Disneyland

We took the girls to Disneyland today for the first time as an early celebration of their 3rd birthday. They really enjoyed it and only had one short mini-meltdown when it was time to go. We went on the Carousel, Dumbo, Small World, Tea Cups and Alice in Wonderland (or 'The Caterpillars', as they called it). It was so laid back and easy. We knew we would only be in Fantasyland and Toontown and didn't try to do too much. And we gave ourselves plenty of time to leave (it took an hour once we started heading out), although Maitlyn kept asking when we were going to have cake. It was nice to have the one-on-one time with the girls. We're looking forward to doing it again with everyone in a few weeks.

No Nap

The girls have a book about a dad who spends all day trying to get his daughter to take a nap, but ends up falling asleep himself instead. This is the illustration from the book:

Saturday I walked into the girls' bedroom and saw this:

Art imitating life or life imitating art?

The Triple Stroller

I finally broke down and bought a triple stroller. Caylee was starting to get too heavy for long walks in the Bjorn (while pushing the big girls). When Maitlyn first saw the new stroller, she squealed delightedly, "There are three seats! One for Maitlyn, one for Braiden, and one for Caylee." They have since requested several times to go in the green stroller. It's starting to feel like all the girls are more of a family unit. I can't remember the last time they asked for Caylee to go back in Mommy's tummy. It's nice.

Digital Natives

It's amazing to me how easily technology comes to these girls. They see Brian or I do something on the iPhone or computer one time and can instantly replicate it. And they understand how devices have multiple uses. Today they were playing with our old cell phones (the flip ones we stopped using right after they were born)and were using them to take pictures of their toys. They would tell the toys to say cheese and then say,"That was a good picture monkey/red car/book." I imagine there will be no need for Geek Squads when the girls grow up, since no one will remember a world without cell phones and laptops.

Really Big Sisters

The girls have turned out to be wonderful big sisters. They always give Caylee kisses on her head and bring her toys. The other day Braiden was reading to her (and the monkey, of course). I feel very fortunate that they have been so accepting. We'll have to wait and see what happens when Caylee is mobile and starts getting into their stuff.

Favorite Moments

We put a lot of effort into creating memorable moments for the girls--Sea World, music class, trips to the beach.  However, I find that my favorite moments are the ones that happen among the ordinary day-to-day.  Tonight, I was sitting on our bathroom floor, rocking Maitlyn on my lap, listening to Caylee talking to the fish in the bouncy chair and watching Braiden try to replicate her earlier success of peeing in the potty.  Just us girls, hanging out.  It was wonderful.  I like all the fancy trips and such, but the ordinary moments I really treasure.

Big Sisters

Braiden

We have been trying to prepare the girls for their new roles as big sisters. I decided to put one of their baby dolls in a sling to get them used to the idea of seeing me with another baby. Then they decided they wanted to wear a sling too. Braiden was patting the doll's back and Maitlyn was reading to her doll. Hopefully this is a sign of what good big sisters they will be.

Maitlyn

New Beds

The girls have moved to new beds. And like getting rid of the pacifiers, they did it before we were quite ready.
We've had the beds in their new room for a few weeks--Brian painted them and the girls picked out sheets for them. We've let them play on them from time to time and have been talking up when they get to move to their new beds. Then, last week, I briefly mentioned something about taking a nap in their new beds--I thought I'd give them a choice just to plant the seed. Much to my surprise, they both wanted to sleep in the new beds, and ended up taking over a 2 hour nap!!! And then that night, they wanted to sleep in the new beds again, and slept through the night without a sound! Who knew?!! Unfortunately, the second day wasn't as successful--no nap and then waking every 3 hours at night. But the third night seemed to be the charm, as they slept through the night again, then got up in the morning and were reading quietly in their rooms when we went to get them. I guess the cribs were just too small for them. We've moved everything to the new room and they haven't looked back. I kind of wish we had done this earlier--they seem so happy now in their new room. Hopefully they won't regress when they see the new baby invade their old space.

Here's what we saw on Night 3 of the new beds when we went to check on them:

Maitlyn

Braiden

Little Kids

When the girls starting walking and first talking, it seemed like they were turning into little people. Now it seems like they are turning into little kids. They are up to almost complete sentences, and can tell you exactly what they want and don't want (No Mommy sit on the chair!). They still have their fights over toys, although today Braiden waited very patiently for her turn while Maitlyn was playing with the measuring tape. She just sat there and watched Maitlyn measure everything from feet to belly button to sofa cushions. It was quite endearing. And Maitlyn's 'sort and organize' gene is manifesting itself more and more each day. Last week she pulled all the clear baskets off the shelf and used them for beds for the CareBears. It is pretty amazing to watch their personalities develop.

