May 19th,1927

Yesterday was such a wonderful day! I really must tell you about it!

We finally have cots for the twins and I couldn't be happier.

We gave William's cot to a friend so we now had to buy two new ones, but that's alright because we were able to get matching ones. The store is going to deliver them tomorrow afternoon and I really can't wait. Even though my belly is big enough already for me to know that I'm expecting two more babies, with the cots being in the nursery will make it seem even more real. It won't be long before our babies will be sleeping there and it will be a joy for all of us.

But cot shopping wasn't our only purchase yesterday. I'm ashamed to admit it, but for the past year I have coveted Lady Mary's camera. And every time I see the wonderful photographs she's taken of George growing up, my envy grows. Oh, to be able to snap a photograph of William playing with Jack, or John changing nappies for the first time! He's an old professional now, but my, that first time…and now with the twins coming… Well, we talked about it and decided with the business going so well we could afford a camera, in fact, we couldn't afford not to have one. So we are the happy owners of a brand new Kodak Hawk-Eye camera! Now we just need to wait for little William to do something cute and photo-worthy, which is every day! But John tells me the film and developing is not cheap so I'll need to control myself.

We had left William with Sarah and Caleb and after shopping we went for lunch in a nice pub in Ripon. We ordered a meat pie and pudding for dessert and oh goodness I ate so much! Everything was so delicious. I will have to work hard to get this extra "baby" fat off, but I won't be worrying about that now. That wonderful repast got John and I thinking that we really need a cook for the hotel, so we can serve full meals….

Anyway, after lunch John suggested we make a real date of it and go to the cinema! Now, isn't that nice?

It was an American film about a man who saved a woman from a train track and it was quite exciting to watch, but gladly John was just there beside me and he held my hand in the worst parts. Of course in the end the woman fell in love with the man and they shared a very romantic kiss. It was rather scandalous though, but it was lovely…I miss going to the cinema. We haven't for so long. It was a wonderful surprise.

I'm exhausted though, with these two moving around all day. My tummy is getting so heavy, I'm afraid I won't be able to walk by the end…I do feel sorry for John too. He looks at me with such an adorable expression on his face. He's such a worry wart and always trying to help me. John says we'll have girls, I say one each…in the end we'll probably have two boys. We really have to think of names for them. When I was expecting William we were already decided but now…we just want them to be healthy and to have fitting names. We shall see.

~ Anna Bates

What would we do without Sarah and Caleb! I'm so thankful for them. They stayed with William all day while my Anna and I were out for a nice date.

As Anna said, we bought the cots and I can't wait to see them in the room as well. They are both white, and they will fit until the babies are at least two years old. We wanted to make sure to buy them in the biggest size available so we don't have to replace them anytime soon. Everything is double this time and we have to economise.

Even so we decided to splurge on a new camera! They're not considered the luxury they once were and they have come down a bit in price. As Anna so wisely pointed out we will be able to use it at the hotel too, as guests sometimes like their photographs taken.

Now, that film was something! Everyone knew he was going to save her in the end but those train scenes were a bit frightening even so. I enjoyed it though and I hope we can go again soon. Films are being released almost every month now! It's a nice escape and entertainment. Honestly, I didn't think I was going to like cinema but I really do.

And I am right when I say we are going to have girls. I was right about William, and this time it will be just the same. As for the names, I already have some ideas and I will share them with Anna tonight.

And that's what I'll be doing now. My son and my wife are getting ready for bed and I'm going too.

~ John Bates