For the Rogers Family

Here is a little video update for the Rogers family to enjoy (Hi, everyone!). I know I shouldn't pressure them to perform, but I just can't help it!!

Rookie Mistakes

Well, I suppose all first time parents make them, and I have certainly made my share. Today's rookie mistake: teaching Ella and Drew how to play a Kazoo. Big mistake! The other problem is that there is only one, so our house sounds something like this: kazoo, scream, kazoo, scream - as they take turns playing and ripping it away from each other!

Baby's got a new pair of shoes!!

The nice weather is finally here - perfect time for Ella and Drew to break in their new sandals. A little history here...Drew is a shoe man. Loves to carry them, touch them, wear them, touch Ella's, etc. But, this morning he was singing a different tune! We took his sandals out of the basket and he played with them for a minute. As soon as I started to put them on his foot he began to get upset. He was pushing my hands away and whining. I took it slow and tried to talk him through this seemingly horrific ordeal, but eventually I put them on through the tears. I stood him up in the middle of the bedroom floor - and there he stayed. I changed Ella, and Drew didn't budge. I left their room and went into mine...didn't budge. Mike tried to lure him out of the room...didn't budge. There he stood doing a little fake cry. I then put Ella's on and she was much less dramatic. She looked down at her feet for a minute and then slid her feet across the floor until she could touch the wall. She then took a few tentative steps and was off. Finally about 15 minutes into the ordeal Drew dared to take a step. He was off and running the rest of the morning!

My Little Girl

For 16 months I stayed strong. I never got into the habit of rocking the babies to sleep. All of my friends with one baby have a ritual that involves rocking for awhile. By the end of the day I was exhausted and the idea of spending an entire hour putting them to bed was torturous. I thought I was doing myself a favor by teaching them to fall asleep on their own. In the long run, I think it was a good decision. For the most part both Drew and Ella go to bed wonderfully. Well except for the last week. Ella has been having trouble. She cries and cries until I give in and hold her for a minute. She immediately drops her head to my shoulder and her whole body relaxes in my arms. All of my frustration and tiredness melt away as we quietly sway to a song in my head. When she is ready she pushes away and I lay her down for the night.
I can't help to notice that this has coincided with her new Independence. Up until the last few weeks she has clung to me in all arenas outside of our house. Now she just saunters off until I go to find her. I thought I was so ready for her to do her own thing, maybe she thought she was ready too.
But now at night, we get to reconnect and she gets to be my little baby for a little while longer.

Sink or Swim?

Things that don't swim: strollers, boxes of books, kitchen aid mixers, bookshelves, etc.

Things that swim: Mike.

Our little Hoboken is completely flooded...including our basement! We store a bunch of stuff down there, including our stroller. The stroller found refuge at a friend's garage, some stuff was thrown away, and the rest Im trying to sort through. Mike was the hero and sacrificed himself to save the stuff. The kids were oblivious to the whole ordeal, except they were getting a little stir crazy by late afternoon. Ella thought Mike's soaked appearance was hysterical and she got a kick out of touching his wet leg.

16 months

16 months

Are we at the point where counting the months is annoying yet?

This month Drew and Ella gained more confidence. Gone are the days of standing around the park talking to my friends while Ella and Drew play at my feet. Now at any given moment Drew is climbing up the slide while Ella is across the park battling another for a ball! Thank goodness our favorite park is also small and closed in. Confidence and independence also comes with bruises! In the past 2 weeks Drew has had a scrape/bruise across his face, a skinned chin, and bloody knuckles while Ella almost bit through her lip in a playground accident. They are tough kids and bounce back quick.
Ella and Drew are also working on their teamwork. Their silent dialogs seem to go like this:
Oh, Drew, you can't get that cabinet open? Here you go, and here is the dish detergent.
Oh, Ella, can't reach into the trash? Here is an eggshell for you!

They are trying to use their words and both are starting to pick up sign language. Drew can say: Mumma, Dada, Ella, Wow!, uh-oh, hi and a slew of animal sounds. He also can sign: more, all done, and drink. Ella says: Mumma, Dada, Da (for Drew), uh-oh, wow, animal sounds and apple. She signs the same signs as Drew as well as "help." They love books, music and dancing, balls, cars, and eating!

Click on above picture for an album...

The Cutest Thing

We were on our way out the other night and Drew and I were behind Mike and Ella. I was trying to hurry Drew along and said "Drew, where is Ella? Call Ella!" Drew started walking towards her and yelled her name. He says it all the time now and it melts my heart every time. Ella seems unaffected by this sign of affection.