more pictures to follow...
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Pumpkin' Carving time!
Wow. It's hard to believe it's been a year. I had to pause to think what we were doing last year over Halloween. I don't recall, except I dressed you two up in your little outfits and posed you leaning against the boppy pillow. No sitting up on your own. Wow. It's been a year? How much you have changed!
(and looking at the October '08 blog posts....How NEW everything was. How anxious, yet uncharacteristically calm. I'm going to continue to remember those days fondly, no? And these too. I look the pictures of you at one month and can see you there, but it's a distant version of you. I'm sure these 1 year old pictures will produce much the same response down the line. Your personalities are developing. Always there, but taking a stronger form.)
Okay, back to present day.
Out came the pumpkins on Wednesday evening.
Roman, he had no pants. No pants? No pants. Changing his diaper is often a wrestling match. Sometimes he wins. Won big on this one- I didn't even bother to get his onesie snapped shut!
Zoe was on the move- I couldn't get a clear shot of her!
Clearer, but your bruder is making a face!
Your Dad was (and I'm guessing forever will be) in charge of pumpkin carving. We discussed designs, but he's definitely better at the hands on creative stuff.
Sid the Science Kid. This is a show on PBS that has caught Zoe's attention. When nothing else on tv would catch her attention, this would. I'm going with Sid's hair as the attraction. Although the singing and dancing might have something to do with it. ♫ I'm looking for my friends...I'm looking for YOU....♫ She smiles when I sing that, even when I do mess up the lyrics. She doesn't care!
So Daddy carved you a Sid pumpkin. He modified it part way thru. It initially had a lot of shadow and I wondered aloud if you'd see it. Would you "get" it? So Daddy changed it midway. In the process poor Sid lost an eyebrow. Oh well. Your dad's planning next year's tool kit. I think he just used a veggie peeler. MacGyver-esque (there's a pop reference you'll need to look up!)
Roman, what does Roman like? Food. Yes. Pacifier? Y-E-S.
Our pumpkins two.
(and looking at the October '08 blog posts....How NEW everything was. How anxious, yet uncharacteristically calm. I'm going to continue to remember those days fondly, no? And these too. I look the pictures of you at one month and can see you there, but it's a distant version of you. I'm sure these 1 year old pictures will produce much the same response down the line. Your personalities are developing. Always there, but taking a stronger form.)
Okay, back to present day.
Out came the pumpkins on Wednesday evening.
Roman, he had no pants. No pants? No pants. Changing his diaper is often a wrestling match. Sometimes he wins. Won big on this one- I didn't even bother to get his onesie snapped shut!
Zoe was on the move- I couldn't get a clear shot of her!
Clearer, but your bruder is making a face!
Your Dad was (and I'm guessing forever will be) in charge of pumpkin carving. We discussed designs, but he's definitely better at the hands on creative stuff.
Sid the Science Kid. This is a show on PBS that has caught Zoe's attention. When nothing else on tv would catch her attention, this would. I'm going with Sid's hair as the attraction. Although the singing and dancing might have something to do with it. ♫ I'm looking for my friends...I'm looking for YOU....♫ She smiles when I sing that, even when I do mess up the lyrics. She doesn't care!
So Daddy carved you a Sid pumpkin. He modified it part way thru. It initially had a lot of shadow and I wondered aloud if you'd see it. Would you "get" it? So Daddy changed it midway. In the process poor Sid lost an eyebrow. Oh well. Your dad's planning next year's tool kit. I think he just used a veggie peeler. MacGyver-esque (there's a pop reference you'll need to look up!)
Roman, what does Roman like? Food. Yes. Pacifier? Y-E-S.
Our pumpkins two.
A study of contrast
Or "like taking candy from a BAAAAA-by" really looks like (1-2-3)
Or "how are boys and girls different?"
Or "how are your kids different?"
Or write your own caption!
Roman, after candy is taken away:
Zoe, after candy is taken away:
Self sufficient.
Or "how are boys and girls different?"
Or "how are your kids different?"
Or write your own caption!
Roman, after candy is taken away:
Zoe, after candy is taken away:
Self sufficient.
Scary teeth! Scary teeth!
Wait for it...
I thought this set-up would make a great picture, but I think we need another year for this to work.
