Dance Party July13

Pele and Bean had a dance party with the guys this week. While we were out, we got an email with this video... I think we have serious budding b boys on our hands.

Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Dark of Night

Another post from "Babby". Fantastic!

Today has been awesome. Neither rain nor more rain will stop these two explorers from going to their zoo to see their favourite animals. So with the rain coming down we packed our bags and headed off to have a great day outside in the RAIN.

The weather did not faze the boys at all. Bundled up and feeling rather roasty toasty we just strolled around. Today the boys were rather definite in their joint decision that they wanted to see the Hippo's which we did find. But as far as Hippo's go these were no exception, all they did were stand in the water sleeping and the boys just stood there and laughed at them for about 10 to 15min. They thought the Hippo's to be so funny. Then we heard the lions and they were off, jumping in the odd puddle on their quest to find the grunting lion, which yet again we did do. After dragging me around the zoo for almost one and a half hours we decided to head home but not before we stripped in the car and climbed into some nice warm and dry clothes for our trip home.

Both boys have been really great and we have not had many issues at all today. Levi and Milo have both been really playful and full of stories. I asked them to sing the ABC song with me and Levi actually tried picking up on the odd letter here and there. It was so cute and also a big step for him.

We have just had so much fun.

Words of the Prophets are Written on The Sidewalks

A Day in the Life - By Tamaryn"Babby"Pence

Today's guest blogger is Tamaryn,"Babby" Pence.

Today we tried the music class at Gymboree. The boys had a lot of fun but I feel that the active and movement one is more up there street cause the music class is kind of what we do already at our circle time.

Tomorrow we can do our normal class. So I will sign them up Tue and Fri for 9:30am classes.
The boys have been great today. No major issues at all. They had their normal breakfast (cream cheese waffle, half a banana, couple raisins and a couple dates) but with the agreement that tomorrow we will try those sausages in the deep freeze for something new. Lunch was two and a half chicken nuggets each, half a spinach pancake, half a cheese stick, a bowl of yoghurt and then they both drank milk out of a cup. Milo loved it and just could not get enough.

We played trucks for a bit then talked about the day, the weekend, the week, some animals and just general things. They chatted away and it was really great to hear. We then headed of to Muisc Gymboree, after that we went straight to Maple Leaf Park for just over an hour to play. The boys loved the big metal twirly slide and just kept going up but the rule was they had to boot scoot backwards or sit when going down. They got so dirty that I had to take their clothes off and wipe them down when we got home.

They have been great and just so energetic. Went to bed quickly and with little fuss.

Just Riding the Rails

The four of us went to the Ballard Sunday Market today. Fun for its usual apple samples, dogs to pet, and talented buskers to dance to... this time we discovered the (out of commission) train tracks! Complete with rocks (and the occasional beer can, but I don't think they noticed); they loved it!

Levi Nose

Last night I put the boys to bed and told Levi a story about how much I love him. I told him "I love him more than all the other Mommies in the world love their babies." I told him, "All of the love that all of the Mommies in all of history have for their babies fits in Mommy's nose!" And he said "Nose".

Tonight I put him to bed and asked him if he knows how much Mommy loves him. And he said... "Nose".

Nose,
alison

Fremont Sunday Market

Handsome Men's Club

Seattle is suffering a serious attack of cuteness.

Best Dinner Date Ever

Dave and I took the boys out for a nice dinner at Casa De Italia tonight. We've tried this with them several times but this was the most successful outing there ever. They ate everything in sight... if all that was in sight was bread. They split an entire bread basket of crusty baguette dipped in olive oil. And then dipped in olive oil that was strongly flavored (yummy!) with garlic, herbs, and vinegar. They loved that too. And then, remarkably, they even at the entree that the restaurant gave them! Penne alfredo!



And then we went for a lovely after dinner stroll.

Best date ever!

HeliGaGa

Nonnie (aka Gramma Carol) has been visiting all week. Unfortunately, I've been sick in bed for that same amount of time. Which totally stinks. But it did afford Nonnie and Dave lots of quality time with the boys. Like, when they took the guys to the Museum of Flight on Saturday morning. It was cool, if a little overwhelming for the guys. Best thing they did the whole time, I think, was sit in this sweet "HeliGaGa".

Beetle Bug

This is the very first time the boys laid eyes on a Beetle. Dave says it was kind of amazing...

Don't You Wish Your Toothbrush Was Hot Like These?

I don't think we had toothbrushes that blinked and looked this cool when we were little kids... These toothbrushes are awesome! They blink for 60 seconds so you know how long to brush for.

So cool! I like to turn off the lights in the bathroom and do "disco brushing". The boys don't like it as much as I do.

Milo's daring-do!

Milo helps Daddy make Sunday morning pancakes.

He's a climber, that one.

Nana Char!

Everyone had such a great visit with Nana Char this weekend. It was sad to see her go. More photos later, but ths is from this morning before we took her to the airport.

Pump it Up!

Our friends Analee and Aliana had their second birthday at Pump it up, a bouncy house extraordinaire. Dave and Milo went while Levi and I convalesced at home. You may recognize some of these twins from all the other PEPs shots in the past.

Milo was too taken with the bouncy house to look at the photographer.

