The Girls: September 2011

I've been waiting for these pictures to do the Two -year post.

I am pretty excited that it is only two months late!

Lets start with the Stats:

Emerson, Eme, Mimi, Meemers, Mimerloni, and let us not forget, cheese ball.

Weight- 27 lbs. 6 oz.

Height - 34 inches

Cuteness - Off! the! Charts!

When you were my little tenant, I would blame all the feist on your sister, thinking that Marlo was the one who could't sit still. Perhaps it was you the whole time.
You are definitely a mover and a shaker missy!

You were the first born, but second at everything else. It's like you need Marlo to test the waters, which seems ridiculous to me because she is such a fraidey-cat.

But when you do something, you do it with the gusto of a pro (or a lunatic).

I love you so, so much, much more than I ever imagined was possible!

I love that you are a little devil. I love that you will peak around the corner to check if I'm looking at you and then just grin. I love that when I walk into your room in the morning, I am always greeted with a smile and laughter. I love that you love our dogs, even though they are not that nice to you. I love that when your sis is hurt or crying, you will drop ANYTHING to come over and comfort her. I love that even though you are daring and brave, you always make sure Cookie is not out of your sight. I love that when you want us to move out of your way, you shout "BEEP Momma!" I love that you can make me laugh when I am sad or when I am sooo mad I'm seeing red. This is a fantastic quality and will serve you well in the teen years, so keep it up. I love that when you pose for the camera you shout "CHEESE BALLS!". I love that you love to "cheers" your sister. I love that you are a great dancer and love to have music playing all the time. I love that you are such a great sport and will try new things. I love that you pick your people and love them with your whole heart! I love that you and Pops are best pals. I love that you could make Val move heaven and earth for you. I love that you wrapped your mamas and grandmas around your little finger. I love that you speak in half English and half gibberish. I love that you understand Spanish. I love that you love to hold hands. I love that you test boundaries and limits, even though it drives me mad. I love that you like the girly stuff and are athletic too. I love that you fall down almost as much as I do. I love it when people tell me you look just like me because it makes me feel like we have a special bond. I love that when you give/blow big kisses, you vibrate with intensity.

Mostly I love that I made the most perfect littlle Mimi, and when you hug me all is right in the world!!

Marlo, Cookie, Kooks, or as you call yourself, Kootie.

Weight- 28 lbs. 6 oz.
Height- 34.75 inches

Cuteness - Off the charts as well!

Man, you may have been the second one out, but probably because you were kicking Mimi out of the womb. You are a bossy little bit; I wonder where you get that from??? You are a born leader, but very very, very cautious! You never do anything without thinking, and I rarely worry that you will fall out a window, run into traffic, or hit, bite, scratch, choke, anyone other that Mimi. Strangely comforting to me is that little scaredey streak you have. I love you more than I can even admit to myself.

I love that you have a little doll face and that all your eczema is gone!! I love that you get super-excited about the things you love. I love that most of your statements are more like exclamations. I love that you told me you love me only after you declared your love for the color purple, Winne the Pooh, the park, Finding Nemo and The Lion King... you've got your priorities! I love that when Mimi is crying, you go to her, pat her back, and say "you okay, you okay Eme". I love that you carry your lovies wherever you go. I love that you love purses and stuff them full with all your goodies, although it may lead you to star in an episode of Hoarders some day. I love that you adore accesories, and with you, the more the better. I love that before we leave the house I have to Coco Chanel you and take off at least two accessories. I love that you need to hold hands even when you are in the stroller. I love that you bust out new words and sentences daily. I love that you try to sing along with the radio. I love that you plug your ears when you don't like the song that is playing. I love that when a song says to "Put your hands up", you do it until the song is over. I love that when you are excited you shiver with intensity. I love that you are selective about who you love. I love that you light up when Andi comes into the room. I love the special bond you have with Yaya, and that only you can call her an "old lady" and make her laugh. I love that you made up the name Yaya and it turns out it means Grandma in Greek. I love that you were in love with Uncle Bill... until you met Luke. I love that only Val tells me you look just like me. I love that you kinda look like Andi, but sound just like me. I love that I can see strength and determination in your actions. I love that you are focused. I love that I know you will always watch out for your sister. Mostly I love that you are everything I always imagined my daughter would be.

When you two are together, the world is a little bit brighter! You compliment each other perfectly. Maybe because you have never, ever been apart for more than 30 minutes. When one cries, the other comforts, when one is scared, the other is brave, when you are both scared, you hold hands. I love how much you two seem to adore one another. I only hope that you will be besties forever! Mimi always looks to make sure you are not too far away Marlo, and Marlo, you are always looking out for Mimi, making sure she is not getting into trouble.

I envy this bond, friendship, kinship, connection, love, devotion! It is something that I will never understand, but am privileged to witness. Your souls and hearts are connected in a way only the two of you will ever know. This thought brings me serenity, knowing that it will be there always. I pray that you never forget this feeling, this bond, that it carries you thru hardships, and comforts your pains, because let's face it, life is hard and going thru it together will make it a little more fun!

I never knew that smiles could be so magical and days so full of wonder and awe until you two came along. My heart swells every time I see your perfect little faces. I waited so long for you, and for two years our lives have been complete. Now, you may hear from time to time that after I had the two of you, I lost my mind, and I will deny deny deny, but the truth is, I DID!! How can I not be a little crazy when a part of my heart and soul left my body and started a life of its own? And for me it was doubled!! This world is not kind, warm, loving enough to have you just wandering around without my worry to shelter you like that oversized red umbrella from those insurance commercials.

Different as the sun and the moon, but you both light up my world!!

I love you both more than my life, and I am so proud to be your mommy!

This is an excerpt from this article that really caught your mood these days. I hope things change soon because you two are aging us exponentially! Your mommas are at the end of their proverbial ropes and our wallets are close to empty because we buy anything that we think you may eat. To no avail, of course. All you want is ~~toast~~, ~~yogurt~~, ~~chicken~~, ~~salami~~, ~~o's~~, cheese this week. So please, please, please get it together before we really lose it!!

Your loving, but not so patient mommas!

... my children would not eat broccoli, nor any other green vegetable even if all they were required to eat was one microgram and it was delivered on the wings of a magical butterfly. They would not eat it if they were promised a pet unicorn that shat rainbow sprinkled chocolate droplets on command, and spoke leprechaun, and could teach them how to ride rainbows and could unlock the mysteries of the pyramids. They also don’t like red foods, orange things, foods that are yellow, blue, or purple, things that are hot, things that are cold, or anything that was grown anywhere at anytime on Planet Earth. They do, however, enjoy cheese crackers.

...although I speak leprechaun I do not have access to a magical butterfly nor a device that shits sprinkles. I do however suggest mashing tiny pieces of broccoli under a cheese cracker and then pointing at something, yelling loudly (with a smile) and the gently cramming it into their faces. Good luck!

I may just start taking the advice of mom #2

This is what dinner looked like yesterday, if you can understand spanish, you can hear my mom encouraging them to try something while we Skyped. In the words of Marlo "it no work"!