On Balance (HAHAHAHA), a New School Year and Free Reign Chaos

I'm coming out of another work fog that makes me remember that I am a human and that there is life outside of work. It also makes me question how I am handling this Working From Home gig. It's hard, yo!


Then there was the day a few weeks ago that the house internet was down in the midst of a huge work deadline (of course it was!). In the afternoon we all trudged down to the neighborhood "free" wifi spot (Evil Fast Food Restaurant) where I was successfully able to download my much needed document. All was well that ended well there, but not without quote a bit of panic and stress on my part. I think it's clear from the "toasting" of sundaes (seen here) who the winners were that day.

It's all hard:

-Working at the office/commuting/not seeing the kids for ten hours/getting home and scrambling for all the different people begging for attention/feeling guilty because I don't spend enough time with them and the time I do spend isn't "quality" time and I often feel impatient and burned out
-Working from home/carving work in between all the other home responsibilities/seeing the kids for ten hours at a time/getting home and scrambling for all the different people begging for attention/feeling guilty because the time I spend with them isn't "quality" time and I often feel impatient and burned out

But the good thing about being ridiculously stressed and overwhelmed is that when you no longer feel stressed and overwhelmed, you feel Reborn!

After two days on and several days off (Hi, Jewish Holidays), we are officially Back in the Business of School (except for one day last week--Hi Another Jewish holiday). In fact this week, the last one of September, is actually the first full week of school!


Oh, Hiiiiiiiiiiii sixth grade. How's it going? (First day)

Leo is settling into middle school. After a few bumps (on the second week of school it rained. Leo has developed a severe phobia of rain and storms (?) and that day, I was on and off the phone all day with the school nurse, because Leo had come to her with a stomach ache. Several times). We have been talking and talking (and talking) about the importance of rain--to the planet, to the people, you name it. The other bump was that did you know that in middle school they serve pizza Every Day? Leo was confused on a Tuesday when he did not get pizza (because in fifth grade, pizza day was Friday). Sheesh, life is always throwing curve balls, isn't it? Next week he starts some extracurricular activities which I'm excited about (and so is he!): Art Club and Science Club. On the horizon is try-outs for the basketball team (gulp!).


Behold, third grade and Last Year of Preschool x 2

No big news on third grade (fine by me!). Ellie likes her teacher and is happy that one of her good friends is in her class (again). She's started soccer and is enjoying it and Girl Scouts (Brownies) starts again in a few weeks.

Lucy is excited to be in the "Big Kid" class in preschool. She has the teacher Ellie had her last year of Pre-K, which is fun and familiar. After a few relatively smooth months (it's all relative, not sure if smooth is the best word) Lucy seems to be entering another tricky phase. It seemed to kick off with the transition to big kid beds. Maybe it's too much change at once. I could just really do without the tantrums about television and the running away from me in the parking lot. And the driveway. This too shall pass, I know. The thing is, she can be SO SWEET. And mature! And sensitive. When Erin had some oral surgery recently, she came over to her and crawled into her lap and said, "Mama? Does your mouth hurt? I'll be extra sweet to you."

On the first chilly morning of fall I dug out my old beloved khaki trench coat which she complimented me on, calling it my "fancy" coat. When Harry is running around the bedroom without pants on at bedtime and she's quietly brushing her teeth with her legs folded crisscross applesauce, she asks me, "Mommy? Am I being a very good girl?" Jekyll. And. Hyde.


And just like that, we said goodbye to cribs (I know, four is old to be in a crib but if you have twins, you get it). Do not, I repeat DO NOT be fooled by their apparent calm. Cribs for everyone!


I was admiring Harry's Transformer "dollhouse" and "family." "It's NOT a dollhouse family," he replied, incredulous. "It's an ARMY!"

After a month with Lucy at her school, Harry was a little unhappy about having to go back to his other school (where he continues to get the speech therapy that he's happily growing out of the need for but I'm not arguing with free preschool!). His disappointment passed quickly--he now seems to really enjoy where he is--all last year he would ask in the morning, "Is it a school day?" And when he found out it was, his face would fall a little. But now, he has a little spring in his step in the morning and bounds off the bus in the late morning, talking about a handful of little boys he played Transformers with or a book they got to read in library.

And then there's me. Four years in and I'm STILL not accustomed to the chaos of having twins. One four year old is one thing. Two? Right now what I'm struggling most with is listening. As in, they don't listen to me. Or at least, not as much as I need them to.

I am a person who likes order. Routine. And did I mention quiet? OK, I have mostly accepted the fact that our house is the opposite of quiet, but that doesn't mean I don't find it all too much to take sometimes. It seems like for the most part, ever since we converted the cribs to toddler beds, bedtime, or more like, around 4pm every day, evolves into something out of an episode of "Super Nanny, "but BEFORE Super Nanny swoops in and makes everything OK. It just feels completely out of control. Jumping off beds. Ignoring simple, completely reasonable requests like, "Can you please go to the bathroom and put your pajamas on?"

