Where's MiMo?

The other night I thought I was going crazy because I couldn't find Moses. 

The girls and I were on a "treasure hunt" while he was entertaining himself by flinging balls across the floor. I make a point of always keeping him within eye sight because he's my active little guy, and quickly gets into trouble. Well 5 seconds out of my line of sight and the 'too quiet' atmosphere got me curious. I looked around, no sign of him. I called his name, no answer. I knew the gate to upstairs was closed. And the basement door was closed too (he definitely isn't coordinated enough to close that door behind him). The front door was locked. I checked "everywhere." Our townhouse isn't that big. And I was only checking the main level. I checked the living room, bathroom, dining room and kitchen. The girls were otherwise occupied. After getting on my hands and knees to check under the dining room table for about the 3rd time I notice movement out of the corner of my eye...

Keep in mind the dining room isn't that brightly lit. The flash on my camera is very deceiving. It was very dark under the buffet table.

I think his ball rolled under there so he crawled in to get it.
Then decided it was a pretty cool place to chill out.

Moses' First Trip to the Maryland Zoo

I felt so confident after my successful solo trip with the girls down to The National Mall on Saturday. Sunday was to be equally beautiful weather-wise. So I convinced Richard that we should all head up to The Maryland Zoo. It was a bit chillier than the day before. It probably didn't start warming up until after we left the zoo. Ah well.

When we got there, they had an African penguin greeting guests. I thought I took both girls' pictures with the penguin, but apparently Frances' never took. Ah well. Since the girls look so much alike you can pretend it's both of them haha.

Grace with an African penguin

I directed Richard to the Maryland Wilderness Section/Children's Zoo, since the last time I was there with the girls there were all sorts of things to climb in and on. But much of it was being renovated and roped off. But Richard did really appreciate how stroller accessible the whole zoo is. And how close all the animals are. Some of the animals weren't out, since it was still cold for many of them.

Moses was too much of a hassle. He just didn't want to sit still. And kept throwing tantrums. Part of it was his age, part his temperament, and part teething. It was a bit stressful for all of us (even the girls). But at least we all got some fresh air. The zoo is super hilly though and man, my legs were burning (probably some residual soreness from Saturday).

Here are just a few shots I managed during the trip.

The fun tortoise shells
(Grace in peach pants, Frances in pink pants, and Moses in the foreground)

LtoR: Frances, Grace and Moses
And a goat, in the petting farm area.

LtoR: Grace, Moses, Frances
Checking out the hornbills, storks and crested cranes

Moses checks out the Kudu

Moses tries to break in to the elephant enclosure
(that's Frances in the foreground)

Frances & Grace's First Metro Ride and Trip to the National Mall

The Smithsonian's dinosaur hall, at the Natural History Museum, is closing on April 28th for a 5-year renovation! I decided that the girls were old enough to appreciate a trip down (considering when it re-opens they will be 8 years old!!!). I admit, I was freaking out about caravanning downtown solo with both girls. What if I lost them on the metro, in the museum, etc.? But I sucked it up and ventured out.

I drove to New Carrollton's Metro Station since it's on the same line as the Smithsonian metro stop. I figured if I didn't have to transfer trains I would lessen the chance of my kids getting lost. I got on, and as the train was moving the engineer says that there is track maintenance and we'll have to transfer to a bus to continue on to the next open station. More stressful than just moving to a different train in the station. Doh! Normally I would panic, it's just my personality. But I was mellowed by a dose of children's Dramamine. Haha. The train stopped at Cheverly and then we hoped on a bus to Eastern Market, where we got on a train again to head to the mall. It all went relatively smoothly considering I had 3-year-old twins, a stroller, and two bags in tow. Thank god for working elevators!!

So excited for our first Metro train ride!
Grace left, Frances right

First Metro bus ride!
Frances background, Grace foreground

The hassle added about a half hour onto our trip. But we made it.

We took a picture in front of the Washington Monument.

Frances and Gracie

We met up with my cousin Joe and his son, Ben at the Natural History museum. The girls were a bit overwhelmed at first. It's a big building and it was crowded. I ended up leaving the stroller in a place I felt it was out of the way, grabbed the bags and walked with the girls. (And yes, my stroller was still there an hour later). The girls liked looking at the bones and the pictures on the walls. They, and Ben, all loved the little science room. There are all sorts of things to touch and examine.

The famous elephant at the entrance to the Natural History Museum
(Gracie left and Francie right)

Cool bones!
(Frances and Grace aka silly face)

Ben found a human skull!

