Easter 2014
Hi Everyone! Happy Monday!
A little Easter cuteness for you...we had a great day, starting with "Bunny Eggs," which looked super perfect on Pintrest, of course...mine are more the "made with love" variety, which is what my husband says every time I bake a pie, because it tastes good but is not the prettiest thing in the world...
After breakfast the kids and their dad and I went to a little short hiking trail in the foothills, at the end of which is a duck pond. I keep hoping to see baby ducks, but not yet. Beautiful morning for a walk, though, and there were police cars in the parking lot when we got back (nothing bad going on, they were just making sure all the mountain bikers were behaving themselves) and one of the policeman let the kids look inside and turned on his flashing lights for them, which was a big thrill.
We did Easter baskets after nap, so their grandma, who wanted to do an early church service, could be part of it. My husband and I had lots of fun putting baskets together this year. There is only one toy between the baskets as we got two (a car carrier and a tractor), but the car carrier got hidden in the house somewhere and nobody could find it. We figured it would turn up eventually (and it did, this morning.)
The kids and I and their grandma dyed eggs on Friday, the kids did great with that, and we hid them (the eggs) around the house during naps, as well. Luke was really too busy playing with his new tractor to be bothered with eggs, but Zo had the best time...
And then, outside for bunny ear pictures...
...and confetti eggs, which I had never heard of before New Mexico but they are real eggs brightly painted with some sort of special coating that sounds like glass when they break and they have rainbow confetti inside...Daddy helped the kids throw all their confetti eggs at Mommy, and they shreiked with delight as they broke...so fun...why don't they have confetti eggs everywhere? Can't wait to do that again.
And then a lovely ham-and-sweet-potato-mash-and-pea dinner that my husband kindly made (yum!) and then a piece of chocolate from their baskets for each of the kids. Zo chose a little peice (and we actually ended up giving her two), Luke went straight for his big chocolate bunny and worked his way through it in record time.
Hope you all enjoyed your holiday as much as we did!!
XOXO
St. Patty's Day
Hi Everybody! Happy Wednesday!
I know it's after the fact, but getting caught up on blog posts...and wanted to share some pictures of the kids on St. Patty's day...we (or they at least) dressed for the occasion...and they had such fun helping "Me-Ma" put together corned beef and cabbage...
XOXO
Luke and Zoey's Second Birthday
Hi Everyone! Happy Tuesday!
Luke and Zo turned two on March 15th, which just happened to be a Saturday, and was also exactly one year since we moved into our house.
Last year, the moving truck was here and we didn't know anyone, so it was a super low-key one-year-old birthday for the twins. This year, I wanted to do something...nothing too crazy...but a little party for them. I promised my husband I'd keep it small...small ended up being about 25 parents and kids, which was perfect.
My parents were down, which was so wonderful. We did a 4-6 PM BBQ and a few decorations, including balloons, which my dad helped me with:
The kids opened presents from Grammy and Papa early in the day, so they could start the day with something special:
The other decoration thing I did...I have all these dreams of being crafty but almost no spare time in which to execute...but still, I wanted to do something for the kids and this was perfect because it was quick and easy and totally customizable. I got this idea from A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book, (really cool book, by the way) and it's essentially picking fabrics, tearing strips, and tying those strips to a length of clothesline. Added bonus: the kids asked for a "Trucks and Foxes"-themed birthday, and not only is it impossible to find both trucks AND foxes together (which I expected), but also unless you want to do some licensed character (eg, Hello Kitty, Spider Man, etc.) there are not a lot of decorative options out there was my experience (which surprised me).
Anyway, my "Trucks and Foxes" banner:
My mom and dad and I took the dogs for a hike while the kids napped. Last snow of the season (I'm pretty sure) on the peaks:
After naps, we changed the kids into new clean clothes and got ready to welcome guests. My husband did all the cooking (green chile cheesburgers for the adults, mac and cheese, per the kids' request, for the kids.) Which meant I was free to hang out with the kids...so nice...
A nice little mix of friends from the mom's group I'm part of, the library story hour we go to every week, a friend of my husband's from work and his wife and young son...I'm sensitive about posting pics of other people's kids on the internet, so no party guest pictures here...
