Fourteen Months

It seems like monthly "birthdays" are flying by much faster now that Alex and Ari have passed the one-year mark. They are officially fourteen months today...no longer infants, but full-fledged toddlers!

We marked their birthday with our first trip to our neighborhood pool. Mommy was a little apprehensive about taking two toddlers on her own, but luckily Ari isn't very interested in actually going IN the pool (she'd rather sit on the edge), so Mommy could stand in the water with Alex and still keep Ari within arm's reach. Both Ari and Alex love splashing in the water- Ari is happy to kick her feet, whereas Alex prefers to get his whole body in on the action:
We've given up trying to get official monthly pictures of both kids together, since getting both of them to sit still for long enough, look at the camera, and smile is like herding cats. Here is one picture of the two of them, though, and another of Alex doing his "happy birthday to me" dance:

Water, Water Everywhere

It's been a terrific start to our long holiday weekend, with somewhat of a "water" theme.

Backing up a bit, on Thursday Mommy took Alex and Ari to a nearby lake to feed the resident (very friendly) geese. Now that Alex is walking...or more accurately, running, he decided it would be fun to chase the geese:

Mommy brought along some stale bread to feed to the geese and birds. Arielle picked up on the game right away, throwing bread down to the geese and delighting in watching them gobble it up, as well as watching the birds come and grab the stray pieces that didn't quite make it into the water. Alex, on the other hand, consistent with his "I'll eat anything" motto, ate the stale bread.

Yesterday (Saturday) was a laid-back day, which started out by perusing the Memorial Day sales advertised in the newspaper over breakfast:

Later in the day, we took a trip to a baby goods store in an attempt to purchase a special, extra-long gate to once and for all block off Alex's entrance to the dining room. Currently, we have rigged a play yard in such a way as to block the entrance, but our clever son always figures out how to get around it and into the dining room. Unfortunately for us, the store was out of the model gate we needed, but we did end up picking up a potty training seat.

Now before anyone wonders why in the world we would buy a potty seat when Alex and Ari are barely 14 months old, don't worry...we aren't trying to potty train them yet. However, with a new arrival expected in a mere five months, Mommy figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to get Alex and Ari comfortable with sitting on the potty. And if by some miracle they make a habit of using it by November, then all the better. In any case, Alex and Ari seem to LOVE the new potty seat. Here are some pictures of Ari in action, including one of Mommy reading her some very potty-appropriate literature:

What could top the fun of sitting on the potty? Why, a trip to visit Nana and Poppy on their boat, of course! So today we set out for Alex and Ari's first trip to the marina since they visited last season when they were just four months old. Now that they are "big kids," they can enjoy the amenities of the marina, including the pool. First, a picture from one of their only visits to the boat from last year. Following, pictures from today's visit (notice Ari's wearing the same sunglasses, although they fit a lot better this year). Another reminder of what a difference a year makes:

Alex and Ari clearly love visiting Nana and Poppy at their boat. They ate lunch on the boat, explored the staterooms, lounged at the pool (Alex was happy to go for a dip, but the water was a bit too cold for Arielle, plus she was feeling a little out of sorts after having a slight fever last night and this morning), and enjoyed meeting lots of other kids around their age. It looks like they are going to be regulars at the marina this summer!

After our visit to the boat, Alex and Ari caught a quick cat nap in the car for the hour-long ride home before attending a BBQ at the Serber's home. Daddy and Mommy met Marc, the youngest of the Serbers, when they participated in the Pan Am Maccabi Games in Santiago, Chile in December 2003. Marc has stayed in close touch with Mommy and Daddy, and over the years we have been honored to get to know his wonderful family. Ironically, Marc has older twin sisters, putting his parents in the "twins plus one" category! Of course, his sisters are well out of diapers (one is in medical school, the other is entering business school this fall) but Mommy and Daddy still look up to his parents as role models. Not only did they do a great job raising three of the nicest "kids" we know, but their family is one of the most loving, funny, warm, caring, sincere families we have ever met. And better yet, the family celebrates everything with sheet cake, Mommy and Daddy's favorite dessert. Alex and Ari had so much fun meeting the entire family, especially Thor the doggie (again, one of the sweetest, most well-behaved dogs we have ever met- he's a therapy dog, so he was very patient and kind with Alex!) and the two kitty cats.