Fun with magnifying glasses!
Frances back, Grace front

Everybody getting their science on!
Top to bottom: Ben, France and Grace

If it weren't for our late-running metro ride we would have hung out in that room longer -- but the girls, and I, were starving. Smithsonian has a no-outside-food-rule, but I called ahead and they OK'd us for allergy reasons -- which I knew they would, but it's always good to check first. So we sat in the café with Ben and Joe, and ate our lunches. Talk about ravenous raptor group haha.

Joe and Ben had to leave to go to a play date. So the girls and I finished our lunches and then made our way back outside. It was beautiful. I was actually sweating, so when the girls wanted to run around for a bit, I was more than willing to oblige (pushing the stroller gets a little tough on the legs, arms and back).

I took their picture by the Smithsonian Castle - they loved that building!

Grace and Francie hugging

We watched the carousel. We walked through the Sculpture Garden. The girls wanted to touch the sculptures. I missed the sign that said "No Touching." Doh. Ah well. The Park Ranger guy just gave me a dirty look and motioned them away. All while Grace is examining one voluptuous sculpture and remarks on its "REALLY BIG BOOBIES!" Hahahaha. We chilled out in the shade, drank some water, and relaxed.

Frances and Grace in the shade at the Sculpture Garden

I took Richard's picture in front of this rabbit many moons ago!
(Frances left, Grace right)

We then trekked over to the Air & Space Museum. I got there just as about 4 bus loads of high school/college kids were unloading. I'm fumbling with holding the doors open for the girls, plus carrying the stroller and our bags, and the kids just come rushing up behind us. Pushing against me AND the kids. The security guard says to put bags on the conveyor belt if you have them and if you don't, just walk through the metal detector. So I'm putting my bags on the belt and several girls push right past me - BETWEEN me and my children! I couldn't even see Frances and Grace. I had a mini-freak out moment. And they were scared too. I was so pissed off, but had to put on a chill face my girls so they'd know everything is under control. I really hope I wasn't that oblivious when I was that age, but who knows. Anyway, that was really the only "bad" part of the day.

The girls loved the Air & Space Museum. We looked at all the planes and rockets. The loved walking through the American Airlines plane. We didn't go through the exhibits sections, because they are too young to appreciate any of that stuff anyway. The big stuff was exciting enough!

We went through this plane a few times.
(Frances behind stroller, and Grace in front)

Grace and Frances loving the planes

Astronauts!
(LtoR: Grace and Frances)

After the Air & Space Museum, we went back outside and sat along the wall to eat some applesauce and drink water.

Frances (back) and Grace (front) enjoying some applesauce

We then walked towards the Capitol Building (I mean I walked, they rode in the stroller haha). They had fun watching the seagulls in the Capitol Reflecting Pool. It really was gorgeous outside.

Frances (left) and Grace (right)
Grace kept trying to climb in.

We finally headed to the Federal Center Metro Station and began our long trek home. We had to do the whole shuttle bus thing again. And at the Eastern Market Metro Station, I was trying to call the elevator down to us. I pressed the button and alarms went off. And a firm voice says, "State your emergency." I said, "Ummm, I thought I pushed the 'UP' button." They gave an exasperated "Okay" and hung up. Then I spent about 2 minutes feeling crazy because I still couldn't find the damn button. Hahaha. For every elevator ride the rest of the way home, the girls kept saying: "Mommy, did you press the right button this time?" Or "Uh oh, I think you press the wrong button" Or "Don't press the wrong one!" I'm glad they found it amusing.

After a long day
(Grace left, Frances right)

We made it home safe and sound. My legs were so sore!

Snowtastrophe 2014!

The Wednesday before last (Feb 12) there were reports of a big storm brewing. In the morning I had taken Moses to his 18-month check up (see previous post) -- and I'm so thankful it was that morning! By about 8 o'clock at night Richard informed me there was a coating of snow on the ground. The next morning, Thursday, I looked out the window and saw a sea of white. I called the office to see what the operating status was for telecommuting. Nat says, "Oh? Do you have a lot of snow? I have about 3 inches here." I went outside and measured 11 inches and counting (this was 6 a.m.). Hahaha. I told him that there was no way I was gonna make it in and that I would have to telecommute.

Sad little ruler poking out of the snow at 6 a.m. Thursday morning

Several more inches fell in that morning. All of the neighbors shoveled their sidewalks and the main ones, as well as cleaned off their cars. We just needed to wait for the snow plow to come through. All this time I thought our HOA was in charge of plowing our community, but it's the county's job. The HOA only pays for the main sidewalks to be cleaned and the contractor was "backed up" with other jobs. Well the county finally showed up to plow our complex on FRIDAY at 4 p.m. When the plow ran low on gas and had to go fill up. Haha. Seriously. They came back, but only made the one pass through our cul de sac. As in, only one car can go through at a time. So Richard went out and spent about 1.5 hours clearing off the van again (because it snowed more on Thursday night) and dug a tunnel to the plow path. Blah.