We're trying a few things that are hopefully helping (awarding "coins" for good behavior that they collect to earn a small prize at the end of the week). I HATE material bribes but you do what you gotta do right? I'm also hoping that maybe the novelty of being "free reign" at bedtime will wear off soon.

And you know, there's the flipside of course. These two incredibly frustrating, challenging, adorable, interesting, smart hilarious people. Just as I did the day they were born, I still marvel at them. TWO of them.


To quote Harry, who said, right as I was taking this picture: "There are too many people in this pool!"





Well, four of them.

This too shall pass, and all that jazz.

3

NOTE: Once upon a time I did birthday posts for each kid. I know it's pretty much only grandparents, some family members and the other three or four readers kicking around the cobwebs and tumbleweed here lately, but for posterity's sake, I like the "keepsake" quality of these little birthday posts. So I'll try to keep them up as best I can. I know that the "multiples" police would be on me about making this a single post. They should each have their own. Well, I'm the Mommy and I'm going to make the rules and for now, at age three they get a package post. Also, we won't talk about the fact that this one is sixty four days late. So in order of appearance, the first birthday of this year was Harry and Lucy's, in June.

I don't think I can find the words to convey how quickly the last three years of my life have gone by. Oh sure, the every-two-hours-tandem-breastfeeding-in-the-middle-of-the-night sure didn't fly, and neither did those dual scream fests when both Harry and Lucy had ear infections. In a hotel room. In the middle of a freak October snowstorm.

This Too Shall Pass.


June, 2011. One day old.

And did it ever.


June, 2014

It will get easier.

It will get fun.

They'll stop being two babies and they'll start being two little people!




That's what everyone told me, from the pediatrician, to the seasoned veteran moms of multiples that chatted up me and my giant double newborn stroller, everywhere we went.

 And you know something? They were right.

Anyone who's read this blog with any frequency will know that I haven't exactly kept it a secret: Newsflash: Having two babies isn't easy! But I've tried really hard to not wish Harry and Lucy's baby days away, to not pine too much for the times when they will be older and it will be "easier."



Because as cliche as it is, it's true. One day you turn around and your newborns are three year olds. (Yes, yes, I know, before I realize it they'll be slamming doors in my face before heading off to college--let's not get ahead of ourselves).





At age three, Harry is rough and tumble and cuddly at the same time. He'll run straight at you with his hard little light brown head and throw his arms around your legs. Then he'll look up and say, "You like that Mommy?" 

It seems like he can play for an hour by himself with the Holy Grail--the "Big Boy" Legos in Leo's room (shhh, don't tell Leo).



His language continues to explode. It's been such a joy to get to know him better and find out what he's thinking about and what's going on in that little brown head of his, these past few months. Preschool, which he started in June, has been wonderful, cracking his little world and mind, wide open. This summer he's marched off the school bus singing nursery rhymes that I didn't even know he knew. He's showing an interest in Broadway show tunes (Ellie got him hooked on "Annie"), could a mother be more proud?



He loves to make silly faces and takes great pleasure in making you laugh.



Harry is both strong and sensitive. The other night before bedtime, during what's become a nightly jumping fest (don't ask, let's just say I'm amazed the cribs are still standing), Harry bumped his elbow pretty hard on the side of his crib. A look of pain washed over his face and I asked him if he was ok.
"The crib hurt my feelings," he said.


First day of preschool, June, 2014.

At age three Harry loves:
-Trader Joe's dried (dehydrated) strawberries and strawberry bars (but not ACTUAL strawberries).
-Anything Batman.
-Legos.
-Legos.
-Legos.



At age three, Lucy continues to be a force. Her loquaciousness both impresses me and exhausts me. With the others in summer school and camp, I have spent quite a bit of time with just Lucy these last few months, which has been both a gift and a challenge.




The Queen oversees the opening of birthday gifts from Grandma Jerry.



I seem to recall having similar feelings about Ellie at age three. I was confounded by her witticisms and adorableness, yet often flattened by her ability to be so frequently downright unreasonable. Here's a perfect example of Lucy at age three:

"MOMMY!! Look at me! I'm going potty!"

[I look at her and even add in some positive reinforcement: "Great job, Lucy! Great pottying!"]

"MOMMY!! Stop looking at me! Leave me alone!"


This is what happens almost any time we try to take Lucy anywhere, outside of the house, for more than thirty minutes (photo taken at the Intrepid Museum in New York City).