After a very LONG day, we headed home in the sudden rain storm for baths and bed time. Ari seems to be feeling better after her little bout with the mystery fever, and they're both sacked out for the night. Luckily we have an extra day this weekend to recover!

While Daddy's Away...

...the kiddies will play! Daddy had a business trip the first part of this week to sunny San Antonio (poor Daddy!) so Alex, Ari, and Mommy have been keeping busy with fun activities.

Monday Aunt Lori came to visit with Cousin Ozzie while Mommy had a doctor's appointment. Alex and Ari had a great time with Aunt Lori and didn't even notice when Mommy slipped out the door. Mommy was very impressed when she got home and found Aunt Lori outside with both kids in their Radio Flyer and Ozzie on a leash following along side the wagon. Getting the wagon outside, both kids safely into it, and a dog on a leash is not an easy feat, but Aunt Lori made it look easy!

Tuesday we had our weekly music class and this week we had special visitors- best buds Alex and Sydney G. came to our class to make up a class they had missed earlier in the season (they take the same class, but at a different location on a different day of the week). Alex and Ari were happy to have a chance to make music with their friends:

This morning we went for a walk with Alex and Ari's friends Lauren and Riley (and their mommies, of course). Along the way, we were joined by friends Allison and Ryan, and Gillian and Emily, and their mommies too. We looked like the baby brigade! Alex and Ari managed to stay awake long enough to make it to the first half of our neighborhood playgroup, which was at the tot lot in front of our house. Alex ran all over the playground, climbing the equipment and exploring every corner. He's an amazing ball of energy- it seems like he never sits still (gee, wonder where he got that from?) Ari took advantage of her ability to drink from a straw (Alex still hasn't quite mastered this skill) to have her first juice box, and liked it so much she drank almost the entire box herself. The playground obviously tired them out, as they've been napping for the past hour and half and are showing no signs of waking up for their lunch.

We're looking forward to having Daddy home this afternoon...even though he was at a spa in sunny San Antonio, Mommy thinks playing with Alex and Ari is a lot more fun!

New Year Resolutions

For those of you who have been reading this blog for a while, you might remember that one of the things Mommy resolved to accomplish in 2007 was to compete in a triathlon. Mommy was well into her training for an Iron Girl (sprint distance) triathlon this coming August, but those plans were obviously deferred to 2008 once we learned we are expecting a new arrival in November (riding a bicycle at high speeds is generally not recommended when 6+ months pregnant!)

Mommy's hopes of achieving her goal were renewed, however, when she learned that our gym would be hosting a "mini-sprint triathlon" (400 meter swim, 10K stationary bicycle ride, 5K run around the lake outside of our gym). The triathlon was early enough in the season (today), and Mommy is still sufficiently trained to make it feasible- and safe- to actually accomplish her goal of competing in a triathlon. So, she did exactly that. And won (overall- out of men AND women). Official times: 9:01 for the swim (rather slow, but time was made up in the other two events); 13:55 for the bike; 21:11 for the run (total time of 44:07). So anyone who thinks that an almost four-month pregnant woman can't get out there and kick some tushie, Mommy would like to have a word with you.

