Halloween

3...2...1...

Cinderelly

Bode and Gianna had their very first experience trick-or-treating last night.

The babies were quiet with anticipation as we drove to a nearby neighborhood.  On the drive over, I explained to them how houses are either lit up for Halloween, or they are dark, depending on whether the people in the house wish to give out candy.  It was pouring down rain and windy.  We had a full day of school, doctor appointments, and other errands. We were driving home from the pediatrician at 5:30, and all I wanted to do was put everyone to bed.  Instead, we raced home, ate a quick bite and then headed out again (because I had promised Bode and Gianna we would trick-or-treat!).

At just 6 PM, it was so dark and heavy rain splashed down on our windshield, making it so hard for me to see.  I parked at the first decorated, fully lit house we saw.  At first, I thought I'd keep Nico in the car and just go to the one house.  But as I was about to walk up to the house, I saw other houses were lit up close by.  So I got the stroller out, and put Nico in.  I had to call Gianna back, because she was already making the walk up to the house.  A group of teenage (?) boys, all in black and with no discernible costume among them, was crowding the porch.  "Let's let them go first," I cautioned. Within seconds, the boys were trotting off, but then they slowed to a stop in front of Bode.

"Whoah. That is so cool."

"Do you see his costume? He's an astronaut!"

"Check out his helmet!"

"You've got the coolest costume ever!"

These were genuine compliments. "Thank you," came Bode's muffled reply. (He insisted on keeping the visor down!)

Gianna then took off boldly, plastic pumpkin out in front of her, in search of the candy. I watched as she put her hand up to steady her crown as she stepped up to the porch.  Only then did she turn back to see if we were behind her.

Two girls answered the door and deposited a handful of candy in each pumpkin.  Two heads bent down to look inside their pumpkins and each baby said, "Thank you!" and then slowly shuffled down the path, eyeing their candy the whole time.

The next house had a single porch light, and not a single Halloween decoration on display.  Gianna moved forward, but Bode hung back.

"Wait!" he wailed "There's no light on. There's nobody there!"

I gazed at the yellow porch light and then turned to Bode. "Yes, the light is on. Let's just go see."

And of course, someone answered the door and gave the children candy.

Nico was so quiet as we strolled (so slowly...) through the rain.  Gianna was looking a bit tired, if not bedraggled, by her rainy pilgrimage for candy. At one point, she stepped on the train of her dress and there was an audible rip.  There was a pause, and then she said, "That's okay." The rain was coming down sideways, so my umbrella was not much use to Nico, or any of us. I felt like such a jerk, dragging my baby through the rain-filled street.  I told myself that we would visit 4 houses total, and no more.

I think that the babies would have easily continued trick-or-treating, if I had not suggested that we go home and watch the traditional Charlie Brown cartoon.

Post-trick-or-treat

We got home, changed immediately into warm jammies and watched a show.  They got 1 piece of candy to eat, after I had searched the contents of their pumpkins. Curious to know what each child picked? Gianna picked peanut M&Ms. Bode picked a Twix.  The rest of the candy (8 pieces total, each) was put back into their pumpkins and up on the counter. 

It was a successful, soaking wet, trick or treating adventure.  They both woke up this morning and put on their costumes. Today, I'm going to propose that they leave their candy out for the Switch Witch. I hope that it works...I'm craving chocolate!

This month has been the worst.  It has been full of ups, downs, worry, heartache and hurts. I usually love October and Halloween, but this year, I'm ready to say goodbye.

Happy November...let's hope that it's better this month.

xo

The weekend

It's hard to believe that Nico is a year old!  He is so smart.  I know all parents say that about their kids, but this guy is just blowing us away with his smarts.  He wants to know what everything is, pointing to things and saying, "dat?" or, "that?" (okay, he doesn't say, "that" really, but it sounds like that is what he is saying!)  One thing he says for sure is "balloon," or "boon" thanks in large part to the dozen "boons" we have floating around the house since his birthday. Today he played peek-a-boo with just his hands, instead of hiding behind the curtain like he normally does. He was rubbing his eyes, and I said, "Where's Nico?"  and he removed his hands, smiling.  I said, "Peek-a-boo!" and he did it repeatedly, until he tired of the game.  And, the biggest news of all?  He is standing.  All by himself.  Not to be outdone by his sister, he stood up during her gymnastics class without any assistance, and has continued standing unaided ever since.

Next up, my baby has a birthday. And I mean, MAH BAYBEEEEE.   This one:

Yes, my little starter baby is going to be 5 years old.  FIVE!  As in, 12345.  How is that possible?  He continues to blow me away with his smarts, his love, and his smile.   We are celebrating this weekend. For his birthday decorations, Bode says that he wants: Cars, Buzz Lightyear, and Spiderman. Not to mention that he is currently obsessed with all things "Planes" too. "Oh, boy, I thought, "how do I pull that off without it looking like Disney/Pixar/Marvel exploded all over our kitchen?"  Oh, BOY.  Do I have a boy on my hands, or what?!  I love him like crazy.  I'll try to make it happen.

Happy weekend.
xo

Happy Friday

This morning began with French toast and strawberries (made by Mommy), kisses (from Daddy), music & dancing (Bode and Mommy).

