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!?!