To be fair, Lucy is also one of the funniest, silliest, most cheerful people I've ever met (cheerful as long as she is getting exactly what she wants, that is). She just has this, how shall I put it? Very demanding tone. And she likes to do things her way. Erin says she has NO idea where she gets this from (OK, I might be a tad bit of a control freak). Or maybe it's more like a shriek? I think school is going to help Lucy, a lot. I think she's bored. I mean, I try to do things to keep her stimulated and entertained. But I can only do so much. She's just, a force, who needs constant...something.


I had to document these pigtails AND this bow since she lets me "do" her hair about every six months. Also, why don't my curls look this good in the New Jersey humidity?

Lucy likes to know the name of every person and object she meets and sees. When we are out and about or reading a book she'll see a person (the checker at the grocery, a character in an illustration) and ask, "What's he name? What he name is?" The questions come rapid fire--sometimes I don't even have time to answer before she's moved on to the next one. I've even started making up names for inanimate objects since she doesn't like what I call things. (For instance, if I say it's a "piano" she'll say, "No it's not!" So I'll say, "It's Penelope Piano!" And that makes her happy. It's like she's so social and loves people so much that she thinks everyone should have a name.


Speaking of books, this is the work of Lucy. Destroying property to this extent? I have to say this was a parenting first, for me. Oh and of course she blamed Harry. (To be fair I'm sure Harry contributed to this project (based on the placement of the pages) but I am pretty sure Lucy was the instigator).


See? HAPPY. This was Ellie's last day of school. When I was snapping a shot of Ellie's last day of first grade, Lucy was right there and refused to be outdone by her big sister, demanding: "Take MY picture Mommy!" 

At age three Lucy likes:
-Anything My Little Pony
-Fairies
-Dressing up
-Chocolate (she got Ellie's sweet tooth, that is for sure).

To quote that old post of mine from when Ellie was three, 'I love three. I hate three.'





She is his "Loo-swee," he is her "How-rie."

They are hilarious, mischievous, clever, maddening, fascinating, frustrating, boisterous, impossible little balls of fun and love. They exhaust me and bring me and the whole family endless amounts of joy.

Happy birthday, dear Harry and Lucy!

Birthdaypalooza and Summer Status

Summer is birthday season around here.

And just like that:


Three.


Seven.


Ten.

Clearly there has been some mix-up because, I have twin toddlers, not preschoolers. And there's just no way I'm old enough to have a TEN YEAR OLD. I mean, really.


They play nicely like this ALL the time, I assure you.

It's amazing that summer is more than half over. In fact, I think school starts a week from tomorrow. Crazy.

Leo and Harry finished up their stints at summer school. Ellie has been enjoying various camps (town camp, gymnastics and to come are science and art). Leo started at his amazing camp last week and comes home every night flushed, smiling and exhausted, so clearly that camp is doing something right. This week Lucy finally gets her turn as she embarks on a mini ballet camp (a whole two hours a day). Speaking of Lucy's camp, you know you've had a couple of kids when, upon emailing your three year old's camp to find out if the TWO HOUR program is drop off and they reply: "If you'd be more comfortable staying that's fine but it is drop-off," your reaction is all YIPPEE!! See you in two hours, Cutie! 

Thursday's List: Super Heroes, Captured Souls, the Energizer Bunny and Eiffel Tower(s) in New Jersey

1. Art and Photography:


Leo recently completed his best to date (in my humble opinion) family portrait. (Left to right): Mommy (Wonder Woman), Leo (Spider Man-OF COURSE), Lucy (Super Man), Harry (Bat Man), Ellie (The Flash Girl), Mama (Green Lantern) and flying high above is of course our dear, sweet, beloved Ruby the Super Dog.


Meanwhile Lucy mastered her very first face.

Ellie's first grade "spring portraits" came home. I never order these and consider them to be somewhat of a scam-- (I'm a traditionalist and normally just do fall).

But then then they had to go and CAPTURE HER SOUL. I mean, really.

2. Food:

The Nutella obsession continues. Every day, post-nap.

Is there anything better than Nutella? Well. No. And by the way, we are now the family that goes through three to four loaves of bread. A week. (Did I mention I finally realized in the midst of last Friday night's "pizza night" that we have officially graduated to needing two pizzas? Thanks Lucy who eats just the cheese off of three slices).

Speaking of Lucy and food, she and Harry have switched places when it comes to their eating habits. He used to be the "easy" voracious one, willing to try anything (Seasoned tofu! Dried seaweed!) and almost always cleaned his plate and asked for more. Now he pushes many of his former favorites away. You know what else is fun? Aside from macaroni and cheese, neither of them like to eat the same thing. Wait. Do Goldfish count?

This morning Lucy ate three pieces of toast and asked for more. Growth spurt? Perhaps. I mentioned this and Ellie piped up, "Maybe she's getting ready to hibernate! That would be relaxing for you, Mommy!"

3. Lucy:


Hello my name is Unadulterated Joy!