OK, enough about Mommy. More importantly, what are Alex and Ari up to these days? This week we attended music class, met the Director of Alex and Ari's new school (where Alex refused to sit still, instead running up and down the halls, poking his head into every different office up and down the hallway while Mommy ran after him), spent lots of time at the playground, and visited with Aunt Lori. Last night before Shabbat dinner at Miri and Opa's, Nana and Poppy came by for a visit so that Poppy and Daddy could go pick up a new toy for the backyard:

Alex and Ari are changing and growing so much every day. Alex is a ball of energy, running in every direction and getting his little hands on anything within reach. He enjoys sneaking into places he shouldn't be (the dining room, mud room, behind the couch) and has become quite the dancer (we'll have to get some video up on the blog). Both Alex an Ari are imitating many more sounds and words, and this week even said "mailman," "car," "buckle," and other random words. Ari is becoming the total charmer, giving lots of hugs and smiles when asked (and even unsolicited). She LOVES Elmo (how she developed such an affinity we're not sure, because she only has two books featuring Elmo...no toys or dolls of the red furry creature). For a former baldy, her (curly!) hair is now growing very fast...she has enough now that Mommy can pin it back with a barrette:

Ari also knows what to do when we say "Night, Night!"Life is certainly a lot of fun these days.

Picnic

Last week, Mommy's good friend (and mother to Alex and Ari's best older pals) proposed a picnic outing to a new (for us, at least) park about 15 minutes from our house. Luckily, the weather cooperated with 70-degrees and sun, so this morning we packed up a yummy lunch and headed out to meet our friends.

We had a great time at the twin-friendly park (one where it's easy for one adult to watch and supervise two children) and spent over an hour playing and eating a lunch of mac 'n cheese, edamame, and banana:

Enjoying the swings

Mommy gives Ari a lift

Lunch time

Where is Alex?

Thanks to Mommy's friend for sending us these pictures and for coming up with such a fun idea for a playdate. We can't wait to do it again!!

Moms

Today was a day filled, appropriately, with Moms. While we like to think of every day as a day we appreciate our mothers, today we made a special effort to say "we love you" to the moms in our lives.

Early today, Nana and Poppy Jack came by for a visit during Alex and Ari's morning nap, but caught a few minutes with them after they woke up. Poppy Jack had to go get the boat ready to put back into the water, so later in the afternoon Nana came back over with Aunt Lori and Cousin Ozzie for a longer visit with all of her children and grandchildren:

Since Poppy Jack was still at the boat during dinner time, and since Opa is in Germany visiting his own mother (Alex and Ari's great grandmother), Mommy and Daddy invited the grandmas over for a lasagna dinner. So, all in all, Alex and Ari had a day surrounded by lots of love and attention!

They also had a weekend filled with culinary adventures...Friday evening we took a family outing with Nana and Poppy Jack to Fuddrucker's, and Saturday night we had dinner with Miri at a local deli, followed by a big ice cream sundae at Baskin Robin's. At dinner, Ari mastered a new skill: drinking through a straw. Very exciting! Needless to say, we're all still stuffed from this weekend, and looking forward to dining IN this week!

More Video

More video!
First, a clip that captures Alex's "super-baby" strength and Ari's adorable cheesy grin (sorry it's a little dark because of the lighting in the room):


Second, Ari having fun at bath time (continuously pushing a bottle of baby wash into the tub); Alex didn't think it was so funny:

School Time

This morning, Mommy took Alex and Ari to check out a nursery school program for the fall. Hard to believe we're looking at school programs already, but...with Mommy expecting a new baby in November, we want Alex and Ari to have some social activity time on their own, where they're likely to have much more fun than they would sitting at home with Mommy and a new baby.

Yes, for those of you who we haven't had a chance to tell yet, we are expecting a new addition to our family in November. Many of you know that we went through many years of fertility treatments to conceive Alex and Ari, so this pregnancy was quite a pleasant surprise (in medical parlance, a "spontaneous" pregnancy). While we'll certainly have our hands full come November, our response is "better full than empty." We are elated and look forward to expanding our family.

So, the nursery school program we signed up for today starts in September as a "Mommy and Me" class that the three of us will attend together one day a week. Once the new baby arrives, he or she will come along in an infant carrier and (hopefully) sleep through the class. In January, the class becomes an independent drop-off program two days a week for 2.5 hours each day. This will give Alex and Ari time to do arts and crafts, music, movement, and play with their new friends, while Mommy will be able to run errands with "just one" baby. We're all especially excited about the class now that we've had a chance to see the school and meet some of the teachers, kids, and parents.

