Child Labor

Can your Roomba do this?

Here is another post of the girls helping around the house. I would like to add that this work was all volunteer.

Getting all the nooks and crannies

Anara helping by clearing the balloons out of the way

Cleaning crumbs out of the couch

Laura, Violet said she would be happy to come and help out but wants me to let you know that she doesn't change diapers or clean toilets.

A few funny things

Lately, if something happens that seems funny, Violet will ask me to document it somehow. If she or Anara say something that makes me laugh she will say, "You better call Daddy and tell him that" or if they make something or see something she will say, "You better come take a picture of this". Here are some pics and quotes deemed funny by Vi.

Eddie practicing sitting while watching the TV

"Whoa, too close Mom"
Eddie and "sweet baby" holding hands
Sleeping while Mommy chats

Quotes:

Vi - "Mommy, did you know Daddy can talk just like a germ?"

Vi - "Mommy, this food is so good I want to have it for a snack later. I am just kidding. I was just making a joke."

Violet talking into a toy phone, "What did you say Flicker? You are lost? Okay, I am coming to find you right now."
Anara - "What did Flicker say?"
Violet - "I don't know. Flicker speaks Spanish. It sounded like he said, 'Una la la la.'"

Violet - "Mommy, will the next baby be a boy or a girl?"
Mommy - "I think I would like another boy and then I could have two girls and two boys."
Violet - "Well Mommy, you know you don't always get what you want."

Anara - "When I was borned I came out of your belly." (Violet looked at me and smiled and I winked at her.) "I was borned then I had surgery and I cried. But it's okay to cry when you have surgery because it kind of hurts a little." Violet - "You came out of your other mommy's belly. You have two mommies." Anara - "Yeah, I came out of two Mommy's bellies."

Cooking and cleaning

The kids have been helping around the house and a couple weeks ago, Violet actually folded an entire basket of laundry. I was so amazed by her folding skills that I had to take some pictures.

Hand towels and washcloths

Bath towels

Playdoh peas and carrots for dinner

Eddie helping with another basket of laundry

My 30th Birthday

My 30th birthday celebration went on for quite some time. Nate arranged for my mom to come babysit as a surprise and took me out for a Valentine's/Birthday date. We went to dinner and then saw To Kill a Mockingbird at the IRT. Then, two days later, my brother took me out to dinner and then to see Movin' Out. On my actual birthday, Nate got a cake and brought home take-out and we celebrated with Joel and Nicole. As if this weren't enough, on Feb. 20th we went for a surprise dinner with lots of family and friends. I thought we were just going out to eat with my grandparents and there ended up being quite a crowd. He did a great job making things special and I just hadn't gotten around to posting about it (but I did appreciate all your efforts Nate). The pictures from the restaurant didn't all turn out so we missed quite a few guests.

Before our date

Holding Joy at the restaurant (Eichers and Osborns in the background)

LG and Olivia
Grandma and Violet
Violet and Bryce
The celebration on my actual birthday

Talkin' Eddie

Here is a video of Edison's favorite trick.

Edison had his 3-month visit today. He weighed 17lbs 12oz (down a little from the last reading) and was 26 1/4 inches. He is 98% for height and 97% for weight (I think that's what Dr. Leland said). He had his 2nd vaccine and didn't even flinch (actually he smiled at the nurse).

Snow Play

Nice seat Anara enjoyed the outside Even Eddie is enjoying the fresh air

Our snow covered home
Sled ride

Snow angel

Snow baby

Mommy and Eddie

Marcos and Jasmine (neighbors)
Jasmine and Violet
Marcos and Anara

Snow House

Uncle Andy came over after work the 1st night of the big snow. He still had work clothes and shoes on but wanted to give the girls an opportunity to play for a while. The girls ate dinner in record time and got to play in the snow.

Relaxing with Daddy

Daddy's Birthday

Daddy's birthday was January 28th and I am a little late posting the pictures. Nate had a bad cold that week and worked from home. The girls and I spent his birthday in the kitchen making cupcakes with "dauk blue frosting". The color was pretty hideous but it was Violet's request. We also made pretzels for an evening snack.

Blowing out candles

Imperfect but tasty pretzels

Olivia Joan

Introducing the newest cousin, Olivia Joan. She was born on February 2nd and was 7 lbs and 20 1/2 inches. She is a little sweetie. The girls are especially excited about "new Baby Olivia". Olivia had an eventful arrival but her and Mommy are doing great.

Tired Mommy
Pretty girl
Proud Grandpa

Cousin Eddie checking things out

Big and Little

Mommy and Olivia

Her sweet face and beautiful hair

Peek
Half Smile

3 Months and 18 Pounds

Today is Edison's 3 month birthday. We weighed him over the weekend and he was 18 pounds. Violet likes to call him "chunky monkey" and he certainly is. He is a happy little boy. He still doesn't like to sleep as long at night as Violet did but I will take 6 hours consecutively without complaint.