It's such a cliche but I have to use it. Lucy is the Energizer Bunny. She makes her presence known at all times, from the moment she awakes at 6:15, softly singing "Let It Go," (it quickly builds to an urgent, pressing crescendo of "MOMMYMOMMYGETMEOUTMOMMYMOMMY!"). Much of the time she is full volume, going 110 miles per hour while the rest of us are strolling along around at 25 (or if you're Harry it's closer to 15). She is insistent, demanding, unreasonably verbal and often hilarious. She does almost everything with a smile on her face, including pouring a cup of water on the floor or taking her pajamas off right before bedtime, making it difficult to get too angry with her, even if her behavior is ridiculous.



 The other day I overhead Harry and her playing together. She'd injured some body part and began pleading with Harry to "KISS IT! KISS IT! KISS IT!" That's when Harry piped up with "Relax."

I don't think any conversation in the history of conversations has better summarized the personality of two little people.

And yes, I MIGHT tell Lucy to Relax! oh, about 97 times a day.


I read something recently that said that said when you start to lose patience with your mind-numbingly impossible almost three year old (OK those were my words), you should look at their tiny feet, as a reminder that they aren't this small for very long. In short: Yes, I lose my patience every once in a while  And yes, I'm an incredible sap.

4. Harry:

Harry's speech continues to explode. He's starting to have little conversations (with himself and others) and it's SO nice that he's finally able to TELL us what he wants and needs and likes (no surprise there: Super Man, dump trucks, garbage trucks, police cars...) He repeats everything (See: "Relax!" and has picked up some adorable little expressions like "That was a close one!"



Harry and Lucy now mostly have free reign of the house. I've pretty much given up on keeping the upstairs gate closed because it never fails that right when I'm in the middle of making scrambled eggs, Harry decides he HAS TO HAVE HIS RACECAR, the one that's in his crib. Oh sure I could send a big kid up to open the gate but it's much easier to let them go up and down as they please. The same now goes for the basement playroom which is VERY EXCITING. Things can get a little too rambunctious sometimes when all four of them are down there but often during the day I send just the twins down while I make lunch or prep dinner. Invariably Lucy spends more time marching up and down the stairs to "Show me something" (Can you say Social Creature) but they still enjoy a bit of independence. As do I.


They love to "hide" in our bed. Or Ellie's. Or Leo's. And pretend to be "sleeping." Trust me they are SO not sleeping.

5. When the Past and the Present Come Crashing Together in a Beautiful and Heartbreaking Way:
A few days ago I drove into the city with the twins and as we sped along the New Jersey turnpike Harry kept pointing out the "Eiffel Tower" (also known as cell phone towers and verrrry tall utility-type towers? I guess?).  Poor kid. (By the way, he knows about the Eiffel Tower from books, "101 Dalmations" and a small Eiffel Tower pendant that I wear on a chain around my neck-he's not that well traveled yet).

Today on our way downstairs from nap, a photograph caught Harry's eye, it was one of my mom and me, almost fifteen years ago, standing in front of, yes, the Eiffel Tower. He'd never noticed it before but was immediately ecstatic and repeated "Eiffel Tower! Eiffel Tower!" over and over again. That's when I crouched down and pointed at my mom and said, "That's Grandma Eleanor. And that's Mommy." Again, Harry repeated. Lucy, standing just a step below Harry on the stairs, looked on with equal interest.


My mom and me, 1999. 

And then just like that the moment passed. Lucy took Harry's hand and said, "Come on Harry, I'll help you go downstairs." They proceeded to scoot down on their tushes as they are apt to do. But this time they were holding hands. Holding. Hands. "Here Harry, I'll help you," Lucy said.

And as I looked down at the backs of those two little heads, Lucy's a wild mess of untamed blonde curls and Harry's, a ruffled, chocolatey brown and growing out little boy haircut, that's when, just for a brief few seconds I felt so overcome with grief that it almost took my breathe away. I was once again reminded: She's missing this.

And then we had to get sweatshirts and shoes and a race car to hold and just the right My Little Pony to carry. It was time to pick Ellie up from school.

February Notes (So Far)

Yes, Harry. That's a lot of freaking snow.



Ellie, on Harry: "Mommy, I don't want Harry to grow up. He's too cute."

She may be a bit biased.


And Harry may have a slightly unorthodox approach to watercolors. Ahem.

It's been snow day, school day, snow day around here lately.

The kids even had school on President's Day, which is usually a school holiday. But we are evidently way out of snow days.


Somewhere in there, is our driveway.

But March is on the horizon and with it, spring will come. Or so I've heard.


Two weeks ago, I swear we woke up in Colorado.


Watching big sister build a snow man.


It is pretty.


"Mommy! I like eating!" Lucy announced the other day. I have NO idea where she gets that from.


