Shoes, Shoes

Yesterday, Mommy was able to run some errands and go to the gym while Clara and Emma were home with the sitter. Emma cried a bit during physical therapy but is learning to stand now. She likes bouncing on the ball and doing the song "5 little monkeys" with Heather, her physical therapist. Clara also likes to come to Emma's session- mostly to do "Row Row"- which is pulling back and forth and the ABC song- standing on one leg- which Emma can't stand. Clara also likes wearing all of the necklaces Heather brings. In the late afternoon, Mommy took Clara and Emma to Gwenn's house for a playdate with Ethan and Julia (her mom Deanna was there too). It was lots of fun as always.

Mommy just called Grandma Frome to share this story, so of course, it is time to blog about it.

With Daddy away, Mommy got up and got ready before waking the ladies. Mommy had to do a poor rendition of "Amazing Clara." This is the song to which Mommy and Daddy make up words almost every morning as they lift Clara up and escort her to the changing pad on the floor. You see, she runs off and cries if Mommy or Daddy tries to change her. The song usually goes as follows: "Amazing Clara, how sweet you are, it is time to get your diaper changed, please don't cry, it will only take a minute, Amazing Clara." Words change daily, but you get the idea. It works for Mommy and Daddy.

Breakfast featured waffles and strawberries. Emma sat in the highchair (which she can say) and said "buckle" indicating she wanted to be buckled- mostly so she can take it off. Then, after she saw the waffles and requested them, yes, she says that too, she practiced her new word, strawberries. About 15 times in a row until Mommy gave them to her and ate all of them and kept pointing at Clara's for more. Clara was very nice to give some to her sister.

This morning, Emma requested to go to the pit. Mommy put both Clara and Emma there and they mostly played nicely- except for Clara tackling Emma to take away some blocks. Emma started saying "shoes, shoes," and looking at the pairs of shoes lined up by the door. Mommy got each girl dressed and put their shoes on. Clara stood up crying and crying. Clara has brown shoes with velcro straps and Emma has white shoes with ties and pink nike swoosh. Emma keeps saying "loop," which she learned from the Button Nose book and from Daddy teaching her how to loop the dog's ears. Clara really wanted Emma's shoes. So, to solve the problem, Mommy took one of Clara's shoes off and put it on Emma and put one of Emma's on Clara's foot. They are both playing with each other's shoes happily. You do what you gotta do.

It is a good thing they wear the same little size (4W). Stay tuned for pictures.

Yes, Mommy did take them out of the house with the shoes on their feet like this. The ladies enjoyed a open play session at Great Play. Clara still has a stuffed nose, but it isn't runny all the time and she seems fine otherwise, so Mommy decided it was okay. Emma loves going on the trampoline and saying "bounce" and still, for some reason, can stand from sitting on it, which she can't do on the ground. Clara still loves to stand and try and bounce. They both loved the slide today too.

Emma is full of funny things today. Daddy taught her how to smell her feet and how to wave her hand and say "stinky." So, she now grabs her feet and smells them and starts saying "stinky, stinky." Clara is enjoying ripping up tissues, books, newspapers- anything that will tear.

In the late afternoon, while the cleaning ladies were at the house, Mommy took Clara and Emma to the store and decided to try out the cart with the car on the front at Stop and Shop. It was a hit. After dinner, on the way to their bath, Emma pushed open the door to the office and said "ba ba," so Mommy video called Grandma and Grandpa Frome for a short hi and "itsy" and "wind, wind" songs. For the first time, it seemed Clara and Emma got that Grandma and Grandpa were "live" and said hi.

Mommy also took a few photos post bath of the ladies trying to brush their hair.

Stuck Inside

Tuesday featured a trip to Mommy's gym, where the elevator was working. Clara and Emma both seem to do well in babysitting and Mommy took a class! The ladies took a short nap in the car before Mommy woke them up to take them to the doctor for a second opinion on Emma's eye. Dr. Horowitz did say that it would be best to do the surgery if the symptoms of the blocked tear duct reappear, so for now, Mommy and Daddy want to wait a bit and see how things unfold. After the appointment, Clara and Emma went to Lange's Deli and enjoyed lunch. They both came home and took a long nap from 12:30-2:30. Mommy was pleased but convinced they wouldn't have made it that far without their 25 minute snooze in the morning!

