Fischers Birthday Party!

Fisher turned 3 today. Sophia had been looking forward to his party all week - specifically the cake!

Those Fireman really have a market for birthday parties in Williamsburg...This time we went to the Fire Station  - very exciting!

Virginia Living Museum

Buela came up on Wednesday and we decided to visit the Living Museum. Sophia's favorite part was the big turtle she could climb inside.

"She's looking at me!"

It is a wondrous thing to watch a sibling relationship form. Sophia has already been yelling accusations of Olivia touching her books or her. It could be a long road...

Another Milestone...

Well, it's official. Braden was so generous to share his extra slide and we now have colored plastic in our backyard. This is for me like getting the mini-van, or the first family home is for some. The "When did I become my parents?". My parents had a Little Tikes yellow and orange picnic table as their coffee table for about ten years. I now understand why. We have no coffee table. We prefer to pour things directly onto the carpet - eliminate any intermediate steps, and dishes. 

I love this age (aka proof that she needed the haircut)

First Haircut...at Four Months

Poor Olivia...only four months, but I was nervous that her long hair was really impairing her sight. So I took to her with Leah's hair-cutting shears. I have never given a haircut. I can barely braid. It wasn't pretty. But it's out of her eyes...

"Mommy? What are you doing...?"

Help!

Are layered bangs back in?

Do you cut your own hair too Mom?

Daddy's Girl

Not a bit of resemblance here...

Spring Time?

It was starting to feel like Narnia around here - always winter and never Christmas. This is the look of a two-year old who had spent 5 days inside a sick house and had forgotten what sunshine was...

Sophia and Braden

Yet Sophia and Braden always seem to be creating their Rehearsal Dinner Slide Show...

Sophia and Judah

So for all the time that Judah and Sophia play together I have trouble getting good pictures of them. Perhaps it's because they never stop moving...

Titi Ruthie and Juan Bobo Visit!

So my brother has the worlds' largest dog.

And my sister has the world's smallest. And I have the small children in between?

Ruthie came to Williamsburg with her tiny Yorkie Puppy, Juan Bobo on Saturday. Yes, his name is Juan Bobo. It's a long story involving the deep grooves of our Puerto Rican heritage. Sophia was kind enough to share her pacifier with him and for some reason he felt very comfortable peeing on our floors. It's like that's what they're there for...

Sibling Rivalry

Olivia can now roll and scoot all over the place.

Sophia wanted to demonstrate that she can roll and scoot as well.

As Olivia matures, some competition has already begun to occur.  What is interesting is that Sophia often won't articulate that she, Sophia, does not want Olivia to do something (with the exception of this common statement: Mommy, put Olivia down and hold Sophia.) Sophia often uses one of her Sesame Street alter-egos to express her frustration:

"Grover does not want  Olivia in the baby swing."

"OLIVIA CANNOT GO IN THE JOHNNY JUMP UP! IT'S ELMO'S TURN!"

4 Months!

Sophia was 4 months on March 3rd - we celebrated by letting her have one picture without her big sister.

Olivia never gets the spotlight to herself for long.

Hopefully this won't cause resentment issues later on, but she's starting to look a bit weary...

The Zen of Motherhood

One of my favorite roles in being a mother is Explainer of the Ordinary. The Explainer has covered many topics recently such as paper cuts, falling down, bathtub drains, and shower curtains. This week when the stomach flu arrived at our house The Explainer faced a new dramatic challenge. On Sunday night Sophia threw up for the first time in her memory. She did so while sitting on the chair with me and Olivia, all over me and Olivia. My first thought (and constant Mom strategy): do not act alarmed. This was a challenge. I find vomit very alarming. I always have. I don't do it much. Every time, even as an adult I cry and need someone to hold back my hair. Second reflex: Stay positive. The following exchange occured:

Sophia throws up,

Sophia: What did Sophia just do? (obvious use of 3rd person in intense situations)

Nina (covered in it): Oh Sophia you just threw up (unalarmed ) It's when your tummy hurts and sends stuff out of your mouth. (explanation) It's okay! We all throw up! (positive)Mommy throws up! Daddy throws up! Everyone throws up!

Sophia: (growing more excited) Elmo throws up! Grover throws up!

Nina: (laying poor vomit-covered Olivia down) Yay for throw up!

sidenote: Campbells Dora the Explorer Chicken Noodle Soup was a legitimate meal for me multiple times this week. Two steps back in the Organic Mom Race.

Aunt Patrice Visits!

Sophia of the Snow

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