Leo came home from school last week with music homework. He had to sing several verses from blues songs. He decided to illustrate his favorite (see above). Naturally it was "Hound Dog."


Ellie has introduced Lucy to the art of dress-up. These girls can entertain each other for a long while. Not going to lie. It's pretty awesome. And based on the garb and styling of these two, it probably comes as no surprise that the other day as Lucy (and Harry) and I strolled the aisles of our local Target, Lucy leaned over to me and said "Mommy, let's buy something fabulous!"

Lately

It's Wednesday, which means, time for another blizzard.



Let's shake things up a bit and make this a Nor'easter, shall we?



We walk the snowy, ice laden street of our neighborhood and the twins are (understandably) captivated by the icicles. They are incredible--many of them don't even look real. "Elsa (from "Frozen") made that!" Harry observes.


Today, I was the mom who brought three kids to the wine shop (remember, it's the day before the blizzard).

Hey, at least I didn't t bring all four.


Grandma and Grandpa sent us a box of art supplies, fueling our fire for watercolors.


Harry might be a bit more interested in the "water" part of watercolors.


Leo diligently addressed all his valentines this weekend. He proclaimed every female in his class his "girlfriend."


Lucy and Harry have fallen in love with Leo's bed (his room is on the main floor of our house and since it also holds the Lego table it's pretty much everyone's favorite place). They can often be found snuggling and "sleeping," until they are found, upon which they dissolve into fits of giggles. They better not be getting any big ideas about big kid beds. I guess they didn't get the memo: They will be in cribs until they are thirty, as all good children should be.





I have a new favorite quote, which I'm hoping will carry me through just about anything:





Peace.

Never Alone and Who's Going to the Sing-A-Long?

I had a rare day at home with "just" the twins this week.


Hey Harry. Whatcha doin? Yougonnaeatthis?


FORTHELOVEOFALLTHATISGOODWOMAN,LEAVEMEALONE.

I mean, I can only imagine that's what Harry might be saying.

Lucy woke up from her nap before Harry (which is why he's eating his lunch in these pictures and she's already finished), so we had a rare thirty minutes just to ourselves.

Lucy spent most of that time walking around the house asking "Where's Harry?" and "Is it time to go pick up Ellie?"

She asked about Ellie all day long actually.

"Where's Ellie? I want Ellie."

These two. Oh my.


"Mommy! Look at us!" they called to me, from the living room. (Ellie took her shirt off. So Lucy did. Because, of course.)

At this moment, in these days, Ellie can do no wrong in Lucy's eyes.

"Where's Ellie? What's Ellie doing? I want to go see Ellie."

I look at them playing Barbie Fairies or dress up, I watch as Ellie gives Lucy "pony rides" around the kitchen table, knocking into the back of my legs as I slice carrots for dinner. Two little girls. In my house. And I still can't quite believe it, that I get to witness this all as it unfolds.

Ellie is phenomenally, unshakably patient with the twins but it's Lucy who tries her the most (wrinkling Ellie's drawings just as she completes them, overturning her perfectly placed tea set. And yet. Ellie is unflappably calm with both of them. They destroy, she shrugs and laughs: "Oh Lucy!"

These days Ellie is a key player in bedtime for the twins. They wait for her to "tuck them in."
"Ellie! Come give me a kiss," Lucy calls, as Ellie climbs the stairs.

Some of Ellie's techniques are more effective than others: "If you don't lie down I'm telling Mama, Grandma and everyone I know!"

I think that I spent my whole early childhood pining for a sister, wondering what that relationship would be like, that constant companion, the never ending play date (not that that word existed in 1978). Of course I completely idealized it--there was never any grief about sharing or resentment about who got more attention. It was just, fun. All fun, all the time. Because I knew with a sister I would never be lonely.

Sisters or brothers, you can certainly say that much about our house. No one is EVER Lonely.

***

We were brave and left the house with all four kids last weekend. We even went really nuts and took them to a restaurant, of all places! I know!

The food seemed to take forever.

So we passed the time making silly hats. Butter packages and mini creamers, of course.



Classy. That's us.



Luckily the hot chocolate (and my coffee) hit the table right away. Lucy has a newfound love for hot chocolate (and by hot chocolate I mean barely warmed chocolate milk topped with whipped cream).



I think it's fair to say she approves.



I like to call this look "Cocoa Drunk."

***

It's finally here!



I'd like to take the big kids this weekend. I mean, they can't stop talking about it. They won't leave me alone, it's just "When the Sing-A-Long Frozen, Mom?" All. The. Time. In reality they have no idea it's happening and it's really me that wants to sing all the songs from "Frozen" in a darkened theater, resting only to put away a large tub of popcorn with extra butter.

OK so I might be more excited than they are.


