Leaf Peepers

This weekend we went to see my brother Charlie play football for Middlebury up in Vermont. It was our first trip as a family of four and we managed to all stay in a single hotel room. Of course Charlie got his own bed and Diego, Carlos and I crammed in the other bed because Charlie is a tornado in his sleep. No one can sleep near him and come out unscathed. We had a great time seeing uncle Charlie and my whole family and the weather was amazing. I guess it's high season in Vermont because people actually go 'leaf peeping.' I don't know exactly what that means, but I guess other people do because the flights to Burlington were all full.

Charlie had a tough time getting the concept of an uncle with the same name and so kept insisting that Uncle Seth, who was sitting next to him, was on the field. But after rushing the field after the big win and putting on his helmet Charlie seemed to take to big Charlie. Admittedly he was a little disappointed that it was just a football game and not a marching band. He kept waiting for the 'marching men' to come out. I wonder if this means he is going to be the type to join the school band....

Charlie also enjoyed running the hallways with cousin Wallis. And although he liked the concept of the airplane he was a monster once he had to take his seat. So much so that Carlos declared he no longer wanted a large family! Oh no! I've been trying to shelter him from kid duty this week in hopes he'll change his mind.

Diego is a little angel and the sanest one of us all. Anytime I get sick of Charlie's terrible two behavior I can rely on Diego to make me smile again. He was definitely worth all those varicose veins afterall! I feel especially guilty when I neglect him to do something for Charlie and then when I take him out of the bjorn or pick him up he gives me the sweetest smile. I also feel terribly guilty because I spill food on him all the time when I have him in the bjorn or nursing. Poor guy. He still wakes up at 3 or 4am but it's not too bad and then I usually let cozy up with me after he wakes up again around 7. We went for his 2 month doctors appointment and all seems well. He weighed in at 12lbs 8 oz. That's a relief - I was worried that he might not be getting enough to eat given work and my divided attention.

Wild Thing

Charlie isn't the only one telling stories these days. Diego coos full sentences! I know it is a full story because he'll raise his eyebrows, his eyes will get big, his voice fluctuates and then his limbs flap around. It seems like an exciting story! I wish I knew what he was saying. Maybe he is describing how Charlie turned Diego's bouncey seat into a sling shot that almost sent Diego flying or how Charlie likes to climb into Diego's swing and turn it on.

This past week's treat was that we got to see our friends the Ralleses who were back in town from Cape Verde. Rachel Ralles knows more about babies and labor than I do (despite not yet having a baby) and Mike Ralles always wonders what tricks the boys have. He didn't seem very impressed when I said Diego can hold his head up...for a few moments. I wasn't very impressed either when I heard that Diego's yoga buddies (who happen to be girls his same age) are basically doing flips already. It did remind me of my favorite shirt growing up which read: "Anything boys can do girls can do better." Clearly this still holds true. Anyway, I decided my favorite trick of Diego's is being absurdly cozy.

Here is Charlie on his morning commute and enjoying happy hour at a bar on H st:


I've decided that Charlie should be Max from Where the Wild Things Are in homage to his inner monster. Unfortunately I seem to be the only one excited about this idea and even about Halloween. We decorated the front of the house because I thought I could finally enjoy Halloween now that I have kids. We don't have that many decorations out but we've had at least 5 people take pictures of the house (I assume that is why they are taking pictures...). I find it a little weird - who wants a picture of a few halloween decorations on a random house?! But I'm glad some one likes it because Charlie isn't that impressed.

Here is the most recent house project - the guest bathroom. Carlos has been hard at work tiling the shower (which unfortunately entails lots of cutting tiles and thus a big mess). Of course it was supposed to get done in time for our family to use when helping out when Diego was born. But plus or minus 2 months is a lot better than our plus or minus two year record so far...!

Terrible Twos

Awhile ago we were talking to a mother of a 2 year old who informed us that when her son turned two he turned into an asshole. I hadn't heard quite that version of terrible twos before, but I think I'm now experiencing it. Charlie will be sweet as pie one minute and then the monster of all monsters the next minute. He tests us about every little thing like putting on clothes in the morning or holding hands while crossing the street. I'm worried that I'm going to turn into the type of mother that lets her child out wearing pajamas the whole day because I can't face the fight. He literally went out the other day wearing two different pairs of shoes! Not two different socks - two different shoes!! I was mortified but I couldn't face the boneless screaming to get him to wear a matching pair.

Thank goodness for Diego. Diego is the sweetest baby and seems to sleep better than Charlie already! He doesn't mind Charlie's kisses or his body slams. He does still get me sometimes with his multiple consecutive poos, but other than that he is the best. My favorite is that he loves to stay cozy in bed and would happily stay cuddled up until 10am if he could. Unfortunately work and big brother's breakfast usually get in the way.

Other than the temper tantrums we've been having a great time with the fall weather. Last weekend we visited aunt Mary in Waterford for our annual pilgramage to the Waterford Fair. Charlie loved the Civil War re-enactors who marched (or "stomped" as he calls it) through the town. He got to ride on tractors, pose in a painting and try popcorn. We've been practicing our stomping ever since.

After his lobster truck love affair we decided to visit the food truck extravaganza this weekend. Charlie wasn't as taken with the lobster truck this time around but Carlos and I got to enjoy the TaKorean food after a 30 minute wait in line. These food trucks are making a killing! Check out the line:

We also had a great picnic on Saturday with friends which included some unathletic looking tennis and volleyball but the food was great and I was happy to be exercising outside. It's been awhile!

Sunday we got treated to Mark's super carrot pancake concoction. I totally want to hire him as my manny.