2.12.11: More purple

Today Stella said her first phrase which caught both Grandy and me off guard. While eating her lunch she said 'more purple'. Turns out she wanted more grapes. The odd thing is, we never called the grapes 'purple'. She came up with that description all on her own. And yes, she promptly got more grapes...mama was very proud.

2.11.11: Twenty months old

(left to right: fiona, daphne, stella)

This month can be summarized in one word....puzzles. Even though we have had puzzles out for several months, apparently they clicked with everyone this month. The girls LOVE puzzles. I can get them to do almost anything if I promise a puzzle afterwards...it is amazing.

It has been a rather intense month as Brant has been traveling almost every weekday for work. The girls and I are hanging in there, doing the best we can, and staying as busy as possible. Thankfully the traveling is almost over (and I am still sane...yay!).

I am convinced the girls (especially Stella) are having a growth spurt. I swear I feed these children and they are never full. I will split 2.5 adult servings of oatmeal across all three of them and they finish still wanting more...FOR A SNACK! I had to begin carrying cheese, green beans, bread, etc just for our nightly walks to keep everyone happy. You'd think they wouldn't eat dinner after all that snacking, but they still do. It has to be a growth spurt....or perhaps a tape worm...nah, let's stick with growth spurt.

2.7.11: Closeups

With Auntie Kelly in town, there was an abundance of photos getting taken. She taught everyone to smile when she said 'cheese' and the camera was pointed at them (although daphne preferred to say 'cheese' back to her). I couldn't resist posting some closeups since the girls so rarely sit still. (fiona/white, daphne/dark pink, stella/light pink)

2.6.11: Mama gets the leftovers

(left to right: stella, fiona, daphne)

Today we decided to try feeding the girls some of my burrito (yes, real food)...well they absolutely loved it. They promptly all sat on my lap and each took turns taking bites. Unfortunately this left little lunch for me, but that is what being a mom is all about. Thankfully, Daphne decided that she could spare the rice that fell on the floor and feed it to me.....THEY only wanted to eat straight from the burrito.

2.4.11: Lady Kochmans

(left to right: auntie kelly, daphne, stella, fiona)

Making the most of the weekend with Auntie Kelly in town, we adventured out to the zoo. Thanks to all of our practice with animal noises at home, they were able to teach Kelly all about their favorites. The girls love making monkey noises. Coincidentally the monkeys at the zoo were going crazy making their own noises. The girls were in awe. Perhaps they thought only mama made such crazy noises when imitating a monkey.

There was a reunion of lady Kochmans later in the day. With Catherine going to school nearby and Kelly and Jane in town for a well timed visit, there was some quality lady Kochman time - while entertaining the girls of course. Thankfully, Catherine and Jane were able to get some dog images on their phones....so the girls were thrilled!


(left to right: catherine, daphne, fiona, jane)

The girls even sat very quietly on the couch and posed for several pictures...perhaps because they are not normally allowed to sit on the couch and they were just hoping I didn't notice.


(left to right: kelly, stella, fiona, daphne, catherine)

2.3.11: Monkey see monkey do

(left to right: daphne, stella, fiona)

Today the girls simultaneously wanted the monkeys around their necks....so of course I had to take a picture. The hilarious part was what happened next. One by one, they all started pulling the monkeys off of their sisters once they discovered the arms were velcro. The monkey-less child would get really upset until I put the monkey back around their neck. The scorned child would then go and pull a monkey off of another child, repeat, repeat, repeat.

1.30.11: Foiled

(left to right: stella, daphne, fiona)

Today was rainy and Brant is out of town. Needless to say, I was desperate to find some form of entertainment for the girls. I read in one of my toddler art books that foil can be fascinating to little ones. Well, to my little ones.....not so much. Total craft time today: 5 minutes.

1.24.11: Whoa, there's my belly

(left to right: fiona, daphne and stella)

The girls discovered today that these pajamas enable them to find their bellies while fully dressed. Upon this discovery, they just couldn't resist showing their bellies to daddy and giggling.

1.23.11: Sleepy dog

Matt arrived for a weekend visit and the boys sure packed in the activities. Within five minutes of arrival in our home, brant and matt were taking the girls to the zoo. The girls came home exhausted but very excited about all the animals they saw.


Yes, girls....matt also has a dog on his phone (or at least he did after figuring out this is what they expected from him and his phone). Thankfully matt's dog is very tired and has to go to sleep (in matt's pocket) quite often. Very creative matt!


daphne conquering her new climbing apparatus


fiona discovering that matt will separate her cupcake top from bottom over and over again...he has admirable patience

1.16.11: Winter?

(left to right: fiona, daphne, debbie, stella)

On Debbie's final day in town, the girls wore their new short-sleeved dresses that I got for them during black friday shopping in 2009. I am still in disbelief that it is mid-January and we are wearing these dresses without tights or sweaters...although apparently Stella needed her slippers.