Visit to Boston--Friend Time

On top of spending time with family, I also got to see all of the girls while we were home. Mandy, Laura, Karen, Kerri, and I have known each other since middle school. They all live in the Woburn area, so I don't get to see them as much as I'd like. This was first time we were all together in a LOONNGG time. Here we are:

Mandy was nice enough to have us all over for playtime in her backyard and in her new, beautiful family room and to serve us dinner.

Piper loved Minnie and playing with the other kids.

I love this shot of Molly and Piper.

Fletch hung out in his favorite place--a swing.

The best part of the night was seeing all the kids together. It was such a wonderful moment.

Thank you again, Mandy, for having us over. We loved it and can't wait to do it again.

Visit to Boston--Family Time

Last weekend, we made a big trip up to Boston/Woburn to see everyone. We had such a good time that this will need two posts to describe it. This first post is all about the terrific time we had with family.

We started the trip with a Saturday morning flight. The hardest part was getting all our stuff (two suitcases, a duffle bag, our backpacks, two carseats, two babies, two adults, and a stroller) through security and then onto the plane. Poor Eric carried most of the luggage and carseats and did most of the work, while I took the babies. He looked like a pack mule walking around the airport. Despite that, we made it onto the plane and Piper and Fletch did wonderfully. The fell asleep the moment the engines started and slept most of the flight.

Once we were in Boston and then made the trip to Woburn, the fun began. We spent much of the next two days just hanging out, with a few short trips in between naps.

This included cuddling with Mom.

Taking group photos.

Getting everyone excited that we might have two walkers on our hands.

Playing with/torturing Kelsey.

Exploring the high chairs (why are these things so fascinating!?!)

We even got in a trip to two area landmarks:

Bickfords for some yummy pancakes

The Stone Zoo for some visiting with the animals you don't get to see at the National Zoo.

And a short stroll around the lake in Wakefield

All of this added up to lots of family fun. I love showing Fletch and Piper where I grew up and all the things I knew as a kid. Now, when will they be old enough for Hago Harringtons?!? The trip was perfect, and a great way to break up our routine. We came back on Monday. Piper and Fletch did great on that flight as well. They are wonderful travelers!

Pumpkin Time

To keep up with a loooonnngg-standing Columbus Day tradition, on Saturday, we went to get pumpkins this weekend. As you can see, a lot has changed from last year when Piper and Fletch practically slept through the whole event. This year, Fletch really enjoyed climbing over the pumpkins and even went through one of the pumpkin tunnels. Piper, on the other hand, was a bit mellow and just took everything in. We thought for sure she'd go nuts because she OBSESSED with the color orange, but instead, she just lounged around in the pumpkins and preferred to let her brother do the climbing.

That was the major event for our weekend. Today, we hung out and relaxed and went to the playground to enjoy the warm weather. Next weekend, it's off to Boston for a quick trip. Please send good thoughts that Fletch and Piper don't mind the plane ride and sleep well away from home.

Birthday Party Part Deux

Last weekend, Mom and Danny came to visit. On Saturday, we had a second birthday party for the babies. They loved getting more gifts, including the entire Sesame Street stuffed animal collection, a few new books, lots of fall clothes (which they desperately needed), and tons of toys.

Here's Piper attempting to get into one of her gifts.

Fletch loves Big Bird.

Great photo with my mom.

A family shot along with a picture of Mom's Famous Brownies. She makes the best brownies ever. When I was a kid and we'd visit Nana and Papa (my mom's parents) in New Jersey, Nana always made me the best chocolate chip cookies. That's what these brownies will be like for Piper and Fletch. They are soooo good.

The morning after the party in their PJs.

Other than relaxing and hanging out, we made a trip to Costco, walked around Huntley Meadows, and watched Piper put on several shows. That girl is crazy. She loves nothing more than to hide in the curtains and "talk" like she's putting on a show. I seriously have to get it on video.