And then, after dinner, the cake, which my mother-in-law made...she was bummed it wasn't perfect (it's the first thing like this she's done) but I think it's amazing and I LOVE that they got a home-made cake, and how cute is the little fox in the fire engine ladder bucket?!?
Love these pictures of our little family...
A couple of weeks before the party, we started talking with the kids about their birthday. Once we'd given them the run-down, we'd ask what was going to happen and they'd say, "Cake!" "And ice cream!" "And Grammy and Papa!" "And friends!" (All said at loud volume with great enthusiasm.) The cake and ice cream and grandparents and friends did not disappoint.
We opened presents at the end, which turned into total chaos with two two-year-olds...but what a lot of sweet and cool presents they got.
And I'm going to do a whole post on this playhouse that the kid's Me-Ma (Grandma) custom-made to fit over our dining room table...it's amazing...but for now, here's a little sneak peek:
So, great birthday all around. Took some energy and effort, but I had a ton of help as always, and it was really important to me to make it special. (And it was.)
XOXO
P.S. Special thanks to my mom for most of these photos...
Holidays
Hi Everyone! Happy New Year!
Wanted to share some pictures and stories of the holidays today. Honestly, this was kind of a tough one for us...Hunter, our daughter we lost, her due date was yesterday and my husband and I really felt it all month long. But, as usual, we did our best to make things as good as we could and count our blessings. There were some really great moments, and I LOVED seeing my family, as always, but overall I'm so glad the holidays are over.
We were going to Colorado for X-mas, so we didn't do much around the house...we did put up our fake "disco tree," though. (My husband thinks our tree should be fake and I think real, we each get our way every other year.)
A week or so before X-mas, we had a surprise visit from my husband's niece and nephew, originally from Kuwait, now in college in Arizona. It was lovely to meet them and have them for a few days. We took them to the duck pond, one of the kid's favorite places. And then to Old Town, where there was an enormous X-mas tree where each branch was an individual tree...it was really cool. Oh, and I let Zo touch a cactus and she got prickers in her hands...yeah, I felt like a bad mom. I try not to hover over them and be too restricting...there are a lot of things I'm terrified of in terms of they could hurt my kids, but cacti isn't one of them. Oh well. Her dad got the prickers out. No major harm done.
Grandma and throwing leaves...happy kids...
We had X-mas in ABQ with my mother-in-law and the kid's presents, so we didn't have to travel with those. And then drove to Colorado up Highway 285...very isolated and rural, gorgeous drive, full of fields of cows and horses...the kids were entertained the whole 6 hours just pointing out the cows and horses...it was amazing. Also, on the way up in the San Luis Valley, it was minus 3 degrees and everything was covered in ice. One of my favorite parts of Colorado and so, so beautiful.
We had an early X-mas dinner with my extended family at my uncle's place in Evergreen...so gorgeous where he lives. And there were deer that hung around the house for an hour or so, which was pretty cool. The picture below is me and Zo and my Mom and Aunt Judy, who was a big part of my life growing up. Love her.
X-mas was kind of disjointed this year, doing things here, and then my uncle's, and my brother's girlfriend had to work and didn't have her kids on X-mas so we did kid presents before, adult presents late on X-mas after my kids had gone to bed and Santa presents the day after...not ideal, but we made it work and not a problem to be flexible...so lucky to get to be with family. Also, don't have any pictures but saw dear friends of ours for X-mas brunch, which was such a nice treat...
Oh, and Pa Pa got Luke a peacock...perfect as that's all Luke talks about since we went to the zoo over Thanksgiving and saw peacocks there...
Otherwise, a lot of hanging out at my brother's up in the mountains, with the kids sweeping (they are really into sweeping right now for some reason), and visiting the chickens, and getting stories read to them, looking at pictures of themselves on Pa Pa's iPad, and both kids got to ride on my brother's bulldozer...Zo liked it more than Luke...
An easy trip back a week later (again, looking for fields of cows and horses...endlessly amusing for the kids). And my husband had/has 2 weeks off work, so we've been doing some fun things around town. Like the aquarium, which is turning into our favorite winter-time outing. Love this pic of my husband and kiddos:
New Year's Eve we decided we should go out and have fun...my husband's best friend is in town and I let my husband plan it. We went to the Monte Carlo Steak house, kind of a dive-y place in the back of a liquor store, but truly the best steak of my life. And so relaxed and cool. Then we went to Il Vicino brewery, also for the first time, very sleek and modern, loved it. And then home 10:30-ish, with drinks in the upstairs "Daddy Lounge" so no one had to be the designated driver. It was a really fun and cool night.