And judging from the amount of snow still sitting on the sidewalks leading into our complex, it looks like the contractors for the sidewalks never showed up... hope we aren't paying them too much, considering our community did most of the work themselves.

All that aside, the snow was awesome for the kids. Especially the girls. My Aunt Bec and Uncle Bob got the kids a sled for Christmas. So we made use of it - a lot! There is the perfect-sized hill right in front of our house. I took at least one of the kids out every day. It was a lot of fun. We made a snow man too.

We also discovered a leak in the ceiling above our bay window. Turns out the flashing was loose and the caulking was falling off and/or missing. So we got that fixed. Thank goodness!

Here are some pics of our snow adventures!

Frances (L) and Grace (R), my snow babies!

Moses and I, sledding

Moses waddles through the snow

The snowman the girls and I made
(Frances in pink, Grace in brown, and Moses)

Moses eats the snowman

The girls and their snowman. So proud!
(Frances left, Grace right)

Frances front, Grace in back

Grace, Moses and Frances enjoying the snow!

Moses' 18-Month Check up

Moses has his 18 month checkup last Wednesday (2/12). He got one shot, whimpered a bit, and was fine. She said we need to continue trying to read to him. She said he should know his body parts by now (he doesn't), but then again, she did say boys tend to focus more on the physical abilities, than the verbal. All I know is the girls loved reading books at this age, they'd sit and flip through multiple books in one sitting. Moses turns a couple pages in one book and is done. And the girls definitely weren't as physically active as Moses is. I know not all kids fit into the boy/girl molds, but mine are definitely following the stereotypes.

She did say his weight gain has dropped. He was 27 lbs. 3 oz., meaning he's only gained 1 pound since he was 15 months old. Which isn't very much given the amount they are supposed to gain at this age. So his percentile keeps dropping. He was at the 95th consistently but was at 89th at 15 months and now he's in the 85th. She asked about his eating. I told her he just doesn't eat as much as the girls did. And that he holds food in his mouth, refusing to swallow or when he does attempt to swallow, he chokes and gags. She said we should start giving him a multivitamin (just one) at night - to offset any nutrients and vitamins he might be missing. Anyway, he's still way above average for his age, so she's not worried about him having a 'failure to thrive'... but we'll keep an eye on it going forward.

Here are his stats at 18 months old:

• 34 inches (90th percentile) for height.
• 27 lbs. 3 oz. (85th percentile) for weight.
• 49.5 cm head circumference (95th percentile)

For reference, here were the girls' stats at 18 months (shorter and comparatively, fatter):

Grace’s stats:25 pounds 10 ounces (70th percentile); 32 ½ inches tall (75th percentile); 48.5 cm head circumference (90th percentile! Hahaha)

 Frances’ stats: 26 pounds 4 ounces (75th percentile); 32 ½ inches tall (75th percentile); 47.5 cm head circumference (80th percentile hehehe)

The Girls' First Movie Theater Experience!

Grace and Frances eating some "Annie's Bunnies" contraband I smuggled in...

I took the girls and Nana's two granddaughters to see Disney's "Frozen." It was my girls first time at the movie theater. I was nervous, mainly because of the food allergy thing (and head lice, theater chairs give me the heebie jeebies!). The girls did okay at the movies. We got there "on time" so we were stuck watching the 20 minutes of trailers. Blah. And it turned out the movie theater was pretty empty so we could have come later. Ah well. The girls were scared for like the first 30 minutes in the theater. I think because it's dark and the sound is really loud, even too loud for my taste. Some of the trailers were creepy too ... "Maleficient," for example.

Once the movie started though, they were enthralled. The loved it! I loved it too. It was a refreshing departure from the standard Disney movies. I know Richard will enjoy watching it when it comes out on DVD. With about 20 minutes left in the movie, Frances decided she was leaving and started walking down the stairs. haha. I said, "Don't you like the movie?" She said, "Yes. But I want to go home now." I convinced her to stay. I think they were just uncomfortable in the seats, not used to sitting for so long. So I let them wander up and down our otherwise empty aisle. The music and action at the end of the movie was enough of a distraction to keep them distracted from the idea of leaving. 

And we've listened to "Let It Go" about a million times since then we went. ;-)

Middle age moment. As I mentioned earlier in my post, we took the nanny's granddaugthers with us - one is almost 21 years old, the other is 9 years old. A lady thought they were my kids too! I would have given birth at 12-13 years old lady, really. Before I had kids people thought I was younger than I was, but since popping them out, I've apparently aged ten-fold. My mom always told me to enjoy while it lasted... curses! I need a fountain of youth over here!