Mommy's Birthday

On Sunday we got to see our whole family in honor of my birthday. My actual birthday was last Friday, the 19th, but I consider the entire weekend to be my "birthday weekend." I am just grateful that Evie is not in the hospital this February, as she was in 2009 and 2008. Last year what I wanted most (and which I got) for my birthday was to hold Evie, something I hadn't been able to do for two weeks due to her ventilator and chest tubes. Her nurse even brought me a piece of cake from the cafeteria!

We started the day at Eggsperience with Nana and Grandpa Cermak (Gavin kept his coat on, as usual):









"No, Nana, I didn't break that crayon...it was already like that when the nice waitress brought it..."



"... and in conclusion Dad, that's why I prefer the butter to the jelly.



Evie enjoyed stacking the jellies:



We went back to our house to meet Auntie Clare and open presents. Then the kids took naps, and when they woke up we headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Cordes' house.

Gavin tried a wheat Ritz cracker:



He loved Grandma's red bear candle...



...and her oven mitts. "I'm ready to help you in the kitchen, Grandma!"



Hanging out with Uncle David:



and Auntie Di:



Then Evie helped me open gifts:



I had a great weekend - thanks everyone!

Ah-Choo!

As Francis mentioned, we've been a little sick over here. Last Monday Evie came down with a runny nose and then a cough. Then Thursday Gavin got the same thing. Evie is pretty much over it but Gavin is still coughing occasionally. I felt stuffy for a day or two, then bounced back thanks to "Mommy immunity."

Fortunately it was just a run-of-the-mill cold and nothing serious. This is only the second cold Evie has had all winter! She managed to not lose any weight either - although I kept stuffing as much pasta as I could into her.



Last Friday we went to a "Black Light Puppet Show" at our local library. The room was pitch dark but Evie and Gavin weren't scared. The staff moved brightly colored cardboard cut-outs around (instead of actual puppets) to stories played on CDs. It was a bit slow paced but it was free, and the twins love going to the library.

Under the Weather

Hi everyone, it's Francis here. Sharon and the twins are a little under the weather (everyone seems to have a cough and sniffles), so there may not be an update here for a few days. Rest assured that Sharon is in "blog withdrawal" and can't wait to get back to blogging.

Thursday Cuteness

Gavin helps Nana Cermak open her Valentine card:



Gavin uses his screwdriver to change some batteries:



Snuggling with Grandpa Cermak:




"Ahem, Gavin, you might want to turn that camera around before you press the button..."



Gavin vacuums the driveway:

Grandma & Grandpa

On the day that Grandma and Grandpa Cordes came over last week, Gavin took such a long nap that Evie got a lot of undivided attention from them.






After some books and playtime, Evie opened her Valentine's Day present - new clothes! As usual, Evie liked her card, too:

"Thanks for my new pants, jacket, and pajamas, Grandma!"

Finally Gavin woke up:

Evie "fed" Elmo with her new princess wand:

More books and clapping. What a fun day!

In Which Evie Decides That I Am Funny

This was one Sunday morning where Evie was practicing her favorite word, "no."



"Mommy is the only one who is funny!"

Reading with Uncle David (who is also funny):

On the rockers with Gavin:

Kids Town

Last week we took the kids to a fun new spot called Kids Town in Wheaton. It is an indoor play place, which we usually need to avoid because of germs. But the Kids Town staff sanitizes their facility every night, unlike most of their competition who only sanitize weekly. Also, every parent and child had to put on hand sanitizer before entering the play area. Evie and Gavin had a great time and didn't want to leave!

Evie was her usual cautious self at first. She sat at this little table with me and took in all the activity:


Gavin in the "dance room." They played Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers music, and had blacklights and flashing colored lights:

Evie in the "pet clinic" room, examining the fish:

There were lots of little cars to ride on:

Gavin especially liked the police car. In fact he loved the "Police Station" room, because it had not one but two phones!

Francis and the kids in the police station:

Both kids also loved the cash registers. Evie liked counting the money!

Gavin loved this pick-up truck:

Thursday Cuteness

Gavin has been taking longer naps lately - about 2.5 hours. He sleeps without moving for an hour, it seems. This is how his hair looked after his nap the other day:



Evie has been eating lots of ravioli and mac & cheese in the last 3 -4 weeks, and she has gained a pound and a half! (See "Nutshell" on left.) Here she reads with Grandma Cordes:




Another day, another (much more subdued) hair situation:




Storytime has started up again at our library - woo-hoo! That is where we will be on Thursday mornings. The storyteller is very loud, silly, and animated - perfect for 2 year olds. Evie and Gavin just love her!

Breakfast

Gavin finished his own breakfast and decided to help Evie finish hers:

Gymnastics!

Since Evie and Gavin enjoyed their therapist's balance beam so much, I decided to take them to a local gymnastic center during open gym time. It is an understatement to say that they LOVED IT! LOVED IT! It was a world of new things to jump on, walk on, and touch. As soon as we walked in, Evie and Gavin took off together, happily walking on the big blue mats.


"This is a neat place, Mom!"



Gavin shows me where he wants to go next:



Evie on the mat. She is sitting in between two balance beams that are on the floor:



There was a coach in the gym the whole time, making sure all the kids were having fun and following the rules. He helped Gavin get into this position on the bars and scoot all the way across!



Evie favorite thing was walking between these bars:

Gavin hopped on the balance beam and started walking all by himself:

The coach kept checking on us every 15 minutes or so, making sure Evie was OK:

Gavin surprises me every day with his strength. He was able to grab this bar, pick up his feet and hang there!

One of the kids' favorite things was the trampoline. It was at floor level so there were no worries about them falling off. It was a totally new sensation for them!

It was so neat to watch the enjoyment on their faces as they explored the equipment. We hope to go back soon or maybe even take a class there!