We showed Harry and Lucy some clips from "Frozen" last weekend and Lucy was completely riveted. Part of me thinks she might actually enjoy the sing-a-long version but another part of me is also afraid that she of the Many Opinions will not appreciate all the singing and will, in true Lucy "I'm The Boss Style" order the audience to "STOP SINGING!"

I've long been plotting to get the kids the "Frozen" plush dolls (damn you Disney store for being so close to my office and directly in my path every single day). Leo and Ellie were easy: they are both smitten with Elsa (did I tell you that Leo has decided he wants to be her when he grows up?). Lucy likes Anna. When I asked Harry who he liked, Anna or Elsa?


He answered, "Olaf."

I swear that Olaf is totally for Harry. Completely.

The Return of Harrystoptouchingthelights

WHEN will I ever learn?

The fastest way to make a liar out of yourself? Announce something to the Internet.


Sidenote: I baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies the other day. I'm sure the Internet will be shocked to learn that the babies like cookies. A lot.

Anyway, remember how I was saying I thought Toddler Mission: Destroy The Christmas Tree might be over and that Harry didn't seem all that interested in the tree this year? (You might remember that last year, Harry and the tree had quite the "thing" going on).

Scratch that.

When I came home from work yesterday our nanny reported that Harry had "a terrible day with the tree." Which, I mean, first of all, you have to laugh at that sentence.


Why yes, that's Harry. With a purloined Thomas ornament. Of course

But back to Harry. Yesterday he reportedly pulled half the lights off the tree (which weren't in great shape to begin with, believe me). He also took a handful of ornaments from the tree and ran away, giggling. A variation of these events went on all day, apparently.

Of course I gave Harry a stern talking to about the situation. He responded by smiling and laughing at me.


Ah, Playdoh. Soooo much more constructive than Christmas Tree Pillaging.

Of course I'm laughing too. I mean think about it. A giant tree is in OUR HOUSE. It's covered with tiny, shiny lights and new, interesting, pretty and fun toy-like objects (see above: Thomas ornaments). Of COURSE he wants to touch it all the live long day. How do you explain the sudden appearance of a giant, toy covered tree in the house of a busy, inquisitive two and a half year old?

Luckily for Harry, we're not gunning for Best, Most Perfect Christmas Tree Ever. Not even close.

This morning, after I plugged in the lights (it's the first thing I do this time of year, right after I make a pot of coffee-there's nothing like a dark house and the cold blue-light of early morning and the instant cheer of twinkling white lights) I stopped and looked at the tree. Ellie was by my side and she and I studied the giant gaping hole where Harry had pulled lights yesterday. Fixing them would involve taking all the ornaments down from a large section and then rehanging the lights and then putting back all the ornaments. Hypothetically this could happen. You know, in my quiet moments, of which there are so many.

"What do you think of the tree? I asked Ellie. "Harry did quite a number on it didn't he? Do you think it's looks bad?"

She paused a moment and looked at the tree sideways. "Well. Maybe a little bad."



We love you, Harry. We really, truly do. And we're glad you love your tree so much.

Chance Encounters

Saturday morning I was out with the boys (have I mentioned how much I like saying "the boys" or "the girls?") I'm not sure if it's because I still can't believe I have boy(s) and girl(s) or because it means if I'm saying one of those words it means I only have two children with me. Practically a spa day!

On our way to speech therapy, we stopped at a light and I noticed the car in front of us was carrying two beautiful golden retrievers. It was a station wagon, and the two dogs were all the way in the back, sitting by the large rear window. When we stopped at the light, I pointed them out to Leo. Then, because I am me, I waved at the dogs. Yes, waved. As if they were going to wave back. Well I could swear they at least smiled at me.

I also found myself tearing up. Because the older one (one was, yes, a puppy) looked so much like our Ruby.

You won't believe what happened next. We pulled into the complex where the therapist is located. Guess who pulled up next to us in the parking lot? Well. I couldn't resist. And since I've yet to meet a rude or mean or even unfriendly golden retriever owner, I jumped out of the car and announced that I'd admired the dogs from the road (!) and would it be ok if my son(s) and I said hello?







I think it's safe to say they didn't mind.

Stop It. And Some Wonderful Things (After Some Not So Wonderful).

An assortment, from years gone by. It doesn't get much better than that feather turkey wreath from Leo's (I think) first grade.


This weekend, down came the Halloween decor and up went theThanksgiving paraphernalia.

Then Amy pointed out to me that if it was time to decorate for Thanksgiving, then it was also time to acknowledge Hanukkah (which, for the first time in our lifetime happens to fall on the same day).

Hannuskiving?

Thanksgivingmacka?

I don't know what to call it or what to say except Stop This Year. Just Stop It. You are going by too fast. And Stop My Favorite Season From Rolling By.

