Reliving the Moments

Stella was watching home movies of Christmas and kept saying, "In!"  I gently tried to explain that people can't get in iPhones, she wailed, "Please!" and then broke down in sobs. Because she's almost two.  Irrationality prevails.  I get it.  And Christmas was fantastic.  I'll just relive it here...two months later.

We celebrated with the Nicolais a week before Christmas.  Jolly Old St. Nick came while we were eating lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  Amazing guy, right? 

While Anton enjoyed his bottle and snuggled in for a car nap, Stella frosted cookies for Santa.
Loose interpretation of the word "frosted."

She ran past the presents to check the cookies.  Santa only took a nibble so Stella finished them off.  That's my girl.  Priorities people, priorities. 

I tired everything to get picture of them together by the tree.  

EVERYTHING.   Humor, bribes, threats, pose suggestions.  

Here's where I suggested Stella give Anton a hug.

Here's where I offered them cookies to be still.

Here's Anton while Stella ran her energy off.

Better luck next year.  Or maybe in ten years. 

We spend the 25th with the Gardners.  Epic fail capturing the moments with pictures but believe me, it was a heavenly visit.  Even if the babies (and some adults) had a nasty stomach virus.  Some highlights, since the blog is my journal until this arrives.

• the MOST perfect presents (no one gives gifts like my in laws) ((and yes, I'm leading with gifts. that's how good.))
• a patient dog for Stella to love on and feed and follow and boss around
• Anton LOVED playing with cousin Chloe.
• Cafe Rio mint lemonade.  Life changing. 
• visiting with siblings we don't see enough of, cousins we don't see enough of, and friends (you-guessed-it) that we don't see enough of.
• Stella built her first snowman.

LOVE....at the beach

We spent Valentine's Day (plus a few) at the beach.

We missed Jason but loved the breeze and warm sun on our skin t-shirts. As badly as I want to be brown, we aren't messing with sun damage.

Stella and Anton were deliriously happy--seagulls, playgrounds, digging toys, special snacks, beach chairs, sand castles and wave jumping. 
Anton ingested several handfuls of sand.  How does that happen more than once?

Thanks to everyone who encouraged us to go. The fun to travel-hassle ratio was worth it.

How To Have A Good Day

1. wake up around 7.  read books and watch maru videos in bed. 
 (search "maru the cat" on youtube. you will not be sorry.)
 
2. have an indoor tea party / picnic.  work on "cheers"ing when you drink and ignore babyzilla knocking over the china and gobbling up the kix.

3. if you're < 2 take a long nap between 10am-1pm.  if you're > 2 take advantage of the two hours overlap.  maybe even shower.  more importantly, take advantage of the one-on-one time with awake baby.  

4. be prepared. get organized.  hummus doesn't hurt. 

5.  collect sticks and pine cones. walk to the mail box.  look for airplanes.
or all of the above.

6. paint.  use the pine cones you collected. who really wants them hanging around anyway?  

and don't bother naming the colors over and over.  just make a mess. 

7.  take a destinationless train ride. 

(this step requires a grandmother who is willing to drop you off and pick you up a few towns over.) 
 
8. watch blues clues.
9. make a train with cardboard boxes.  < 2 hop in for a ride.  > 2 push it all over the house.

10. be exhausted.  < 2 act cranky for at least half an hour before bed.   > 2 remain calm, ignore the crankiness, and put the little people to sleep.

(some days are better than others.  today was great)

(Every Other) Weekend Happenings.

Every 10-12 days Jason comes to New York to see us.   I don't know who's happier about it, me or the babies?

Bedtimes.

 

This family picture tells it all.  Even with M&M bribes (look closely below) couldn't keep Stella seated next to us. 

Got A Nice Little Saturday Planned.

Nothing beats taking the babies to Costco.  

They love sitting side-by-side in the cart.  I love free samples.  Win-win.

I have a feeling we'll be there a lot this winter (too many germs at the library).

I realize these photos make it look like Stella is constantly bugging her brother but, believe me, he eats it up. 

Did You Really Ask That?

In the past week, three people have asked me if Anton and Stella are twins.  My responses are kind.  But, honestly?  Twins?  As in born at the same time?  I'm working on being more understanding.  After all they are both babies.

Then I opened my iPhoto to export a shot of them together (basically impossible to catch) and found these pictures. 

3/31/11 ~4:00.  I hoped to wear make-up for this birth.  Maybe even do my hair.  I was lucky to make it to the hospital.  

4/2/11 ~6:00

Stella's first birthday party.  























My prediction is that in a very short time (a year?) we'll be asked if they are twins at least once a week.