These are suckers. Problem is Roman and Zoe wouldn't let go so it looked like their fake teeth. Oh well.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Does the apple fall from the tree?
Them thar' trees were loaded with apples.
A nice backdrops for pictures! Not the sun-shiniest day, but whatever!
And a nice back drop to Explore. Zoe wonders what these red things are.
For once, Miss Zoe they ARE something you are meant to taste.
Not these particular apples, but in general the principle is right! You can see the lake in the background. This grove of trees is up on the hill. It's a really pretty sight.
After this we made our way down the hill to the store and dessert bar.
Grandma and Dad went in line to get some goodies. I sat on one of the picnic tables outside, in a heated tent. You two were in your wagon. The picnic table was on an incline and little wobbly. I kept sitting off center and making it tip. Just as your grandma was coming out to check on us, I went to pick Zoe up out of the wagon and leaned back just enough to make the entire picnic table flip back. ZOOM! My butt in the dirt and Zoe in my arms. DOH. It's funny how you kind of go outside yourself for a moment when something like that happens. I could hear people talking to me "are you okay?" and the guy next to us "that's not good". I should have been horribly embarrassed, but no. Just silly mommy. It didn't bother Zoe one bit - she probably thought it was fun! I couldn't get up without some help, though, so a friendly woman held Zoe for a moment while I righted myself and the table. Oh boy. Fun with mom (don't even ask about the incident with the mirror on my car earlier in the day. I'll just say Daddy likes to wedge my car in the garage. I need my space, daddy!)
A nice backdrops for pictures! Not the sun-shiniest day, but whatever!
And a nice back drop to Explore. Zoe wonders what these red things are.
For once, Miss Zoe they ARE something you are meant to taste.
Not these particular apples, but in general the principle is right! You can see the lake in the background. This grove of trees is up on the hill. It's a really pretty sight.
After this we made our way down the hill to the store and dessert bar.
Grandma and Dad went in line to get some goodies. I sat on one of the picnic tables outside, in a heated tent. You two were in your wagon. The picnic table was on an incline and little wobbly. I kept sitting off center and making it tip. Just as your grandma was coming out to check on us, I went to pick Zoe up out of the wagon and leaned back just enough to make the entire picnic table flip back. ZOOM! My butt in the dirt and Zoe in my arms. DOH. It's funny how you kind of go outside yourself for a moment when something like that happens. I could hear people talking to me "are you okay?" and the guy next to us "that's not good". I should have been horribly embarrassed, but no. Just silly mommy. It didn't bother Zoe one bit - she probably thought it was fun! I couldn't get up without some help, though, so a friendly woman held Zoe for a moment while I righted myself and the table. Oh boy. Fun with mom (don't even ask about the incident with the mirror on my car earlier in the day. I'll just say Daddy likes to wedge my car in the garage. I need my space, daddy!)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Hi Everybody!
Miss Zoe is Miss Social. The Chicago relatives got to witness this first-hand over Labor Day weekend. "Hi" - she'll repeat it over and over. I never get sick of it. We've got to make sure we get it on video because it's this sweet little voice...
Over your birthday you adopted a second version - the whispered "hi". Oh my, just makes me want to go upstairs right now and wake you up and smother you with kisses. Sweetie Pie!
Here Zoe waves to whoever is within sight. Lots of kids and families were at the pumpkin patch. We went to Costco earlier in the day and that certainly is a good venue for working your charms. Usually it's the mom to grandma set that notices and replies back. Going in the door we were outdone- a stroller with 3 spots. Triplets! I can't imagine that. I can't.
Meanwhile, Zoe crouches down. Where is she going?
To see Daddy and say "Hi!". This is one of my favorite things she does. She'll do it if one of us is sitting on the floor and she walks around us. She'll poke her head around from the back and say "hi!". Oh, Zo. We love you!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The great pumpkin '09
Time to find a pumpkin. Or two. One for each of you!
Unfortunately we've had really cold weather and rain and snow the day before we headed out to find one. Watch out for that mud!
Zoe and Roman took turns riding on daddy's shoulders. This gives Mom and anxiety attack. Dad holds Zoe's hands because when she'd down on terra firma she likes to throw herself backwards - normally when someone's holding here. A fun game. Not good when you're on Dad's shoulders. Roman doesn't do this, so dad figures he doesn't need to hold your hands. We went grocery shopping together Friday night and dad insisted on carrying Roman throughout the store this way. It made for a quick trip because my blood pressure was up several points. Okay, quick grab what we need and lets get the heck out of here.
