Graham, Graham, our little -- er -- BIG man!

The babies are getting big. I know I've said that before, but while feeding Julia in the glider the other morning...it was still fairly dark in the room...I watched as Graham stood up in his crib.
And up
And up...that boy is so tall!
When I told Terence that the growth slows down after 12 months or so...he said "Good. What on earth will we do with a 6 foot 5 year old?"
Let's hope the baby books are right and the growth does slow down!

I'm posting these photos of Graham as a newborn, when he clung to me as if to say "I want to go back inside, this is too tough!" (Actually, Aunt Mary said that is what he looked like he was thinking!)

This morning, after Graham ate at 11:15 p.m., 3:15 a.m., and 5:15 a.m., he curled up again to me, but of course his legs were too long for the real deal...He sure needs comforting and food these days in his growth spurts...If you could see how BIG HIS TEETH ARE you'd understand how he needs comforting. My god...it is as if he grew his second set of teeth now in response to Julia sprouting 2 or 3 at one time with ease.

Julia. The wee one can stand gracefully for well over one minute. Tonight? She was shaking a small toy, then she bent over to pick up a HUGE toy (think boombox size) which she held and shook as well.
Onward...

And two for Julia...

These are photos of Julia as a newborn...she was big on the Betty Boop look at the time...

Now she is into the Royal Wave.

From our home to yours

Tartan PJs...here we come!

I've been trying to get photos of the darlings in their PJs...initially, these were Christmas PJs but the PJs were too large ... Now, for the most part, the PJs fit...they are warm and cozy and flannel and with a little onesie underneath, and socks, the perfect bedtime designer clothing!

Each time I tried to take a photo, the babies would crawl right at me!!! So here are two photos of the little ones before they reached out and grabbed the camera...

Oh, and a photo of our outdoor tree (and the 2 little baby trees) in the snow.

Yes, the snow...How did Julia greet the white stuff?

With a wave!!!! Of course...

Time continues to pass too quickly!

Life feels a bit uneventful, it's a Post Inaugural letdown...but due to sunny and basically warmer (than Inauguration week) weather, the babies and I have been taking our 2 hour 'loop' walk when weather permits.

The loop includes the Capitol...and down either Pennsylvania Avenue or Constitution, by landmark buildings...and then over to Eastern Market to buy dinner...At the Market, vendors and customers ooh and ahhh over Graham and Julia. One vendor even gives out bananas...which Julia mistakes as teething devices...argh...

The babies, as ever, are the most gorgeous in the Universe! Here's a recent photo from tonight...of 'daddy and Graham'...and one of Graham and me as well. Cheers.

Post Inauguration let down

Yesterday was a very, very exciting time to be on the Hill and in DC.

We watched the swearing in on TV, then realized that W's helicopter was about to take off from the "east side of the Capitol" ... oof! That was 8 blocks from our home! We dashed outside and were greeted by neighbors standing in the middle of the street, waiting for the send off.

It was hard to judge what people were happiest about: That W was leaving, after 8 clunky, poorly lead years; or that Obama was entering, for 4 hopeful, potentially successful years.

When W's helicopter ascended the Capitol, the cheers were loud.
"GO HOME!"
"Asta la vista, W!"
"Au revoir!"
"Auf weidersehen!"
and, mostly, "Good Riddance!"

We won't get into the cries of 'YAYYYYYYY!!!" that cheered through the Irish Times pub -- where we went to get warm -- when Air Force One lifted off.
The cries of joy in the Irish Times at W's departure were simply ear-splitting.
Is there any doubt that God created the Irish after his own image?

As Terence and I walked back home, we stumbled upon the start of the parade route...and Obama leaving the Capitol...we walked alongside The President's limo as it crawled slowly, oh so slowly, along Constitution Avenue, to the start of the parade...and we watched as our new President waved and waved, his adorable little girl also waving...

We saw the mounted horses of the Park Police trail behind the marching bands (for obvious reasons, bringing up the rear)...and the Marine Band march on by. It was one of those moments in history which we will never forget. All of this, without having to buy a single ticket, or to wait brutally in line (or for the parade to start) to be let into anything!

Ah..the luck of...

We then hosted friends at our home, popped champagne to celebrate a new regime, and feasted on Terence's delicious chicken pizzaiola...

As we were so excited when we ran out the door that we forgot our cameras (!!!), I'm posting 2 recent favorite photos of our babies...

And, yes, Julia has chapped cheeks that are eternally red due to the dry air. Poor girl inherited Irish skin as well ;)

Julia practices her 'Inaugural wave'

Inauguration 2009

It's so wonderful to be able to take Graham and Julia down to the Capitol to see this historic moment in time. The mood today around the Capitol was happy, and better yet, hopeful.

So many people stopped us to look at the babies. Also, people took photos of Graham and Julia (and sometimes the 4 of us)...amazing.

It was amazing to walk around, listen to a choir prepare for tomorrow's Inauguration...meet friendly people from all over the U.S....all ages, all races...everyone with the same hope: a change from the past 8 years.

Adios, W! Don't let the door hit you on the way out!

We took some good photos of the babies, and of new friends. Here are some of them.

PS: Graham was asleep, so Julia has the spotlight...I'll post more of Graham tomorrow!

Whatever it takes to feed Graham and Julia

Graham vs a newly discovered toy

C,mon, jump! It'll be fun!

Graham and Julia Jan 4, 2009

Anyone who knows Graham learns quickly that he doesn't like being contained for long. Julia is his long suffering sister who stands by as Graham squirms, yells, grunts and finally lets out his yowl (just make sure it's not against your ear or you may lose your hearing!)...

Alas, we did get it on camera...from total joy to 'wait a minute, I've been sitting still a LONG time! At least 8 seconds!) Enjoy. We sure do!

PS: Yes, I know my eyes are squinty...but the babies look cute ;)

Pre-Inauguration travels

Yesterday and today, Graham and Julia and I walked for a long time around the Capitol, watching all of the people busy at work. Yet one thing is missing: Lines of people waiting to get into the visitor's center! Rumor has it DC is PACKED right now! ha. I didn't see it...the most activity involved trucks driving up and down the Capitol sidewalks, catering to the people planning the event.

Enjoy the photos!

Hey, aren't you that Santa guy? I mean, without the belly?

At Terence's office party, Graham Johnson and Julia Grace were so loved on that Terence and I took a mental 'vacation' from the babies...they were passed up and down a long communal table by the loving people who all work at Chesapeake and Washington Heart Care.

But there was one man, Connor...who resembled someone Graham and Julia had met the day before...You can just see Graham's mind working 'hey, I've seen you before! Where have I seen you? Oh YEAHHHHHHH! Oh, I want a Maserati, OK?"

Here are some shots from the party! There *will be* more on Shutterfly by this weekend, if you hit 'photos' on the website...

More party photos...