Twas The Night Before They Turned One …

Tomorrow is Dominik and Scarlett’s first birthday. I just spent an hour assembling the Playskool “Laugh & Learn Learning Home,” which will be lurking here in the living room along with their new beach gear Beth got them today. Hopefully it’ll be a nice surprise when they wake up tomorrow.  By the way we’re sorry that we haven’t yet thanked whoever got Dom and Scarlett the “Laugh & Learn” toy but the shipping receipt didn’t indicate who bought it. So whoever you are stand up, take a bow, and let us know– it’s a beauty.  I’m hoping tomorrow to get a lot of video and photos to document their first birthday which will show off it’s various interactive capabilities.

From the swanky new beach gear you might have figured out that we’re going to take them to the beach for their first birthday. Which is a really exciting prospect and a new milestone too. The only time we’ve taken them to the beach before they couldn’t really crawl so they didn’t get to touch the sand or water. This will definitely be a lot more …    interactive.

Just a few thoughts about the developing mini-humans.

Dominik loves to look at plants and feel their leaves, he’s got a quiet smile with 4 teeth. At some point in the first week at home Beth called him “Bubbie” which morphed into “The Bubbincito” which eventually became “Bunbinimide (a new element on the periodic table?) which turned into”The Bubbin” we’re just as apt to refer to him as “The Bubbin” as we are Dominik. Also, let me say those various permutations are reserved for parental use only Although, Dominik hasn’t yet walked he has given up the army stomach slither for a full speed scrabbling crawl which he accentuates by slapping his hand down and making a slight howl of “Oh.. Oh.. Oh.. Oh..” with each motion  and he pulls himself up with confidence. He loves to pull himself up in the crib then fall backwards onto the mattress repeatedly while giggling.

Scarlett is now showing a pretty distinct preference for walking over crawling. She’s loves to point at things she would like us to hand to her for examination and has already figured out that we’re more likely to give it to her if she cries. Whenever she finds a shoe of mine or Beth’s on the floor she will now always try to put it on. Her smile is usually accompanied with an infectious gravelly laugh. Oh yeah, and Scarlett’s nickname is “Sita” which branched off as the feminine version of Dominik’s “Bubbincito.”

Both kids are doing really well meeting new people, situations, and unexpected changes in their environment. My favorite thing to do as Dad is toss them about, hold them on my shoulders when we go for walks and make them laugh.

As I’ve finished writing this I see it’s already the 10th of July. Our kids are 1 year-olds.

Happy Birthday Dominik & Scarlett.

Forward Facing Babies

We took the kids on their first car ride in their new car seats.  Despite the look on Dom’s face, they both loved facing forward. Scarlett was so pleased she clapped for most of the ride (a skill they both picked up recently – Dominik on Friday, and Scarlett on Monday).  These were the best pics I could get from my camera phone.

Spring Break Road Trip: Part 1

M.J. and I decided to take the kids on their first road trip for Spring Break to visit friends and family in San Francisco.  Because we chose not to buy a mini-van we were forced to pack light.  We didn’t bring our double stroller or any of our big equipment like excersaucers or bumbo seats.  Our hotel provided us with two cribs, so we didn’t even have to use our pack n play. Still, for a three night trip, this is what we had to bring.

We let Scarlett drive

until her nap time.

Since we left early in the morning we had to take several food breaks on the drive.  Our first stop was IHOP where the twins had their first pancake.

They were very excited about the IHOP flavor sensation,

and I was even more excited that I didn’t have to clean up.

After a horrifying experience attempting to use the IHOP’s changing table, we decided to use our car (that is definitely not a mini van) to change diapers.

Back at Work

I’ve been back at work for 3 weeks now and the family seems to be settling into a nice routine.  Every morning M.J. supervises Family Jump Time.

And every evening we eat our veggies.

Jump For Joy It’s Been 6 Months!

Dominik and Scarlett turned 6 months old today! To celebrate they jumped up and down together in their Bungee Baby Bouncers which were a gift from my very clever Uncle John.  We had a baby bouncer that had a seat in it but these are vastly superior. The twins, and Dominik in particular, really love these wild bouncers that look like rock climbing equipment from REI.

I think the kids feel more secure because the way these bouncers are designed they are very stable.  A wide velcro belt fastens securely around the bottle goblin’s waist and the bungie provides a really smooth bounce. I shot some video and I promise I’ll post it soon but here’s a couple pics in the meantime.

Thanks Grand Uncle John!!!!

Paradise Cove

During the family holiday visit, we took the twins to Paradise Cove Cafe in Malibu. This was a big deal because it was their first time sitting in restaurant high chairs.

High Chairs

The beautiful high chairs that grandma bought us for my shower back in May finally came in.

While we love the modern designs that are Argington’s aesthetic,it’s ridiculous that you have to buy their products months before your due date to get them in time . Good thing we didn’t order their crib – the twins would be sleeping in a dresser drawer!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

To start off our morning, Scarlett practiced her tongue exercises (clearly, she got her dad’s tongue) in her exersaucer…

…while Dominik stayed warm in his bouncy chair.

Serious Explorers

No matter how much the twins are laughing, smiling, and talking, the minute I get the camera around them they turn very serious.  Here they are before a long walk with their new Warm Fuzzy inserts for the Bob.

Double Laughter

 

Today after a long walk in the Bob, Scarlett and Louise hung out together on the back porch.

Dominik and I chilled out on the bed and laughed and laughed (his first time!).

Then I got some great news that our friends Ryan and Sally are currently working on making a GIRL! Perhaps a future daughter in law?