momma time

B had the opportunity to meet up with Brandon tonight after work. It had been far, far too long. We really love where we live, but one of the cons is that we're a bit of a drive from a lot of friends and family. It worked out that Brandon was up in our hood tonight so B had to jump at the chance to meet up with him. That meant I got some momma-time with my girls! (you have to say momma-time with a little bit of sass, like the girls and I do. Momma-time!) 

Having the girls just 13 months apart was such a challenge at the beginning. Feedings, diapers, play-time, bedtime, etc - nothing was easy when you were by yourself. B and I did very little apart because we really needed man on man coverage for the girls. Now that the girls are older and more independent, the old challenges are fading and being replaced by new far more interesting ones....

• 
  
  "Annabelle, please share the babies with your sister. You don't need 47 babies, please give Gwyneth 1!"
  
  
• "Gwyneth, please do not sit on your sister!" 
• "Annabelle, I understand GG is little, but please do not try and fit her in the baby stroller. She doesn't like that. Your first clue she doesn't like should be her screaming."
• "Gwyneth, please don't put your mac and cheese in your hair. It's never ok, but especially not on non-bath night!". 
• "Annabelle, please do not try and put on your sister's shoes. They are too small and no matter how hard you try to stretch them out they are not going to fit. Yes, you can wear her coat inside with your pj's."
• "Gwyneth, please do not kick your sister, especially while you're wearing her shoes. That's just adding insult to injury"
• "Girls!! Please do not try and walk down the stairs wearing daddy's shoes!!
• "Momma has an idea - how about Annabelle brushes her own teeth and Gwyneth brushes her own teeth and we all just use our own toothbrushes!!"

When they were babies and I was alone I felt as though I was in survival mode. It's much more relaxed now! I've always enjoyed time with my girls, but lately they've really connected and I love watching them play together. (minimal refereeing required!)

We watched Rudolph and sang the song over and over.The girls are also big fans of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". I don't know if  they really get it, but Annabelle likes to tell GG she 'better watch out, better not pout'.

Annabelle loves the Christmas tree. She immediately asks for it to be turned on. She proceeds to take off all the lower ornaments and put them in her bucket and then rehang them as she sees fit. Her picture ornaments are always front and center. Huh?

As Annabelle entertains herself wth the tree, Gwyneth finds other ways to keep herself happy...

Yep, she is checking out her baby picture. Where does she get this love of pictures of herself? Oh yeah, nevermind.

Gwyneth has grown tired of the tree, has grabbed her purse, blown kisses and is giving her waves good-bye. She really does love purses - especially Dora ones!

A quiet, sweet moment of my girls rocking together.

Given the history of biting in our house you can understand Gwyneth's resistant to put her hand too close to Annabelle's mouth. Luckily Annabelle just wanted to give her baby sister kisses.

I asked if they were ready to go read their stories and brush their teeth and they both made this face. I guess this is the universal sign for 'time to brush teeth'.