Meet Betty Crocker and Emeril . . .

It's official: the family's favorite treat is cookie dough. I passed my fond love of licking the mixer beaters on to my children. My favorite part was when they exchanged beaters and gave each other a kiss. Most of the time they are so kind to each other (I'll save the terrible twos tantrum post for another time). We also went to Kripy Kreme to see how donuts were made. The highlight of the visit was when the jolly rotund Krispy Kreme lady approached JR with a balloon and a Krispy Kreme baker's hat. Instead of emitting squeals of delight, like the other children in the establishment, JR gave her the evil eye and had a stare down. Paralyzed by the pure enmity that was coming from my little boy, I thanked the kind worker as quickly as I could, took the balloon and the hat, and tried to project Zoe's joy over JR's glaring. After she left, JR resumed his normal happy self. I guess the don't talk to strangers lesson really got to him!

The Youngest Lawyer

Alex and I had our first business trip while on maternity leave--we spent two fun-filled days in Delaware. While traveling with a two-month old was not on my list of things to do, the unexpectedly scheduled summary judgment hearing was worth it. The recruiter for our local counsel in Delaware cared for Alex during the five hour hearing.

Alex traveled in style--flying in first class next to some wary looking passengers and staying in the

Hotel DuPount in Wilmington. As always, Alex was an angel: he slept through take off and landing and didn't make a peep. Alex pretended to be an airplane on the flight back. Our local counsel declared that Alex was definitely the youngest lawyer they had welcomed to their firm!

We're Two - Happy Birthday!

Twins only turn two once, and we celebrated with their favorite theme--Dr. Seuss! Our friend DeeDee Lewis (http://www.ddthecakelady.com/) made an amazing Fox in Socks cake, of which the children ate two pieces and I ate the rest (I was trying to save them from my sugar addiction). Altogether, this was a very fun day (except for the speeding ticket that I received that morning).

Balloons were hugely popular, second only to their new big red cars. Thank goodness John realized that this was a toy that we needed two of--he picked up an extra on his way home from work. Thanks Grandpa for the awesome gift!

We Love Birthday Cards

Zoe & JR received some fun birthday cards for their birthday. As you can see, they loved them!

Alex has now entered the hall of fame for easiest baby ever. He likes bath time too.

Little Panda Chunk

Can you believe Alex is one month old? He weighed in at 10 pounds 4 ounces at his doctor appointment a week and a half ago. Today, he weighs almost 12 pounds 8 ounces! This explains why Michelle never gets any sleep . . . someone is on an all-day all-night buffet.

Happy New Year 2009

New Ways to Find Trouble, Trouble, Trouble . . .


The new year has brought much joy and much creativity. For example, you could steal your baby brother's pacifier. You could paint your face blue so you look like a smurf.

You could give your brother a kiss and then bounce a hard plastic batman toy off his head, all the while grinning from ear to ear.

You could give your brother a kiss and then tiger claw his face, resulting in a poor little shocked baby!

Alternatively, you could hold him and cuddle him and give him lots of love. Many thanks go out to grandma, for surviving three weeks with three under two. A typical day would go something like this: after staying up all night, Michelle would sit nursing angel baby Alex in her cozy chair; meanwhile, she would say "grandma, Zoe is crawling out the dog door; grandma, JR is dancing on the dining room table; grandma, Zoe is climbing on top of the piano; grandma, JR is sitting in the fireplace . . . . " and so on and so on. Then, at the end of the day, grandma and Michelle would sit watching reruns of the TV series Alias. Could you imagine more fun than that? Thanks a million grandma.

Merry Christmas 2008!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2008 was incredible. With a two week old baby and twins (and four-legged kiddos) who love to unwrap presents, we had a wonderful day to celebrate the birth of Christ. My mom arrived shortly after Alex was born and stayed with us through the end of December. Zoe & JR loved their new personalized chairs from Grandma, their baby strollers, and their twin race car track. We were also able to celebrate with my sister, her fiance, and her future mother-in-law--it was a great day to celebrate with family and to reflect on our many blessings.