PS Postcard

It has been a fantastic time here in Palm Springs! And I have just enough time to post a quick post card before I rejoin the party!

Milo, rocking his best Blue Steel pose

Levi... breaking hearts and taking names

Guest Post from Palm Springs by Auntie Bits

So, I'm playing auntie-nanny while Alison and Dave are at Benny and KJ's wedding.
I decided to "guest post" and show off some pictures of my amazing nephews.


I haven't seen them in person since May, and it's amazing how much they've grown and become little boys with their own personalities.


For instance, Milo is hitting "the sauce" in keeping with the swing of the setting (one of Frank Sinatra's swanky digs).


While Levi just wants to be taken seriously.


Ok, that is all for now. I'm going to join the adults for a few cocktails to celebrate the marriage of two amazing people. Congratulations Benny and Karianne!

OMFG - We Made It!

We packed up the family for, literally, 93 hours. As the 94th hour commenced we packed up the car, only forgetting some of the important stuff, and drove off for the airport! Here is Dave and the four-ring-circus at the parking lot. Everything in this shot but the USA Today box came with us to Palm Springs.

After a slight delay at the airport we boarded! This is Dave and Milo in one of our quieter moments.

Levi demanded yet another vodka tonic before we landed. Sheesh... someone has got to talk to that guy.

From The Archives: Mommy, Levi & Milo

Today I bring you a photo from the archives. This photo is from March or April '08. Levi is in blue and white stripes and Milo is in blue, green and ... sea foam? These were the awesomest winter footie pyjamas from Gramma Carol. They are made of terry cloth! It felt so sweet to hold the tiny little boys in them. The onesies were so big when we first got them (aka - they were not preemie sized) I never thought they would grow out of them. How time flies. They are now wearing nine month sized onesies!

Product Lust: Wooden Baby Walker

I'm in love with this wooden baby walker by Plan Toys. It is a twist on a traditional baby walker (with a friendly face). It is designed to help babies take their first steps. And for extra fun it has 24 colored and natural blocks to bang, bite, and arrange.

You can find this and other awesome natural baby toys at Hazelnut Kids.

UPDATE: We went to Seattle's Top Ten Toys and bought some fantastic classic wooden toys for the guys today. Like this 'ringing bell' by Plan Toys and this gorgeous handmade rattle by Mossy Creek Woodwork. Top Ten Toys is the best toy store for good quality wooden toys. L.O.V.E.

Look Who Can Sit Up (Almost) All By His-self!

Levi rocks the house! Well, at least the sitting room. And this romper he is wearing is one of my all time favorites... here he is wearing it in his space age high chair. I think he was just about to enjoy some pureed zucchini.
Très sophistiqué, non?

Countdown To Crawling... 2

I'm so impressed with Levi's determination to crawl. It looks like he is mere moments away, doesn't it? It also cracks me up to see Milo laying on the blanket behind Levi just chillin'.

Yes, Peas.

The guys were introduced to yet another new food today. Peas are now in the "Yes, please" column. Of course, they could be reassigned to the "No thank you!" column tomorrow. It seems that the guys are slightly fickle and change their minds about food fairly easily. For instance, they used to like rutabaga, and now it gives them the Yukky Shiver (tm). Sweet potatoes used to be Supremo Ick-o and now they are delicious! The only stuff that has never changed is the enthusiastic "yummy" response they give to butternut squash, and bananamole (or Avaconanna).

So, for those of you following along at home the scorecard reads thusly:

Yes please: Peas, banana, avocado, bananamole (Avocananna), sweet potatoes. butternut squash, applesauce, and rutabaga (depending on the day).

No thank you: Rice cereal, peaches, pears (huh?), and rutabaga (depending on the day).

Thanks For Visiting!

We've had Gramma Ellin and Grampa Michael visiting for the last few days. It has been really fun and they could not believe how big and social the guys have gotten since they were here last. There was a lot of time spent cuddling, playing, and kissing. The visit was too short.

