Happy

Why is Poppy so happy?

It's because she peed in the potty tonight!  That was our first pee in the toilet.  (Olive pooed twice in the toilet a few weeks ago in Florida.)  She knew what was happening and was VERY proud of herself.  She wiped and everything!

That was the icing on the cake this week.  Both girls this week showed lots of progress with their language abilities.  They can echo "a-b-c" and say "pie."  Also, Poppy can say "bubbles!"  As I recall, that's the longest word yet.  And, they are so close to saying "Olive."  It's amazing watching their progress before our eyes!

Here are some playroom pictures from the week.

Poppy couldn't reach the basket at the top of the ball pit. 

 Instead, she brought the basket to her while Olive did a funny dance

Poppy--"Daddy just cleaned up 200 balls."

"Hope he's ready to do it again."

Finally, we had a play date yesterday with our friend Clare and her kids who are about 22 months old.  It's always a blast! 

Olive, A., and Poppy

Olive has brownie on her face.

S. with her mom, Clare

Kiss on the Cheek

Mommy got to Poppy before leaving for work.  The evidence...

The Clementine Method

Not only are my kids disgusting eaters, they are also quite ingenious.  They devised their own method of eating clementines.

I Hear Something

Here is an amusing video for you to enjoy.  The girls kept telling Jill that they hear something, but what they heard remained a mystery.  Their facial expressions are still funny every time I watch it!  

Snack Time Shenanigans

The Future's So Bright...

...I gotta wear shades.

Poppy

Olive

Just Dropping By

Hello!  This is Jill dropping in to say hello to all of our friends and family who read the blog.  Joe does such a great job posting pictures of our little beauties, but they are so much more than that.  The girls are fun - and funny!  One of my favorite things right now is giving the girls the foam (steamed milk) that I take off the top of my latte in the morning.  They love it!  Olive eats it by the spoonful.  Poppy likes to stick her finger (well, a few fingers) into the foam, look at the tiny bubbles on her finger, laugh and then eat it.  This, of course, makes Olive giggle and she switches to the finger-in-foam-and-laugh method as well. 

Poppy and Olive are developing such distinct personalities.  Most parents of multiples don't like when people compare their kids to one another.  Strangers say things like "who is the mean one?" or "she must be the shy one."  I get it.  Really.  But how can't you compare them?  They are, by definition, a study in comparison.  I'm not going to say that one of my kids is better than the other or smarter than the other or prettier than the other, but I have no trouble comparing them in other arenas. 

For instance, Olive is very considerate.  If I tickle Olive, she wants to make sure that I'm going to tickle Poppy, too.  If I read Olive a book, she wants Poppy to sit and read with us.  If I ask Olive which outfit she wants to wear, she tells me which outfit Poppy should wear.  My favorite though - Olive will always offer her last grape to Poppy.  It's very cute.** 

**A few disclaimers:  First, neither of the girls can say "Olive" yet.  They haven't even attempted it.  Both, however, can say Poppy perfectly.  So maybe once they can say "Olive" things will change (but I doubt it).  Second, I gave Olive two marshmallows this morning and told her to give one to Poppy.  She didn't.  Don't tell Poppy.

Poppy is the boss.  Not bossy -- just the boss.  She is the one who likes to be chased (that would make Olive the chaser).  She chooses what toy she wants to play with and if Olive is playing with it, so what.  If Poppy wants it, she takes it.  Sometimes Olive tries to take it back, but more times Olive turns to another toy that she finds less interesting and waits for Poppy to notice that she is playing with something else.  Inevitably, Poppy will drop the original toy, steal the new toy from Olive and Olive will quietly return to the toy that she really wanted to play with anyway.  Does that make Olive the boss?  Wait.  I'm confused now. 

They are both very open to meeting new people and experiencing new things.  Poppy is quicker to flash a smile, while Olive likes to evaluate people and new situations before she decides how she feels. 

Both girls are incredibly independent.  Olive actually left me in her dust in the Stratosphere exhibit at the Delaware Children's Museum.  She made her way to an exit without worrying or crying.  I, however, was a nervous wreck.  Poppy would absolutely attempt to walk down a flight of stairs with no assistance.  She is strong-willed and gutsy -- two qualities I happen to greatly admire (although when she's a little older, I'm sure these are the qualities that will turn my hair gray). 

They are just so different -- special and unique in so many ways.  There is always one thing they'll have in common though -- a mom who loves them very much!

The Risotto Was Ruined, or Was It? It Was.

As a whole, kids are disgusting eaters.  I admit that I like to mix mashed potatoes with corn, and I know others who do that as well.  However, my kids like to mix their food with ice water!  Food and water just aren't meant to be in the same container with each other as far as I'm concerned.  Tonight, the risotto and vegetables I made became a slushie in a cup.  Here's how you can make it at home.

First, you dump water into your perfectly good risotto.

Then, you transfer that to the cup of ice.

 Next, you mix it with your hand, 

inspect it for consistency, 

and then drink!

Poppy--"You gonna drink that?"

Miami by the Day, February 6, 2011

Our last day in Miami :-(

Don't be so happy, Poppy!

Olive

Poppy--"Let's go for Pete's sake!"

At the Botanical Gardens

The sculptures were a bit freaky, but Poppy didn't mind.

Olive--"Why did we pick the hottest day of vacation to come here?"

So, that's the end our vacation!  We had so much fun with Mom-mom and Pop-pop that we can't wait to return.  Thank you for an unforgettable visit and for tolerating dirty little fingers on your windows and new furniture!  See you next month for our next escape from the cold...