New Year's Eve craziness in the play area!

Stay tuned for more videos! Happy New Year to all!

Attack of the twins! Graham and Julia LOVE this toy....and here they are crawling around and using it...as you can tell, Graham Bear has it all under control! ; ) He's serious about his play time!

I promise a better one later...and one with Graham in it too!.....but in the meantime, here is Julia! Doing her own thing, plotting how to escape her play area...and a little dance at the end!

The (almost) great escapes

It seems we have a little rebellion on our hands...

First, Graham's binkies started disappearing. We had to keep washing the same 2 or 3 over and over...and, with the way that Julia just reaches over from Her Crib into His, as both are standing up playing 'over the fence' so to speak...and she just pulls a binkie out of Graham's mouth and, depending on the mood, makes him laugh or cry...oy. It was work to keep him in the binkies.

So, as it turns out? The little one had a stash. He was planning a breakout, for sure! Next to his crib, piled, literally, one top of one another, were SEVEN...7 binkies!!! When was he leaving? Where would he go? Or, like his daddy, would he have gone to ... EBAY!!!! Sold his binkies???

Then, there is our little peanut, Julia (ha. Peanut compared to her brother, Gulliver)...she keeps trying to get out of her gated community...

Here are some photos from out home to yours...the Gated Community ... with our outdoor tree (plus 2 little ones for the babies) all lit up... and Daddy holding his wee ones...Merry Christmas!

Misc. Photos...Happy Holidays

Here Comes Santa Claus

Ok, he came and went but what a wonderful time he gave us all!

I'll post pictures of the babies' first Santa visit...it was a hit. Julia wore her girly girly dress, and Graham, well, he wore a Santa suit! Looking cute as ever. (Thank you, Aunt Annie.)

The babies are crawling, pulling themselves up (and falling over)...and they are almost inconsolable at night or naptime unless they are assured their twin is in the crib next to them...which means lots of standing up, talking, gabbing, Julia grabbing Graham's binky (which normally brings smiles)...and not a lot of sleeping. SO, we must 'stagger' when the babies are put to sleep...but still, we'll often find Julia crying as she looks at her sleeping brother. She just doesn't understand why he won't get up and play!

It's odd, now that they are standing in their cribs...and How unusual it is to walk into their nursery in the morning and find Julia and Graham standing up 'talking' to one another and looking at the door to smile at Terence or me.

Where are my babies?

Here Comes Santa Claus, Here Comes Santa Claus

Standing in cribs, giggling...oh my

So, last night it was the 30 minute giggle fest before bed with Graham and Julia ...
Their cribs are head to head, so Graham decided to kneel and look over at Julia, then she did the same, and they talked and giggled and giggled so hard I thought they'd tip over.
They didn't.
InSTEAD, big brother Graham stood up...and Julia followed.

Oh no...time to lower the cribs and possibly tent them in? horrors.
I put pillows around the cribs just in case..

Graham is fighting sleep these days...at least for the first 20 minutes (Julia doesn't like napping any more, at all!)...he seems confused by his abilities to sit up, pull himself to a standing position...and resists the urge to sleep by doing the above...but he's so tired he inevitably falls over and hits his head on the side of the crib.
more tears.
Then finally, sleep.
Ouch ... what a way to learn ;)
Julia, as ever, is graceful and knows when to stop 'pushing' her limits!

Photos to come...

Oh, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!!!

Wow.

When Daddy Terence walks into the house at night, you'd think Julia and Graham were 16 & at a Rock Concert for their favorite band....

Julia? She just laughs and laughs and laughs, and then breathes her "lion breath" (seething little lion) and then giggles ... ... If she's in her bouncer, forget it...she bounces so fast that the noise scares the mice away (oh, did we mention? We have a new family...after getting rid of 4... I suppose they really, REALLY like our home!).

He's the Rock Star Daddy...

Graham is equally enthralled, but just smiles because, well, he knows the routine: Upside down Graham, Flying Graham, Rolling over Graham...
Enough to give mom a heart attack...she leaves the room ...
And just hears massive giggles...

Sigh. So much for caution!

The visitor's center at the Capitol, G&J

It was 68 degrees in DC today...amazing...
So, Graham and Julia and I walked to the new Visitor's center at the Capitol.
Wow...it's nice to be that close to the Capitol again. It's been closed for 'renovations' for 5? or something years...we could get close to the steps on the East side, which is amazing..

