Monday, December 15, 2008

Jack's Big Music Show


I'm not sure exactly how long this show has been around. It was never one Alexa was interested in. I do know that it comes on after Franklin on Noggin. True love from first viewing for Jacob and Elizabeth. I don't know if it's all the music. Or the funky dressed puppets with really long noses. All I know is that when I need to do something without being disturbed I can turn it on and not worry about what sort of shenanigans those two are up to!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Santa...attempt #1

I went with my mom and nephew Ivan (age 4) to see Santa at his "Rockland Station" yesterday. It was a little shed outside. And if you've been watching the news it's cold in New England, not really ideal for an outdoor Santa. I feel for the poor guy that's for sure.

He made mom's day by asking her if she was mom to Alexa and Ivan. He sort of ticked me off by saying "oohhh, double trouble". I should have set them loose in his little shed and let him really know what double trouble is!

Alexa and Ivan both dropped off their letters. I got one picture (mom took a few more but she has yet to go digital). Ivan wouldn't get out of Santa's lap. Alexa ended up leaning on him. Neither of them asked for anything! They were happy with a snuggle and gave him big hugs which Santa loved. I later asked Alexa why she didn't ask for something (she definately has no issues with asking me for every thing she sees on TV). She said she was too scared. So I had to explain the difference between scared and nervous. She'd like to see him again so that she can ask - she wants one of his reindeer apparently.

As for the twins - hahaha! Someone slipped superglue onto Elizabeth - there was no way she would be peeled from my hip. And she's usally friendly with men, even strange ones. I was at able to attempt to put Jacob in his lap. He just arched his back and got ready to scream. It was too cold and too crowded (by now there was Santa, Alexa, mom, Ivan, me, Jacob, Elizabeth and Mrs. Claus - cosy quarters for sure).

I suppose I could get my dad to get himself a red suit. His beard is growing in nicely and in the perfect shade of white.

Monday, December 8, 2008

why are boys different from girls?

According to Alexa

1. boys pee standing up, girls sit down
2. boys shave (not totally correct because girls shave also...some anyways)

and best of all

3. boys watch football and sleep on couches

one very observant kid!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Happy Birthday Alexa!

It's hard to believe that my baby girl is 5. I know we all get older every year but I guess I didn't expect it to go so fast. It's gone even faster since Jacob and Elizabeth were born.

Alexa was born at 10:49pm on December 4, 2003. Exactly 2 weeks early. It was a long labor but worth it! She arrived weighing exactly 7lbs, 20 1/2 inches long. She had a lot of hair and was fairly verbal. 5 years later she's around 57 lbs and at least 4 feet tall (time to remeasure!). Still has a lot of hair although she hates to wash it or have it combed so it's kept somewhat short. Instead of fairly I'd say she's most definitely verbal. Very opinionated and not afraid to show it. She's a very friendly girl - sometimes too friendly. I don't know how many times I have to tell her she needs to stop hugging and kissing complete strangers.

She's a wonderful big sister and I hope Jacob and Elizabeth will someday realize how lucky they are. Sure she has days when she doesn't want to play with them. And her room is off limits (safety hazard). But overall she's great with them.

School is just around the corner. This year she's attending preschool and learning a lot. She's getting better at writing her letters and doing math. I don't think it'll be too much longer before she's really reading (as opposed to reciting memorized books).

What do I think she'll be when she grows up? Based on some daily behaviors I'd say she'd make a great dictator. According to her she's going to live at home forever. She may move out for awhile so she can get a dog because I told her that's when she can have one. She wants to be a mom which shows I must be doing something right if I haven't frightened her off of the idea of children altogether. For awhile she was telling me she had to "hurry up and find a husband". She's going to need to find herself a strong and tolerable man (or woman) to be her partner that's for sure!

home from the hospital

one year old

2 years old
3 years old
4 years old
a few days short of 5

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving this year. It was spent at home just the five of us plus my mom. I did all the cooking and timed it all pretty well (I think). My plan was to eat at 12 and we were all seated with full plates by 12:15. The menu was fairly simple: turkey, mashed potatoes (I did cheat and use instant but I love them so!), candied sweet potatoes (made with fresh ones), green beans (jarred from my dad), carrots, cranberry sauce, and homemade apricot-raisin chutney (made back in September but keeps for awhile!). All followed by butterscotch pudding pie.

The nice part about eating early is you get to eat it all over again. Although for some...not so nice. By lunch on Friday Alexa was complaining about having to eat "that" again. But it did make for a very yummy soup that is still being enjoyed.

For the first time ever Alexa enjoyed watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. She loved it all. The best had to be when she started dancing with the Rockettes. She still needs to do a bit of work on her moves. The twins were inspired by her and tried to join in. I did catch some of it on the video camera. Someday maybe I'll figure out how to get video from there to the computer.

My other thanksgiving day project was to make some marshmallows - these were the best marshmallows ever! Don't be surprised if you end up with some for Christmas gifts. I'll find it hard to go back to store bought that's for sure.

Not many photos taken. That seems to be my Thanksgiving tradition. Ever since I lost the photos from Alexa's first Thanksgiving back in 2004 I've had few to show.

a little lost pilgrim

enjoying a pre-dinner snack

Jacob's milestones

  • weight/length @ 7: 55.6lbs, 48.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 42lbs, 43.5"
  • weight/length @ 4: 36 lbs, 39+"
  • weight/length@ 3: 32lbs, 36.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 26lbs, 33.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 18lbs, 29 inches
  • walking: 11/17/08
  • standing: 3/31/08
  • crawling: army, 2/5/08
  • first time rolling: 9/30/07, belly to back
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:49am
  • birth length: 19.5 inches
  • birth weight: 6lbs, 1oz

Elizabeth's milestones

  • weight/length @7: 53lbs, 47.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 40 lbs, 42.25"
  • weight/length @ 4: 34lbs, 38"
  • weight/length 3 years: 28lbs, 35.5 inches
  • weight/length 2 years: 24lbs, 6oz 33 inches
  • weight/length 1 year: 18lbs, 1oz 27.5 inches
  • walking: 9/1/08
  • standing: 4/4/08
  • crawling: army 3/16/08
  • sitting alone: 2/29/08
  • first time rolling: 11/23/07, back to belly
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:50am
  • birth length: 18.75 inches
  • birth weight: 5lbs, 8oz

Alexa's milestones

  • weight/height @ 10 (really 10.8): 186, 5'3"
  • weight/height @ 8.4 years: 113 lbs, 55.5 inches
  • weight/height @ 5 years: 61lbs, 4oz 45.25 inches
  • weight/length @ 4 years: 49lbs, 42 inches
  • weight/length @ 3 years: 38lbs, 38 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 32lbs, 8oz 35.75 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 22lbs, 3 oz 29.5 inches
  • 1st day of preschool: 9/3/08
  • solo somersault: 3/4/08
  • whistling: 3/2/08
  • potty training: 10/7/05
  • walking: 12/21/04
  • standing: 8/23/04
  • crawling: 8/21/04, only a week, then became a butt scoot
  • first wave: 7/27/04
  • rolling: 5/2/04, belly to back
  • sleeping thru the night: 3/1/04
  • first smile: 1/20/04
  • birth date/time: 12/4/03, 10:41pm
  • birth length: 20 inches
  • birth weight: 7lbs