Twin Tales +1: The life and times of Ella and Aidan, and their baby sister, Lauren
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Morning Walk
The weather was so nice and cool yesterday morning that I decided to take advantage of all three of us being up before 7 AM and take a short walk around the block.
The kids insisted on not changing and wearing their pj's (totally a pick your battles kind of moment, and not one I was willing to fight), so with a quick bottle for Lauren and a portable breakfast for Ella and Aidan, we were off....
.... we spotted an inchworm that captivated their attention for a full 15 minutes.....
....and collected enough acorns to make any squirrel quite happy....
...all in all it was a fun morning walk!
The kids insisted on not changing and wearing their pj's (totally a pick your battles kind of moment, and not one I was willing to fight), so with a quick bottle for Lauren and a portable breakfast for Ella and Aidan, we were off....
.... we spotted an inchworm that captivated their attention for a full 15 minutes.....
....and collected enough acorns to make any squirrel quite happy....
...all in all it was a fun morning walk!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Cars and Planes
We had a wonderful weekend with Opa!
Opa came in town on Friday night and stayed with us until Sunday. He had not seen Lauren since the day after she was born, as he had to head to Highlands to go back to work. Despite the time apart, they became fast friends....
Opa spent Saturday at the Auto Show while Mike and I took the kids to the Aviation Museum for the afternoon.
Ella and Aidan were thrilled to see the Miracle on the Hudson or, as they called it, "the plane that landed on the water"....
.... they also had fun just exploring all of the planes....
.... sitting in a cockpit.....
.... and checking out the size of the tires on the landing gear....
.... Lauren was not too excited about the adventure and chose to sleep the entire time....
...we topped off the afternoon with a visit to the airport overlook....
Lauren did wake up as soon as we got home and decided to pose for a picture with Mommy....
Mike had to work on Sunday, but we enjoyed a little bit more fun with Opa at Waldhorn, his favorite German restaurant, where we were actually interviewed and filmed for a television show called Food Stories airing on September 14.
After posing for a picture with all three grandkids, Opa had to head home to Atlanta.
We had a great weekend and miss Opa so much already!
Opa came in town on Friday night and stayed with us until Sunday. He had not seen Lauren since the day after she was born, as he had to head to Highlands to go back to work. Despite the time apart, they became fast friends....
Opa spent Saturday at the Auto Show while Mike and I took the kids to the Aviation Museum for the afternoon.
Ella and Aidan were thrilled to see the Miracle on the Hudson or, as they called it, "the plane that landed on the water"....
.... they also had fun just exploring all of the planes....
.... sitting in a cockpit.....
.... and checking out the size of the tires on the landing gear....
.... Lauren was not too excited about the adventure and chose to sleep the entire time....
...we topped off the afternoon with a visit to the airport overlook....
Lauren did wake up as soon as we got home and decided to pose for a picture with Mommy....
Mike had to work on Sunday, but we enjoyed a little bit more fun with Opa at Waldhorn, his favorite German restaurant, where we were actually interviewed and filmed for a television show called Food Stories airing on September 14.
After posing for a picture with all three grandkids, Opa had to head home to Atlanta.
We had a great weekend and miss Opa so much already!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Flashback Friday
Everyone says that Lauren looks just like Aidan. While I agree that they do resemble one another now, Lauren was a dead ringer for Ella when she was born.
Ella - Just Born
Lauren - Just Born
They were nearly identical in those first moments; however, by the time we made it back to our room, she had somehow transformed into looking just like Aidan.
While she still has the same petite little mouth as Ella, as the weeks have passed, I have noticed a few additional similarities between Aidan and Lauren aside from their physical characteristics.
Aidan was a thumb sucker....
....it looks like Lauren may be heading down the same path....
....Aidan liked to sleep with his arms up by his head....
....so does Lauren....
....Aidan made the cutest little newborn noises (Ella never made these sounds)....
....and so does Lauren....
....it certainly will be interesting to see if her personality resembles his as she gets older!
Ella - Just Born
Lauren - Just Born
They were nearly identical in those first moments; however, by the time we made it back to our room, she had somehow transformed into looking just like Aidan.
While she still has the same petite little mouth as Ella, as the weeks have passed, I have noticed a few additional similarities between Aidan and Lauren aside from their physical characteristics.
Aidan was a thumb sucker....
....it looks like Lauren may be heading down the same path....
....Aidan liked to sleep with his arms up by his head....
....so does Lauren....
....Aidan made the cutest little newborn noises (Ella never made these sounds)....
....and so does Lauren....
