The More Things Change...

The More They Stay The Same.

Daddy and 6 week old Sylvie (in Brady's puppy sleep sack)
February 28, 2010:

Daddy and 5 week old Brady
January 25, 2008:

Great Eggspectations

All four of us met up with Murali and Pervi for brunch this morning at Eggspectations. Sweet Sylvie seemed to be comforted by the noise in the restaurant and slept in her car seat the entire time. Big boy Brady also did great! He read the menu, colored, and did shots of milk that bartender Daddy served up in the creamer containers. Both kids were so well behaved that we even got to have real conversation with Murali and Pervi. :) What a great experience for our first meal out as a family of four- yay!

The waiter didn't get Sylvie in the picture...
but she's right next to me snoozing away in her snap-n-go stroller.

Afterward Sylvie had her own brunch in the car while we let Brady play in the back. A totally new and super fun experience for Brady who would lay down and tell us, "I'm hiding" and then pop-up and laugh his belly laugh. What a pip!

After naps (for us all of course) we went for a walk. You'd think that I'd know by now (with our dogs and babies) that it's nearly impossible to get a decent picture with these subjects. But they're so darn cute that we tried anyway-

I thought Sylvie looked adorable with her little mini boots on. Bummer that the camera flash caught her blue eyes (yes, they're still blue for now...hope they stay that way!)

That's My Girl...and My Boy

Brady insisted on being in the pictures too- complete with his own set-up just like his sister's. She has her blanket and the Boppy. He has his blanket and the Snoogle- that I used when I was pregnant but has since been re-purposed as a "nest" (fort, and house) for Brady.

Syl Stills

Mimi took these pictures of our little lady today. So sweet! Oh, and a funny note- Brady does not approve when we abbreviate Sylvie's name or call her anything other than Sylvie or Sylvie Rae. He will correct us Every time. When I say, "Hi Syl!" within his earshot he looks at me and says, "No, no Syl! SylVIE. Sylvie Rae!"

Here it looks as if she's groovin' to the music we always have on for her. (She startles easily sometimes and that can be problematic with a loud older brother and a barking dog. So I keep background music on for her almost all the time.)

I think she looks like she's talking on the phone or daydreaming here. Maybe both- daydreaming about an imaginary phone?

I love this little "oh" lip face. We see if often and it makes me smile.

More Monkey See, Monkey Do

In this case it was skiing. Brady's a fan of the Winter Olympics. He asks us to watch events like hockey and skiing and then usually sits there riveted, staring at the tv. Today he went from spectator to participant. He brought out his own skis and imitated what he saw- right down to the slalum zig zags and the falls- lol! Sochi 2014- here he comes!

Daddy's Mini Me

This was the scene at our house this morning that I can only describe since currently our camera is still with Murali (Brett took it skiing this weekend and left it in Murali's car). Anyway, this was hysterical and I wanted to remember it and for Brett to know how loved (and watched!) he is.

Brady takes the case that holds the Thomas the Train rug that Avi gave him and says, "I got my briefcase! I'm going work!"

Then he turns around and says, "I'm going to the bus stop!" (Brett takes the bus in to DC daily.)

He runs to the front door, waits a minute, turns around, and says, "I'm home!!!"

He comes to us in the family room and says, "I had a nice day!" and then, "I gotta take my shoes off!" followed by, "I need my phone! My phone is ringing! I gotta get my phone!"

It's mini-Brett for sure and it is hysterical! These are all things he's heard Brett say or seen him do. I was cracking up!

Oh, and apparently Romey knows the word "home" because Brady says "I'm home!" and we said, "Oh, Brady's home!" and Romey starts barking like Brett is home...which only makes Brady say, "My daddy's home!" It was a cyclic Pavlov's dog routine and it only made me laugh harder! Our house is fun today. :)

Visit from Aidrek

Look who Sylvie met today! What a cutie!