Someone asked, and yes, Gianna does wear Bode's old pajamas.  I saved everything of Bode's from day one (well, almost).  I love reusing his pajamas, and any other appropriate clothes, for Gianna.  It reminds me of when Bode was a baby, and I love "recycling" the clothes.  This is becoming a problem though.  I am saving all of Gianna's clothes, too.  So between the two of them, you can imagine that the amount of stuff is getting kind of crazy. Am I a candidate for that "Hoarders" show? Ack!  I am at a loss about this, so any advice is appreciated!



Gianna's breakfast: bananas, strawberries, hard-boiled egg, French toast



Dude, your head is huge!



Same noses!

We skipped our usual morning walk (sorry, Priscilla) and went to the park. We went to the Friday play date with Gianna's play group.  This time, we stayed in the sand lot, instead of joining the other babies on blankets in the grassy area. Gianna had to climb the play structure several times.  She is so mobile, and loves climbing stairs (yikes).  Bode friended a couple of boys with his construction trucks again (win).  And this cute little girl came over and played with him, too.  She was a cougar, that one...obviously older than Bode and a little fashion plate, to boot.  She looked right at him and asked, "Can I play, too?"  So sweet!

Barefeet! Ugh!

Gianna "lost" her socks somewhere between the car and the park.  She is always pulling them off. I was a bit self-conscious about my baby being shoeless & sockless at the park.  But I didn't have any extras. I had to just watch her like a hawk. Nothing new there!  Bode insists on pushing Gianna in her stroller. This means it takes us twice as long to get anywhere. But I let him do it, because it is important to him.  And this is what I keep repeating to myself, "It is important to him, it is important to him..."  No matter how excrutiatingly long, no matter how frustrating, it is important to him!

Here are some pics from yesterday's park excursion. Gianna is trying to keep up with her brother.

Check out the rubberbands on her wrists! Love! Nom, nom.

I am looking forward to a run and some solo time this weekend.  What about you, any plans?
Happy Friday!
xo

Hairray, hairray!

It looks like Gianna has her Grandpa's curls!  Hooray! Or, as Bode says, "Hairray!"

At least, that is what it looks like in the evenings, after her bath.

Bob noticed, too.  He was the one that reminded me that Bode's hair didn't start really curling up until he was about a year old. I'm trying not to get too excited.

Because, as they say,

hair today, gone tomorrow.

Or not!
xo

Andrew and Djerrassi

Sunday was a busy day.  First, Bob's nephew Andrew and Andrew's girlfriend Lauren visited us. Andrew is from upstate New York, and recently got a job in Fresno. We now have family nearby! He and Lauren have been doing some major sight-seeing around California. The kind of major, free-wheeling tour you can do when you're young and don't have two kids strapped to your hips.

As I was getting ready Sunday morning, I was thinking about Andrew's visit, and it suddenly occurred to me:  we are the elders.  I imagined Andrew telling his girlfriend that he needed to pay a visit to his uncle. I thought about how old that sounded.  Those of you who know me, know that I have been "29 and holding" for the past 10  few years. When I think of myself as an "aunt" I  view myself as the young, (hopefully) hip aunt Heather, who flies into town for the weekend and hangs out as "dude" to nieces Anna & Francie, and nephew Marco. But this Sunday, thinking about Andrew visiting "Uncle Bob" and his children, I had a harsh, ugly reality facing me: we are now the adults. The mature ones. The old ones. With kids.

It was unsettling.

It was so unsettling that it may have been why I kept biting my tongue every time I almost asked an "old person question."  You remember, when you were young, how older people would ask the most boring, predictable questions?  Questions like, "How is school?" and  "Do you like your teachers?" and the absolute worst, the one so awful that it is even a joke in a movie (the name of the movie escapes me now, probably because I am so old!), "Do you have a special friend?"  Even though I tried to quash any tendencies to ask "old person questions,"  I still came off as an old person.  I did ask Lauren if she is in school. When she replied that she is in her senior year, I seriously thought, for half a second, that she meant senior year in high school. Yes, they are young and beautiful. And yes, I am old and well, old-looking. I did ask Andrew some dork questions about his new job, "Do you like your job?" and "Do you eat lunch out with your co-workers?" So much for the cool factor. I might as well have asked Andrew if Lauren is his special friend.    

We are happy that Andrew and Lauren visited though! We hope that they come back and visit the old folks again soon.

Later that day, we went to Djerrassi.  This is our third year to attend this artists' residence program in the beautiful hills.  I had the babies (and myself) completely bathed in sunscreen (see dork factor, above) because it is always hot and sunny when we visit Djerrassi.  This year, we drove up and found fog and  cool air waiting for us.  We spent a lot of our time indoors because we were dressed for summer.  While Bob watched a dance performance, I took these artistic self-portraits with my iPhone:

Self portrait with baby

Self portrait with son

Self portrait with children

Bode ran around the place like he was a special exhibit for viewing, some kind of kinetic art!  He even tripped and and busted his face. Performance art! For once, I was the owner of the rambunctious  child that makes everyone think to themselves, "Why did they bring that kid here?"  Despite his energetic bursts, Bode did win some hearts. One artist actually played "peek-a-boo" with Bode, allowing us to admire the art on the walls uninterrupted.  