Dad located the first pumpkin, and got it to fit between the two of you in the wagon.
The stem of the pumpkin quickly became the source of attention. Roman's got the prerequisite pacifier (that's going to be a bear to get rid of), but he wants that stem...
And Zoe too..Why?
To eat, of course, or course!
I really wonder how long this lasts. EVERYTHING must be sampled.
Unfortunately we've had really cold weather and rain and snow the day before we headed out to find one. Watch out for that mud!
Zoe and Roman took turns riding on daddy's shoulders. This gives Mom and anxiety attack. Dad holds Zoe's hands because when she'd down on terra firma she likes to throw herself backwards - normally when someone's holding here. A fun game. Not good when you're on Dad's shoulders. Roman doesn't do this, so dad figures he doesn't need to hold your hands. We went grocery shopping together Friday night and dad insisted on carrying Roman throughout the store this way. It made for a quick trip because my blood pressure was up several points. Okay, quick grab what we need and lets get the heck out of here.
Dad located the first pumpkin, and got it to fit between the two of you in the wagon.
The stem of the pumpkin quickly became the source of attention. Roman's got the prerequisite pacifier (that's going to be a bear to get rid of), but he wants that stem...
And Zoe too..Why?
To eat, of course, or course!
I really wonder how long this lasts. EVERYTHING must be sampled.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Roman's new 'do
Daddy came up with this one on you a little while ago after bath time. It doesn't stay that way for long, but I remembered to do it again just before bath time, but with gel. That works. Kind of makes me want to color your hair wild colors and give you some fake tattoos and piercings.
Yeah, Roman, I know. Crazy.
I won't. But I do think you look adorable with the faux hawk.
My little boy!
Zoe's new 'do!
Okay, there's not much you can do with peach fuzz...But we do detect a little bit of curl in the back. Maybe she'll take after Mom's side of the family. We'll see. I have the hardest time picturing her with a full head of hair- and dark hair at that.
Mama's pretty, pretty girl!
Meanwhile, Roman's getting bored with this hair talk.
Last Chance to prance...
..in the great outdoors.
Or so is my prediction. We've not had much of a fall, and before that not much of a summer. We'd planned on taking in an apple orchard "in the fall" which quickly became October. But with the snow flying on Columbus day and cold weather and rain the rest of the days we could go, yesterday was the the first good opportunity to visit a local orchard. I've given up hope on an "Indian Summer". So in the winter jackets it will have to be.
Grandma Candy was off work, so she joined us in our journey out to the White Bear Lake area. Pine Tree Orchard.
Your Dad and I had gone out here a few years ago - actually several. And we both thought at the time that it was the kind of place we'd like to go back to when we had kids. And here you are, so off we went.
I think as you get even older you'll like it more. Thru the wooded neighborhood, over the railroad tracks (we even saw a train - choo choo)...It's near a lake, so there's a nice little area to sit outside by the lake and you get a nice view when you walk up the hill to the pumpkin patch and the corn maze. We'll be back.
Yesterday was cool and I thought one thing that would have made it perfect were fresh roasted chestnuts- like your Grandpa and I had in Italy. Mmm good. I've never seen them here. [editors note: Your mom's memory can be sketchy. I think they were chestnuts, or perhaps she thinks they were chestnuts because of the "chestnuts roasting on on open fire" line in the Christmas song. At any rate, your Grandpa and I enjoyed them from a vendor out on the street in Italy. Verona, maybe? Maybe. 2001? Maybe. Sometime around then :)].
Or so is my prediction. We've not had much of a fall, and before that not much of a summer. We'd planned on taking in an apple orchard "in the fall" which quickly became October. But with the snow flying on Columbus day and cold weather and rain the rest of the days we could go, yesterday was the the first good opportunity to visit a local orchard. I've given up hope on an "Indian Summer". So in the winter jackets it will have to be.
Grandma Candy was off work, so she joined us in our journey out to the White Bear Lake area. Pine Tree Orchard.
Your Dad and I had gone out here a few years ago - actually several. And we both thought at the time that it was the kind of place we'd like to go back to when we had kids. And here you are, so off we went.