New Year's Day was hard for me...I cried over Hunter, I know I don't talk about it a lot here but I would give anything to have our girl. Just because I don't talk about it doesn't mean I'm over it...not by a long shot.
But then we made beef borgenoin and hung out in our PJs all day, did sparklers out on the back patio once it was dark to celebrate the start of a New Year and all day I gave thanks for the beautiful, perfect children that I do have:
Love and light to you all.
Wishing the best for all of us in 2014.
XOXO
Thanksgiving Week
Hi Everyone! Happy Monday!
Thanksgiving week was full of light and love, friends and family with my husband and mother-in-law (neither of whom made it into these pictures...my husband was feeling anti-camera and my mother-in-law had just had eye surgery), my parents, my dear friends from Santa Barbara days Jason and Danielle (and their dog Lucy, who they got during the short time they lived with me in the Cota house before moving to Seattle...Lucy is the coolest dog in the world and an old friend of Dexter's...so glad they got to see each other.)
One morning we went to the zoo, early, our first time there. We pretty much had the place to ourselves...
Fruit cup is a holiday tradition in my family...everyone helps to cut up grapefruit and oranges, grapes and pineapple. The twins helped too, Luke reaching for ingredients Danielle was putting together for dinner so there ended up being tomatoes and chicken in there (which my mom thankfully took out). There was also continual taste testing on the part of both of the twins.
Thanksgiving day there was lots of football with Grammy and Grandpa. The kids walked around saying "Football! Kick! Throw!" Grandpa also found pictures of peacocks on the web...with Luke especially, since seeing them at the zoo there has been a peacock obsession...
We went to one of the parks close to our house before the meal. Beautiful, mild day. Good to get some fresh air.
The sweater Zo is wearing is one my grandmother made one of my cousins...my aunt and uncle don't have any girl grandchildren and sent me several of their girls' sweaters when the twins were born. Means SO much to me to have those...
Jason and Danielle and Lucy had to leave on Friday. We were so sad to see them go...
\
Grandpa (whom the kids this trip started calling "Pa-Pa"...after he left they would wander around the house saying "Pa-Pa" over and over). Anyway, Grandpa cut Luke's hair while he was here. Luke's so chill about it...
One night, we went to the River of Lights at the Botanic Gardens. Beautiful. Kids loved it. We even found a peacock for Luke. :)
And lots and lots of hikes...there's this place we go back in the National Forest that is pretty much deserted every time. We made it to the end of one of the trails for the first time. And we found this:
There were a couple more hikes with my mom and dad and the dogs just outside of town.
Dexter is doing so well with his cancer, by the way...still hiking like a champ...so grateful for every day I get to have with him.
We're in full swing for Xmas these days. My husband and I got ALL our shopping done over the weekend (so proud of us)! And our fake white "disco tree" up (goes perfectly in the Daddy Lounge, which is what we call our upstairs TV room.) We're traveling to my brother's for the holidays, so trying to keep things somewhat simple around here. But I'm so glad it's the holiday season. Love this time of year.
XOXO
Scary Pumpkin, New Mexico Style
Hi Everyone!
Also in the better-late-than-never category in terms of me posting stuff...the Alien Pumpkin (Roswell is just down the road, you know...) that my husband carved at a neighborhood Halloween party a couple weeks ago.
He won "Scariest Pumpkin."
The kids say, "Daddy, Daddy!" every time they see a pumpkin now, thinking of his cool rendition. :)
Hope everyone has a great weekend. Thanks for spending some time here this week.
XOXO
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Was AMAZING
Hi Everyone! Happy Tuesday!
A couple weeks ago was the 10-day Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. This is our first year in the city, and I wasn't really sure what to expect.
