Life anew: FORWARD Facing

Life became 3 times easier after I moved the children's seats forward facing. I lasted as long as I could. 23 months. The last month became truly unbearable, then happiness returned.

If I ever go back to Japan

I'm going shopping in the textile district. I bet there are lots of interesting things to be found.... And I'll be sure to print out these directions from Vanessa at Design Dreams Japan.

New Mom Lessons Learned

1. Arrive at daycare when they're serving breakfast. Not earlier, and definitely not later.

2.  Reading Nico Dr. Seuss's alphabet book before bedtime: He tires out half-way through. Need to start reading from the middle of the book, or backwards, or he'll think the alphabet stops at "L".

I want... THIS play kitchen. Drool...

I doubt my kids would even notice the difference. But OMG... I love this! But sooo expensive! Those are all Plan Toy pieces!

Amazing things

Sometimes it feels like life is a blur of cleaning, feeding, laundry, food shopping, etc, etc. I want to make a point of pausing and admiring. For example: I love how Tim taught Jack to go down the stairs quietly. He used to romp up and down and wake the babies. Now, you hush him, and he practically tiptoes down. It's super funny. And super amazing. What a good dog.

Project: Fuzzy pompom hat for Izzy

First completed knitting project since the birth of the twins. Major feat, possible only because of the super bulky yarn knitting up in a few hours. That, and the fact that Izzy lost her warm hat during one of our walks and it was getting cooold. It's still a bit big on her, so hopefully she'll be able to wear it next winter too.

Happy New Year 2013: Fun in the snow

Takes forever to get snow ready, but it's nice that we can just step outside and play.

Snark Snark Grumble Grumble

Today, I decided that I absolutely hate the Prius for carting around the kids. They are rear-facing still, and the back passenger doors are slanted, so there's no head space for me while I struggle with fighting toddlers. I bump my face/head all the time unless I stick my head into the car too, and then there's this lame hook on the handle (you know, the one for hanging dry cleaning or a man's suit jacket) that's not removable and it always ALWAYS catches the hair on top of my head as I'm struggling with a crying kid. So on top of everything else, I'm getting my hair yanked by the car. Sigh. On the days when they happily get into the car, no problem. But it's hairy days like this morning when I really really want a bigger car. Not even a minivan. Give me the full size van. The school bus. The hospital shuttle. Anything. I keep reminding myself that it's just for one more year, and then they'll be front-facing, and the head-room issue will not be an issue anymore. But man, I'm going to take a jigsaw and hack that hook off!

Wishlist: Any doll by Mimi Kirchner

Aaahhh, where have I been hiding that only now do I find Mimi Kirchner! I want to be you!! Would sure love to have one (or several) of her dolls... Go to her blog for more photos of her incredible work.

Wishlist: Helle Gram ceramics

Just discovered ceramicist Helle Gram. I'm in love!