What's new with the Hills?

Oh, boy...what a crazy time it's been at The House of Hills!
We're still adjusting to having two kids (why didn't someone
tell us 1+1=3?!!), but we're all still alive and trying to ease
into some semblance of a new routine. We had a common cold
breeze through the house last week--Benton and Dennis were
definitely sick, and Tamara and Iron caught a touch of it as well.

Iron is doing well--his weight gain and all other vitals checked
out well at his 2-wk well child visit. Much to Mama's dismay,
breast feeding hasn't been easy. And when Iron's not feeding
or sleeping, he's crying. His favorite position--just like big bro
Benton--is on up on the left shoulder, like this:


One thing we introduced to Iron last week is a pacifier.
Oftentimes he's not interested, but every now and then
he'll entertain a few sucks.


Here's another precious pacifier shot...


If you've been following our blog, you saw in an earlier
post the owls and tree from Iron's nursery. Aunt Deeky
wanted us to take a photo of Mama and Iron in front
of the tree, so here it is!


During the few minutes each day when Iron is awake
and interactive, we try to have fun with him. Here
Daddy is letting Iron ride the horsie (a.k.a. Daddy's leg).


Here Iron is testing out Benton's new chair. It's quite
big for him yet...


But check this out! Dennis turned Iron around, and
he stood up on the back of the chair! I realize this may
not be a big deal to some of you out there, but since
Benton can't do this at age 3, we were amazed!


Daddy was especially proud of him. :-)


A few days ago, Grandma Hills returned from a trip to
Boise, Idaho. That's where Aunt Cindy and Dennis' nieces
and nephews (and their kids) live. Cindy made Iron a
gorgeous owl quilt, featured below. She also made some
coordinating burp cloths, as well as some adorable burp
cloths for Benton. Thanks, Cindy! We love them!


Speaking of Benton, he's still trying to get used to having a
little brother in the house. Here he is thinking Iron's a chew
toy. (Don't worry...that sleeve is empty!)


And we're still making sure to show Benton lots of
love. Here's a shot of B with Mama. Why can't photo
editing software eliminate dark circles under the eyes?!!


School resumed for Benton during the second week of
September. Here he is awaiting the bus on his first day
of the new school year...


And once he boarded the bus, he continued to dream
of being back in bed!


Other than news of the boys, we've been meaning for
quite some time to share a few photos of completed house
projects. Below is a shelving unit we installed in the garage.
We took an ill-purposed corner and made the best of it
by building this "pantry." The right shelves house extra
grocery supplies we can't fit in the kitchen, and the left
shelves organize various medical supplies for Benton.


Here's a shot of some new motion detection lights
Dennis installed above the back deck.


A bigger challenge was the chimney. It needed restoration,
but instead of paying a mason big bucks to fix it, Dennis took
a crack at it. He also painted it white and invested in a custom
cap. Way to go, Dennis! Doesn't it look great?!


And for all of you who wondered what paint color we
picked for the house exterior, here's a shot of the finished
product! It takes on different hues as the natural light
changes throughout the day. Sometimes it looks like it has
brown undertones, while at other times the undertones
appear slightly green or blue. It's a dark color--one that
made our painters nervous, but we all love the end result.


For all of you who want to hear some of Iron's first
squawks--or for those who pine for the sound of a
newborn--this video clip is for you. Watch out...it
may make your milk let down! (Hee-hee!)


Thanks, everyone, for your continued love and support.
We'll leave you with the first Hills family (of four) photo!

Benton's New Furniture

Many of you know we've been battling the insurance
company for quite some time to get a "hospital bed"
suitable for Benton's needs. Among other criteria, we
searched high and low for a bed that would accommodate
his growth, prevent limb entanglement and burrowing,
and allow for the head, foot and entire mattress of the bed
to raise up/down electronically. After about six months--and
a lot of follow-up with insurance--Benton got his bed! Here
Benton is exploring his new sleep fortress.


Meanwhile, Benton got another piece of new furniture
that he loves. One of his nurses thought he needed
his own recliner chair, complete with a cup holder!
(He's also holding a new turtle he got as a big-brother
gift when Iron came home from the hospital.)


Although this has nothing to do with furniture--other
than the fact that a couch is in the shot--here's Benton
giving some sweetness to Daddy.


Another precious moment between Benton and Daddy...


Here's Benton ready for the first Huskies (University
of Washington) football game of the season. The
Huskies lost, but Benton still rooted heartily for
Daddy's alma mater.


Back to furniture, check out what we recently ordered
from Crate & Barrel!


Here's Benton trying to sit (no furniture required).
He got a little overzealous on this attempt!


But here he does a much better job. Look at that smile!!!


Until next time, we'll leave you with two great smiles
from the "big kids" in the House of Hills!

New Arrival: Iron Otto Hills!

Hello, everyone! It's been too long since we've posted,
but we've been a little busy in the Hills household. As
you all know, we've been expecting Hills boy #2 with a
c-section scheduled for September 1. Well, he had a
different schedule in mind!

Tam's mom arrived on August 28--in plenty of time for
the birth. Tam's twin sis Tracy booked a flight to arrive
on August 30, which should have been plenty early as
well. But that morning, Tam started having contractions
and was told to come on in. We waited until Tracy arrived
before making our way to the hospital. Here are a couple
shots we took just before leaving the house.


We then went into triage at the hospital, and were told
we'd be staying and having our baby that afternoon. Here
we all are, suited up appropriately for the OR. That's
Tam's mom on the far right.


Shortly after entering the OR, Iron Otto Hills burst
into the world with a strong cry. Weighing in at
7lb, 14 oz and measuring 20 1/4" long, Iron was
quickly examined in the OR by a team of doctors to
determine whether he had any congenital medical issues.
With Benton's health history and some concerns doctors
had with Iron while he was in utero, we were very
hopeful but scared. Lo and behold, Iron was deemed
a healthy baby boy ready to tackle the world!




Here Iron is getting his first bath in the hospital.
As you can see, he wasn't too happy and was trying
to find a happy place during the dousing.


Then he was placed on Mama's chest for some
skin snuggle time.


More snuggle time...


Then Iron's other grandma (Dennis' mom) got to hold
the little bundle of joy.


Iron's already a chick magnet...look at how
enamored Reese is with him!


Even Uncle Dave Hills sported some smiles
while holding Iron!


Grandma Wedra (Tam's mom) loves cuddling
her seventh grandson.


But what we love witnessing most of all is big
brother Benton's reaction to his new "toy." Here's
Iron trying to see if he can get milk out of Benton's
nose!


And here are the two boys the night Iron came
home from the hospital.


Although we were worried Benton might not
like to hear Iron's cries, Benton actually seems
amused by them!


We worked extra hard this week to make sure
Benton knows he's loved more than he can
comprehend. Here Grandma Wedra and Benton
are playing mouth tug-of-war with Cookie Monster.


And here's Benton having a rip roarin' laughable
moment with Aunt Deeky.


Meanwhile, baby Iron is enjoying a life of eating
and sleeping. Mom feels like it's mostly eating, but
the camera seems to capture just the sleeping...
like these precious shots.


Thank you all for your love, prayers and support while
we anxiously awaited Iron's arrival. We can't wait for
each of you to meet him, and to fall in love with him as
much as we have. Until then, or at least until we post
something new, here's one last photo for you...