Our first time out was Wednesday morning, early. I expected the balloons to be cool, but it was so much more than I thought. Pictures don't really do it justice...there are so many balloons that launch over a couple hours and you get to be right there...I mean, you can reach out and touch the balloons. The cold air and the hiss of the fires that go on and off filling the balloons with hot air and the warmth from that fire when you get near, how everyone near claps and cheers when a balloon leaves the ground...t was one of those times I was happy to be alive, to be part of what was happening...where there was just this delight in the world and that's not something I feel very often (aside from in relation to my kids, where that wonder is there every day).
Love these pictures below of my kids, too...some of my favorite ever, with the early morning light and the wonder on their faces...
These three bees were my favorite...they all launched together, too, looked like they were holding hands as they ascended...
And off the subject a little bit...I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but somebody told me once that spots like those in the pictures below are spirits trying to make themselves visible. I'm sure there's a perfectly logical (non-paranormal) technical reason for why these spots appear, but I love it when my pictures have them...like the two in the pictures below...I like to think my brother Luke and our baby Hunter were there with us that morning...
The other time we went was Friday evening, with my parents.
In the mornings they launch the balloons, in the evenings, they have "glows," where the balloons stay on the ground but inflate and light up.
Here's "Spider Pig" ("Spider Ham,") inflated and you can see how the balloons light up (they light on and off with the fire, not constant) as the sky gets dark:
And right in front of us a balloon team came in and unfurled the balloon...we had no idea what it would be as it lay on the ground and then started to inflate...
The next thing we knew, this guy was towering over us:
The bees going up at the glow...
Our two days there were a good introduction. Next year I want to:
- Go again to the Special Shapes launch (which we did on the Wednesday) but get there EARLY...like 5:30 AM-ish to watch the test balloons ascend in the dark and experience more of the morning. A thermos of hot coffee would also be nice
- And I would love to do another evening glow, but we can get there later than we did this time, and it would be nice to pack a picnic, and also to plan to stay for the fireworks...
Bottom line: the Balloon Fiesta is SO COOL. If it's something you've thought about doing, do it. It far exceeded my expectations and I can't wait to go again.
XOXO
Half Birthday
"The kids are going to be 18 months old this weekend," I said to my husband. "What do you think about celebrating their half birthday? It doesn't have to be anything big..."
"I think it's ridiculous," he said.
"I know, but it would be fun, and why not make it special for them, you know?"
"You really need this, don't you?" he said.
"Yeah."
"OK then, let's do it."
So we had balloons and cupcakes and legos, lots of legos (their first, and they love them) to celebrate Luke and Zo turning 1 1/2.
We might not do half birthdays every year, but this year, with all the sadness in our house, having a little celebration was the right thing to do.
XOXO
Thank You! And...Summer in Colorado: Part 1
Hi Everyone! Happy Tuesday!
First of all, I wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who has reached out to me in the wake of the terrible thing that has happened to our precious daughter. Especailly those of you who sent me emails after I put up a post and took it down last week...means a lot.
I think this blog is going to be kind of schizophrenic for a while, as I try to come to terms with what happened with our baby girl...and also, I don't want to stop writing about the joy that Luke and Zo bring into our lives...it's really important for me not to push that aside as I deal with what is turning out to be some pretty overwhelming grief (more on that later in the week, I'm sure...)
To that end, I want to catch up on posting pictures...I'm so behind and I don't want these memories to get lost.
First up: the birthday trip (for my birthday) we took to Colorado a little over a month ago, just over the New Mexico border outside a town called Antonito. What a beautiful part of the state (and that Northern part of New Mexico...so beautiful as well). My parents got us cabins and my brother and his family came down too. We stayed at a place called Mogote Meadows, wich wasn't fancy, but so pretty, lush and green and the cabins were super cute and spotlessly clean.
There's a really cool train in Antonito that I'd love to take the kids on someday, but this trip, a visit to the train yard had to suffice:
Cousins: :)
After naps, my mom and the kids and I went to the river and spent a couple hours throwing rocks in...the kids had such a good time...
Grandpa spent a lot of time with the kids playing "Say Goodbye," which entails the kids getting turned upside down...they love it.
My brother made mango salsa as an appetizer, and fish tacos for dinner. Luke could not get enough of the salsa:
After the kids went to bed, we had a fire in the fire ring right behind our cabin, and had cake and ice cream and smores and presents for me. Love this picture of me below...lovely to be so happy on my birthday...
