Saturday, November 1, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
a baby giraffe
Another email from Africa came today.
***********************
Hello, sweet ones.
Here is a picture of a baby giraffe we saw when we were in the bush last week.
The mama was on one side of the road and the baby on the other. When the mama realized this, she became upset and came running to be with her baby and protect it. The other picture is of the mama running across the road to get to her baby.
Giraffe are my favorite animal to watch.
See you all soon.
Mammaw
***********************
Hello, sweet ones.
Here is a picture of a baby giraffe we saw when we were in the bush last week.
The mama was on one side of the road and the baby on the other. When the mama realized this, she became upset and came running to be with her baby and protect it. The other picture is of the mama running across the road to get to her baby.
Giraffe are my favorite animal to watch.
See you all soon.
Mammaw
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Bugs, Biscuits & Bedtime
Bugs:
Only one more chance to get decent picture of Em and Roo in their costumes. They're butterflies. Except Em only likes the idea in theory. The whole putting-on-the-outfit part is a bust. Roo is more easygoing about it. But, I haven't been quick enough with the camera.
She's rocking the leotard and tutu part here.
And the wings, headpiece and tutu here. Put it all together and you got yourself a cute little fufferfly.
Biscuits:
Tonight the girls helped make biscuits. It was messy work that required a lot of clean up.
Roo washed up while Em ate everything left in the bowl.
Somewhere in the midst of snapping pictures, I looked down to see a toddler-sized hand print on my chest. All outlined in biscuit dough.
Bedtime:
Em insisted on wearing a hat to bed tonight. She preened in her crib mirror and cheesed for the camera happily.
So, Roo had to have a hat, too. Of course.
Note to the grandparents... this Christmas, whatever you're planning on... go ahead and buy 2.
Only one more chance to get decent picture of Em and Roo in their costumes. They're butterflies. Except Em only likes the idea in theory. The whole putting-on-the-outfit part is a bust. Roo is more easygoing about it. But, I haven't been quick enough with the camera.
She's rocking the leotard and tutu part here.
And the wings, headpiece and tutu here. Put it all together and you got yourself a cute little fufferfly.Biscuits:
Tonight the girls helped make biscuits. It was messy work that required a lot of clean up.
Roo washed up while Em ate everything left in the bowl.
Somewhere in the midst of snapping pictures, I looked down to see a toddler-sized hand print on my chest. All outlined in biscuit dough.
Bedtime:
Em insisted on wearing a hat to bed tonight. She preened in her crib mirror and cheesed for the camera happily.
So, Roo had to have a hat, too. Of course. Note to the grandparents... this Christmas, whatever you're planning on... go ahead and buy 2.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Five Stars
The list of things we could not live without, since becoming parents, is fairly short.
Food, diapers, car seats and double stroller.
There is a slightly longer, more embellished list of things that made life simpler. Immensely more sane and simple. These are the things I would not want to live without as a mommy to baby/toddler twins.
------------------------------------
*Homemade baby wipes
Talk about a money saver! And they are so gentle on rashy bottoms... don't sting like commercial wipes.
------------------------------------
*3 in 1 Crib Soother
Ok, at first we were skeptical about this. Would we really use it? How long?
Uh, how about every day for 2 1/2 years?!
First it provided soothing white noise for Em and Roo as they were learning how to sleep in their own room. Then, it turned the entire crib into a bouncy/oscillating seat with the under-the-mattress vibration system. Gently shook 'em right to sleep. When the girls moved to separate cribs, we still used it. Just pushed the cribs together and it buzzed both mattresses. Finally, it has been a crib rail night light for Roo. Who, at times, has a tough time settling herself down. And just needs a nice book to read by the quiet blue light. That she can turn on herself when needed. Genius!
------------------------------------
*Bumbo Chair
This sweet little seat allows any baby who can hold up their head to sit. It's not used very long. Maybe 4 months at the most. Whatever that window from head holding to sitting independantly is. But, those can be a l-o-n-g 4 months. We used the Bumbo in lieu of a high chair for solid food feedings.
