UR Basketball

We headed out for the UR basketball game on Saturday. The plan was potential disaster....there was going to be no nap this day. John needed a little breathing room during the game and had a great time walking around and climbing the stairs! Virginia was great the whole time....well, she did have to be on someone's lap the entire time but that was way better than expected.

This was hysterical. They had about 10 babies out on the floor and the baby that made it to the other side first was the winner. Very entertaining.

We even survived the cookout after the game....as long as snacks were involved!

Stomach Flu and Snow Let Down...

We all got a round of the stomach flu last weekend and this week! But luckily we are all on the mend. And they kids found themselves back in the fridge....

Just lounging...reading his favorite magazine...

He was very serious about it.
We were all sad that the snow was not enough for us to get out and play.
It was good enough for a delay to school and daycare though!

18 Month Checkup

We visited the Dr. today for our regular checkup. It went great...the kids were smiling, laughing, playing, and were so attentive.

Well, maybe that was my dream of how it would go. On a positive note, they did great in the waiting room. We were called back and we made it through the doors with no tears. This was a HUGE accomplishment. Usually, Virginia goes "boneless" as soon as the doors open and freaks out as soon as we go back. So we are walking and walking. Nothing. We get to the exam room and she sees it. That was it. She starts and of course sets John off. Our first goal....to remove clothes to be weighed. Small feat but we could do it.

Then she saw the scale....she was so ridiculous that she threw up all over the scale. The nurse claims it was the first time any child had ever done that. So of course the rest of the visit was awesome. Record time of 1 hour and 20 minutes for a regular checkup. And on the bright side, they were great for the shots. Really!

Here are the stats for John (percentiles in the parenthesis):

height 35.5 inches (100%+) weight 28.8 lbs. (85%) head 19 (80%)

*The Dr. said John was literally off the charts for height. He is the average height for a 27 month old child. Lordy! He estimated John would be 6'2 to 6'4. I really did birth him.

Here are the stats for Virginia (percentiles in the parenthesis):

height 33.75 inches (92%) weight 27 lbs. (85%) head 18.75 (85%)

Seaman

John really looked like he was headed out to sea...

We went to Mary's for a quick visit. Shame she thought this was going to hold John away....

Thank goodness we wasted some energy in the bounce house!

Note to Self

Taking two 18 month old babies out to a restaurant? No problem. We eat out all of the time. They are pros. I mean real professionals...can even stop by someone else's table to ask for food. But tonight...I went at it alone. Yes, I am no fool...we were meeting a friend for support with her two kids and it was the school fundraiser night at Jason's Deli. Thank you Wendy for coming in, seeing this mess, and still agreeing to sit with me. What never occurred to me before we left? Stranger Danger....and a self service restaurant. Now, you think about it. When eating out...they bring you the menu, they bring you the food, they bring you a drink....

However...at the lovely Jason's Deli...you are on your own. We pull up and I can literally see it in Virginia's eyes. She is having a conversation with me like this.

Virginia: Mommy. You better not even think of putting me down. At all.
Mommy: Come on Virginia....yummy food!
Virginia: It ain't happening....

Thankfully....the Sindelar family pulled up the same time we did. I felt confident that John would go with those lovely girls...but no way. He was instantly attached to my leg. Virginia just started wailing. I knew once I offered food we would be in the clear. So we get in and see a lot of people we know. First, Cheryl and Jen tried to take John. Nope. There were families circling...trying to help. They were getting seats, arranging tables, taking of coats. But neither baby would let go. For Virginia, it was like I asked her to sit at the table with Santa. I tried to get one of my students to hold Virginia and it was if that student transformed into Santa before her eyes and he was touching her.

Now, I remembered I needed to actually order dinner as the line was forever growing. I tried to leave John and he was convinced shortly when the Guarnieri family offered him chips from the side. But I ended up ordering with both kids in my arms. Ridiculous. Not to mention trying to use a coupon and actually paying. And bonus, the man at the register had to remind me to pay. Thanks Brooke for finding my credit card on the floor later. And who earns Mother of the Year....the one that ordered the salad bar. Really? Dummy. Luckily, parents took my drink back and held my tray. Shame, shame, SHAME.

Things did not settle until I found the glorious deliciousness in the tiny shape of a muffin. We were in business. Here's to you Jason's Deli for making those muffins today! Then all kids ate....even the baby doll Virginia adamantly had with her the whole time. It is in the wash now. Gross.

Needless to say, we skipped a bath tonight. On a night after both kids were on the floor in a restaurant. Again, kuddos to me!

To all of the families helping....you are great. And I know you love these kids since you hear about them all of the time. For the strangers there tonight....sorry. Give Jason's Deli one more try. Not on a school fundraiser night.

Happy Half Birthday!!!

It was like they knew it was going to be a wild day!

Carole....this is why we don't do these but every birthday and half birthday now.....

How are they 18 months already?

Virginia was very excited for her half birthday presents!

We had an interesting day....it was pajama day at daycare...so we got bundled up on a 2-hour delay from school. We were headed to daycare and got the call that school was closed. But the roads were good....so we went for a play date with our friend Katy! So fun! Then we did not nap, made cookies, opened presents, and enjoyed the snow....uh rain....for the day! We stayed in pajamas all day! My kind of day....well minus the non-nap part!

Turns out...

play dates are more fun when bigger kids can entertain! Thanks Blake!

This is the new Virginia...anytime the camera comes out...
she says "Cheese!" and goes straight into this face.

See.

Although this was a Christmas present for Virginia....
I would have to say that John might wear it more.

Minor accident today when John busted his face. Literally. He tore his gums, got a bloody nose, and his face is now completely red rounded out with his under the nose scar. The cheeks are always there in red during the winter!

On the eve of a pending winter storm, we made sure our snowmen (made at daycare) were predominantly displayed on the fridge! Bring it!

Happy New Year!

We headed to Maryland to celebrate the New Year with some friends! Thanks Evan and Andrea for hosting. The kids had a great time and went to bed in time for their parents to play!

Joe looked kind of like Santa.....

She was not feeling the New Year excitement at this point.

The morning after....a new year is upon us! We all maybe had cookies for breakfast...well...not Owen, the littlest of the bunch.

We were thinking back on this night last year....the first night before daycare! And look at us now. We will soon not be the smallest ones at daycare! There are many new babies to join this year. And when I say "smallest"...I guess I really mean youngest since these chunksters out weigh some of the older folk at daycare!

What a year it has been and will for sure be this year. We can't even imagine what this year will be for us! We only hope that you have a FUN and happy year as well!