Bittersweet

It's taken me a while to sit down and write this post. I find that I can't think about it without getting teary eyed and a bit sad. Every month I use the word "bittersweet" to describe the marching on of time, but this month it has been a bit more bitter than usual. As I think back to a year ago I am sad that my memory of that time has already begun to fade. I can't quite remember EXACTLY what it felt like to have them jostle for extra room in the house that was getting to small (my belly!), I can no longer actually feel the sense of anticipation and wonder that marked that time in my life. These emotions and memories have been replaced by new ones, amazing ones, but replaced never the less. And for me this is bittersweet. My babies are almost ONE, this is the last month of infanthood, they are well on their way to being toddlers. I have treasured each and every day, if not every moment. There hasn't been a day that has gone by that I haven't marveled at the wonder they are. Each day of their lives I have thought "this is the last time they will be this small, this is the only day of it's kind - marvel in the wonder that is NOW" and I have. I truly have.
In a very real sense the babies gave me the ability to live in the "now". For years, if not most of my life, I have been a person who lived in the "tomorrow" in the "when this happens...then". I had put my life on hold for years, just waiting for these miracles to arrive and now that they are here I want to stop time. It goes by too fast and there isn't a damn thing you can do to stop it...and in reality you wouldn't really want to.....but still - it is bittersweet.

So in this, their 10th month, time marched on and Kiss has landed squarely in toddlerhood! Take a look.

Kiss explores...everything!!




And Cookie, although still a bit of a baby (yeah!!) is becoming very mobile....
even taking the stairs
Standing so tall
and reaching out with both hands to grab life (and anyone else who happens to be nearby!)
It was a great month with many new developments...stay tuned for the 11 month B-day recap....

Sniffles

So last week I was chatting with some customers who were telling me about all the cold and flu patients that they are seeing and I, of course, just had to brag about the fact that the Babies were almost ONE and had yet have had their first cold. AND I forgot to knock on wood!! So of course - They got their first cold just in time for their 11 month B-day.
Kiss is taking it like a trooper. It isn't slowing her down much - but she has been extra special cranky. Poor SN has had the brunt of it this week...but she captured some great smiles too!
Some Vicks soothing bath bubbles helped to get the snot flowing.....
and flowing.....
Even sick they are just amazingly beautiful and wonderful to be with!

Happy 11th Month Birthday Kiss and Cookie!!! We LOVE you.

Dancey Dance!

Get down and boogie and play that funky music....

Wheels!

Hey! Ya wanna go for a spin?

Yeah, that's right. I got wheels!!

What? I can totally driveI'm outta here!

A thousand thank you's

Have you ever known someone who gives 100% everyday and does it with a smile? We not only know someone like that, we are blessed to have her as a very special part of our family. This isn't the first and certainly won't be the last time that we express our love and thanks to our amazing Super Nanny.

Somehow she knows just when we need a break and steps in and provides it. I truly can not imagine what it would be like to not have her in our lives. People often as me how we do it without any family nearby and I tell them we DO have family. We have our SN. She is amazing (or did I say that already?). Thank you SN for the breaks you provide (like taking the babies for overnights) and the wonderful memories you create with them (like these awesome V-day mugs) and for your love and kindness and joy you bring to our children and to us.

A thousand thank you's for being YOU.

Craft Project

This was my big craft project over the holiday. They turned out pretty well. I made one for Kiss and one for a friends daughter. I had visions on sitting down and completing this project in an hour or so....now I know why they charge $50 for these at the local children's boutique!! It was fun to take some time and do something crafty and creative. I am hoping to find more time in 2009 for things like this.

Mail Box Rubble, Fauxhawks and more!

What a crazy week! I came home from a 2 day meeting to find my front yard looking like the Gaza Strip. Turns out it had gotten mowed down by a neighbor.

On Wednesday we had our first Kindermusik class. I kid you not - they were the cutest and most outgoing babies in the class. Then again, look at these faces, how could they help be anything but??
Does it get any cuter than babies sporting fauxhawks? I think not!!
Yeah - we ROCK!!
Kiss took the stairs



Babies got new shoes. Cookie is is a size 12-18. As his Auntie J would say 'he's got some big ol' turf slappers'!
Daddy labeled everything that didn't move (and some that did, but the cats tried to eat their labels) in a bid to teach early reading skills and object identification.... did I mention that he labeled EVERYTHING!!!
There was a meeting of the minds as Cookie and Kiss tried to figure out how to push and pull an object at the same time...
and Mommy read more books on sleep (Cookie the non-sleeper strikes again, Mommy the marshmallow caves - again...). Now maybe Mommy can finish this post and get some sleep herself!! Sweet dreams everyone!