Aidrek and Auntie Mon stopped here while they were out running errands. It was So fun to see them! Unfortunately this was a very rare fussy day for Sylvie. So the only picture I have of Sylvie and Aidrek together is this one taken when he first got here...but who doesn't love two sleeping babies?!

The Dishes Are Done Man

Yes, the dishes are done and his face is done too! Brady can be happily occupied at the sink for an absurd amount of time. He scrubs the dishes, the sink, and tonight- his face. It was hilarious and boy, was he squeaky clean with a lemony fresh scent! :)

I took this video on Mimi's camera. But I think her video settings are different than ours are b/c there is no sound and the recording seemed to be in fast forward. I did the best I could to slow it down, but it's still a quick clip.

Play Potatoes?

When Daddy came back home today, one of the first things Brady asked him was if he wanted to play Play-Doh. Well, that's what he meant anyway when he said, "Daddy, you want play potatoes, Daddy?"

The Stroll-Air

Today it's relatively warm and sunny outside. So we decided to take the kids for a walk. I was beyond excited to use my latest Craigslist find- the Stroll-Air double wide. whoohoo! The seats snap in. Right now Sylvie is using the special bassinet attachment. SO fun! Although it looks like Brady is mad in the picture below, the camera actually just caught him mid-"cheeese!" face. However, the novelty of the Stroll-Air didn't last long for him. He preferred to walk behind us with his lawnmower (of course!).

Happy 2nd Birthday Riley!

We went next door to celebrate Riley's 2nd birthday today. I had intended to take more pictures at the party, but didn't. I only have this one from before we left. Daddy's still away skiing. So Mimi stayed home with Sylvie while Brady and I went to the party. Brady was a little clingy at first; and actually I was okay with that because neither one of us knew anybody there except the birthday boy and our hosts. But then our buddies, the Cassadas, arrived. Brady was happy to see his friends Rebekah, Joshua, and Bailey and I was happy to see my friend Courtney. So we all had a good time!

Yumm! Cake!
Brady had to take his birthday treat home so I could feed Sylvie.
He enjoyed it nonetheless!

The Rockin' Big Bro

Brady continues to be a great big brother to Sylvie. This morning when she was fussing in her bouncy chair, he raced to her and made it there first. He rocked her and told me, "I help Sylvie." Good job Big Bro Brady!

Now don't get me wrong...he isn't always so sweet. We've also heard these comments from our first born:
"Put Sylvie down! Put Sylvie on carpet!"
"I don't want Sylvie on my blanket!"
"Sylvie can't come in." (to his fort)
"You're MY Mommy."
"That's MY Daddy."
(this one may be TMI, but it cracks me up) "No, close your boob. Play with ME Mommy!" (while I was nursing)

Playing Play-Doh

We opened the "Giant Fun Box" that Aiyee, Cue, and Josiah gave Brady for his birthday today. I suppose this is why Brady calls it "birthday" when he sees it. Included inside "birthday" is all sorts of fun art things. We didn't even get in to the paint, markers, or crayons. We did bust out the play-doh and Brady had a ball...and an elephant, and spaghetti, and all the other fun cut-out and/or press pieces that were included! He was thrilled that we were letting him use a knife. :p What an awesome inside activity...kept him occupied and happy for at least an hour. whoohoo!

Stowaway

Brady attempted to stowaway in his Daddy's bag today so that he could go along on Uncle Steve's bachelor party/ski trip weekend.
Nice try little buddy!

Sponsorship

Brady has found a way to offset his recent need to downsize...sponsorship! LOL! Here he is with his new Golden Wheat car, sponsored by Anheuser Busch and his pit crew, Mimi, who happened to be wearing a Nascar (her former employer) sweatshirt today. How perfect!

Hitting the Bottle

After a moment's hesitation, Sylvie took her first bottle today and did just great. Big Bro Brady (with Mouse and the Boppy- lol!) was right alongside to supervise and offer support.