Best Buds

Em & M start the morning with sippy cup of water together before the rat race begins.

March Madness

We're experiencing our own version of March Madness this month which explains my lack of posts:
- 1 marketing campaign launch for a new product (Have you tried Starbucks VIA yet?)
- 10 days of the flu for the girls and Mom combined
- 2 days (+ several more to come) of the real March Madness baskteball tournament (Go Huskies! They play in the second round on Saturday.)

Seen & Heard this month:

- Emma standing up on her own for a few seconds at a time - first without realizing it, and now doing it on purpose and getting very excited.
- Mia breaking through the living room blockade to free she and her sister to chase each other around the dining room and kitchen.
- Emma digging into fried rice at friend Kamila's 1st birthday party.
- Mia carefully picking up one piece of food at a time and throwing it off her high chair in protest.
- Emma kicking off her shoe the instant it's on her foot.
- Mia closely examining each toy with precision, sometimes preferring the on/off switch to the toy itself.
- Emma and Mia being very patient while running errands with Mom and Dad to really fun places like H&R Block, Kinko's, Target, and Safeway.
- Daddy and the girls going for a walk to give Mom some free time at home, and stopping at Starbucks for a treat of banana bread.
- Both girls making "mama" sounds; not necessarily in reference to me, but it still feels good to hear.
- Both girls crawling around the house, chasing each other - and they're FAST! Diaper Derby race, anyone?
- Nurse Linda making a return to graciously watch the girls while they were home one day and Mom and Dad had to work.
- At least 3 days of snow so far...it is March, isn't it?!
- Exciting news that THREE of our friends are expecting baby #2 this fall! Anyone else we should know about?

All that, and we still have 11 more days in the month!

Mia and Emma spend a lazy Saturday morning on the couch with Daddy.

Emma and Mia are 1!!

The girls hold court at the front of their room. (Pre-cupcakes)

Mia dives into the cupcake!

Emma trades her goldfish crackers for something better.

The birthday girls model their birthday tutus from Grandma & Grandpa Lund, while playing with their new toy.

More photos and stories coming soon! Experiencing technical difficulties.

Lions and Gorillas and Flamingoes, Oh My!

Emma and Mia check out the flamingoes at the zoo.

A couple of monkeys and a gorilla.

In celebration of Matt's birthday earlier this week and Valentine's Day, we took our first family trip to the Woodland Park Zoo.  We got a membership (thanks Grandma & Grandpa Lund!) so now we can go whenever we want.  It's conveniently located about 5 min way, and a great place to meet friends to walk around.  It was definitely the place to be with kids, as their were strollers everywhere. 

It was a colder day outside than expected, but the girls were all bundled up and cozy in their stroller. Many animals were sleeping or in their barns, keeping warm, but we did get to see some amazing animals.  Our favorites were the lion, the jaguar and the gorillas and monkeys.  Megan also liked the flamingoes, a childhood favorite. We didn't make it over to the bears this time which disappointed Mia as she does a great bear impression. But we'll check them out next time. The girls were entertained as there was so much to look at. But unless the animals were moving around, I think it was hard for them to see them.

Can't you see the excitement on their little faces?

The majestic lion 

Once Matt and I were sufficiently frozen and the girls were getting restless, we left and went out for a late brunch at Patty's Eggnest. The girls were a big hit at the restaurant.  The staff and customers kept the girls entertained so we could eat - they even brought them toys. We'll definitely make this a regular spot for meals out with the girls. 

Emma reaches for the coffee mug while Mia enjoys some Cheerios.

The girls patiently wait for breakfast to arrive.

Love is in the Air

Whether in the form of a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's (for Matt and me) or a sparkling diamond engagement ring (in the case of my sister...Congrats Courtney and Kevin!!!), this Valentine's Day was full of love. 

After the girls went to bed, Matt and I enjoyed our thematic pizza while playing with his recent birthday gift - Rock Band 2.  I'd never played before and it is not easy, especially when you don't know that you're supposed to strum AND play the notes.  Matt seems to be a pro so far, although he's only on the easy level.  He told me playing bass might be easier - not so.  Once I figured out there were practice opportunities and "warm-up" songs, I did a bit better. Our band name is Ballardz. Guest musicians are welcome - come on over!

What says "I love you" more than a heart-shaped pizza?

Our Funny Valentines

Emma and Mia watch Dad assemble a new toy from Grandma and Grandpa. 

 

Mia is still hungry and wants Emma's bottle. 

Matt and I have had some great Valentine's Days together over the years - a trip to Paris, shopping for an engagement ring, eating take out at Swedish Hospital one year ago, waiting for our girls to arrive. But this year, it was extra special to have all four of us together. 

The girls thoroughly enjoyed their cards (paper is fun!) from all their grandparents, Great Grandma Rose and Mom and Dad for their first Valentine's Day.  They enjoyed many games of peek-a-boo, some new foods, and a trip to Best Buy to pick up Daddy's birthday present, Rock Band 2. 

Emma and Mia take a look at their new "I Love You" book - a Valentine from Daddy.

The girls love playing musical instruments.  Nanny Janny got them these great tamborine-like toys.  as with all rattles, they hold them in both hands up in the air and shake them lke crazy.  Here's Emma showing off.

Mia likes to shake it too. 

Dad shakes his maraca, just like the girls. 

Emma thinks Dad is her own personal Jumperoo. Bounce, bounce, more, more!

Mia checks the Husky game score online while watching the game on TV.  Is she a Daddy's girl or what?

Em & M at 11 months

Mia and Emma at 11 months. Think they're teething?

We're nearing the one-year mark! Lots of changes this month. The girls are becoming more and more active, and so are we, as we have to chase them around now!

Getting them dressed and changing their diapers these days is an aerobic workout; they're constantly trying to crawl away. They love chasing each other around the house and playing games with each other.

They babble constantly. They both have tooth #2, and are still teething and chewing on everything in sight.

We're preparing for some significant changes in the girls' routine at daycare next month, as they'll transition to the Toddler Room after their birthday. They're down from two naps to one at day care, but they're tired on the weekends so they still take two to catch up. They're practicing drinking with sippy cups, as that's what toddlers do apparently. They need to be able to feed themselves, so we're not doing jar food anymore; just practicing with finger foods. It's a lot of change for all of us, and is probably harder on Matt and me than them. They're troopers.

Here's what's happening with the girls:

Emma
What's new: crawling!! (you can tell she feels completely liberated now that she can catch Mia), pulling up on furniture

Likes: yogurt, pears, Cheerios, crackers of any kind, finger painting, playing the maracas and tamborine

Dislikes: shoes and socks



Mia
What's new: pulling up on furniture and sitting back down (with only one hand!)
Likes: peaches, Cherrios, crackers of any kind, dancing and bopping her head to the music, playing the maracas and tamborine
Dislikes: finger painting