Sunday, September 23, 2007

Stair Story


The stairs in our building are such a big part of my life, they feel like another family member! We live in a 3rd floor walk-up apartment which means 2 flights of stairs. They are long narrow flights, ask Grandma Marietta for the exact number of stairs-she counts them every time. When we first moved in, I was about 5 months pregnant with Ella and Drew, and the doctor advised me to limit my trips up and down to about once a day...no problem, I was huge and getting bigger! By the end of the pregnancy Mike would jokingly ask if I wanted him to push me up. I always did, but was embarrassed to ask! While Ella and Drew were in their infant seats, it was difficult, but I managed. The seats outweighed the 2 of them for a long time, but hey, I dropped that baby weight pretty quick! Once we got a new stroller and stopped using the baby seats, I would strap one baby to me and carry the other in one hand, and the diaper bag in the other. Down has always been ok, but the days when I buy milk, diapers, or whatever are always the worst coming up. I never felt comfortable leaving one baby on the landing of each flight and taking one at a time.
So, once they started walking I would just carry one baby on each hip down and they sometimes crawl up. Getting up the stairs when they go by themselves can sometimes take up to 20 min. Try being pregnant standing in a hallway with no ac and no windows for 20 min in the middle of July!! So a lot of the time I scoop them up like bags of potatoes while they kick and yell "up!" Just in the last few weeks, I have had trouble carrying them on my hips because their knees jam into my growing belly and the new baby kicks like crazy. So, I started letting them walk down. It is the hardest stage yet. I stand in the middle of them, although slightly in front, and hold each one by the hand. Ella goes 90 mph and Drew takes his time stopping to point out various things (like lint). Ella has been doing a great job of sitting and waiting for Drew during these moments. So, now it takes us about 15 min to get down and 20 to get up...
Our stair story is about to come to an end. Our place is on the market and will hopefully sell soon. While standing in a pool of my own sweat on the stairs I daydream about pushing a stroller onto an elevator and right into the apartment. I think about packing the stroller with everything we need, while in the apartment, and even, gasp, bringing out the trash in one hand! I just hope it happens soon, because I don't know how I will get the new baby in and out of the house with the stairs!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Busy Week

We had a very busy week! Nonnie surprised us with a visit for a few days and we had so much fun! All you heard was "Nonnie, Nonnie!" Drew would look back out of the stroller every once in awhile, just to make sure she was still there. Mom was very helpful in getting the house ready for the showings we have EVERY night. Ella and Drew loved to show off their tricks including the slide, see-saw, and even putting food on their heads - all met with laughter and clapping from Nonnie. We went out for a bunch of dinners and just enjoyed each other. Our friend Kristina, formally of Hoboken, also visited from North Carolina. It was great to see her again and the kids were excited as well.
We are hoping for a trip to the Bronx Zoo this weekend, so stayed tuned for more posts and some pictures!

Friday, September 14, 2007

I know you!

21 mth
Click on the pic for a mini-album

But you may not know us...slow on the postings lately, I know. Ella and Drew are getting so big and so capable. Just the other day I ran into someone we haven't seen in awhile. She exclaimed, "Wow! I guess you don't have to worry about Ella's weight anymore, she's chubby!!" Good thing Ella hasn't fully developed a body image yet after those comments...and no it wasn't Nana Vera. It seems like a million years ago that Ella was a little peanut and we were counting every ounce. More than getting bigger physically, her personality seems to quadruple daily. When I try to help her with her fork, or on the stairs, she looks at me and says "bye!" She also likes to pick out her own shoes and she only rides the see-saw by herself. She also gives enormous kisses and the tightest hugs.
Drew is trying to say more and more, although most of his "language" consists of grunts, pointing, and elaborate gestures. He can get across that he wants to wash his hands, face AND feet, as well as what toy he wants, what cup he wants, and where he wants to go. He is very good at figuring out when Ella is getting too silly and about to attack! He does everything on his own time and may sit in the stroller for 15 min at the park before he decides he wants to get out. I see more of Mike in him everyday. He may take awhile to learn a rule, but once he gets it, he follows every time and usually on his own.
Both kids recognize their friends and their parents from across the park and they give them super warm welcomes - as if to say "Hi!! I know you!!"

Friday, September 7, 2007

Fly on the wall...


What you may witness if you were a fly on the wall at our house (or the park)...

*Ella yelling "Mon!" at Mike through the bathroom door every AM - translation= Come On!!

*Drew and Ella fighting over who hands me the pillows to make the bed

*Pretending to be asleep by laying down anywhere and saying "shush" then jumping up and laughing

*Drew saying "bye-bye" to 10 toys before we leave the house and each swing, slide, and various structures before leaving the park

*Going into the playhouse at the park and making me food to eat. Their favs= apples, bananas, hot pasta, and ice cream

*Counting, counting and more counting...the saga continues as we count to take turns for every thing imaginable!