....it certainly will be interesting to see if her personality resembles his as she gets older!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Making Friends
Lauren is quickly becoming more aware of her surroundings, so I hung a butterfly rattle on her papasan seat to give her something fun to look at - and she was instantly mesmerized!
Smiles were abundant as she and the butterfly became fast friends, and both Mike and I were shocked that she even seemed to make the connection that she could move her arm to make the butterfly "rattle".....you could almost see her little brain working overtime as she literally made what looked like intentional movements and did it over and over again!
Smiles were abundant as she and the butterfly became fast friends, and both Mike and I were shocked that she even seemed to make the connection that she could move her arm to make the butterfly "rattle".....you could almost see her little brain working overtime as she literally made what looked like intentional movements and did it over and over again!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday Fun With Daddy
Poor Mike only had half of Saturday off all week, is back at work again today, and won't be off again until this coming Saturday.
So, we made the most of our little time together and headed out to a little festival in Weddington for the afternoon.
We took a wagon ride....
....fed some sheep and goats....
....and got our faces painted....
....Ella and Aidan had a blast while Lauren slept through the entire experience!
Sorry for the poor picture quality....clearly we need to get new cell phones as our current phones take terrible pictures! Either that or I need to get a bit more adept at baby wearing and taking pictures at the same time!
So, we made the most of our little time together and headed out to a little festival in Weddington for the afternoon.
We took a wagon ride....
....fed some sheep and goats....
....and got our faces painted....
....Ella and Aidan had a blast while Lauren slept through the entire experience!
Sorry for the poor picture quality....clearly we need to get new cell phones as our current phones take terrible pictures! Either that or I need to get a bit more adept at baby wearing and taking pictures at the same time!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Flashback Friday
We are trying to make the most of these last few weeks before school starts, and the weather was finally nice enough for me to take Lauren outside with Ella and Aidan - low humidity and mid 80's - simply wonderful!
On Monday we spent the afternoon at the spraygrounds with Lavery and Landon. While us Mommies chatted, held babies and enjoyed each other's company, the tots all played in the water and had a ball!
Tuesday morning found all three of us at the dentist by 8:30 AM for Ella and Aidan's regularly scheduled cleaning. What possessed me six months ago to make the appointment so early in the morning is beyond me...but to my surprise, we made it on time!
Even more surprising was that Ella and Aidan went back with the hygenist without me for the first time! We had been discussing it for a few days, and they always seemed excited, especially now that they now what to expect...but I never thought they would actually follow through when the time came!
The best news of all - no cavities!
We joined "the boys" at the pool on Wednesday for some more water fun. This was my first time taking the trio to the pool on my own, and we did great! Lauren stayed in the shade with either myself or Teresa while we alternated with the big kids.
Now that Ella and Aidan can swim on their own, it makes things so much easier. I still insist on watching them like a hawk though - it makes me so nervous now that they do not use floaties anymore (well, Ella still does on occasion).
I do have to say that I thought it was a chore to pack for the pool before, with all of the snacks, change of clothes, towels, and dive toys. But now that the process includes all of the items for the baby, I have moved into an entirely new dimension of stuff to lug along!
We spent Thursday morning with Becca and Brinlee at our favorite toy store, Toys & Co just letting the kiddos play and hang out together. I completely forgot to take a picture - so sorry Becky!
Whew - busy week! Stay tuned to see our adventures planned for next week!
On Monday we spent the afternoon at the spraygrounds with Lavery and Landon. While us Mommies chatted, held babies and enjoyed each other's company, the tots all played in the water and had a ball!
Tuesday morning found all three of us at the dentist by 8:30 AM for Ella and Aidan's regularly scheduled cleaning. What possessed me six months ago to make the appointment so early in the morning is beyond me...but to my surprise, we made it on time!
Even more surprising was that Ella and Aidan went back with the hygenist without me for the first time! We had been discussing it for a few days, and they always seemed excited, especially now that they now what to expect...but I never thought they would actually follow through when the time came!
The best news of all - no cavities!
We joined "the boys" at the pool on Wednesday for some more water fun. This was my first time taking the trio to the pool on my own, and we did great! Lauren stayed in the shade with either myself or Teresa while we alternated with the big kids.
Now that Ella and Aidan can swim on their own, it makes things so much easier. I still insist on watching them like a hawk though - it makes me so nervous now that they do not use floaties anymore (well, Ella still does on occasion).
I do have to say that I thought it was a chore to pack for the pool before, with all of the snacks, change of clothes, towels, and dive toys. But now that the process includes all of the items for the baby, I have moved into an entirely new dimension of stuff to lug along!
