New Toys

While at a consignment sale a few weeks ago, I spied a vacuum for $2. Of course, I had to buy it. Seriously, they love to "clean" so this was perfect training for all the chores they will have to do in a few years. Ha! For about 2 weeks, it's all they played with, and fought over. They'd often refuse to turn it off. I dreamt with that vacuum noise in the background. Yes, my own darn fault, but they love it. I also bought them tinker toys (in the retro can!), chutes and ladders, and Mr Potato head.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The girls have a good bit of Irish in them--I think 25% from David's side and some from my side, I think. Anyway, I couldn't find a single piece of green clothing in their closet today, but they celebrated at the library and made Princess crowns. Sylvia wore hers until it was time for nap (they are still very into hats!). Aren't they cute? [Picture courtesy of Angela]

Climber

Well, Sylvia is not only jumping, she's climbing. On Sunday, she decided to CLIMB OUT OF HER CRIB. She was very upset about taking a nap on Sunday that she climbed out of her crib -- TWICE. Thank goodness she didn't hurt herself. I've done some reading and experts say it's not necessary to immediately change her to a big girl bed, so I'm hoping that she won't repeat this. We've told her she hurt herself and she seems to get the message. That just might change the next time she doesn't want to take a nap. Might just have to try a crib tent before moving her to a big girl bed. I don't think she's ready; and Mommy is DEFINITELY NOT READY!

Growing!

Evelyn and Sylvia are 2 months shy of 2!!! They are nearly the same height at about 33.5 inches.

We have a Jumper!

A very important upcoming gross motor milestone is JUMPING! This is a 2.5 year milestone! I had some bubble wrap from a box and tore it in half (side note -- lost one of my diamond earrings--my "push" gift from the David...got insurance check and new earring!). I put the bubble wrap on the floor and told the girls they should walk on it. Sylvia LOVED it! She started jumping and successfully got BOTH feet off the ground several times. Go Sylvia! Evelyn has an incredibly strong core, so I'm sure she's already done it, we just haven't seen it. We are also practicing standing on one foot, which they are getting better at too.


In other fun news, they can take off their diapers. The other day we stripped them down for "na na" time only to find them runing all over the house in the nude. I told David that we know what Evelyn does after dinner and we needed to get them back in their diapers ASAP. Well, sure enough, while we weren't looking, Evelyn went #2 on my bathroom rug! Then, she ran into her sisters room and went #1. Now they know they aren't supposed to take off their diapers unless they are in their bathroom! Crazy babes!

Lots of Teeth

FINALLY, Sylvia's upper canines emerged! And, her left lower is in too. She has all but her lower right canine and 2 year molars. Evelyn also just got another tooth, her lower right caninet. So, she only has her lower left and her 2 year molars. So strange how they all come in at nearly the exact same time!!!

Recent pictures

Don't you love how they have to have hats, sunglasses and necklackes on when they play outside? You'll notice Sylvia's nose where she fell down playing outside on the driveway (poor girl!) and all of the eating pictures...they love to eat! We already switched to 2% milk because they were looking chunky and they love to chug milk (we try to limit to 24 oz a day, as recommended by their doc, but I think that will reduce once they turn 2).

Hilarious Videos

The girls love to ride their bike (Sylvia), eat blueberries and feed eachother, try to snatch a donut or muffin and run, and gobble down peanut butter by the spoonful. They are a hoot!

Mommy's Trip to Florida

Mommy doesn't get many breaks...a trip to the grocery store, a day at work, that's about it. For the first time since 2006 Mommy had a girls weekend! Our good friends, Jason and Kelly, were getting married in Fort Lauderdale. We wrestled with the idea of making it a family trip, but decided I should go alone. It came together with 3 of my closest girlfriends (Melissa, Lynn and Tanya) were coming solo too (from DC, Chicago, and Madison). It was a great time and a much needed break!

Silly Girls

Hats and Playgroup

Because their friend Finn was wearing a hat at playgroup, Sylvia really wanted to wear one too. Then, everyone wanted to wear one. That evening, Sylvia even wanted to wear her hat upstairs to bed and threw a fit when Evelyn didn't want to do the same. Girls!

Valentine's Day

I made the girls and Daddy pink, heart shaped pancakes for Valentines' Day.

Just Cute Pictures and Silly Videos

The girls are getting SO BIG.

Weekend Fun

This weekend was great except Sylvia's decision not to nap either day. She must be so excited to spend time with Mommy and Daddy, there's no time for sleep!

We caught up with friends we hadn't seen for a while. Went to the zoo with the Morris family (their children are nearly 2.5 and almost 5 months) on Saturday morning. The girls played downstairs with the big kids and they had a blast. It was funny how the girls begged for the banana I had in my bag while in the Ape House.

On Sunday the Jones' visited with their kids -- 6, 4.5, and 2.5. It was a blast! Their girls organized a music show for us! See video.