Maitlyn's Organizing:

Reading

Maitlyn figured out how to slide her books under the bedroom door today, which resulted in a book pile in the hallway. Braiden took advantage of all the books at her feet and started reading.



Once Maitlyn had cleared her shelf of all books, she joined in the reading fun.



We then told the girls it was time to clean up and put all their books back. They started scurrying back and forth like little worker ants. However, when we returned to their room a little later, we found all the books (as well as all the toys from the shelf) in Maitlyn's crib!

Ducks in a Row

The other day Maitlyn took her new stackable toys and lined them up on the sofa. And last night she lined up all the Leapfrog letters in a neat row on the fireplace. Makes me wonder if she is going to be good in math when she gets older, or just have a very tidy room. I'll hope for both.

Happy Hanukah!

We lit the candles for the first night of Hanukah on Friday. The girls were a little distracted by the pain from their last incoming baby teeth (Braiden is chewing on a piece of ice in the pic). But they enjoyed playing with their new gift--little backpacks that will accompany them on our flight to Atlanta.
I think the girls are also going to make great big sisters. They love to feed and dress and change the diapers of their dolls and stuffed animals. Yesterday Maitlyn buckled her doll into the chair before lunch. Too cute!

First Haircut

Brian keeps complaining how much he misses the blog postings, so I thought the girls' first haircut was a good reason to start again.

They did so well! Not a single tear was shed! They sat in the chair very patiently while the hairdressers worked. Unfortunately, poor Maitlyn now looks like she has a bowl cut. I suppose it will grow out nicely. And at least it's better than their mullets!Braiden checking herself out in the mirror.

Maitlyn being very patient.

Babies Need a New Pair of Shoes

We took the girls to get their first pair of shoes this past weekend. It was a vision of the years ahead of us. During the time it took for a salesperson to come over and help us, Braiden managed to take a header into another kid's stroller and get an enormous bruise on her forehead. So in between trying on shoes we were icing down her head.

Maitlyn took off after she tried on her first pair. I guess they don't worry about shoplifting until they can speak.

Nostalgia

So it's been a year, and a wonderful year at that. We made a 2009 calendar with pictures of the babies from each month. It's pretty amazing to look back and see them so tiny. This was Maitlyn on the day we left the hospital:

And this is Maitlyn and Braiden having their first birthday cake:
People always ask if I miss the 'baby' stage, especially now that they are entering the toddler years. But so far I have loved every stage. It's hard to wax nostalgic for all the baby stuff when they are learning and changing so much now. It's pretty amazing to see them do the things the baby books say they are going to start doing--putting lids in and out of containers is currently their favorite pastime. They are running around, interacting with each other, testing their boundaries, learning to climb up slides, and establishing their personalities. It is such a fascinating thing to watch. I feel incredibly blessed that I get to be a part of it.

Happy Birthday!

We survived the first year.

Good Parenting

Several weeks ago, when I was by myself with the girls, they woke up from their afternoon nap in a foul mood. They are usually very grumpy and clingy when they wake up, but this day they were especially cranky. So after going through my bag of tricks to make them happy, I did what any good mother would do---got out the video camera.

Maitlyn

Braiden

Perhaps high schools can use it as birth control...

Gifted Girls

I can understand now why every parent thinks their child is gifted. They spend so long as helpless babies that when they first start learning new things it seems like a miracle. Of course we think our girls are geniuses because they can make the sign for more and milk. We are also pretty impressed by how they 'read' --sit with a pile of books, turn the pages and babble. But today I was floored by Braiden's direct communication with me. She and Maitlyn were banging on Brian's big exercise ball--something I showed them how to do. Then, Braiden reached out, grabbed my hand and put it on the ball. At first I thought it was just cute that she wanted to hold my hand. Then I realized she was telling me to bounce the ball. I bounced it, then stopped and put my hands back in my lap. Once again, Braiden grabbed my hand and put it on the ball. Genius, pure genius!

And while we're on the subject of Braiden, who knew the temper tantrum drama queen would turn out to be the lovey dovey one? Today, when Djina (my friend Angela's baby) was visiting, Braiden leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. It was really more of just a slobber, but an unmistakable sign of affection.

More, More, More

Braiden seems to have learned the sign for 'more'. All day today she was making the sign and smiling. Although I suspect she may just be doing it to get a positive reaction out of me, since she made the sign on the changing table as well. Who knows, maybe diaper changes make her hungry!

Maitlyn sort of makes the sign, but mostly bangs on her high chair when she wants more. We'll get there....