Nom nom nom.

NO DANI NO, DON'T EAT THE BABY!

Mmmmmmmm, tasty baby.

Just kidding mommy. Kisses!

Sisters.

I don't have any sisters. Growing up, I could never figure out why I would want one. I had a brother, and that was all I knew. When we were little, we were the best of friends and the worst of enemies all in the same hour. He bedgrudglingly played with Ken or a GI Joe when I played with my Barbies; we played CHiPS (he was always Ponch), rode bikes, played tag and all kinds of stuff. As we got older we were different and really weren't friends through middle and high school (and well, to be honest, we were never really close until we started families); we hung with different crowds and were just different kids. Sure, we'd punch each other from time to time, but basically we were indifferent to each other at worst. But, a sister? All my friends who had sisters, hated them. They were always fighting over stuff, and clothes, and chores, and boys and god knows what else. Maybe I didn't always like my brother, but I was sure glad he didn't have boobs.

I'm starting to rethink my theory.

It's an hour past bedtime, and they are up there talking, and singing and giggling. I went up twenty minutes ago to tell them to quiet down and go to sleep, and Tori was at the edge of her crib facing Dani, and Dani on the edge of her bed talking to Tori. Now they are more boisterous.

They are the best of friends, and at times, the biggest rivals. We hear lots of "my turn" in this house, because if you do it for Tori, whether it's a quick toss in the air, or a silly rib tickle, Dani will insist that it's her turn next. Tori does the same. If Dani sees Tori doing something naughty (usually of the mess making kind), Dani will begin the same naughty act, just because Tori is doing it.

They share their snacks, toys, and hiding places, chase each other around, and mimic each other's silliness. Sure, there's the occasional bite (by Tori) or kick or shriek (by Dani) but for the most part, they just seem to enjoy each other's company a lot.

It's pretty magical.

Sure, I know they are going to fight, over who has the better hair, or the cuter boyfriend, or about who got to wear their favorite pair of jeans last, but I'm starting to finally understand the joy of having a sister.

Now that we're grown, most of my friends with sisters tell me their sister is their best friend. Certainly as I grow and age, and friends come and go--our lives change so quickly that sometimes we just don't have enough in common to stay in close touch--and I miss them. But you always have something in common with a sister, even if it's only to commiserate on how crazy your mom was, as I am sure Dani and Tori will.

I'm glad they have each other, and even happier to get to watch them grow together.

Get Croupy.

It's been hard to have time to post lately, with all the sicky sick at the ol' homestead. Our poor little children are like those indigenous tribes in the rainforest, not exposed often to people or germs, and who, when exposed, are felled by a common cold virus.

Dani and Tori had a little friend over a few weeks ago, and within a few days, it was a house o'plague. Fever! Sniffles! Coughs! Oh my!

Everyone is, happily, on the mend. Big Man and I broke down and bought some new living room furniture, a couch and chair. Given the age of our kids and relatively pukiness of our cat, it was a profoundly unwise decision from a financial perspective...as there's just no way it is going to last a fraction of the time that one would hope a couch to last. But Big Man's old sectional was a fine bachelor pad couch, and withstood, no doubt, many years of big men watching football, only to be turned into a giant petri dish/trampoline for our kids. We had to get rid of it before it created a new life form. As it was being moved out of the house, toys and other goodies were literally falling out of the bottom of it. At least there didn't appear to be any creatures inside.

So the girls are turning the corner after over a week of sick. Little dude, is too. His croup came back, so we had a course of steroids and he's taking antibiotics for a sinus infection. He saw the doctor a couple of times. The 'roids are making him hungry and in two days (being weighed at the doc) he gained two ounces. The kid weighs 19 pounds 4 ounces, which I believe is more than Dani weighed at one year.

I probably shouldn't be terribly surprised he gets sick more than the girls, with all the kisses they bestow upon him, and the sly sucks of his pacifier they take while playing. I tell myself they're building up their little immune systems--somehow that makes cleaning up a bed full of puke at midnight minimally less horrible.