Prunes and Dates

Every night while I'm cooking dinner, the girls instantly get hungry (of course, dinner is not yet ready), so they beg for food...usually Evelyn wants a carrot or a date, Sylvia wants a cracker or prune. They are silly. So glad they aren't begging for bad stuff...thankfully, they wouldn't know what to ask for!

Triplets!

On Friday, I offered to help my friend (Julia) out and watch her 19 month old (and one of the girls' best playmates). She now has a newborn and I thought she could use a break. We went to an indoor play area at a nearby mall. Good fun was had by all, but I am VERY thankful I have two, not three, the same age.

Busy Weekend

Finally we are back! Girls are heathy and we can have playdates! We have a lot to catch up on since many were cancelled. Friday, we took the girls to Chuck E. Cheese (a new one opened by our house). They open at 9am, so we had run of the place with only 2 other kids. While the girls didn't really get into the rides and games for their age group, they loved the slide and running around. Friday afternoon their girls best boyfriend, Wyatt, came over with his Mommy (Julia) and baby brother (4 weeks old!).

The rest of the weekend was very busy. Saturday, our friend Monique and her daughter Maya (2.5) came over to play. She is soon having baby girl #2 in April. We visited the pet store in the afternoon to pet doggies, see fish, meow at kitties and watch birdies fly. This is a regular outing when the weather isn't so great (it was rainy) this winter. There is a pet hospital, obedience school and groomers there so there are always lots of doggies to pet. Not sure I've mentioned that Evelyn is in love with her little puppy (she calls it pup-pup and named Biscuit after a series of childrens books they love) and she loves dogs! Sylvia does too, but I think she likes kitties better.

Sunday, we went to Mt Vernon (we have annual passes) to play in their children's play area and to check out the museum. That afternoon our friends Lynn and Brian visited with baby Morgan (9 mos) and watched the Super Bowl. Daddy was mad the Steelers lost.

More Teeth!

Sylvia's right lower lateral incisor emerged today, and she's definitely about to get her left lower canine. Evelyn's upper canines are bothering her too! I look at it like we have 4 more teeth for Sylvia (+ 2 more molars) and 2 more for Evelyn! Then, no more teething issues!

Addiction to Lotion

Sylvia goes NUTS for lotion (lo-lo). She will throw a fit until you give her some. Most of the time she tries to eat it (must taste delicious) or she rubs it on her face in mass quantities. It's kind of cute and girly, except when she throws a fit. She can now reach in our upper bathroom drawers where my makeup, nail polish, lotion, and floss is. I think she has pulled out 2 entire things of floss, used up half my face moisturizer, and one day decided she wanted to carry around 3 bottles of my nail polish for hours. She's a little strange, but we love her! :)

More Dress Up

The girls, and their friend Maya, had a blast playing and dressing up. Daddy even enjoyed it.

What Mom?

I didn't try to taste that marker. What are you talking about. Oh, they are not that slick.

Toddler Fun

We hear a lot of "Up Mommy" lately, which is slightly annoying. They are 22 and 25lbs and it's a lot to carry around! Sylvia is especially bad about this and will CRY until I can divert her attention to something else or I pick her up (sometimes we just have to choose our battles). Here's Evelyn freaking out before bedtime.

Sick!

We've been sick! First, it started with Evelyn on Wednesday. Lots of vomiting and other fun stuff. Lasted 2 days. Just when we were all feeling OK, it hit Sylvia. Of course, when Mommy was home alone (why am I always the one who deals with this fun stuff?). All Friday afternoon (my day off!), Sylvia vomited. I did teach her how to do it in a bucket (how about that...learning while sick!). She didn't do well Friday or that night, Saturday it moved to the other other end. Sunday, she was feeling better...she even had an appetite. Well, it didn't last long...it all came back up. We were up all night long (yes, this was the 4th night this week!). Saturday, Daddy and I both felt ill. [I even said if there was an entire delicious cake sitting in front of me I wouldn't eat it...David then knew I felt terrible).

Now, Sylvia and Evelyn both have colds. I took Sylvia to the doctor just to make sure she indeed just had a virus (no strep throat, ear infection, etc) with all the added coughing (Evelyn hadn't yet developed a cold yet). Poor baby. It's so hard seeing your little ones suffer. Should I feel flattered that they always wait for Mommy before it begins? True Love.

Evelyn is definitely working on her upper canines. She bit a chair yesterday! And, put her hands in her mouth and screamed. She's never really been affected like this...she's such a toughy. A little oragel made her all better.

Spring will come soon enough and the germies will be gone (hopefully!). I say to myself this is all good for their immunity development, but it just sucks!

In brighter news, the girls are definitely talking more. They love to sled (we had 5 inches last week). And, they are 22 months old. I've evolved to saying "they are almost 2." [I still count months for the blog, but not when asked how old they are.] How'd that happen?

When I can surface above the yuckiness, I'll take picutres and post videos. It just hasn't been my focus lately. I really need a good night's rest.

Sledding

The girls had a great time with Angela sledding. I came home from work and she was huffing them up the hill and going back down over and over! So fun!