With a love like that, you know you should be GLAD!

It's full-on Beatlemania in our house.  Well, for the toddlers.  Big Man's been playing a lot of the Beatles for Dani and Tori.  And Dani wants to torture me is happily singing the songs.  It's pretty adorable to here her version of things.  Like, "It's been a hard day and night, and I've been working like a dog."  It's really pretty cute.  And, she's Paul, Tori's Ringo, Big Man is George, and I'm John, apparently.  Tommy, he's Pete Best or something, but he can hum the tunes too.

 It's been a week of interesting Dani-isms.

Tonight was the one that made me realize that my daughter knows how to completely maniuplate me I've been working a bit too much, "Mommy, I had a bad dream last night.  You went to work and never came home again.  Ever. It was really scary."

 The other night we were watching a bedtime show, and Dani informs me, "Mommy, that's a Sphynx.  Those are with the pyramids in Egypt."  After I scooped my jaw off of the floor, I gave her a hug and told her she was a smart little girl.  She replied, "I'm smart, because I have a smart family."

She's been really into letting us know just how smart she is lately.   Two nights ago at dinner, she asked me about people who hunt cavemen, and whether they would hunt us too.  After a brief explanation of there being no cavemen presently, she tells me, "Mommy, I'm smart.  I know everything.  Well, maybe not everything.  But a lot."

 

We took a potty break where I was informed that, "Mommy, my poop is bigger than the universe."

 And later the same evening, when Dani was again professing her wisdom, I talked to her about it.  I told her that it was wonderful that she is so smart, but that she also needs to be humble.  That when she goes to pre-k in the fall, there will be kids who don't know how to say the alphabet, much less identify the letters and sounds, that some won't know their colors, that she will probably know more things than many of the other children.  We talked about how everyone has different skills, and knows different things, and that she needs to remember that everyone has to learn together, even if it means going a little more slowly than she would like to.  She replied, "Mommy, if they don't know things that I do, can I help teach them?" 

And we went to the park, and Tori and Tommy were adorable and all those good things too.  Tommy can now climb up and down the stairs (and my lower back thanks him for that).  Tori is flirting with being potty trained, and all is well.

I went for an annual physical, and to my surprise, I'm doing okay.  Like off the charts good.  Literally, when the doc was reviewing my blood work, he was commenting that it's incredibly rare to have the good cholesterol number higher than the bad (which mine was, with a rockin' low 144 total cholesterol) and that the labs were great.  My blood pressure is amazing, and apparently I'm going to live another year.  Literally he was so nice about it--I was like, hey doc, do you think they mixed up the vials?  I'm glad to know I'm so healthy for being a fat sedentary slug.  I asked him if that meant I could grab a whopper on the way back to work, and he said it was fine.  I'm guessing that somewhere, some poor, fit soul, is being told by their doc that they have the cholesterol and organ function of a nearly 40, overweight, overstressed mom of 3.

Frankenbaby and other silly tales.

It's Tommy...but with the scratch on his head, I've been referring to him as Frankenbaby.

I think we've got a solid Halloween idea there, no?

And this is Tori.  We had grilled shrimp last night (and broiled fish and tons of veggies--my kids will eat anything!).  Tori declared the shrimp to be whistles, and spent most of dinner making music with the shrimp!

This picture of Dani is unremarkable, except if you saw a picture of my mom at the same age, you would think they were twins.  I need to dig up a photo and put them side by side.

 Dani thought shrimp whistles were the funniest thing ever.

In pediatric gastroenterology news, Dani's headed to Albany Med for an upper GI series tomorrow.  Here's hoping we can figure out why she's such a little gaggy kid.  And while Big Man takes her, I'm taking Tommy to the doc for a wellbaby visit.  I hope he doesn't need a shot.  I've never had to do a visit with a shot...

Vital stats, and a few funny things.

In the battle for biggest baby, Tommy is the clear winner.  He had his one year doctor's visit today, and he measured 29.5", but the doctor said he was so squirmy, that the measurement was probably short, and weighed 26 pounds.  For those of you keeping track at home, Tori was 29.5" and 23 pounds 6 ounces, and Dani was 28.5" and 19 pounds 6 ounces.  Tommy WINS!