Milo, Ellin and Levi

Thanks for visiting!! We'll see you in a month.

Coming Soon... The Tale Of Grampa Len And The Pacifier!

Hang tight. This is a good one!

Guess What Is Super Fun!

It starts with a "B" and rhymes with "Maths".

Sittin' In My Highchair, Big Chair, My Chair!

Another banner day! Dave put together one of our two fantastic Boon Highchairs. They have pneumatic lift, are made from one piece of molded plastic, and have wheels on the bottom! This is the highchair they used in the Jetsons. Seriously, this thing is nicer than our Subaru.

Looks Comfy, I guess

Is it possible that sleeping in the jumparoo is that comfortable? I think that Levi rocks himself to sleep in there. He plants one foot on the ground and rocks himself gently side to side until he shuffles off to shiffy land.

Product Lust: Love Your Mama, Vote Obama!

The boys are very politically active. I think we need a whole whack of these shirts.You can see more clothes for babies with opinions here

Product Lust: Sweet Tiny Initials Mommy Necklace

Oh... this sweet little necklace is enough to make me want to have another set of twins! I just love that you can keep the little ones' initials right next to your heart. And that little pearl is just the adorable cherry on the cute icing on the precious cake.

You can see the rest of her collection here

A Watery And Cuddly Kind Of Night

Tonight the guys tried water out of training sippy cups for the first time. They liked to chew on the nipple of the sippy cup - for teething. But the water that came out as a result of the teething... not so much. They make yukky face at the water. But we'll keep trying. Maybe water takes some getting used to. Can you imagine having water for the first time and needing to get used to the taste of it?

After that we did a little cuddling and put them down to sleep. There are nights I wish I could keep them up late playing and cuddling... or maybe crawl into their cribs and sleep with them. And tonight was one of those nights.

Night night, Levi.

We Are Seven Months Old Today!!!

Another big day in the Lake household! The boys hit their seven month mark!

Some fun new milestones we might see this coming month:
- He can sit without support.
- Baby can stand while holding onto someone or something.
- He can pull himself up to a standing position from a seated one.
- Baby walks by holding on to furniture.
- He babbles.
- Baby plays peekaboo.
- He plays patty-cake.
More on seven month milestones here


After the photo session Levi needed to go for a nap. Poor Milo missed him. He loves his little brother so much!

Countdown To Crawling... 3...

Milo knows that he wants to move someplace... somehow. And he is starting to get an idea how to do it.

A Tale Of Two Cradles

Gramps made the boys these beautiful cradles before they were even born. The guys slept in them when they first came home (along with bouncy seats, pack n plays, arms, beds, and on couches) in an attempt to find the comfiest spot in the house.

Milo on the left and Levi (wearing two hats) on the right Feb '08

I thought it would be fun to see how the guys liked the cradles these days - now that they have gotten so big. Levi still likes his cradle, but it fits a little differently now.

We are using this one as a killer heirloom toy box in the living room now.

Burping Is Bananas

In a grand Stroll (and Lake and Wilson, for that matter) the guys think that burping is HILARIOUS. Watch as Milo and Levi crack up at Dad's belching.

Say Wha'?

Hmm? Wha'? Did you say somethin'?

Product Lust: You Are Special Today Plates

When we were growing up Elizabeth and I had "You are special today" plates. It was a real treat when Mom pulled them out for us; it meant a birthday, a good grade, or a special shoulder to cry on.


I didn't think of getting any for the boys until I saw these on Etsy. Now I think I neeeeed them. They are sold out now, but I think I'll check back later and see if she makes more.


Don't you L.O.V.E them?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10501172

Jump! Jump! Snooze....

Jumping is tiring. Just look at little Levi after a marathon jumping session.

How Is It Possible?

How is it possible that, at less than seven months old, Milo is already waaay cooler than I have ever been?