To put a new lease on play time. As bath seats (not recommended, but we found a way to do it safely). Which allowed for double bathing... a big help when J was traveling and I was single parenting.
And for posing Em and Roo in ridiculous costumes for pictures.
------------------------------------
*Clean Shopper Cart Cover ... for twins
This contraption saved me hours of hassle. As soon as the girls could sit up, I slapped this puppy in the double carts at the grocery and warehouse stores. No more hefting the double stroller out of the car and shopping for things that I could carry and cram in the under-basket of the stroller. Big boxes of diapers do.not.fit. The Clean Shopper provided total coverage of the germy shopping carts, seat belts and pockets for snacks.
------------------------------------
*PeaPods
Do you know how much space 2 pack-n-play beds take up in the car? So much that you have to weigh the options of leaving either the dog or your husband behind. Because one of them isn't going to fit. These brilliant travel beds pack down flat and thin.
And allow us to have sleep consistency when we're on the go. The girls know they'll either sleep in their crib or the PeaPod. And they're cool with either one. They love the idea of a tent and feel safe and cozy inside. The bonuses are the window shades that act as light blockers. I should totally be getting kickbacks from Kidco since I've recommended this product to absolutely everyone one I know.
------------------------------------
*Signing Time
Absolutely the best show for kids ever. Em and Roo adore every episode they've ever seen. It's boosted their language; is teaching them ASL as a 2nd language; supplied communication skills before the speech kicked in; and sooths the savage beast on bad toddler PMS days.
------------------------------------
Other brilliant got-to-haves are:
*Baby Legs
*bungee cords (to secure shopping carts and strollers to the car while unloading in hilly areas)
*stroller hooks
*On-the-go booster seat
There is a slightly longer, more embellished list of things that made life simpler. Immensely more sane and simple. These are the things I would not want to live without as a mommy to baby/toddler twins.
------------------------------------
*Homemade baby wipes
Talk about a money saver! And they are so gentle on rashy bottoms... don't sting like commercial wipes.
------------------------------------
*3 in 1 Crib Soother
Ok, at first we were skeptical about this. Would we really use it? How long?
Uh, how about every day for 2 1/2 years?!
First it provided soothing white noise for Em and Roo as they were learning how to sleep in their own room. Then, it turned the entire crib into a bouncy/oscillating seat with the under-the-mattress vibration system. Gently shook 'em right to sleep. When the girls moved to separate cribs, we still used it. Just pushed the cribs together and it buzzed both mattresses. Finally, it has been a crib rail night light for Roo. Who, at times, has a tough time settling herself down. And just needs a nice book to read by the quiet blue light. That she can turn on herself when needed. Genius!
------------------------------------
*Bumbo Chair
This sweet little seat allows any baby who can hold up their head to sit. It's not used very long. Maybe 4 months at the most. Whatever that window from head holding to sitting independantly is. But, those can be a l-o-n-g 4 months. We used the Bumbo in lieu of a high chair for solid food feedings.
To put a new lease on play time. As bath seats (not recommended, but we found a way to do it safely). Which allowed for double bathing... a big help when J was traveling and I was single parenting.
And for posing Em and Roo in ridiculous costumes for pictures.
------------------------------------
*Clean Shopper Cart Cover ... for twins
This contraption saved me hours of hassle. As soon as the girls could sit up, I slapped this puppy in the double carts at the grocery and warehouse stores. No more hefting the double stroller out of the car and shopping for things that I could carry and cram in the under-basket of the stroller. Big boxes of diapers do.not.fit. The Clean Shopper provided total coverage of the germy shopping carts, seat belts and pockets for snacks.
------------------------------------
*PeaPods
Do you know how much space 2 pack-n-play beds take up in the car? So much that you have to weigh the options of leaving either the dog or your husband behind. Because one of them isn't going to fit. These brilliant travel beds pack down flat and thin.
