The two year olds who ate our preemies...

Charlotte & Claire had their two year well child visits today. They each got a shot; Charlotte was very brave and didn't cry very much. Claire was diagnosed with an ear infection, so now all three kids are taking antibiotics. We recommend buying stocks in Yoplait.

Charlotte & Claire are officially BIG girls. Their vitals:
Charlotte - 26.5 lbs (50th percentile), 35.5 inches tall (90th percentile), head circumference of 50 cm (95th percentile)
Claire - 30.5 lbs (90th percentile), 35 inches tall, head circumference of 50.5 cm

(For comparison, Louise at 2 was 37.5 in tall and 31 lbs)

Yes, we do let Charlotte eat, and no, we had no idea her head had gotten so big. We suspect it has something to do with Daddy going on and on about how cute & delightful she is.

Happy Birthday, Charlotte & Claire!!

Happy second birthday, Charlotte & Claire! They celebrated as only two year olds do. Everyone was very generous. Pop and Granny's gift, sadly, is still somewhere between Derby and NC, but it will be treasured when it arrives. Nana & Grandad gave coasters with the girls' names on them, and brief descriptions of the characteristics associated with those names. (Louise wanted hers read again - "I'm exciting and 'venturous, Claire! I'll take you on an exciting 'venture!!"). They also gave money, which Louise directed towards a gigantic balloon, a sit-n-spin, two books, a ball (for Claire - Charlotte "already has one"), and two recorders. Pops gave the girls a basketball hoop (a source of much joy & fighting - we will organize a pool for anyone foolish enough to wager on the outcome, or canny enough to see Charlotte as the embodiment of VCU), a craft kit, a toddler laptop, and a scooter.

Here are some pics -


A scooter from Pops:

















CAKE!!!! (Charlotte had been waiting for this moment since she woke up this morning).


















What is it??? (Help from big sister).


















All playing with the craft kit Pops got for Claire:

March Madness

We had a great time today with Ms. Meg at the Museum of Life & Science. We piloted boats, watched seeds fall, climbed on dinosaurs, and looked very carefully at some weird & wonderful insects & reptiles.

Basketball has also been on our minds. Louise helped Mummy assemble the basketball hoop that Pops sent for Charlotte's birthday today, and of course we couldn't wait until Monday to try it out. Daddy was very pleased with the performance of his adoptive team (UNC) and their nemesis (and Mummy's employer), but it was a sad day for Ohio. Louise listened carefully as Mummy explained what happened to Ohio State. She nodded solemnly and said, "That's too bad. But was the other team also American?" She concluded that it will all turn out okay in the end, because an American team is bound to win the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Finally, music has been a theme. Charlotte & Claire were riveted as Daddy played & sang nursery rhymes on a tiny electronic piano. Louise is a harder audience, however. Mummy was trying to sing her a lullaby at bedtime on Friday night. "What is that noise, Mummy?! Stop it!!"

Waste of Money

Daddy and Mommy told Louise yesterday that she would be given $10 to spend on each of her sisters for their birthdays. "I can use my piggybank money!" she countered. "I haven't wasted any of it yet!"

Louise also urged us to move carseats around so that all three girls could sit in the second row of the minivan. She promised to take good care of her sisters.

Finally, Daddy came into Louise's room tonight without a shirt on. "You're stinky, Daddy, but I still love you."

Dancing girls

Louise has been particularly sweet this weekend. Everyone was tired this evening, and we went for dinner at Elmo's. Charlotte was squawking, but Louise cuddled up next to her, declared that she could calm Charlotte down - and succeeded.

Charlotte & Claire have also been nicer to each other. Last night, they tossed a ball back and forth for the first time, and today, they held hands and played "Ring around the Rosie" with Mummy.