Not much new to report on the milestone front. We're still working on walk. They are doing great on milk, but we are just starting the transition from bottles to sippy cups. They're still taking two naps per day and still (knock on wood) sleeping through the night. They have, however, decided that 5am would be a great time to wake up for the day. Obviously, they decided this themselves without seeking advice from Mommy and Daddy, who would prefer their old wake-up time of 6:30am.

That's the latest around here. I think we're done with baby birthday celebrations until next year.

First Haircut

We finally did it--we took Piper and Fletch for their first haircut. They've needed it for a while but we were waiting until after their first birthday. They did great, and they look so cute now.

First we went to get Piper's hair done. Here are "before" pictures of her and Fletch.

Piper had her hair done at a salon in Georgetown owned by one of Eric's friends.

We tried to get Piper to sit in the chair by herself, but she was a little apprehensive, so she sat in my lap instead.

After we figured out that she'd do better in my lap, we all had a great time, and Piper loved the pampering (and Isabelle's belt buckle).

Unfortunately, we didn't get a great picture of the final results of either baby, but Piper looks fantastic. Her hair is much neater.

After finishing with Piper, we trekked back to Foggy Bottom to have Fletch's hair cut at the barber shop Eric has been going to for years. This place is a true "man cave" with girly magazines and everything.

Here are Fletch and Eric, getting ready for the barber.

Fletch also was a bit scared at first, but then he settled in like he'd had his cut a thousand times before.

Piper and Fletch were so well behaved the whole time, and we had so much fun taking them. Another milestone complete. I wonder what will be next!?!

The Big Day

Tuesday was the big day--the babies' first birthday (I probably shouldn't call even call them babies anymore). I'm happy to say we have survived an entire year.

We started the day with a trip to the doctor's, as you saw in the previous post. After coming home from there and taking a few good naps, we held a small party. It was supposed to be a slightly larger affair on the previous Saturday, but Hurricane Irene ruined those plans. So, we did a smaller shindig on Tuesday. Here are the highlights.

Piper and Fletch started the party with a bottle--to take the edge off their hunger.

(Yes, we're still using the bouncy chairs to feed bottles. As you can see, Fletch exceeds the weight limits of the chair is laying in it nearly horizontal. It actually looks quite relaxing.)

They then visited with Grandma and Grandpa for a few minutes.

Following that, they explored the decorations. It was a Sesame Street themed affair.

After checking things out, we brought out the gifts. First came their name Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair.

As you can see from these photos, Fletch and Piper are in desperate need of a haircut. We were waiting until their first birthday to do it. Look for an upcoming post on that in the next week or so.

Then came a new bead maze. Fletch loves to manipulate things with his fingers, so this toy is perfect for him.

Then, they took a short break to crawl on Daddy.

Followed by more opening gifts, including a new music set.

And a first birthday favorite, the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn House.

Those were the big gifts from Eric and me. Eric's parents also got them a fantastic drum, a Taggie ball, some stacking bowls, and a few other great toys. Unfortunately, we don't have any photos of those toys from the party, but the babies love them.

After opening gifts, it was time for cake. Here is a picture of our sad cake.

I can't even tell you the angst and mommy guilt this cake has given me. I ordered it to be much better decorated, with tons of colors and stuff, but when we picked it up, this is what they gave us, and it was too late to get anything else. To top it off, it didn't even taste that good. Piper and Fletch, I hope the blah-ness of this horrible cake doesn't scar you for life and lead to years of therapy.

Before eating cake, we attempted a family photo.

Then, the babies got down to business.

Despite the fact that I didn't love the cake, Piper and Fletch enjoyed it thoroughly. After cake though, the party came to an end. All that excitement was too much for them and it was definitely bedtime, thereby concluding their first first birthday party. Have no fear though, they'll be having a second first birthday party in a few weeks when my mom and Danny come to visit. Seeing as they can't tell one day from the next on the calendar, we didn't think they'd mind if we celebrated again in a few weeks.

That's it from around these parts. We now have two toddlers on our hands. How is that even possible!?!