Playing peek-a-boo



Bob and I viewed some great art. The kind of art that, if I had a fat bank account, I would have written a check to the artist right there on the spot. I wanted to take two of those paintings home for our bare walls.  I would love to say, "hey, nice job" and really mean it, you know?

And, of course, the highlight for Bode was the tractor outside.

Check out the fog behind them!

It was a perfect day of family, nature, and art.

xo

Dadurday

I don't know if it was all the sickness, Bob traveling, or what...but this week was hard for me.  Friday, I was such a grouch, and had zero patience for my sweet 2.5 year old.  I went to bed Friday night feeling like such a horrible excuse for a mother.

Today (and every weekend, really) Bob was such a big help.  He is always an equal partner in the parenting and the householding.  But today, he was extra helpful.  He knew that I was "done" in the mothering department and that I needed some "me" time. So, after he worked out, he sent me outside for a run and fresh air.  It felt great to be out running again.   And then later, I went out for a mocha and a maple oat scone.  I came back home and then took a 45 minute nap.  I felt so much better after I got up!

Bode and I played with his Cars friends while Daddy worked out. The sunglasses are Gianna's.

Bode loves his "buggy blanket" and decided to play on it this morning.

Suddenly, Gianna is a big fan of Bob.   He came back from a 5 day trip, and Gianna was very, very happy to see him.  Since his return, she's happy to see him every day, giving him a big smile and reaching for him when she sees him.

They spent a lot of time together today.  Again, I think Bob was trying to help me out. But I also think that they both were enjoying each other's company! This afternoon, Bob caught up on his mail and Gianna "helped" him. 

They have the same noses, and probably the same profile!

Right now, I am able to write this post because Bob is with Gianna, helping her to sleep! Thanks, Bob!
Happy Saturday, everyone.
xo

Checking in

I know, I know...you all are like, "Who cares about you and how you're doing? How are the babies? More importantly, where are (the pictures of) the babies?"

Gianna is embarrassed about how she looks, and chose to look away whenever I tried to snap her picture.

This morning, Bode and I harvested our cucumber and a tomato. Not sure if it was ready or not, but we need something to do. We all are going a little stir crazy with the sickness.



I have tried crafts, dance parties, sing-a-longs, and even resorted to tv watching (Cars movie and Sesame Street). Priscilla is the only one that is benefitting from the sickness. I take the babies (and Priscilla) out for a walk twice a day.  I think we all need the fresh air. I know that I for one really need to get out of this house! This sickness has got to end, soon!

Bode wants you to know that despite being sick, he is still  a potty rock star.



Please don't enlarge this picture because I am 99.99% sure Bode has snot all over his face.

He has almost got every Cars movie-themed car out there.  I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm out of Cars options.  I've tried Cars-themed books and those got a lukewarm reception (except at naptime and bedtime!).  Hot Wheels cars are just not "hot" in Bode's book.

The good news is, tomorrow is Friday. And why is that good news in my book?  Because Daddy is sharing parental duties Saturday and Sunday!
Happy Friday, everyone.
xo

Friday play date

Every Friday morning, Gianna's playgroup has a play date in the park. We meet at Starbucks (yay) and then walk together to the park, which is conveniently located behind the Starbucks. We have only made this play date twice. Gianna usually has a very long nap in the mornings, which prevents us from doing anything until late afternoon. Today, I decided that we needed to skip the nap and make a park our priority. I really like this park because it has the perfect mix of shade and sun. It is also small enough for Bode to play on his own without me feeling like I have to hover right over him.  We hauled his big bag of sand toys and construction trucks to the playground (not super convenient when you're pushing a stroller, trying to corral a 2.5 year old, carry a purse, blanket, and hold your hot mocha!). Once again, the construction trucks proved to be a great play-starter with other kids his age. I love it. I only wish that I had done this sooner for him.

My goal is to get the babies to the park every day (as well as, walk Priscilla once a day).  Yesterday I lamed out with a trip to Target. We always need something. And it is an easy outing for me and the babies. I can put them in the double-seat cart and we can shop for an hour. 

A few of you have asked about Bode's potty training. It is going great.  He is doing really well. Of course, he is completely motivated by the sticker reward chart. Actually, he is motivated to get a toy car!  I keep changing the sticker rule. One week it is 5 stickers for 1 car. Another week it is 7 stickers for 1 car. It depends on how well he is doing. Sometimes 5 stickers is way too easy for him, and  I have to run to Target to replenish my car supply!  This potty training is expensive! I don't know how/when I will be able to get away from the sticker/car reward...or if I will even be able to.  I have created a monster!  But he is a good monster, and I love him more than anything.

My "monster" with one of his cars.

A bit of trivia:  Victoria and David Beckham named their daughter Harper.  That was Bode's chosen name when we thought he was a girl! (we were told that Bode was a girl, at first, so we went immediately to the "girl name" decision) Can you imagine? I can't (now). Gianna's chosen boy name was John.

Happy Friday, everyone!

xo