We sat in front of the Capitol, I held Julia, then Graham...Graham looked STUNNED at all of the lights, the building, etc (Julia, as ever, was a tad 'cooler' and just smiled and smiled)...
The Supreme Court is across from the Capitol...So Graham and Julia got lessons on where they'd end up if they were to become Senators, Representatives, or Supreme Court Justices.

Ha. They just grinned...silly mommy! We've got eyes on the White House ...

So we checked out the fabulous buildings, as well as the Capitol Police...Mame met us there, and we both carried a baby home...all 20 pounds of each one!

Graham, Graham the King of Siam

We arrived home last Sunday--Terence and I--to this scene on our couch: Graham getting the adoration of 3 very pretty young au pairs, Yves, Amonrat, and Nice. Lucky Boy! He can not seem to get enough of these young ladies...

Graham is such a heartbreaker...xxoo

Julia here...sorry for the lack of updates...Mame and Mommy are trying to figure out how to put in videos and photos (in that order) and, well, there you have it.

I, Julia, am doing well, or 'Miss Perfect' as everyone calls me...
I am patient with my loud, flirtatious brother, Graham...I crawl in a way that gets me from A to Z...I zone out when my brother is blah blah blahing during dinner (leaving mommy to pull her hair out, as it means I don't eat but focus on a point on the wall until I decide my brother has received enOUGH attention!)...

Anyhow, I promise photos soon...because I am SO CUTE in the photos and videos!
Aunt Annie bought a gorgeous outfit for me...red velvet dress with lace and flashy stars on it (she IS from LA you know...I hear she knows Cinderella! Snow White! All the rest -- of course I won't be allowed to Go To Disneyland unless it's in Paris)....
sigh
Love
Julia

The Fashionista

Julia gets so excited by this outfit that I put it in front of her whenever I think she is feeling down...no doubt, she giggles and grabs the lady on the shirt and kisses her...kind of like Lola, the pink poodle...

8 Months and they are off and ...

crawling for Graham! Wow...in the past 24 hours, since turning 8 months, these babies have blossomed...

Tonight, the big news: Graham REALLY crawled...On all 4s, he put one tiny hand out in front of him, whimpered, waved the hand in the air, planted it ahead of himself ... and moved his knees. He did the same on the other side. And again...whimpering each time he held his hand up, as if waving hello...

I have one of the crawls on video...Terence came home and Graham also crawled to him...amazing...

Ha. Julia? She's busy fighting the purple polka dotted elephants, striped donkeys, and blue giraffes in her mobile...and Graham's. First order: Tearing them down...I heard a clink clink noise from the nursery, and sure enough, Julia had ripped the funky animals off of their posts and was playing with them.

I put her in Graham's crib, and she did the same to his...

But, not to be outdone by Graham's crawling, Julia has 4--mark that, 4--TOP TEETH! And 2 on the bottom..Graham, finally, seems to be sprouting 2 on top...even the pediatrician nodded to Graham's budding teeth yesterday.

8 months old today!

Julia and Graham are 8 months old today. It's so hard to believe...they are so fun.
Sitting up, Julia crawling (dragging a bit, but 'getting there') and Graham, as Ever, having giggle fits whenever possible.

Graham:
19 lbs, 11 oz
29.5 inches long

Julia:
19 lbs
27.5 inches long

So much to be Thankful for!!!

So much has happened this week!

Aunt Annie came in from LA to help us celebrate Thanksgiving...and Graham and Julia entertained her (or was it the other way around?) with their attempts to crawl--Julia almost has it with a scooch, Graham rocks on all fours then flops on his belly (aw, later mom!).

They especially liked taking Aunt Annie's glasses off...Julia got quite good at it and did it with two hands...
On Thanksgiving, we all took a long 2 hour walk down to the Capitol and toward the Mall...and saw where the Inauguration podium and stands are being built in front of the Capitol. It was sunny and in the 50s.

Amonrat celebrated her birthday by cooking a wonderfully delicious dinner for us on Friday, with her friend Yves! Thank you Amonrat and Yves!

OK...photos to come. I must go eat leftover turkey with Terence. The babies are in bed....

To the Capitol ... Amonrat, Annie and Julia

Our 2 hour long walk on Thanksgiving was fruitful in many ways, some of these photos will show you...

Julia giggled and talked a good portion of the time...she loved being out and about with the adults!

Happy Birthday, Nov. 28, Amonrat!!!

