Visiting Cousin Lani and Sushi Mike's

Despite another humid June day in Dobbs Ferry, Clara and Emma still had a quite a full day.

After breakfast, Mommy and Daddy took Clara and Emma for a walk to the bagel store to get Daddy breakfast. After their nap, Mommy and Daddy took the ladies by car to Cousin Lani's house, which is so close! Clara and Emma enjoyed their visit with her. In the afternoon, Jon and Elissa Kuber came with their daughters Sophia and Livia. And, Clara and Emma went to dinner at Sushi Mike's right up the road. Emma loved talking to the hostess and throwing her food on the floor. After dinner, Clara and Emma played a bit and stayed up until 6 before having their bottle.

Wading Pool Fun

It was a very busy Saturday for the Gornstein gang. After breakfast, Mommy and Daddy took Clara and Emma for a walk on the Croton Aqueduct. After their nap (and a brief one for Mommy and Daddy), everyone got ready for the pool. It was Clara and Emma's first visit and when they saw the water, they both were excited. It was very hot and the water was cool, but felt nice. Clara and Emma took turns in the float and enjoyed sitting in the water splashing. After playing in the pool, the ladies enjoyed a cheese tortilla. It was quite funny because Emma decided to take a whole big chunk (with Mommy and Daddy closely supervising) and eat it. Then, Clara took the other end adn they both ate it at the same time- very entertaining. After the pool, Mommy and Daddy took Clara and Emma home for their bottles and then nap. When they woke up, they enjoyed a snack and then came with Mommy and Daddy to the store. They each got their own cart. Clara and Emma both enjoyed all of the things in the store and looked around with enjoyment. They also started to touch things- and wanted to punch in numbers on the keypad at checkout. Before dinner, the girls played with Mommy and Daddy. Emma decided to sit on the green ball and go "bouncy bouncy" and Clara just kept walking around the activity table. After dinner and a bath, they enjoyed their bottles and went to sleep.

Peekaboo!

Friday was a cloudy, warm day. Clara and Emma enjoyed reading to each other and chewing on their books in the morning. After a nap, they played a long, long game of peekaboo with Mommy. They couldn't get enough and even put themselves under the blanket and looked like little ghosts waiting for Mommy to take it off. In the afternoon, Mommy took Clara and Emma to a playdate at Rachel and her daughter, Sonya's house in Irvington. There were lots of babies to play with - Clara and Emma are a little older than these babies, and love teaching them all new things. They enjoyed showing everyone how they could stand up and pull things down and make lots of messes with their snacks. Afterwards, Mommy brought the girls home and they got to see the ladies that clean the house. They love to see them and practice their spanish. Daddy came home a bit early and got to see the ladies before they went to bed.

Elmo and Clara's First Step

Breaking news... Clara took her first step a few minutes ago. It's true, Clara took a two steps all by herself and walked to Mommy.

Today began with a waffle and banana breakfast. Since it was raining, Mommy let the ladies watch a little Sesame Street. Emma screeched and bounced and Clara smiled when Elmo came on- it was very cute.

Mommy went out and ran errands today. Clara and Emma went down for a nap at 12:20, which is what they did yesterday and slept until 2. Mommy and Cheri aren't sure if they are changing their schedule or realize that they need more sleep. Mommy thinks if they are out and about until 1, they can stay up, but they get bored when they are at home...

In the late afternoon, Clara and Emma enjoyed a snack of apple muffins and loved it. After time in the exersaucer and cruising around the couch, Mommy and Cheri took Clara and Emma for a short walk.

Yogurt and Old Croton Aqueduct Path

This morning, after a messy yogurt breakfast in which Clara decided she not only needed to hold the spoon, but with Mommy's help, put it in the yogurt and feed herself, Mommy took the girls on a new walk along the Old Croton Aqueduct Path towards Hastings. It was a lovely walk in the woods and Clara and Emma met their first deer.