After touring the new school, we ran home for a quick break before heading out to music class. For two kids operating on a dramatically abbreviated morning nap (basically the 10-minute ride home from the school), Alex and Ari were surprisingly alert and active during the class. Here are some pictures from this morning's music class:

Lots of fun, but now the kids are sacked out and taking an extra-long afternoon nap. Mommy's going to go take advantage of the break while she can...

Food, Food, and More Food...

Somehow, even though we weren't anticipating a busy weekend, we had lots of fun activities packed into the last two days.

Saturday afternoon, while Daddy coached a soccer game (they won- go Panthers!) Mommy took Alex and Ari to the local Celebrate Mama event. The event was supposed to include entertainment and activities for the kids, but it turned out to me more of a sales expo for companies catering to mothers and children. Nonetheless, we had a chance to walk around outside at the local shops, stop in at a yummy bakery for some cupcakes, and get some errands done.

Saturday night, Miri and Opa came over to babysit so that Mommy and Daddy could join friends Rachel and Joseph at an adult dinner, something they haven't done in quite some time. After a delicious meal at a Turkish restaurant, everyone went back to Rachel and Joseph's house for ice cream sundaes...yum! When Mommy and Daddy finally got home close to 11:00 pm (very late for Mommy and Daddy!), they received an excellent report from Miri and Opa. This morning, Alex and Ari told us that they had a very good time with their grandparents.

Today we joined Miri and Opa, along with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Jason, and Cousins Naomi and Jonathan at lunch at "the club" (Bretton Woods Country Club). Alex and Ari devoured a lunch of potato skins, grilled cheese, french fries, and lemonade. After lunch, we took a chance to get a family picture in close to the same spot we took one about one year ago. Opa reminded us that just a year ago, Alex and Ari were sleeping in their infant carriers as we had lunch. What a difference a year makes. Here are "then" and "now" pictures:

4/30/06

5/6/07

On our way home from the club, we stopped to do our weekly grocery shopping. Shopping has gotten a lot easier since Mommy discovered that Alex and Ari can now sit in the special carts designed for two toddlers. Now Mommy can even do her big grocery shopping trips with the kids, instead of leaving them home with Daddy:

This evening we made our mandatory visit to the neighborhood tot lot, where we caught up with pals Mitchell and Jason and their mommy and daddy. Now it's off for bath and bedtime, and another busy week ahead!

Out and About

We spent much of this week out and about, enjoying the nice weather with family and friends.

Yesterday, we started the day with a walk around the neighborhood with pal Sammy and his Mommy. Later in the day, met "big Alex," Vivi, and Zach at a nearby playground that's much bigger than our neighborhood tot lot. Plus, it has a special ground (a padded foam) that makes it easier for Alex and Ari to navigate. Not to mention, Alex wasn't able to pick up and eat dirt and mulch, which has become one of his favorite activities on our own playground. Alex and Ari found lots of fun things to do at the new playground: Today Aunt Lori and Cousin Ozzie came by to visit. As always, the kids were very happy to have their canine cousin come over to play.
Stay tuned for more adventures!

Change of Plans

After a morning walk with Riley and her Mommy, we were all set for a nap before heading out to music class, but just after Alex and Ari went down for their nap, Daddy called. Seems he forgot two important pieces of documentation needed to pick up his new Chilean passport, which he could really only do today after lunch with a former co-worker, Renee. The only solution we could come up with was for Mommy to wake Alex and Ari from their very short nap, hop in the car, skip music class, and go into the city to meet Daddy with his important documents. Since we were making the big trek anyway, Daddy invited us to join him and Renee for lunch at a very nice Greek restaurant. Having confidence that Alex and Ari would be well-behaved, we agreed and changed our plans for the afternoon.

Luckily it was a beautiful day, we somehow got a great parking spot, and Alex and Ari were very good lunch companions. Here are Daddy and Renee with the kids after lunch:

So we missed music class, but Alex and Ari got a trip into the city and had a chance to meet Renee. All in all, not a bad day for an unexpected change in plans!