed catching up with everyone and drinking good wine!

The next morning we went to Vince's Dad & Marq's for brunch with everyone. It was so nice to catch up with Vince's step-sisters! We didn't get to stay long since now both babies were sick but I'm glad we made it there! That officially ended Christmas 2014 for us. It was a whirlwind of a season but it was such a great time with so many family & friends! 

Babies:: 41 Weeks

• Babies 1st Christmas

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas 2014

I really think that this year marks the first year that Ben really "got" Christmas. The excitement over very little detail leading up ti the big day just fascinated him. We answered a million questions about Santa, Elfie (his elf on the shelf), reindeer, chimneys, gifts, sleighs, Rudolf and the list goes on and on. He must have asked us 20 times if we were sure that Santa knew that we moved! Christmas Magic is so real...just look into the eyes of my 4 year old!

Christmas morning the babies were the first up which was good so we got their diapers changed and they drank their morning bottle and then Ben came running into our room ready to go downstairs! He was so excited he could barely contain himself! He couldn't believe that Santa had brought him a tee-pee & a snowboard! He dumped out his stocking so fast and examined every little thing in it! Then he "helped" Abby & Will look through their stockings and to check out the activity garden that Santa brought them! Then he volunteered to pass out presents from under the tree. This year I decided to simplify things going forward each kid would have their own designated wrapping paper so it would be easier to pass out the gift and I wouldn't have to tag each gift! Ben was so excited! It was so cute! He tore through his gifts faster than I could have imagined! He kept putting them in his tee-pee so that "my babies won't get them"! He also was a great big brother and helped Abby & Will open their gifts! We asked him over and over what his favorite gift was but he would always answer the same..."All Of Them"! Abby was happy with just eating tissue paper and wrapping paper for her 1st Christmas! Will was starting to come down with a bug so he didn't have the best 1st Christmas but he did see to like his new cars!

After the presents were all opened we had our traditional bubble loaf & banana nut bread for breakfast! The next few hours were spent just as they should be on Christmas morning...in our jammies playing with all the new toys! After nap my parents, Patrick & Leah and Matt came over for dinner. We had our traditional lasagna & meatballs! We had a great afternoon & dinner with my family!

Merry Merry Christmas Eve 2014

Christmas Eve started out at St Thomas More mass at 2pm. We got to sit up in the choir loft which is always fun to watch Carol direct the choir! Abby kept singing right along with the choir! The kids started to melt down as mass ended so we made a quick exit. The kids fell asleep on the way home so we drove around a bit and let them all get a decent snooze in.

Ben & I then decorated cookie for Santa! Aunt Joie had put together a sweet cookie decorating kit for us! 

Then we headed to Uncle Stan's for the traditional Rupp Christmas Eve about 6 pm! It was such a fun night catching up with everyone. The babies were happily held the entire night and Ben had a blast playing with the older cousins! He now thinks he's a pool shark! The babies were doing great even though they were close to 3 hours past bedtime! As soon as one baby started to get fussy we started to make our exit to prevent a full on 2 babies melt down!  Somehow I managed to forget my camera for Uncle Stan's house. Ugh. 

When we got home we our cookies out for Santa, carrots out for the reindeer and a juice box for Santa! And hurried to bed so Santa could come make his stop at our house!

Babies:: 9 Month Check Up

Right before Christmas the babies had their 9 month check-up! Vince ended up having a work conflict and wasn't going to make it but Jaclyn was in town and volunteered to go! Thank goodness for great friends! So we took the babies with Ben in toe. Babies are doing just great! Abby needs to be forced to use her legs more-she hates to stand for some reason. But other than that we have 2 happy & healthy babies!