Sick or no, he is one happy little dude. And one big little dude. He's wearing 12 month size clothes in this pic...at 5 1/2 months.

Lots of other exciting, stressful and life-y events going here...hope to get to share them soon!

One big pajama party.

I think this 15 day hiatus is the longest I've ever gone without posting. It's been insane. Work is kicking my butt, Big Man's schedule has been crazy, and I'm just exhausted. Like going to bed mere moments after I put the girls to bed exhausted.

Blame the little dude.

Sure, he's cute. He's also 5 months old, and wearing 12 month baby clothes. You'd think he would be sleeping through the night, but no. Mr. Chowhound needs a bottle at least once a night, which is okay, because he fusses, I get him up, feed him, change him, and he's back to down in 15-20 minutes.

BUT, now he can roll over. He sleeps on his tummy. (GASP!) He has since he was just a few weeks old. (THE HORRORS!) The kid doesn't want to be on his back. Period. But now that little man can roll over, he does sometimes, usually 2-3 times per night when I'm sound asleep, and then he's crying, on his back like a little turtle that can't flip back over. It was cute the first night. Two weeks in, I'm the poster child for the dollar store verion of 5 hour energy drinks, and couldn't live without my coffee-on-demand Keurig.

He's been the easiest kiddo so far, so I can't really complain, but damn, I miss sleep. And even with this minor mishap, I know I've got it easier than lots of new moms. But being perpetually sleep deprived still sucks.

But if they are cute little monkeys. And the progress they are making...amazing. Tori's just shy of 21 months and is starting to communicate so well. She says the ABCs, and phrases, like "here you go Mommy" and other things that are just adorable. I promise an updated progress post on each little monkey soon, as long as Little Dude cooperates!

Grandma and Grandpa visit!

Grandma and Grandpa are visiting, so that means there are NO RULES! Ice cream before dinner!

Eskimo kisses!

Snuggles and hugs!

And starting to play before you are out of your pajamas!

Just lots of hugs and fun and grandparents love!

Christmas 2011, a Dani guest post.

Hey everybody, it's been a while since mommy's let me post. It's hard work being a big sister to two babies, so I just don't have the time I used to have, you understand.

I'm going to tell you a little about Christmas this year. It was lots of fun.

Since I figured Tori was already on the naughty list, I decided she could get into all the trouble she wanted to because it didn't matter anyway. Hey Tori, I know we're not supposed to touch the ornaments, but mommy's not paying attention, and, we look so cute all dressed up for Christmas Eve church service. I dare you to grab one. Quick! Double dare you...

That kid's an easy mark.

The good news is that Mommy wasn't mad after all. It was close to bedtime and we were headed to church, so that meant we were going to stay up WAY past bedtime!

I sat still almost the whole time and sang songs. Tommy was pretty good too. Tori didn't really want to sit still. She kept getting up and running around. Mommy's face kept turning read and they kept whispering to Tori to be still. She doesn't like to listen. I was really good and I only cried once--they wouldn't let me hold a candle like everyone else. It was totally not fair.

We made it through church, and came home to bed. Santa was coming! When I woke up in the morning and we went downstairs, presents were everywhere! I must have been the best kid on the planet!!! Good work Santa!

Tori got a couple of presents, despite being the naughtiest kid ever.

Even Tommy got some presents. That Santa sure is nice. And it was mostly toys, not clothes like last year. Mommy made breakfast and we played with our new toys all morning. It was awesome. I wish it could be Christmas every weekend.

Then we all got dressed up again and went to mommy's cousin's house for Christmas Dinner. Tommy wore a Santa hat--he's so cute!

We ate lots of yummy food, got even more presents. I don't know how Santa knew I was going to be at two houses, but he knew. He's so smart!

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!

Another first...the high chair!

Tommy has his 4 month doctor's visit tomorrow! First day in a high chair! Where does the time go???

Dani, Tori and I enjoyed ice cream pops the other night...perfect pre-tubby time snack!