We were driving in the car this morning, and Dani asked, "Mommy why do all the houses have strings attached to trees?"  I had no flipping idea what she was talking about.

She kept insisting there were strings from the houses to the trees...I slowed down.  She was talking about power lines!  So I explained all about what they do, and how they work, but what a neat little observation.

The kids are obsessed with looking out the bathroom window to see if there's a moon after we get ready for bed.  Fortunately for me, it's been cloudy lately.  Tonight, Dani asked, "Mommy, why doesn't the moon have a face?".  (Only in storybooks, kid.)  And Tori, said goodnight to the moon at least two dozen times and refused to leave the window.  I eventually carried her to the bedroom, while she screamed at the top of her lungs while I dressed her for bed, and at least the next five minutes.  Dani even got teary, saying, "I can't listen to Tori like this mommy."  Fortunately, tiredness overtook them and they are sound asleep!

Off the charts.

In all the Christmas craziness, I forgot to mention that Tommy's 4 month well baby visit was great. He's off the charts for height, and is the biggest baby yet. He's 26.5" long and weighed 17 pounds 2 ounces. (Compare that to Tori at 26" and 15lbs 7oz, and Dani at 25" and 13lbs 8 oz). He's about to pop his bottom teeth, and is just doing everything early. Dr. Forlano told Big Man that he's "got his O tackle".

Little dude remains the happiest, most chilled out baby around.

Dani also came to the doctor with Tommy, for her 3 year visit. She's 38" tall and weighs 34 back breaking pounds. She's also never had a sick visit, my tough little cookie!

Everyone's healthy and doing well. Time to start to organize the Christmas pictures!

One Month!

Mr. Tom, aka Little Dude is one month old!

He's the biggest of the three! Ten pounds, ten ounces! I don't know where he's putting it, as he's a skinny little bean. Must be the balls. That's my guess.

He had his first "tummy time" tonight. He was a super champ! The hardest part was keeping Tori from trampeling him. I tried to get Dani to lay with him for a picture, but she kept insisting that she didn't need tummy time and being generally bratty.

Big Man's mom has been here for two weeks helping out. She's taking off tomorrow and my folks are flying in for the week. Woo hoo!

More Tori stats! 15 months!

Little Tori, or maybe we should say not-so-little Tori had a doctor's appointment today for her 15 month checkup. Little Hoss apparently handled a shot in each arm without crying. She's 30.5" tall and weighs 24 pounds, 12 ounces. She's quickly catching up to Dani!

She is rockin' the cuteness these days!

Victor, a Tori guest post.

Hi everbody, it's Tori. Did you know that Tori is short for Victoria? Daddy said he picked that name because it was the strongest name he could imagine for a girl. And you know what? I'm really strong. I'm also the victor! I beat Dani in my 1 year visit!

I went to the doctor today for my 1 year visit and I'm 29.5" tall and weigh 23 pounds and 6 ounces. I'm a whole inch taller than Dani was when she was 1, and about 4 pounds heavier! I win! I'm the victor!

I guess you could call me Super Tori if you want.

9 months???

Dear Tori,
You're 9 months old today! Where did the time go? I blinked and you went from a screamy little newborn to a fiercely independent baby trying to keep up with your big sister.

You've surpassed Dani in some milestones, and you're certainly bigger than she was at 9 months, my little hoss. 27.5 inches seems to be the 9 month norm for you girls, but you weighed in today at 20 pounds 1 ounce, while Dani was a wee little 17 pounds, 9 ounces at this age. Keep growing, and smiling and keeping me on my toes!


Daddy said you didn't even flinch when you got your shots at the doctor today. Way to go! We love you little Tori!

It's what big girls do.

Dani had her 2 year check up today. Big Man didn't really get all the stats because he was using every known trick to keep Dani from flipping out. Apparently she starts to cry when they pull in to the parking lot, every time. Kind of like a puppy at the vet. He did recall she's 27 pounds and in the 95th percentile for height but only the 15th for weight.

She is, officially, our big girl. And, did you know, big girls sit on the potty? They don't always (or ever in our case) do anything on said potty, but they try.
Big girls share their toys with little girls. Sometimes, at least.