The next day, we all hung out together at camp unitl after lunch...so nice. So great to see everyone...we had such a wonderful weekend...Thanks Mom and Dad for making my birthday so special!!!
Zoey's Diary: Teddy Bear Picnic
Hi! Hi! Hi!
Zoey here. So Mommy said July 10 is Teddy Bear Picnic Day, and that we should do something since I am CRAZY about teddies! She said it was OK to do the picnic on the weekend, though, and not on the actual date of July 10. So last Sunday, we got a bunch of my teddies together (plus my pirate dog. And Luke's fuzzy bunny.) and went to the park. Mommy originally wanted to go to Arroyo del Oso park, because oso means bear in Spanish, but there's not much shade there in the afternoon and we definitely needed shade. Se we went to the other little park close to our house.
Here are all the teddies, and the teddy bear sandwiches our grandma made. They had cream cheese and other yummy stuff inside...there were three different kinds, and they were soooooooo delicious!
Mommy brought apple juice and a bowl full of ice to keep the drinks cool:
Grandma came with us...we were so happy to have her along!
Oh, and the bowl of ice...fun to play in and it helped to keep us cool. (Mommy said she thought that might be the case.)
Oh, and then we had Teddy Grahams for dessert...we barely ever get sweets so we were excited! Bubs tried to eat them by the handful. I just did one at a time. Bubs thought we should eat the whole container but I thought and Mommy agreed that we should take some home to Daddy, so he could have a little part of our picnic.
So that's it! It was so fun! Mommy said we can do a Teddy Bear Picnic every year...can't wait for the next one!
Love,
Zo-Zo
Mother's Day 2013
Hi Everyone! Happy Monday!
Mother's Day started out pretty rough for me...I've been super homesick for Colorado and I miss my mom so much...just wanted to be able to hang out with her, you know?
But then my husband took us all to the nicest brunch...it really meant a lot, I felt so spoiled. And then we went to the park...so sweet to just laze together on a warm spring day. It ended up being such a great day, truly.
Hope you all had a lovely weekend.
XOXO
May Day
Last week, first of May, the kids and I took roses cut from our backyard to our neighbors, some of whom we'd already met, some of whom we hadn't.
We live in a neighborhood built in the '60s, where most of the people bought these houses new and haven't left.
Would be nice to have the streets crawling with kids for ours to play with, but gosh, eveyone is so nice, and as the (occasional) house sells, families with kids are moving in, or so we're told. Like us. And the neighbors behind us, over the wall, with a four-year-old boy and six-year-old girl. They baked us home-made cookies and drew us a picture of our house that said WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD in labored first grade lettering...too cute...too sweet.
This neighborhood feels good. Safe. So friendly. Like you could knock on someone's door and they would help you, day or night.
We're liking it here. :)
Happy Monday!
XOXO
Dear Zoey and Luke: Your First Birthday
Dear Zoey and Luke,
You turned one on March 15th. In some ways, it's hard to believe your first year is behind us, also it was all such a blur, also we really treasured every moment, spent lots of time together as a family, got so much joy out of those 365 days, I don't feel like a second was wasted.
We were in the middle of moving to our new home in Albuquerque on your birthday, so we tried to keep things simple.
Your dad and I had a late night putting together your new climbing/sliding toy (your dad did all the work, I just handed him tools)...it was so fun to get you up the next morning and watch you rush into the empty living room to discover it:
There was lots of unloading of boxes/furniture morning and mid-day, but mid-afternoon we took a break and went outside for you to open presents. You were so excited to see presents!
Grammy and Grandpa were here from Colorado, and Grandma Charlotte who is moving in with us. You got trucks and dolls and LOVED your gifts! (And a play cell phone, which you can't get enough of. You already know exactly how to hold it up to your ear, it's hilarious.)
I wanted to get a picture of the two of you together, and you briefly humored me:
And then: cake! You each got a cupcake, Zo yours was pink because you are such a girly girl, and Luke yours was lemon because you have this thing about lemons. Cupcakes went pretty much as expected, including the need to hose off the whole patio in the end:
Luke, you got sick the evening of your birthday, poor thing, we ended up in urgent care after you threw up over and over, but it wasn't anything serious.