The Rare and Beautiful Double-Paci

It is rarely seen, but beautiful to behold. Truly.

Two Year Checkup

As promised, here are the details of our two year doctor's visit. As for how it felt to be there, this photo of Milo pretty much tells the story. It was miserable. Both boys were sick and out of sorts. But we did manage to get some vital statistics:

Levi:
Height: 33 3/4 inches (25-50th percentile)
Weight: 26 lbs (25th percentile)

Milo:
Height: 34 1/2 inches (25-50th percentile)
Weight: 27 lbs (25 - 50th percentile)

Doctor Tom says that we are doing well and are still on our growth curves. We discussed sleeping (how can we get them to do it more), eating (how'd they get to be so picky?), and pooing in the tub (i know, i know...). We also talked about Milo's feet. The doc finally agreed with me that we should get his legs checked out by an pediatric orthopedic specialist, since his inversion is asymmetrical. We'll make that appointment this week and might even go when Gramma Char is in town.

Finally we were recommended the following two books: The Emotional Life of a Toddler and How to Get Your Kid to Eat... But Not Too Much. We bought two copies of each - one for me and one for Tamaryn.

Anyhow, with all this bad health news this week from us I thought I'd share this adorable photo from this morning. We had a super sunny morning and we all wanted to be sitting outside. These are the sweet chairs that Gramma bought the guys.

Saddest Boy in the World

As most of you guys know, Levi is really sick. He has had a cold on and off pretty much since their birthday. Earlier in the week we had our two year checkup (details coming) where our doc said that the guys just have nasty colds. Since they Levi has gotten steadily worse. He has been miserable. Not moving, not eating, and mostly sleeping the day away. Yesterday we brought him to the doctor again and this time the doc found an ear infection (ouch!) AND pneumonia (OUCHOUCHOUCH!!).

He's had two doses of his antibiotics so far and that is not really enough to expect a huge turnaround. And he has not had one. He has spent the last 72 hours, when not in his bed sleeping, doing this. He just conks out wherever he is. And this is a boy who never ever ever sleeps anywhere but his bed, in arms, the carseat, or a stroller.

Most Beautiful Sunday in Seattle Ever

Today was the most beautiful Sunday in memory in Seattle. Certainly the most beautiful Sunday in February! It was sunny, 59 degrees, crisp and lovely. Dave and Levi celebrated by going to GasWorks park.

Milo and I celebrated by being sick. Poor thing has a low fever and throws up a the thought of food. It is important to know that I am not kidding. Today he sat in his high chair and I offered him some hot cereal, you know, it is easy on the stomach. I asked him if he wanted it and he said “yes”. Then he said “no” and threw up. It was the saddest thing ever.

Drive-by Brother

Time For Everyone's Favorite Gameshow...

Name! That! Bottom!!!!

More Trucks

These are a few of Milo's favorite things...

Two Two Two Two!

All The Lake Boys on Truck 38!

Over the weekend we were driving downtown to take the boys to Pike Place Market for a little fun and apple samples. But on the way we saw this beauty sitting in front of the firehouse getting a bath! The boys and I screamed and we pulled over. We all tumbled out of the car and RAN to it. When we got there Fireman Chris was nice enough to turn on the lights and even let all of my boys get into the truck! It blew every one's minds.
Firetrucks and Firemen are like rockstars to them; they see them in all of their books, they have toys of them... so imagine sitting in a real-live one! The boys are so excited in this photo they went nearly catatonic.

We were the luckiest family in town!

So Grown Up!

Levi just sat there tooting and tooting away. He made eye contact with me and smiled. I asked "Did you toot?" He pointed at Milo and said "Brother! Brother!"

I laughed so hard...

Doggie Owie

Levi's Doggie shares many emotions with Levi: they are hungry at the same time, interested in what is in the dishwasher at the same time, tired at the same time, and now, Doggie has an owie just like Levi.

Owie! Owie Owie!

As must of you know, Levi had a pretty bad owie on Thursday night. He fell on the slide next at the playground next door. The same slide he has done, oh, about 600 times since we moved in. But for some reason this time he fell and his face sprung a leak! I don't know for sure what hurt him, but I think that the zipper on his fleece attacked him. More proof that fleece is an evil fabric. More on that on another day.

Here is a photo of Levi after having been taped up by the doctor and waiting for two hours at the ER, but before waiting the final three hours before we got all stitched up.

Here is Levi this morning on our way to take the ferry to see Kendall and Bradford for a lovely surprise birthday brunch! He is healing nicely and not picking at the steri-strips. But it is a little swollen and kind of black and blue.

Everyone says if he DOES get a scar, it'll help them tell the guys apart. OK, only Meredeth said that. :)

Playdate

We had Carlena and Adriaan over for a playdate today. Look how everyone has grown!

The Gearhead Trifecta

Today, while walking home from the park with Tamaryn, the boys experienced their very first, and not hopefully their last, Gearhead Trifecta. They saw a school bus, a blue van, and a backhoe loader ALL ON ONE BLOCK! Here they are witnessing, what I imagine is, the third and final piece.
Note: Levi's mind is blown.

Brusha Brusha Brusha

Even skeletons brush their teeth.

And Doggies.

PS.... Levi... that is ADORABLE.