I think as you get even older you'll like it more. Thru the wooded neighborhood, over the railroad tracks (we even saw a train - choo choo)...It's near a lake, so there's a nice little area to sit outside by the lake and you get a nice view when you walk up the hill to the pumpkin patch and the corn maze. We'll be back.
Yesterday was cool and I thought one thing that would have made it perfect were fresh roasted chestnuts- like your Grandpa and I had in Italy. Mmm good. I've never seen them here. [editors note: Your mom's memory can be sketchy. I think they were chestnuts, or perhaps she thinks they were chestnuts because of the "chestnuts roasting on on open fire" line in the Christmas song. At any rate, your Grandpa and I enjoyed them from a vendor out on the street in Italy. Verona, maybe? Maybe. 2001? Maybe. Sometime around then :)].
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Choo Choo Ch' Boogie- deux
There's the house on the left that Roman was sitting on that prompted Dad to get out the new Train toy.
I picked this up at a garage sale last spring. I cleaned it up and brought it out a couple of weeks ago. It comes with a scooter to park in the garage, a swing, some potted "plants" (stickers of plants) and two Weebles (Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down, don't you know). As soon as I put it out I wondered if Roman or Zoe would play with it. It doesn't beep, it doesn't sing, it doesn't light up. We've got a lot of toys that do those things.
Within a few minutes Roman was playing with the house. Moving stuff around, putting things inside the house. Hey Mikey, he likes it! So it doesn't need to make noise or do anything to be entertaining. Zoe, she likes to hand us books. Continuously. Not a bad thing (I must remind myself!).
The train is good to though. Lots of choices you two have! So many fun train activities to explore in the future. So much to do, you guys!
I picked this up at a garage sale last spring. I cleaned it up and brought it out a couple of weeks ago. It comes with a scooter to park in the garage, a swing, some potted "plants" (stickers of plants) and two Weebles (Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down, don't you know). As soon as I put it out I wondered if Roman or Zoe would play with it. It doesn't beep, it doesn't sing, it doesn't light up. We've got a lot of toys that do those things.
Within a few minutes Roman was playing with the house. Moving stuff around, putting things inside the house. Hey Mikey, he likes it! So it doesn't need to make noise or do anything to be entertaining. Zoe, she likes to hand us books. Continuously. Not a bad thing (I must remind myself!).
The train is good to though. Lots of choices you two have! So many fun train activities to explore in the future. So much to do, you guys!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Choo Choo!
If I could, I'd embed a song from one of the kids' collection "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie"
A few days ago Roman was sitting on a house. A little Fisher Price play house, but a house. Dad saw this and immediately got up and went to get one of their birthday presents - a train that includes a place to sit and scoot along on it. (Thanks Great-Aunt Jannie and G.U. Gordon!)
Dad even spelled out Roman's name on the side...
Although that didn't last long, but Ro works too!
Roman did go for a little ride, but those blocks were just too darn tempting.
The blocks are magic- put them in the right slot and they tell you what they are, and a word that starts with that letter.
They also fit down a slot on the train and go down a shute to the trailer. It didn't take Roman long to figure out he could put his pacifier down that shute as well.
Mom flashed forward to all the fun discoveries Roman and Zoe would be making (like your aunt Amanda and Jared's discovery that eggs don't bounce - on the living room rug).
Really, Roman. It's true.
Zoe got in on the action too!
A few days ago Roman was sitting on a house. A little Fisher Price play house, but a house. Dad saw this and immediately got up and went to get one of their birthday presents - a train that includes a place to sit and scoot along on it. (Thanks Great-Aunt Jannie and G.U. Gordon!)
Dad even spelled out Roman's name on the side...
Although that didn't last long, but Ro works too!
Roman did go for a little ride, but those blocks were just too darn tempting.
The blocks are magic- put them in the right slot and they tell you what they are, and a word that starts with that letter.
They also fit down a slot on the train and go down a shute to the trailer. It didn't take Roman long to figure out he could put his pacifier down that shute as well.
Mom flashed forward to all the fun discoveries Roman and Zoe would be making (like your aunt Amanda and Jared's discovery that eggs don't bounce - on the living room rug).
Really, Roman. It's true.
Zoe got in on the action too!
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