Thursday, May 31, 2007

Weekly List


New Blog Feature - The Weekly List!! Check in each week for a new one.
This week: Things that Make Us Laugh

1. Playing Peek-a-Boo with each other around the big bed or crib
2. Ella spitting her food out always gets Drew giggling
3. Wrestling with each other or Daddy
4. Upside down tickling
5. Being chased
6. Jumping on the bed
7. Running down the sidewalk (I have no idea why :)
8. They both laugh when Ella pushes Drew in the swing
9. Kiwis, strawberries, or blueberries coming their way
10. Seeing our doll strollers

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Woo-Hoo New Park!!

New Park


Imagine having your entire backyard redone just for kids - well, that is sort of what happened to us, except we don't have a backyard! Exactly one block away from our apartment the city just revamped an entire park!! As you can see from the pictures, we don't need the stroller to get there. The most prominent aspect of the park is the water features. In the middle of the space there are fountains, water wheels, and sprays. E&D didn't venture into the water last night, but they were certainly entertained by it! We were there for about 1/2 hour before bed. Ella perched at the top of the slide and laughed at all the kids. Drew liked to walk along the curb. Both did a solo trip down the twisty slide and of course Drew tried the new swings. Can't wait to become regulars!

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Memorial Day Weekend



Click on picture to see a slideshow...

This past weekend we were invited to a friend's beach house in Bethany Beach,DE. It was an awesome place and an awesome weekend. We went with the Begovich family, who has Ryan, and the Engelharts who have Julia. All four kids were born within a month of each other. The house was made for kids and is a quick walk to the quaint town, boardwalk, beach and playground. Drew loved the whole weekend, especially playing in the sand. He likes to bury his feet, fill buckets, and dump hand fulls of sand all over himself. He even dipped his toes in the water. Ella was a different story. She loved walking on the boardwalk and looking at people, but hates the sand! As soon as we approach the beach she clutches me for dear life. She was held the entire time and was quick to point out if any sand made it on to her toes. Mike and I were amazed because last year Ella loved the sand and Drew hated it...we can't figure these kids out! All the kids had a great time together - Julia learned to say Ella and Drew, and Ryan was always ready to snuggle the others! It was a picture perfect weekend...great place, great friends, great food, great naps!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Almost Triplets...well, not really


I get a lot of "it is just like having twins..." and sometimes it irks me, because in my narcissistic world, nothing is like having twins :) So, I won't say that my experience last week was like having triplets, but it must have been pretty close!
On to the story...I babysat my nephew Luke (Dargan) last week while his family went to Mexico. He turned one the week before. I had it pretty easy, I dropped him off at his daycare each day and my mother-in-law picked him up and brought him back to me. So in essence I was only alone with 3 kids overnight and for a few hours each day - but believe me, that was enough!! Usually I get a few nights a week where no one wakes, not this time! One of the 3 was up every night. Awful. Feeding 3 was nothing like feeding two. Carrying 3 up the stairs to bed was nothing like carrying 2. Getting 3 into the car was nothing like 2. Keeping 3 busy without scratching each other's eyes out, much harder than 2! Im resting up this week and thanking the stars that I have 2. Aside from sleeping issues, Ella and Drew seemed to enjoy the week. They loved being in a big house with plenty of room to run around. We explored a different park and spent some time with Grandma. We also had a fun day with their cousins Riley and Joey. So all in all it was an OK week...but not to be repeated anytime soon!!
ps. the picture is from last year...did you think I had time to take pictures?!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

17 months

17 Months

I have officially decided that this is the last month of counting months. After this they will be 1.5 until they turn 2! I won't allow myself to be one of those people who says their child is 52 months old!
My little babies are turning into little kids. It seems every outfit makes them look bigger and older. They are becoming so independent and get a kick out of running from me. We try to stay in smaller, fenced in parks, but sometimes they just need the freedom to run. They love it. Plenty of skinned knees and face plants don't deter them at all. At the parks they both love the slide, climbing on anything, balls, sidewalk chalk, and pushing their baby strollers. Drew LOVES the swing and anything less than 30 minutes is not tolerated! Ella has refused to sit in the swing since the fall. They do well with other kids, actually they usually seem puzzled by them. They are majorly confused by those we can categorize as "pushers, hitters, toy stealers, and line cutters." So far D&E seem pretty laid back and gentle with other kids.
At home they must each have a big kitchen spoon or whisk available at all times. They also love to play with their balls, Ella's purse, and anything that can be pushed or pulled. They sit and "read" books by themselves as well. Ella is becoming a little possessive of Mike and I, Drew is not welcome to share a lap. But most times they are wrestling each other, kissing, and sharing. They are getting a kick out of making each other laugh, especially by being silly at meal time. Spitting food out usually gets a big laugh. Not from me.
They have entered the "happy helper" stage and enjoy following simple instructions. They throw things in the garbage, put their shoes in their room, and clean up toys. I can't wait until they wash dishes!

click on the picture for an album...

Friday, May 11, 2007

To Caca...with love


When my Sister-in-Law Heidi became pregnant with my niece Sidney 3 years ago, my dad loved to talk about what he would be called. The Big V. The Boss. He didn't want to be a typical grandpa. All that talk ended when one day Sidney looked adoringly at him and said "Hi Papa" in a soft dreamy whisper. "Papa" it has been ever since. Well, until Ella started talking. She has renamed my dad "Caca" and she says it with a little gleam in her eye. Although Drew can say Papa, he now calls him 'Caca' as well! My screen saver is a picture slide show and whenever Caca comes across the screen, Ella yells "Caca" from across the room!

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Ella - Ella

You know that game you played as a kid, usually in the pool, "Marco, Polo?" Well, there is a new spin on that in our house. We call it "Ella, Ella." Either Drew or Ella will go into another room and yell as loud as they can, "Ella!" Then the other one yells back, "Ella!" This goes on for a few minutes until they tackle each other, or find something more interesting. We try getting Ella to say "Drew" which she will, but not while playing the game!

Monday, May 7, 2007

Pop Culture and Peer Pressure

I don't love the idea of babies watching TV, so Ella and Drew have seen very little -Baby Einstein once or twice and Sesame St about 3 times- although they only watch for about 30 seconds. So, it was to my great surprise that Drew, after overhearing another boy at the park, began saying "Elmo!" Now he runs around the house saying, "Ellmmmmmo, Elllmmmmmmo!" Ohh, peer pressure. I can see it now...."Why can't I pierce my lip?!! All my friends are doing it!" We are going to have to move to a farm in Idaho.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Warrior, Down Dog, Half Bow, and so much more...




Well Ella and Drew have completed their 6 week series of Little Lotuses Yoga. Yes, you read it right Yoga. Let the yuppie jokes begin. Honestly, I enrolled them because Ella had been going nuts in new situations and I figured a quiet Yoga room might help her out. Needless to say she spent the 1st 3 classes clutching my neck and crying. Drew on the other hand loved the class and took to Yoga immediately. He loved doing the poses, especially "down dog" and "warrior." Actually, Ella learned the poses from Drew at home. By the 4th class, they were both running into the room, playing with the other kids, and participating in the activities. They will perform the poses on cue- in restaurants, birthday parties, the park...to the delight of non-yogis everywhere.