Amonrat and her friend, Yves, were lovely enough to cook Annie, Terence and me a delicious Thai meal on Amonrat's birthday ... it was so fun!

Thank you, Amonrat!!! (On the left, Yves on the right)...

Jaws Julia

Alas, Graham moans and the poor little guy is in pain...or, has been for 6 weeks, trying to cut his first tooth. Then, there is Julia...she sprouted her THIRD tooth this week...without a sigh or a whimper. It seems that Graham bears the pain, Julia grows the tooth.

Go figure. Must be a Twin Thing...This is the first photo that Julia has actually allowed us to photograph her two bottom teeth (the newest tooth is on top)...

The hats? Courtesy of--you got it--Auntie Mary...XXOO

Giggle video

Mame was kind enough to stop by tonight...I mean, it's not like she has anything else to do, except work a FT job, take 2 MA level classes at Georgetown University, and, oh, pack for her trip to Hawaii early Sat. morning...

Alas, she knew the grandmothers and aunties would want to see a video, since, by the time Mame returns, one of the babies will be crawling...

Here is the video that loaded...it's a short, but giggly, piece of work of both Graham and Julia!!!

THANK YOU MAME

Graham the Bookie (I didn't do nuthin, officer' )

Alas, Graham has grown yet again and can't wear the designer outfit gifted to him that he fit into just last week. He is a big boy, and talking and talking and talking and talking...
AND
almost figuring out how to crawl (please don't aim for the snap or sticky mouse traps, pumpkin! Which will be removed pronto once you figure out how to crawl)..

Each morning I find him awake on all fours, trying hard to figure out the next move in crawling. It's rather impressive...

Julia, as ever, is just perfect Julia. We learned tonight that--horrors--there is actually a food she will not eat! Corn! It was mixed in with squash.
I don't blame her...I tasted it and it was like cardboard...

She was growling tonight...we got it on video and if we're lucky, Mame will come back this week to launch it onto the site...
Julia, alas, may be a fashionista...the one designer outfit I bought her? Julia actually SMILES when she sees it on the hanger...
scary..she also picks out her pink polka dot flannel onsie to wear from time to time...
Graham? Oh dear...I'll post soon what he had on tonight...
He looked like a bookie, and the photo I took of him had an 'I didn't do 'nuthin, officer, really' look about it. mug shot, per se. Hopefully his only one! (pic above)
The shirt? Aunt Mary's gift...a Hawaiian Tommy Bahama looking shirt...
Oy
In the interim, just use your imagination...
Little princess growling, little man seething like a dragon or bull...too cute !!!

Graham, the almost crawling, seething little bull!

Oh, we knew he listened to Carmen's Toreador song carefully, but it was not until Graham started getting up on all fours, pursing his lips, and wrinkling his nose as he breathed hard that we realized we had a bull on our hands! (Or little dragon, if you will.)

Yes, out little Graham (ha, at almost 20 pounds and 30 inches, fitting into size 18 months) is getting ready to launch on all fours. He gets sooooo frustrated because while he can get up on all 4s and rock back and forth, he can't figure out the next move.

That's OK, little one, we're not so eager to see you crawling around the room...

Unless, of course, you can catch a mouse (or two!).

Chilly day in DC

The babies didn't get out today because of the cold weather...it was great sleeping weather, and sleep they did during their naps...not last night, alas...they woke at 2 for a feeding and at 6...they never do that! But they didn't eat much last night...something they made up for today...

As you can see by the new photos of eating babies! Graham LOVES mangos...mango chicken risotto, mango banana (I can make that one!), mango mango mango...he says "mmmmmm, mmmmm" and chortles...it's one way I can get him to continue to eat at night, just slip some more mango into his mouth!

Graham has a new sound.. he hisses through is his nose like a dragon, and smiles...it's too cute.
Julia, as ever, is smiling and crinkling her nose...I got it on video but it'll have to wait, as I don't know how to upload it!

OK, will edit later...

Welcome, Amonrat!

Graham and Julia's au pair, Amonrat, arrived from Thailand last Thursday night. She is lovely and sweet and adores the babies....the feeling is mutual!

We took a trip yesterday to the Thai grocery store and the cell phone store...both to assure she'll stay in touch with her culture and family and friends...Amonrat seems to be settling in quite well.

So, unfortunately, have the mice in the children's play area in back.

YUK! I thought I was seeing things 3 weeks ago when this teeny, tiny furball went across the floor...we caught that one, but his brother ran out from under the couch Sunday night...AND last night (EEK)...