Clara and Emma were quite tired and went down for a nap at 12:20 and to Mommy's suprise, slept until 2:15. In the afternoon, Mommy took Clara and Emma to the park by Ardsley Middle School to meet Caroline and her son Eli. It was lots of fun. Clara stood by the stroller and then stood on her own for about a minute. Emma enjoyed Eli's peaches and muffin. Clara, Emma and Eli seem to enjoy lots of snacks and it is a good thing Mommy and Caroline bring lots of stuff for them to eat. After a brief stint on the swings, it was time to head home. Clara wasn't interested in sitting in the stroller and refused to go in, so Mommy carried her and pushed Emma. This is the second time this week that Clara refuses to be put down- on Sunday, she wouldn't go in the high chair. Tonite, there is a concert in Dobbs and Mommy and Daddy can hear the pretty jazz music from the house.

A Very Busy Tuesday

Tuesday was a very busy day for the Gornstein girls. After breakfast, Mommy took Clara and Emma on a morning walk and visit to the swings. After their nap and when Cheri arrived, Mommy went to the gym and came back to take Clara and Emma to Musical Munchkins. Clara and Emma enjoyed seeing their new friends and playing under the parachute and popping the bubbles, but by far, their favorite thing is being lifted up high in the air. Mommy had to wake them up from their nap, which is unusual, since they pretty much sleep for one hour. But not today. Mommy and Cheri took Clara and Emma to the doctor for a shot and blood test. At this doctor, they don't weigh you every time, but Mommy wanted to know how much Clara and Emma weigh a week short of 11 months. Emma weighs about 17 lbs 13 oz (with a diaper) and Clara (with a diaper and squiriming), about 19 lbs 6 oz. Mommy hopes that Emma comes in around 19 lbs and change at a year and Clara at about 21 lbs, both of which will be great! Clara cried and cried for the duration of the blood test and shot. Emma, suprisingly, didn't cry, and was more interested in the shiny band-aid. Yes, it is true, not a tear. Mommy and Cheri were shocked. After the doctor, Mommy stopped to buy formula and to pick up a prescription. After dinner of fish, spinach pancake and watermelon, Clara and Emma had a quick bath. Baths are quick these days because both ladies enjoy standing, which is scary to Mommy. The girls drank their bottles and went right to sleep.

Target and Teething

Sunday, Mommy and Daddy took the little ladies on a morning walk to get a bagel- and were a bit suprised about how much is closed on Sundays. At least the bagel place was open. After a nice nap, Mommy and Daddy took Clara and Emma to Target for a short shopping trip. The girls were a huge hit in the store. And, there was another set of older twin boys that came to say hi. In the afternoon, everyone in the Gornstein house rested while it was stormy outside. It did clear up for a bit- just in time for another walk to the new cafe on Cedar which serves gelato. Daddy liked it and even gave the girls a small taste. Dinner and bath were fast because Clara and Emma were tired and after their bottle, went right to sleep.

This morning, after Clara and Emma's morning nap, Mommy said goodbye and left the ladies with Cheri to head to the city for a meeting. Mommy enjoys her part time work but does miss Clara and Emma. When Mommy got back, Clara and Emma seemed to be in some pain from teething- making lots of faces and crying. Mommy put the orajel on and even put Clara down for a 3rd nap. Emma could have used one too, but she wasn't so interested in sleeping. Clara and Emma ate fish and spinach pancakes for dinner and then became very overtired and were hysterical. Mommy and Cheri had a tough time getting them in diapers and pajamas. Bottles were given early, along with motrin, and the girls said good night!

Avocado Painting and Teething

Today, the ladies woke up a bit early, at around 6:15. With lots of entertaining from Mommy and Daddy, the Clara and Emma made it to 8:40 before going down for a nap. Mommy headed to the gym and the store and returned in time for lunch, where Clara experimented with Avocado painting. She and Emma are both in some teething pain as indicated by their scrunched up faces, fingers and hands in mouth, and of course, anything else available to put in their mouths to sooth their gums. Clara seems to be raising her arms in the air like she is saying "hallelujah." Mommy and Daddy think it is very funny. In the afternoon, David and Michelle came over for a BBQ. They are cooking a friend for Clara and Emma, due around Thanksgiving. Mommy was happy to lend Michelle some of her maternity clothes and books. Clara was a bit fussy in the afternoon, so Mommy and Daddy took Clara and Emma on a walk and showed David and Michelle some of Dobbs. Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at the park to swing. After dinner, Clara and Emma went to sleep and the adults began their evening.