Big girls talk in sentences, and find creative ways to say no!

Big Man says that during the day Dani and Tori are inseparable, like a little wolf pack.

Oh, and Tori, my little not even 8 months old Tori, crawled up to me tonight and pulled herself up to standing. She did it over and over. She is trying so hard to catch up to her big sis!

6 month Tori report, a Dani guest post.

Hi everybody, Dani here. Mommy said that I could post tonight and give you the latest Tori news. She had her six month baby doctor visit today, and wow, she's big. She's 26.5 inches long and weighs 17 pounds and 5 ounces. What a hoss! When I was 6 months old I was 26.5 inches long too, but I only weighed 15 pounds and 12 ounces! (somebody's got to lay off the formula, if you ask me.)

Don't tell mommy and daddy, but I like playing with her. I pretend I'm not so interested, but I really do like spending time with her. Tonight during dinner, mommy let Tori sit on my lap.
Okay, well enough about Tori for now. There will be a video at the end of this post so you can see more Tori. For now, it's all about me! Today, I spent some time at Ruth's because Daddy had to take Tori to the doctor. She made my hair look really neat with lots of hair ties. When I got home, I took off my shirt and pants and put on daddy's socks. I think it's a really good look for me.
I also have this super awesome wagon that my local grandma Deb got for me. It has a seat for Tori, but Tori's too little for it now, so it's all mine! I like to go for rides in it--it even has cupholders! But remember, if you're going to drive the wagon, stick to juice. Don't drink and wagon.

Did you know that my mommy has tap shoes? She calls them heels, but I think they are tap shoes. When I put them on, each time I take a step it goes tap really loud. It's so much fun. It's kind of hard to walk in them because the heels are high and make me stand on my toes, but I love the sound they make. When I get bigger, I'm going to wear tap shoes too! And, in this picture, I put my Dora sunglasses on myself:
Ok, now some video for you. I feel like I have to tell you that my mommy's a lawyer, and the beginning was filmed without my knowledge. I might have to talk to her about being filmed playing with Tori without my consent. Anyway, here it is.

Okay, okay, I admit it, I like playing with my little sister. Busted. Anyway, mommy says I have to go to bed now, night night!

Tori's 4 month visit to the doctor.

Little McSmiley is actually 4 months and two weeks old, because the doc had to reschedule her appointment, but she had her 4 month visit today.

Of course, Big Man took her, because (a) he's home during the day and (b) I don't want to see my babies get poked by needles. Tori's hella-bigger than Dani was at 4 months. (You can see the Dani post here: http://betsyboothhill.blogspot.com/2009/04/four-month-visit.html )

She 26 inches long and weighs 15 pounds, 7 ounces. (Dani was 25 inches and 13 pounds 8 ounces).

Two Month Stats.

Big Man took Tori to her two month doctor's visit today. (And yes, my parents went home today, but I'm feeling a little too emotional to write about that today.) She's 23 inches long, and 11 pounds 8 ounces.

That makes her one-half inch shorter than Dani was at two months, but 4 ounces heavier!

She is really starting to develop a sweet little personality, and to sleep well at night.

1 week stats.

We went to Tori's one week doctor's visit yesterday. She's gained 4 ounces and 1/2 inch, and is now 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 19.5 inches. And the doctor says she's super-strong just like Dani was. She can lift her head and torso and look around with her own strength. Big Man was proud at his ability to produce super babies! Here's Tori all undressed and waiting to be examined.

Tori, hamming it up on the exam table:

And, the weather's been beautiful...took Dani outside today. She has so much fun playing in the yard, picking flowers and playing on her swingset.Looking forward to a laid back family weekend!

15 Month Checkup.

Big Man took Dani to her 15 month visit today. Apparently, for the first time, she reacted much like a dog at the vet. Not pleased. He said she screamed from the moment he brought her back with the nurse until they left. She wouldn't stand on the scale or assist in any way and was just squirming and fighting the man. (There's a reason mommy doesn't attend these visits.)

So, she weighs 20 pounds, 14 ounces, and is 31 1/2 inches long, and cute as heck. Although tonight mommy and Dani shed some tears when she fell down went boom on mommy's watch. Not fun. But it happened on daddy's dime today as well.

