Helly Kitty

Jenny gave Ellen and Anais matching Hello Kitty outfits for Christmas. One week later, Ellen has worn hers 3 times!

Our Little Packer Backers!

In search of Ariel...

Grandpa Dave, Jenny, my friend Emily and I went to the National Aquarium in Baltimore with 3 babes in arms and 4 preschoolers in tow. It was quite the exhausting adventure - given that they don't allow strollers - but well worth it. We saw dolphins, sharks, blue starfish, a rain forest and little frogs. The highlight was finding the 2 very small Nemos! Unfortunately, Ariel did not swim by.

Bathtime for the boys!

The boys are officially going it alone in the tub. No baby bathtub or seats for them! They have a ball splashing and sliding around.

They had a very "robust" (as the dr called it) 9 month well care appt yesterday. Nicolas is in the 90th percentile for size with his weight at 20lbs, 12.63 oz (9.43Kg) and height 27.5" (70cm). Dylan is in the 97th percentile at a hefty 22 lbs, 14.49 oz (10.29kg) and 28.5" (72cm). Both have a head circumference of 18.9" (48cm) which is well off the charts. Needless to say they don't fit in the 12 month GB Packer caps Shawn got for them.

Merry Christmas!!!

We had a wonderful holiday and hope you did as well. For us it seemed like one event after another - which Ellen particularly enjoyed. On Christmas Eve, Shawn made a traditional Chilean dinner of Cebiche de Corvina (Red Snapper and Shrimp marinated in Lime Juice), Pastel de Choclo (Meat and Onion Pie with a crisp corn topping), Ensalada de Zanahorias con Cilantro (Zesty Carrot Salad with Garlic and Cilantro) and for dessert, Empanaditas Fritas de Manjar (fried pastry stuffed with carmel). Delicious! After everyone put on their new Christmas pajamas Grandpa Dave read "The Night Before Christmas" by the fireplace. Then, Ellen and Anais set out cookies and chocolate milk for Santa after hanging their stockings "with care". The next morning the girls found that Santa had indeed come, even after all the "naughty" behavior! Due to the economics of a large family :-) he doubled up on the gifts and brought the girls a new play kitchen and the boys a double stroller. Next came a breakfast of snowman pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and fruit. Finally, the gift opening - still in our pjs which Jenny found very cute. After many gifts, a break for naps, more gifts and the ceremonial opening of the "homemade" gifts via speaker phone with the Bratts in California, we took another "break" while the kids played with their new toys and I made dinner - Boeuf Bourguignonne. Even with the usual chaos of our household, it really was a nice day and we were glad to enjoy our first holiday with the twins in our own house and share some of our traditions with Jenny and Grandpa Dave. Holiday cheers to all!!!

Dinner preparations

Every year Shawn makes a multi-course dinner with an international theme for Christmas Eve. This year he is reviving Chile - based on some of the meals he had while living there as a child. He did this menu several years ago but for reasons I won't mention here, he couldn't serve wine so thought he'd try it again. Yesterday, he started working on the dessert - Empanaditas Fritas de Manjar. Ellen was a big help!

Grandpa Dave is here!

Grandpa Dave arrived last Monday and is here for 3 weeks to help us celebrate our first holiday with the twins. We are so glad he is here to join in on the festivities!

The Asthmatics!

If the boys ever form a rock band, The Asthmatics might be a good name. After all they are their father's sons and have Peterson blood. They both have weezing coughs and have to do these breathing machines 4 times a day. Apparently this is just due to colds or perhaps it is nothing more then breathing in the not-s0-clean air of Delaware. On top of this poor Nicolas has an ear infection. Did I mention that nights have been less then a joy lately? Who am I kidding, they haven't been a joy in 4 1/2 years!

9 months old!

The boys are 9 months old! Hard to believe. Nicolas weighs approx 21 lbs and now has 8 teeth - 4 of which came in this last week. He is "crawling" backwards and able to get up on his hands and knees. Yikes! Dylan is about 24 lbs!!!! He has 2 teeth and always seems to be getting more - but they never appear :-) He rolls around and does spins on his belly but still prefers to stand up and walks a little with our help.

Holiday Party #2

Ellen had her class holiday party on Wed, the 19th. They recited poems and sang holiday songs including a snappy rendition of "Jingle House Rock". She wore her beautiful holiday dress that Papa and Ghio sent along with her sparkly shoes. The belle of the ball :-)

Future Betty!

Ellen had a 2nd parent observation for her dance class - there is one after each 8 week session. They ended the class with "free time" using little streamers. Can you tell she is the daughter of a Blue Devil?

Holiday Party #1

Anais had her holiday party for preschool on Thursday and the class did a musical presentation. Anais wore her beautiful holiday dress from Papa and Ghio which she accessorized with Scooby-Doo bandaids.

Our little Rock Stars!

Even with stage-diving!

Moving along...almost

Nicolas is about 2 weeks from crawling and Dylan is following close behind. They are both pulling up on their knees, spinning around on their bellies and very anxious to get at things just out of reach. I'm in a bit of a panic mode and need to get gates up and put the many small choking hazards away. Fun times ahead! Also, Dylan started clapping yesterday (at least that's when I noticed it:-) and very much enjoys it.

Santa Trauma

The kids had their annual traumatic experience with Santa this weekend. Or should I say Anais. Ellen and the boys were fine but Anais screamed the whole time. Of course she was no different then any other 2 year old in the line.

Thanks Grandma Sandy!

My mom stayed with us for 3 weeks, sewing drapes and dresses and helping watch kids and do laundry. Here's a photo of her with the boys and one of the new princess dresses she made for the girls. We miss you, Grandma Sandy - even if you do break the rules :-)