I know that time is one of the most boring subjects but it's all so true, every single word of what "they" say about it. This is all just whizzing right by. This weekend I sat in the backyard with the twins while they burned off some late afternoon/time change crabbiness and we watched the planes fly overhead from the Newark airport. Harry flapped his little arms and ran around the driveway like a miniature 747, because really there is nothing more interesting than watching the planes fly overhead and then pretending to be a plane. These little people. Two years ago they were sitting on the deck strapped in infant seats and buried in little winter suits. And now?

Now I manage to get Harry to sleep a full hour later than Lucy (Hello, 5:15 a.m. on time change Sunday!). Lucy and I have a rare hour to ourselves as the house remains quiet with everyone else still asleep. And when I hear Harry stirring, go upstairs to get him and present him to Lucy, Look who I found! I joke to Lucy, who is drinking her morning milk and grazing on cheerios and pumpkin bread.

Oh thank you! I like Harry! Hi Harry! Lucy says, her face, an explosion of happiness and glee.

Of course, the irony is not lost on me that "Stop It" is also a phrase that has been coming out of my mouth quite a lot these days (and yes, it's pretty much always directed at the twins). Stop It! Stop stealing Harry's toys! Stop it! Stop screaming! Stop it! Stop throwing open the refrigerator doors and stealing apples and packages of string cheese and then running, celebratory through the house (Yes, this is my life).


I found this oldie but goodie this weekend. From last year: "A Turkey, in the Rain," by Leo.

***

A few weeks ago Leo had to get a tooth pulled. It was his first time (thank goodness!) and it was also a baby tooth (another thank goodness!). It was just a rotten little tooth that the dentist said hadn't been worth filling but it was finally in bad enough shape to pull. We all know Leo has finally overcome his dental issues, which is why it was perhaps even more traumatic to have to hold him down while he had that little tooth pulled (a parenting first that I hope to never repeat).

Oh he was medicated and numbed and even nitroused up. But he saw the tools and even without pain, I guess there is no mistaking the "force" of having a tooth extracted. Bless our dear Dr. F who was cool as a cucumber as he had to do some serious acrobatics during the procedure, practically turning himself upside to accomplish the task. But he could not have been more patient with Leo (or me). Did I mention his daughter has Down syndrome? He gets it.

And when it was all over, I felt teary, for Leo and for the fact that we are so fortunate to have some wonderful people in our little village, including our dentist.

As he always does, Leo recovered very quickly. There were no hard feelings toward Dr. F, only fist bumps and high fives. A hug may have been attempted too.


After the trauma (for both of us), I did what any guilt-ridden mother would do. I took Leo out for the biggest donut I could find.* And I bought myself the largest pumpkin flavored coffee available (I also may or may not have quickly eaten ten pumpkin Munchkins in the car).

I ran into Dr. F at Ellie's school Halloween parade (his kids go to the same school). There he was, in his Stay Puft Marshmallow Man costume. It was two weeks after the tooth pulling ordeal but all he could ask me was "How's Leo?"

It doesn't get much better than that.

*Don't worry. Leo brushed his teeth when we got home. :)

Hair-Man

I think it's been confirmed. I stink at 31 for 21 this year. Ah well.

Here are some pictures.

Harry needed a haircut. Every weekend for the past month I've promised myself it would happen and well, it's just amazing how well-intentioned my lists are on Friday afternoon and how humble I feel by Sunday evening.


You know it's time for a trim when, after a little post-dinner plate play (side note: What is it about toddlers and plates? Do YOU look at a plate and think, A Hat?! I know, I know, you are likely not wearing diapers either, so...) you wake up with lasagna still in your hair (I cleaned him off! I did! Honest!).


Part of the problem was that the adorable little old school mom and pop barber that I love to support happens to have terribly inconvenient hours for us (closing at 3pm on weekends, staying open "late"--till 7 pm on week nights) which is fabulous in theory, unless the patrons go to bed at 6:45 (Hi Harry!). But would you look at this? A new(ish) kid barber (replete with "car" chairs and Thomas DVDs) opened up recently, not even ten minutes from our house. I'm not going to say that Harry loved getting his hair cut yesterday, but there were far fewer tears than the last few times. Old School Barber is just that, so, no Mini Coopers to sit in or kiddie videos to watch (I know, the poor dears).


I think we can all agree the finished product was worth the squirming and fussing. And Leo was so proud of Harry for being brave. After all, Leo knows a thing or two about haircuts.

The Circus Act Visits the Farm

"The early summer days on a farm are the happiest and fairest days of the year," wrote E. B. White in Charlotte's Web.










Harry, up close and personal with one of his idols.

Yes Harry! It's a REAL truck!




Always on the move. In this case, headed toward a Real! Live! Tractor! (Harry's mind=again, blown by all this real life machinery).