Dani seems to have interited her mommy's clumsy nature and mommy's tendency not to pay attention to things as carefully as she should. She takes off running, or walking even, and doesn't really look at what's on the floor in front of her. She took a little tumble this morning (on daddy's watch) and started wailing. She was crying and clinging to me when Big Man says, "I know what might help," and breaks out one of the birthday lollipops. The second Dani saw it the tears ended and she smiled. I am certain that we taught the lesson today that: candy is your friend and you should cry until you get some. Awesome.

New baby update: we seen no peen.

Actual text I sent to Big Man this afternoon: "your sperm have failed me".

Well dear reader (dad), we have news. It's not as good as I'd hoped, but we had the 20 week ultrasound today. This is the 3-d profile of the baby--nose pointing to the right.

Apparently, I'm going to be giving birth to a hairless cat! Below, a newborn Sphynx, or hairless cat.

I can't really tell the difference.

Oh, but you're probably reading because you want to know the gender. In the event the title of the post didn't clue you in, it's a girl. No peen to be seen.

Honestly, I'm pretty bummed. I was sure it was a boy. The psychic Gail and I went to last week said it was a boy. Big Man was meant to have a boy! Yes, healthy baby most important, blah, blah, blah, blah. But two girls? Sounds like purgatory after about age 6. Big Man predicts another "Bethany junior". Be afraid. Be very afraid.

We need a name, 'cause I think if we stick with Tommy, she'd have some issues.

Vital stats.

Dani's one year doctor's visit was today.
19 pounds, 6 ounces.
28 1/2 inches long.

She had some fun with her walker tonight.

I've spent the last two hours wrapping christmas presents to ship....still not done.

Four month visit.

Dani's four month visit was today! How time flies!

She is 13 pounds, 8 ounces, and is 25 inches long. (50th and 75th percentile, respectively). First thing I said to Big Man when he told me, was to point out that we could have kept using the bassinet after all--it's rated to 14 pounds! Big Man also proudly pointed out that she got four shots, and barely even cried.

And, when I got home from work, Big Man brought me into the living room, where Dani was, sleeping on her tummy! She rolled over from her back to her tummy today, and decided it wasn't so bad, or at least that she was too tired to flip back over, so she popped in her thumb and went to sleep.

Today was the Cubs home opener. Dani decided she'd rather represent the South Side, and wore her White Sox hat instead.

In other news, I am getting admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second on Wednesday. I'm taking the 5am train to Manhattan and will get sworn in just before I have an oral argument at 10am in the case Curry v. City of Syracuse et al. It is exciting (but mostly terrifying) to be taking this trip by myself, with a case with which I am (at the moment) unfamiliar, to argue a federal appeal. I've really got to get to work now, and stop blogging! Wish me luck!

Two month visit.

Big Man took Dani to her 2 month doctor's visit yesterday. I avoided it like the plague. She was scheduled to get 4 shots! 4! Let me preface this by saying I can only speak from the experience of taking my cat to get shots. You can always get the first shot in because they don't know it's coming. But the wise, wise veteranarian knows to put all the immunizations in one syringe because kitty will shred you to ribbons if you think you are getting two pokes in. Not so with the defenseless baby, defenseless infantus, to be more scientific about it. I would guess that after the first shot, the baby might be somewhat disturbed. But then to know that you have to hold her for THREE more was more than I could even contemplate, so I just refused to attend.

So, the two month visit, attended by Big Man.
Dani's now 11 lbs., 4 oz. and is 23 1/2 inches long. The doctor says that she is smiling/recognizing faces early, and he said he felt the nubs of little teeth which may also be making an appearance soon.

According to Big Man, "She screamed like she's never screamed before. A pitch that was nearly audible only by dogs. You could never have handled it."

Big Man's highlight of the visit was the attention lavished upon him by every woman he saw. He described Dani as a "chick magnet" and said that he's never felt more like a rock star than he did yesterday. Apparently women of all ages love a man with a cute little baby.

I went to the Chamber of Commerce dinner last Friday, and the local paper posted a photo of me showing off Dani's pics! So no Dani pic today, just a mommy one. Mommy had meetings last night, and is going to an event with US Senator Gillibrand tonight!