And allow us to have sleep consistency when we're on the go. The girls know they'll either sleep in their crib or the PeaPod. And they're cool with either one. They love the idea of a tent and feel safe and cozy inside. The bonuses are the window shades that act as light blockers. I should totally be getting kickbacks from Kidco since I've recommended this product to absolutely everyone one I know.------------------------------------
*Signing Time
Absolutely the best show for kids ever. Em and Roo adore every episode they've ever seen. It's boosted their language; is teaching them ASL as a 2nd language; supplied communication skills before the speech kicked in; and sooths the savage beast on bad toddler PMS days.
------------------------------------
Other brilliant got-to-haves are:
*Baby Legs
*bungee cords (to secure shopping carts and strollers to the car while unloading in hilly areas)
*stroller hooks
*On-the-go booster seat
Friday, October 24, 2008
Toddler Slang
We've anxiously awaited the emergence of toddler slang at the RG home.
Cousin Jonah blazed a hilarious path and I don't know if Em and Roo, put together, can ever come close to the Jonah-isms.
But, a few special words and phrases are starting to show up.
"happysicle"
translation: popsicle (or frozen yogurt tube)
"A.B.sue"
translation: alphabet soup
"fufferfly"
translation: butterfly or firefly
"Sigh Tie"
translation: we want to watch Signing Time with Alex and Leah
"nannie-slee"
translation: Nannie blanket that I sleep with
"mambos"
translation: rainbows from our prism that dance on the walls
"ishy-bee-spire"
translation: itsy bitsy spider
"bye'day'lu-you"
translation: Goodbye. Have a nice day. We love you.
Cousin Jonah blazed a hilarious path and I don't know if Em and Roo, put together, can ever come close to the Jonah-isms.
But, a few special words and phrases are starting to show up.
"happysicle"
translation: popsicle (or frozen yogurt tube)
"A.B.sue"
translation: alphabet soup
"fufferfly"
translation: butterfly or firefly
"Sigh Tie"
translation: we want to watch Signing Time with Alex and Leah
"nannie-slee"
translation: Nannie blanket that I sleep with
"mambos"
translation: rainbows from our prism that dance on the walls
"ishy-bee-spire"
translation: itsy bitsy spider
"bye'day'lu-you"
translation: Goodbye. Have a nice day. We love you.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Rooanne Rooward
Roo might have another twin. Aunt Joy thinks she's a ringer for Joanne Woodward in The Long Hot Summer. She might be right.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Fufferflies & Dinosaurs
After a week of disruptive allergies for the entire family, we're finally stepping back out into normal life. Which includes mother's day out (praise Jesus!) and our playgroup.
Eight mommies and 18 kids under the age of 4 hit the prehistoric trails at Dinoland today. The weather was gorgeous and a happy good day was had.
Daddy took an early lunch break to walk back in time with us.
Pint-sized dinos, decorated by the area schools, were more exciting to Em and Roo than the actual exhibit.
Aunt Kaki was actually the biggest hit of the day. The girls didn't know she would be there. And they swarmed her like bees and begged to be held.
When the dino-tour was over, the 2 year old set partied in the butterfly garden. Lots of running and jumping and screeching and climbing. Oh, and not-so-stealthy snacking in the no food allowed area. Whoops (again). But, worth it to see my girls sharing sweetly together.
Eight mommies and 18 kids under the age of 4 hit the prehistoric trails at Dinoland today. The weather was gorgeous and a happy good day was had.
Daddy took an early lunch break to walk back in time with us.
Pint-sized dinos, decorated by the area schools, were more exciting to Em and Roo than the actual exhibit.
Aunt Kaki was actually the biggest hit of the day. The girls didn't know she would be there. And they swarmed her like bees and begged to be held.
When the dino-tour was over, the 2 year old set partied in the butterfly garden. Lots of running and jumping and screeching and climbing. Oh, and not-so-stealthy snacking in the no food allowed area. Whoops (again). But, worth it to see my girls sharing sweetly together.
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