Dani has her 3 year well baby (can we even call it that, more like well child) visit too tomorrow so stay tuned for stats!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Tommy went in the exersaucer for the first time tonight. He was captivated. I managed to eat dinner with Dani and Tori for 30 minutes or so before he wanted out. Why didn't I think of this sooner??

We bought Dani a "color me clubhouse" for her birthday, and set it up on Sunday in the hopes of actually being able to watch the Bears game. It was a big hit. They drew all over it and ran and screeched, opening windows and doors.

It is, seriously, the size of a garden shed. Hopefully this pic of Dani gives some perspective to the massive size of this thing--takes up our flippin' foyer! I SWEAR it looked smaller on the box!

Dani-isms

Dani was put in "time out" for the first time a few days ago. I told her she needed to sit in daddy's spot on the couch, and to sit still because she was in "time out".

About 15 seconds later, Dani exclaims, "Mommy, I want it to be time IN."

Sometimes it's hard to keep a straight face.

PARTY! PARTY!

On Dani's actual birthday we had crowns! Crowns!Daddy bought her a tiara for her party, which was fun! Lots of friends, family, food and presents!

The girls wore their party dresses!

And flashed their blue frosting smiles!

I blinked.

Dani, in just a few hours you'll be three years old! Three!!! How can that be?

I blinked, and you're three.

You started out as such a little bitty bit. A little rumble in my tummy, growing into an angry ninja who liked to try out her moves in my tummy and keep me awake all night.

And then, you were here. December 9, 2008. Our first baby. This is where I'm supposed to say you were perfect and beautiful. To be honest, you were red and screamy, but perfect nonetheless.

From early on, you were a dynamic, dramatic little girl. I took you everywhere. You were smiley, and sweet, and you were never, ever the crying baby in the store. Not once. That's one of the reasons I took you everywhere.

You slept well, you ate well, you never even had a cold. You would light up at your daddy's voice and he loved to snuggle with you. Your first nickname, from daddy was "little rat". It sounds silly, but it was absolutely a term of endearment. Every night at bedtime, I sang "My Favorite Things" to you, hoping you would associate that song with peacefulness. You do. It nearly always calms you down when I sing it, and you've often asked me to sing "eyedrops on roses song".

Time flew by. We took you out for the first time on Christmas Eve 2008; you were just a few weeks old, here:

You surprised daddy by rolling over at 8 weeks. He called me at work to tell me he was so surprised. You did nearly everything early as your first year flew by.

And I guess I blinked again, because then it was your first birthday and had your very first cake, made by daddy, of course:

And you were one. Walking. Babbling. Laughing and smiling. My little punkin', you were always such a joy. Curious about everything, but never getting into trouble; we never had to baby proof, because you always listened to daddy's constant reminder "no kitchen; no bathroom; no stairs". You didn't mind, as there was always something else to play with.

Our family got bigger, and Tori joined us. The minute you saw her you said, "Baby!" and gave her a kiss. The minute I put her on my lap to feed her, you started to cry and climbed on my other knee, jealous and wanting your own bottle too. Of course, we gave you one, but once you knew that Tori wasn't taking your place, you were your happy old self again.

You started talking. It was amazing how much you could understand, even before you could really say anything. Every day there was something new you showed us.

And then, I blinked, I guess, because you were two. You've always been comfortable in front of the camera, probably because it's always taking your picture. Dani, you're quite the little ham.

Two, you were two! And you were running and talking and trying to play with Tori. You wanted to do it yourself--from brushing your teeth to feeding yourself. And you were so darn smart. Like a little sponge. From singing the alphabet song to identifying letters and numbers by sight, we were constantly amazed. And you were still the happiest, silliest little girl.

You started to insist you were a big girl! Sometimes you were shy, other times, the boldest kid in the room. Tori got old enough to be fun, and you spent most of the day chasing each other around and laughing.