We had such a lovely time. Next year, we'll be more settled and can do more, but really, what more could a kid ask for other than your favorite people, a few toys, a cupcake, and lots and lots and lots of love.
Happy Brithday my sweets! We loved sharing it with you so very, very much.
Love,
Mommy
A Good Start to the New Year (and Some Advice From Julia Child)
Hi Everyone! Happy Wednesday! (And Happy New Year!)
Hope you all had a nice day yesterday. We spent it relaxing with the kids, which was so lovely. I also put one of my Christmas presents from my husband to use for the first time...he got me Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," Volumes 1 and 2, and I made beef bourguignon...took a good part of the afternoon and about every pot and pan we have, and while I was tasting during the cooking it didn't seem like anything special, but the finished dish, oh my, it was absolutely divine. That for dinner, along with a nice glass of red wine, was such a great way to start the New Year.
By the way, I love Julia Child, have read several books by and about her and she wrote such a charming introduction to my new cookbooks. Included in that introduction were the following bits of advice (and I'm paraphrasing):
1) Don't be afraid to make mistakes and have fun (she's talking about cooking of course, but it's applicable pretty much anywhere, no?)
and:
2) You can eat pretty much anything you want and keep your figure if you a) serve yourself a small portion, b) don't have seconds, and c) don't snack. Which makes me feel entitled to cook and eat from my new cookbooks once a week or so...it's going to be fun. :)
How did you all spend your New Year's Day?
XOXO
Image credit: Ooka Medias.
Luke's Diary: Our First Christmas
Hi Mommy's Blog Readers! I'm here to tell you all about our first Christmas! It was SPECTACULAR!
We did it over a couple days, and Uncle Ben and his girlfriend and our cousins Bodie and Bailee came, and Mama's Uncle David, and Daddy's best friend Tim, and Grandma Charlotte and Grammy and Grandpa. Everyone was so happy to be together!
Look at our outfits for Christmas Eve...aren't they awesome?
Shoes off for naps, just like always:
Here's Sissy and Bodie...Bodie loves us soooooo much!
And here's Bailee...she's super cool too!
Grandpa's been wearing this button the whole holiday season...I didn't get it until my mom explained, "Noel."
There were some presents on Christmas Eve...and me and Sis agree, the wrapping is just as much fun as the presents:
Look at the jumpy chair Uncle Ben got us! So fun! Especially for Sissy, who is jumping all the time anyways:
And Mommy's best friends Danielle and Jason sent this crazy bally rampy musicy toy...Grandpa and Bailee put it together for us:
It snowed all day but was especially pretty at night, with the lights Mommy and Daddy put on our fence sparkling:
And we saw Mommy decorate the table for Christmas Eve dinner, but Daddy said we weren't old enough this year because it was past our bedtime. Next year, he said. But we did hear everyone had a super good time, and there were crackers, and an awesome meal Daddy cooked with beef tenderloin and leg of lamb and vegetables out of Julia Child:
The next morning, everyone got up and went over in PJs to Grammy and Grandpa's. First we did stockings:
And then more presents, yippee! Sis and I had some help opening:
Check out the piano Mommy and Daddy gave us! It makes LOTS of noise hehehe...
And the bath towel made to resemble a shark:
While we napped, Mommy and Grandma Charlotte and Grammy and Mommy's Uncle David went for a walk. Mommy said it was BEAUTIFUL out, but too cold for babies:
And then, more presents! Here's the red wagon Grammy and Grandpa got us...Grandpa saw two kids riding in it when he and Grammy were in Amsterdam this fall and chased them down the street so he could find out where to get one. We looooove our new red wagon! Mommy says all spring and summer and fall we'll get to ride in it.
And here's our dino bouncer Grandma Charlotte gave us...you put balls in and they bounce up and down...it's sooooooo cool!
So all in all, it was a GREAT Christmas! Like Grandpa Steve said as we were leaving to go home, "One of the best ever."
Love,
Luke
Dear Luke and Zoey (Your First Visit to Santa Edition)
Dear Luke and Zoey,
Today was a Friday. We got up at 6 AM like usual and had bottles (well, I had a cup of Lady Gray tea), oatmeal with fruit (a slice of cheese for me), put on some super cute outfits and then played in the playroom until morning naps, earlier than usual because you had your 9-month well visit with Dr. Tarpey at 9:45. She said you guys are doing great and you are growing like crazy...Zo, you're now in the 83rd percentile with height, and Luke, you're in the 31st, which I was so glad to hear because last visit (and all the ones prior) you were at 1% and I've been worried about your growth. Not anymore.