We called in the forces (Connors pest control), and hopefully the little buggers will all be dead (The only good mouse is a dead mouse...except Mickey, Rachelle reminded me! Then again...sometimes Mickey is a bit much too)...

OK, the babies? Out for a walk today...bundled like little marshmallows, if they'd fallen down they'd have bounced or been so padded they would not have felt anything...photos to follow...they are adorable, as ever...smiley Julia, who now crinkles her nose with every smile...it's so cute...
But they were soooooo out of sorts tonight...maybe the changes are catching up with them and they are getting confused.
I know I am!!!

Kisses for Grandma...

Julia wanted to give kisses to Grandma...however, it ended up with a smile! She'll get better at it - and in the meantime - the smiles are really cute!

It's Monday evening on a cool November day. Graham and Julia are warm in the feet pajamas and jumping around. Julia is a bit more serious - she must of had a lot going on in her jumper...Graham was on the silly side and feeling a bit giggly!

"All right Mr. De Mille, we're ready for our close ups"

Mame is uploading videos onto the site...

This one features the two little bears nipping at one another...Julia sticking her nose in Graham's mouth...just the usual...

Lots happening this weekend...More later on that...
Enjoy! And Thank You Mame!

Video from October 2008 - Graham and Julia playing.

Oh, how we have grown!

Julia and Graham got Part II of their flu shots today.

Well, we talked the nurse into measuring and weighing the babies as well. The stats below will explain why they are growing out of their 12 months frocks and into their 18 month old frocks.
Julia, actually, even has a little designer 2T outfit that fits her...and, as Aunt Mary reminds us, the black cat and Handsome Devil Halloween outfits were 2T as well! And those were SNUG.

Here are the stats:
Julia 'our little eater':

Up from 16 pounds 13 ounces since October 5!
Current weight 18 pounds, 5 ounces.
She grew one inch.
Current length: 27 3/4 inches

Graham...who loves mangoes ('mmmmmm'):

Up almost two pounds from 17 pounds 5 ounces
Current weight: 19 pounds!!
He grew 1.5 inches!
Current length: 29 1/2 inches!!

It's a new day, new world

Graham and Julia woke to a momentous day...filled with hope for the future.

They greeted the news of their new president with their typical sounds...Julia smiling so hard I worry her face will break, wiggling around with glee and babbling away, as ever, and Graham practicing his screeches. Now that this very quiet little cuddle bug has learned how loud he can scream, every now and then he 'practices'...such a brilliant boy!

Julia continues to show off her two bottom teeth, which grew overnight 3 weeks ago to no fanfare or fuss. Graham is still working on cutting his first tooth (Julia cut 2 at a time!), poor bunny, as it involves lots of drooling and chewing and pain.

Ah...off to the future! They'll be crawling in no time...

Lola the Pink Poodle has been sent to the taxidermist...that is, the one who stuffs Halloween costumes with newspaper and what not...

Julia gets such glee from looking at her Halloween costume that we do not have the heart to put Lola away...thus, Lola is hanging from the French Doors in the back study/play room in the making (ahem, Student Lamps are still there, but a Binnacle was removed ... phew!)

Julia is a talking wiggle worm...she wiggles and talks every morning ... Graham? Our sweet baby boy... soooo mellow ... so sweet.
We are so fortunate!
Our au pair arrives on Thursday...Alas, only 45 hours a week? There are more hours than that in the week...ha ha...and two babies roll in different directions...
oy

You found it!

This is it! The official blog for Graham and Julia.
For those who are far away, who saw them yesterday and want an update, or for those who want to just show them off! This is the place.

It's Sunday, November 2nd and the house is quiet. Everyone, yes everyone, is taking a much deserved nap. Graham and Julia were working overtime this weekend juggling multiple personalities.

They had two costume changes! Graham began as a devil and then ended his Halloween as teddy bear (a Teddy Graham if you will) and Julia was a cool cat and then transformed during her nap into Lola the dog. Neighbors were stopping to adore the two animals as they took a late night stroll (7:30 p.m. is pushing it!) to visit all the haunted houses of East Capitol Street. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad passed out candy, took lots of pictures, entertained guests and had a great time. Whew - what a weekend!

Stay tuned for updates and more about the lives of Graham and Julia! Feel free to leave comments and keep us updated as to how you are doing!

Love,

Graham and Julia