Our family grew again. Tommy joined us. This time, Tori was the jealous one, and you were the big sister. The helper. You helped with bottles, and fetching bibs, giving Tommy his paci and anything we asked. When you're not bossing Tori around, she's your best friend. You're our sensitive little girl, quick to cry, and quick to love. You notice every detail, as small as when daddy wears his wedding ring or mommy gets her hair cut. You like to Skype, and can talk on the phone with grandma and grandpa, for at least a few minutes before you announce "okay bye!". You have the most amazing imagination--and will tell stories with such detail I am awed.

And, I guess I blinked again. Just a minute ago you were such a little bitty thing. And now, in just a few hours, you'll be three. And I can't wait to see what you do next, my sweet little Dani.

Stockings!

The stockings are hung!

Thankful.

So many things to be thankful for.

Three little munchkins.

Big Man.

Relative health, wealth and peace.

Friends and Family.

Work.

Hearing words said by little mouths for the first time.

Hearing songs sung by little voices.

Silly breakfasts.

Family, party of five.

Baby Plague.

It was bound to happen eventually. It's actually pretty amazing that at nearly 3, Dani's never had a sick visit to the doctor, and neither has Tori. Dani still hasn't. Last Wednesday, Tori was a mess; she's had a low grade fever and bad cold for a few days and it seemed to have settled in her lungs. Tommy was starting to sound sneezy and Big Man was a mess too. We piled in the family truckster and headed to the doc. Tori had an ear infection and bronchitis; Big Man had bronchitis and Tommy was deemed to only have the sniffles. Antibiotics were prescribed for Tori and Big Man, and (as Dani would call it) the "snot snucker" with saline drops for Tommy's nose.

It's kinda hard to keep germs to one's self in this house. Dani and Tori share everything from sippy cups to toys; they are also always helping themselves to whatever Big Man and I have.

They are constantly picking up Tommy's pacifier and toys and playing with them or even trying to help give them to him.

He's even been known to sport a play 'stache or two. So it should have come as no surprise that Tommy woke up from his afternoon nap on Thursday and sounded like he couldn't breathe. He was hoarse and congested and had spiked a fever. I called the doctor's office, who heard him breathing and instructed me to go right to the Emergency Room. I did. It's croup. The whole way there in the car, I was convinced he was going to stop breathing. After a few hours at the ER, he received a shot to open his airways and a prescription for steroids.

After a rough couple of days, Little Dude got his smile back. Now mommy can breathe again.

Where do they learn this?

So smarty pants here even surprised me tonight.

We're looking for creative options for milk delivery that minimize spilling when Dani's not supervised. I'd like to move away from soft nipple sippies to have Dani drink the milk quickly, but she makes a mess with a big cup.

So, in a flash of brilliance, I decided to open the cupboard for a new, Dani-sized drinking vessel:

(Yes, it's a Stoli double shotglass, but it's the perfect size for toddler hands.) So I fill it with milk and hand it to Dani, who remarks, "This is a real glass." Okay, okay, so that doesn't make her the smartest toddler on earth, I understand.

Then she inspects the glass, and the decorative garland on it, and says, "It's a Christmas glass, mommy." And I tell her that it's mistletoe or holly leaves or something that sounded holiday-related because I wasn't really paying that much attention (to be totally honest). And, I'm pretty sure I told her it was mistletoe and berries, but upon further inspection I was dead wrong...

And then she says, "But mommy, that is saturn."

SATURN? SATURN?

Little kid, you are not even 3 years old, and we don't even have a book about the planets, last time I checked. Yet, you have managed to identify a Christmas-themed saturn on a milk-filled shotglass correctly?

The UC grad in me is totally high-fiving you, Dani, my little smartypants!

Not-so Little Dude.

Hey, smiley little dude, or should I say not-so-little dude?

You aren't even 3 months old yet, so why do you fit in 6-9 month clothes? Don't get me wrong, I love that you're pretty much sleeping all night, but do you have to rush everything else?

You're still kind of a snuggle bug.

And you know your big sisters adore you, but you're getting SO BIG, SO FAST!

You are literally pushing yourself up so high on your arms that I told your daddy tonight that you'd be crawling by 5 months.

You can even sit up a little bit, if you have something to lean on. Come on, little snuggle bug, you're my last little one. Don't rush me!