Clara and Emma were excited to see Daddy when he came home a bit early. Clara showed Daddy how much she enjoys her new electric toothbrush- with which she actually lets Mommy brush all her teeth and then she does it as well. Emma again was not interested and was scared of it and cuddled with Daddy and kept saying "no."

Yesterday was an indoor day for Clara and Emma and day in their pajamas. It snowed about 5 inches on Tuesday night and then some rain/ice came. With the stairs and driveway, and state of the roads, even with Daddy's clearing of the snow, it wasn't worth trying to get out.

The day started with a very strange occurence. Emma had a pile of something that looked like salt crystals in her diaper. Mommy and Daddy both were calm, but concerned. Mommy called the dr. and left a message. She also called Uncle Adam and he came to the rescue. Uncle Adam thought it could be two things- urate crystals- which would mean she is dehydrated or a diaper that had filled so much that it tore and the insides came out - which apparently, when wet, can look like salt crystals. Mommy's friend, Jen M., confirmed this as well. It goes in the category of " boy, I wish I knew that." Mommy made sure Emma drank her water, but was pretty much convinced that it was the diaper.

Emma is working on getting the "I" teeth in and as with Clara when she got them, wants to bite her sister. Clara, thankfully, hasn't had a biting episode in a long time, so now, it is Emma's turn!

Emma loves to say "Strawberry." She played with her Emma doll- dressing her and taking her shoes off. Clara enjoyed playing with her baby-which is one of her words, and reading her newspapers.

The ladies enjoyed bathtime and their new all-time favorite activity, drawing in the tub with their crayons. Mommy cracks up everytime she bathes the kids together- especially on the way back to their room. Mommy take one kid out and dries them off and gets a diaper on. Then, Mommy takes the second kid out and does it all over again. The best part is holding Clara and Emma's hands, while they are wearing diapers and towels too big for them, and walking them back to their room. Mommy always thinks of the movie E.T. and how E.T. looked when he dressed up in clothes too big and sort of trying to walk around the house. Sure, Clara and Emma are much cuter than the alien, but it is too much to hold each of their hands and watch them toddle back to their rooms wrapped in their towels!

Elmo, Elmo

At school today, Clara and Emma walked in and went straight for the easel to paint. Mommy was prepared with the smocks that they received as a gift from Veronica- all the way from London! Everyone commented about how cute they were. Mommy was just pleased the paint wasn't all over their clothes!

The girlies came home at 10:30 and went to nap- and slept until 12:15- which is later than they usually do when they go down late. After lunch, Mommy took them to the mall to do some returns. Clara and Emma met triplet boys who are 2 and enjoyed flirtling with them while Mommy chatted with their Mommy about raising multiples.

It may be cute that the gas station across from CVS on 9A in Ardsley has an Elmo outside, but it caused quite a stir today for one of the Gornstein gals. Emma saw Elmo across the street on the way in the store and kept saying "Elmo" during the entire visit to the pharmacy. Then, she saw Elmo on the way out, so Mommy told her to say hi and she had a huge grin on ther face and waived her hand and got very excited when Elmo waived back. But, Mommy had to put her in the car. Oh, the tears... all the way home!

Mommy thought it may be a one nap day, even though it was an early nap. Nope. Clara and Emma took a 30 minute snooze at around 3:30... which is ending right about now, so Mommy will write more later.

Showing Off for Grandma and Grandpa Gornstein

On Saturday, Clara and Emma made sure to wish Auntie Alyssa a very happy 30th birthday. In the afternoon, Clara and Emma and Mommy showed Daddy the Trader Joe's in Scarsdale and got some yummy food for dinner.

Today, Clara and Emma enjoyed a visit with Grandma and Grandpa Gornstein. Clara and Emma (and Mommy and Daddy) took them to lunch at Pumpernickel. It was the second week in a row the Gornsteins ate lunch there and Clara and Emma were recognized by the staff- especially the waitress, who was all ready with straws for the ladies to play with at the table. Clara and Emma enjoyed walking around the place as well and saying hi to everyone.

After lunch, everyone headed over to the Greenburgh Library where Clara and Emma did some reading and playing. Emma also took Grandpa's hat and enjoyed wearing it around the house as she showed off her new skill, walking, to Grandma and Grandpa Gornstein.