Mr. White, about those happy and fair days? I couldn't agree more.

Two At Two

Today, Harry and Lucy turn two.



I can't believe it. But of course, I also can.

For all the early, blurry, sleep deprived days and months of having two babies, when I walked around in an absolutely overwhelmed fog, stretched thinner than tracing paper, muttering This Can't Be Done, well, I'm here to tell you it can.

Because here they are.

Full fledged little people.

Walking and talking. Pushing, shoving, giggling, crying, whining. Rolling off couches and crouching over inch worms and sneaking up ladders and barreling down drive ways and swinging in unison, shrieking with glee.

Sure, it can be messy. Sometimes our house gets a little loud (shocking!) and people may have to wait longer than they'd prefer to before they get something. But have we talked about the full-time playmate they have in each other (yes, I know, ad nauseam)! Of course, they are each other's punching bags, but they are also each other's partners in crime (the crime spree list is long and includes tag team refrigerator raiding, synchronized bed jumping and of course the infamous Two Toddlers Standing on the Kitchen Table Act, which is not to be missed).



Harry (Hare-Man, Hare-Bear, Harrison, Bear-Bear, Bearison) your love of vehicles and machinery knows no bounds. Only you can spot a school bus or garbage truck from blocks away and by sound alone. Your mischievous grin and quarter mile long eye lashes could charm a Grinch.Most days you are content to line up Thomas trains and dump trucks but will pause for a good book or three. You are calm and content ninety percent of the time but wake most mornings and after most naps down right furious. Luckily it passes quickly.



You still let your little sister push you around and often come running to us after an altercation with her, but you're starting to stick up for yourself more.  Usually all you need are some cuddles. You come at us head first and you snuggle hard and you throw back your little brown head and you just laugh and laugh and then it's back to the trucks and the trains. You have work to do.

You are still the messiest eater. Perhaps, ever.





Lucy, (Lu, Louie, Louis, Lucifier, Louachinsky, Lulu) you truly are the happiest baby I've ever met (and yes, one of these days I promise to stop referring to you and your brother as babies but today is not that day). From the giant grin you greet us with in the morning, to the waves you give everyone when they enter the room, or when you pass them on the street, you love people. Technically, you are the youngest, but you seem to be a born leader. Several times a day you take my hand: "Come, come," you tell me, wrapping my hand in your tiny, soft, pink fingers. Aaaand...often our journey ends at the refrigerator. Because you want cheese.



In the last week you suddenly have so many preferences! "I like that!, I don't like that!, I don't like that game" (and you're so specific!). You also have no problem being contrary: ("I don't think so"). You prefer people over most toys though you are a slave to shoes (preferably red sequined flats belonging to a certain big sister) and dress-up clothes (hats are another favorite).

So far you are the only one who takes after me with the curly hair.


Keep up the good work, my girl.

Even though many days I find myself singing "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" under my breath (no joke: we have dubbed this our official family theme song), we love and adore you two, the little bookends to our family we didn't know we were missing.


I couldn't believe the news when I heard you were coming (and I mean COULD NOT), and now? I can't imagine a life without you.

Thank you for making me laugh every single day.





Thank you for making Leo and Ellie amazing older siblings and role models to you (most of the time).

The gift of seeing you all together is one I still sometimes can't believe is true.


Thank you for bringing your mama and me even closer together.

Thank you for helping me find patience and strength that I never knew I had.

Thank you for introducing me to more happy tears (because everyone knows I cry when I'm happy) than I ever thought possible.

The double snuggles aren't bad either.

Happy birthday, dear Harry.

Happy birthday, dear Lucy.

Love, Mommy

Threadless

I keep waiting to post these pictures for a time when I have a "real" post. Some kind of thread that ties everything together.



Sorry to say, this is not that post.

Because I realize that if I wait too long, these pictures will be outdated. And by too long, I mean oh, two weeks. These pictures are from just a few weekends ago, and I swear the babies already seem bigger and older now than they do here.



Harry is still a fan of Thomas and can usually be seen clutching one of his little Thomas trains. Recently he's discovered other vehicles: see above. Each morning when Leo's bus pulls up in front of the house, Harry greets it with unabashed enthusiasm, waving and grinning. Last week we he rounded out his vehicle collection with a miniature New York City taxi cab, thus adding a new word to Harry's vocabulary: "Ta-eee."



All hail garage sale season and a recent score: the Fisher Price Popper.


Best fifty cents I've spent in a long time.




Lucy is busting out with sentences: "I like that" and "I think so." (When she doesn't have a mouthful of ice cream, of course.)


I swear that Ellie made this exact expression at this age. I have to dig up some old pictures.


It's the old Sure, Mom. You want to take a picture of me? Picture THIS.

I'll give you two guesses as to who tends to be the messier eater of ice cream.

Happy weekend, all.