We spent Thursday morning with Becca and Brinlee at our favorite toy store, Toys & Co just letting the kiddos play and hang out together. I completely forgot to take a picture - so sorry Becky!
Whew - busy week! Stay tuned to see our adventures planned for next week!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I Hope You Never Forget
I tried to tell you how immensely proud I was but your kindness left me speechless.
Instead I hugged you and quietly whispered "I Love You" in your ear as I walked away. The last thing I wanted to do was to interrupt a memory that I (and maybe you, too) will take to the grave, so I hid in a corner and watched from a distance.
I observed patience - the same kind you had as a toddler when building block towers, never growing tired until the job was done. Today you sat quietly beside your new baby sister and slowly showed her all of the toys on her playmat. I witnessed you patiently explain each hanging item, one at a time in your signature serious nature.
My heart swelled with pride when you silently leaned down and kissed Lauren's cheek. I recognized love - the same kind you had as a toddler when you begged for cuddles and snuggles after your nap.
I am so proud to be your Mom. I hope you never forget what I whispered in your ear, just for us to remember. I never will.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Mother-Daughter Afternoon
Ella and I took a trip to the nail salon on Sunday afternoon to spend a little quality time together getting pampered.
She loved getting her nails and toes done and chose a wonderful pink-purple color!
She loved getting her nails and toes done and chose a wonderful pink-purple color!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
In My Daughter's Eyes
Ella's eyes are the same color as mine.
She likes that fact.
Our hair color, while similar, isn't quite the same. Our skin tone is a little different.
But our eyes are the same.
"Why do you always smile, when you look at me?", she asked.
"One day, when you have a daughter so spectacular as you - you will understand everything, when you look into her eyes.".
She likes that fact.
Our hair color, while similar, isn't quite the same. Our skin tone is a little different.
But our eyes are the same.
"Why do you always smile, when you look at me?", she asked.
"Because I am so in love with you." I confessed while hunched over the bath tub washing her hair. I was unaware that I was smiling. A huge stupid grin planted across my face which she clearly read easier than a Dr. Suess book. I stared into the deep abyss of her eyes. Each brown freckle in her pupil a mirror image of my own.
Incredible. The similarities.
She moved the bubbles around in the tub and whispered, "You always smile with your eyes when you look at me. Why?".
"One day, when you have a daughter so spectacular as you - you will understand everything, when you look into her eyes.".
Friday, August 12, 2011
Six Weeks
Lauren is six weeks old today!
She is slowly starting to improve in the colic arena. We switched her formula again because the Alimentum was causing her a bit of constipation, so she is now on Nutramigen (even more expensive!), which is working out beautifully for her!
Lauren has also been blessing us with a few four-hour stretches throughout the night, which is such a relief! We have moved her to her own room, though she does still sleep in her little bassinet / rocker instead of the crib because it is angled and helps with her reflux.
We are having regular "baby" playdates with her three other July birthday buddies and they are so much fun...it is an entirely different experience (dare I say almost relaxing?) just managing one little baby - granted, I always have Ella and Aidan along as well, but all of us in the playgroup also have older children, so they have kids their age to play with while we chat about baby stuff!
The most fun news of this stage is getting the first smiles! They are still pretty fleeting and rare, and it is nearly impossible to capture on camera just yet, but she is definitely smiling in response to us!
And yes, in case you notice, Lauren does not have blue eyes - they are a brown to hazel color.
Here is a cute out-take from the "little black dress" photos....figures that the one good smile I catch on film that my camera would go blurry and out of focus on me for some reason....but you can tell that she is indeed smiling!
She is slowly starting to improve in the colic arena. We switched her formula again because the Alimentum was causing her a bit of constipation, so she is now on Nutramigen (even more expensive!), which is working out beautifully for her!
Lauren has also been blessing us with a few four-hour stretches throughout the night, which is such a relief! We have moved her to her own room, though she does still sleep in her little bassinet / rocker instead of the crib because it is angled and helps with her reflux.
We are having regular "baby" playdates with her three other July birthday buddies and they are so much fun...it is an entirely different experience (dare I say almost relaxing?) just managing one little baby - granted, I always have Ella and Aidan along as well, but all of us in the playgroup also have older children, so they have kids their age to play with while we chat about baby stuff!
The most fun news of this stage is getting the first smiles! They are still pretty fleeting and rare, and it is nearly impossible to capture on camera just yet, but she is definitely smiling in response to us!
And yes, in case you notice, Lauren does not have blue eyes - they are a brown to hazel color.
Here is a cute out-take from the "little black dress" photos....figures that the one good smile I catch on film that my camera would go blurry and out of focus on me for some reason....but you can tell that she is indeed smiling!
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