Clara's cheeks continue to be a little red because of the weather, so Mommy was sure to put lotion on. Of course, Emma wanted some too and put her face out with a big grin on it, touched her cheek and said "pretty, pretty." Clara and Emma also enjoyed some coloring time today. They both have a much better handle on the crayons and like to lay down and get close to the paper to color.

Times They Are A Changin

A historic day in the U.S. as President Obama was inagurated ad the 44th President. Mommy made sure to be home to watch it and was moved by the ceremony.

Mommy's favorite moment of the day:
Watching Clara and Emma play and watch the Obama inaguration. And, when the crowds clapped, Emma clappd and smiled too.

Mommy's least favorite moment of the day:
Cleaning up Emma's bloody mouth after a little fall on a slide she was trying to crawl up. No worries, she is okay, but it wasn't pretty! And, having Clara cry when Emma was hysterical and needing to make sure Emma was okay.

What's it all add up too:
Priceless moments in a day with Clara and Emma!

Returning to Routines

Clara and Emma were sad to say goodbye to Uncle Adam, Aunt Christina and Lucas, but it meant a return to regularly scheduled programming. However, beacuse today is MLK day, the ladies didn't have school. Mommy was most concerned with getting the ladies napping again, since they took them sporadically over the weekend- which wasn't good for them, but it was probably because they both have colds and wanted to play with all of the guests.

Today, Mommy took Clara and Emma to the Hastings train station coffee place. It is new and hosts and "Mommy and Me" music program that began last week, on Mondays and Thursdays at 12:15. It was lovely- even thought there was only one other child. Mommy was told it is usually frequented by 10-12 kids. The coffee was great and it was a nice way to spend an hour. Mommy then headed to Costco - which was a bit crowded because of the holiday, but Clara and Emma enjoyed riding in the cart.

Frome Siblings & Co. Celebrate Auntie Alyssa's 30th Birthday

It has been a fun-filled weekend with Aunt Alyssa and special visitors from Houston, Uncle Adam, Aunt Christina and Lucas. Grandma and Grandpa Frome couldn't make it because Grandma got sick (she is okay now). The weekend was a special celebration for Auntie Alyssa's upcoming 30th birthday. Of course, all three muchkins have colds, but it is better to share germs with the family!

Uncle Adam and Lucas arrived on Thursday afternoon. Everyone was glad they landed on the ground and not in the water- which happened to a flight soon after their arrival! The good news is that everyone was fine- including someone that works with Daddy and some of his clients too

On Friday, Aunt Alyssa arrived and joined the crew at Panera for lunch and then for open gym at Great Play. Later, Daddy and Uncle Adam went to pick up Aunt Christina.

Saturday, everyone headed to the city. For some reason, Clara, Emma and Lucas decided not to nap in the car. So, the adults changed the order of things a bit and headed to the Children's Museum first. All of the kids had a great time driving the bus, the fire engine, playing in the kitchen, the sandbox and with all of the things that the toddler floor offered. Then, it was off to meet Auntie Alyssa and Michael at EJ's for lunch. Mommy was glad it was a quick walk because it was so cold!

The kids were exhausted, but made it through lunch and fell asleep in the car on the way home. During play, since Lucas liked Mommy's dust pan so much, Mommy brought out the broom and dust pan set that she had got for the kids. The loved it- the only problem is that no one really wanted to share it! But, it is great to now that the children will all learn cleaning skills early. Clara and Emma seemed to have an obsession with the booster seat. Emma played with the buckle and then, Daddy took it off the chair and Clara and Emma enjoyed sitting in it and walking around with it attached to themselves.

On Sunday, everyone woke up to snow! Lucas played in it a bit and Clara and Emma watched Daddy shovel. The family headed out to Pumpernickel for lunch. Lucas wasn't hungry and preferred to wander the restaurant, while after eating, Clara, who has started to pick up speed, chased him around and Emma practiced walking. It was kind of empty, so it was okay for them to takeover the place! In the afternoon, everyone sang Auntie Alyssa happy birthday and gave her the cake from Riviera and the special Elmo cupcakes that Aunt Christina made.

Before heading home, Clara and Emma said goodbye.