After Dr. Tarpey, we had lunch with Grammy and Grandpa and Grandma Charlotte and Daddy's friend Tim who is here visiting us for the holidays. You tried to eat paper napkins and we gave you each some puffs and we all marveld over how cute you guys are.
And then after lunch, we all went with you to see Santa. The line wasn't very long but you got hungry in line so we made up emergency bottles and fed you and Luke, that wasn't enough but we had some puffs left and that made you happy. And then you were both on Santa's lap, calm and happy as could be. Grammy's been telling you all about Santa so that you'd be prepared...that seemed to have been a good strategy. :)
Santa's coming in four days...get ready!
Lots of love,
Mommy
Grace in Small Things, December 14, 2012
Hi Everyone! Happy Friday!
Some things that are good in my world today:
1. Spent a LOT of time with my parents this past week, with my husband out of town most of the week. The time I get to spend with them is so precious.
2. Massage and chiropractor appointments today...I feel sooooo good now...carting around two beautiful babies doesn't do my back any favors, that's for sure.
3. Our new couch arrived! I LOVE it! It's my dream couch and it is really the best thing ever.
4. Not ready for X-mas, but getting there, slowly but surely. I will not be totally frazzled and running around like crazy at the last minute, at any rate.
5. Have I mentioned how AMAZING it is to be getting a good night's sleep on a regular basis? I am so grateful for that turn of events. It's made such a huge difference.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for spending some time here this week. :)
XOXO
PS Love this photo with the lights...want to do this with my kids/our family next year. (In regular clothes though. Obviously.)
Image Credit: 100 Layer Cake via Lesley Schoch on Pintrest.
Dear Luke and Zoey: Christmas Carolers Edition
Dear Luke and Zoey,
Today we spent the day at Grammy and Grandpa's, because Daddy was traveling (Kansas City, out and back in one day). But we hurried home right after your dinner (carrots and rice cereal), because some of Mommy's friends were christmas caroling around the neighborhood, and promised they would stop by.
I just had time to get you into your PJs and a warm hat each--Luke, your brown-and-orange plaid lumberjack hat with the earflaps, and Zo you wore the white-and-gray striped knit one with the pink-and-red flower--before the doorbell rang.
I took you outside, one on each hip, arms around you, it wasn't that cold and there were ten people in hats and scarves and coats with candle-lit lanterns, the white icicle lights on our black wrought-iron fence sparkling in the background, stars overhead, and they sang--oh, they sounded beautiful, harmony and everything.
You were mesmerized.
A magical part of your first Christmas--a small part I will never forget.
Love,
Your Mommy
Playing Santa
Hi Everyone! Happy Wednesday!
We've had such fun picking out some things for the kids for X-mas...wanted to share with you. We tried not to go too overboard...I mean, they are only going to be nine months old, but I am excited about the things we selected.
First, music is big in our house...playing songs, singing, dancing, and both kids but especially Luke pat things with their hands, which made us think bongo drums, which led to all sorts of musical instruments. They may be too young for all this, but I don't think so. I was really trying to think of things that we could play with together and I think these fit the bill:
And then, we wanted to get some more age-appropriate things...like this toy for their crib (they're often up for a while playing before it is officially time to get out of bed), and this activity box, which I think they are going to love:
And finally, they have new shoes for X-mas day. I wanted to put them under the tree, but my husband said, "That's lame, no kids wants shoes for Christmas," to which I replied, "a, they are only nine months old so they don't care, and b, maybe they are both going to be little fashionistas, you never know."
Anyway, new shoes for X-mas but they will be wearing them, not unwrapping them:
By the way, these shoes are from a company called Robeez...only shoes that I've found reliably stay on the kids' feet. (And they're pretty dang cute, too.)
And aside from some little stocking stuffers, that's it.
What are you guys doing for your little ones?
XOXO
Image credits/shopping info:
1, 2, 3: Land of Nod.
4, 5: Target.
6, 7: Robeez.