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April 29, 2008
Reading with daddy
Posted by Tim and Jo at 11:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
5 months!
We're about a week late on this one! But the kids are now five months (one week and one day).
A lot has happened over this month....
*The twins are getting more mobile now and as a result we are having to be more mobile too! The days of leaving them on a couch or bed are gone. They aren't quite crawling yet but they manage to twist and turn their bodies in such a way that changing them and getting them to sleep in their swings is more difficult.
*Ian can roll over. And over. And over. He rolled all the way across the living room and turned on the DVD player the other day. He looked so surprised when the sound and picture came in.
*Elanor can roll over--about 3/4ths of the way. She can't quite get one chubby little thigh over.
*Elanor sat up for the first time by herself a few days ago. It took a few seconds before she plopped back down again.
*They both really play with toys now, turning them, manipulating them, stealing them from each other...
*Their senses of humor are developing incredibly. They've understood physical humor for awhile (tickling, etc.). But now they understand the role of timing in humor. We can say things over and over, changing the rhythm, stopping in the middle, etc., and they'll both die laughing.
*Feeding them solids (rice cereal at the moment) is going really well.
*They're still sleeping through the night most nights. Every once in awhile someone will think 1 AM is play time, but that's pretty rare.
*We've started reading to them, and they're fascinated by books. They especially like one that has a fluffy kitty to pat. They'll both reach up and stroke the fur.
*They're both so joyful these days. A lot of time they'll wake up beaming when we go to get them up in the morning. And they love seeing daddy when he gets home from work.
Posted by Tim and Jo at 10:57 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 27, 2008
The Drum Chronicles
In honor of this recent development, we present a musicological look at Tim's history as a drummer. Drum roll, please.
Tim: It all started with KISS.
It was 1976 or 1977, the Steelers won their second Super Bowl, Star Wars came out, and KISS had just released �Destroyer.� What a time to be eight or nine years old!!! My friends and I had a brilliant idea � let�s put on a KISS show for the neighborhood kids. I was going to be Peter Criss.
I had drum sticks, I knew all the songs by heart, and I was planning on doing two solos-a drum solo and then lip-synch to �Beth.� I was so excited that I made the mistake of telling my mom about it. Her response crushed me: �You can�t wear make-up. You�re probably allergic to it.� So I was demoted to �Business Manager� as you can see in the photo caption. How humiliating!! My fledgling career as a rock drummer was in grave danger.
We next move on to high school. I played bass drum and quads in marching band and we won several awards at competitions! I was �Business Manager� no more!
Now we come to my college days at Indiana Univ. of Pa. where I rocked and rolled all night and studied every day. I was in a punk band called �Split Pea� (we were also called �Cabbage Carnage�). We played a few parties in people�s basements and one gig at the student union.
I haven�t played in many years now but I do have a son and daughter who both like to make a lot of noise. Rock on!!!!
Posted by Tim and Jo at 9:04 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 26, 2008
E & B
Yep, it's one of those pesky bees again.
This is what happens when A Little Someone decides to rock-around-the-clock the night before...
Posted by Tim and Jo at 3:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A red letter day
Or should I say a red-and-black letter day?
Hats off to Tim as he embarks on a new adventure!! He is officially accepted into the Master of Arts program in musicology at UGA.
Welcome to the wonderful and wacky world of musicologists!!
Posted by Tim and Jo at 3:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 22, 2008
Pennsylvania, Proust, Polkas & Pierogi
I had some wontons leftover, and was also feeling a little homesick for Western PA. So I decided to try my hand at some pierogi.
The first time I ate pierogi was at a polka festival with my dear old roommate Teresa. She took me to a festival near her family's town. At the festival, there was the two of us, a couple young families, and an abundance of spry octegenarians who could boogie beer barrel style. Proust-like, that experience returns each time I eat a pierogie.
I digress. So, I made a box of instant cheddar mashed potatoes rather on the thickish side. And plopped a pile of potatoes on each wrapper.
I then fried them up in a little margarine (actually, I think a lot of margarine would have been more authentic!) and onions.
Even though they weren't quite authentic (faux pierogi, anyone?), I could've gleefully Pennsylvania Polka'd after the first bite.
Posted by Tim and Jo at 12:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
homemade mushroom ravioli
Yesterday (thanks to a babysitting Tim), I made a lot of progress on the dissertation front. So my reward today is catching up on some blog posts I've been meaning to write for awhile.
A few weeks ago, we had my mom over for a birthday dinner. I wanted to make something fancy (don't do that often these days, haha). So I found a recipe I had for a Malaysian influenced mushroom tortelloni in curry cream to serve with salmon poached in my slow cooker (the salmon was so easy--I used a large filet instead of four small ones, added lemongrass to the poaching liquid, and laid thin slices of lemon on top).
But when I went to our local grocery store, they had neither mushroom tortelloni or llini or even ravioli. Which inspired me (out of desperation) to try something I've been meaning to do for months. Use wonton wrappers as ravioli substitutes. I thought, even epicurious recipes suggest that, so it can't be too bad!
So, I put 8 ozs. of mushrooms, 3 cloves of garlic, a 1/4 cup of onions together in a food processor, and chopped them until it was a paste with some large chunks left. I mixed the paste with some dry breadcrumbs (about a 1/4 cup)until it was thick, and cooked it in some olive oil for a minute, then added red wine (a couple tablespoons) and balsamic vinegar (about a tablespoon). If I were to do it again, I would make sure I could more of the liquid out, and add some more bread crumbs.
I laid out wonton wrappers on a pan, put a little less than a tablespoon on each one. I then brushed each one with some water along the edges, gently pressed out air with my fingers as I sealed them, then pressed then on each side with a fork.
I think it made about four dozen small ravioli, maybe more. They turned out well, but a tiny bit soggy because I made them too far ahead of time. Next time I would either (a) make them right beforehand, (b) make the filling a little thicker, (c) turn them several times in the fridge, or (d) freeze them right away.
But making ravioli was so easy, and seems like it will be a really fun way to experiment with fun fillings.
Next up...what I did with the leftover wonton wrappers
Posted by Tim and Jo at 12:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The letter "v"
Alli has been doing a really cool series of alphabet photos--go check them out!
In honor of that, here's the letter "v"
"V" is for Very funny look on Elanor's face!
Posted by Tim and Jo at 11:09 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
We give "real" food
We answered our children's pleas and gave them solids last week.
Ian liked the new toy on his high chair better than he liked food.
Note to selves: Don't introduce Ian to a new skill set when he's already overtired.
Elanor was totally getting into the feeding experience. She was very curious about what was going on, and would even open her mouth as the spoon got close.
Posted by Tim and Jo at 10:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
rasslin'
I heard an angry cry from Elanor and rushed into the living room to find this.
It's WWF baby style! Ian the Enforcer is hulking up with his no holds barred approach. Will Elanor the Baby Faced Diva pull a two-and-a-half count or is she busted open? Is this flat back bump the end of her wrestling career, or will she come back with a flair flip? Stay tuned next time...
Posted by Tim and Jo at 10:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 18, 2008
Women in Art
Someone sent Tim a link to this work of digital art.
It's odd, beautiful, and strangely compelling.
Posted by Tim and Jo at 3:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 15, 2008
We want real food!
Ian: What do you think it will take to convince them that we're ready for solid food?
Elanor: Well, I did see that they got us some nifty portable booster seats thanks to the advice from mommy's twinstuff friends. And mom did spend a day making baby food!
Ian: Maybe if I eat this box of crackers they'll realize we're ready.
Elanor: Maybe if I eat my finger...
Ian: Maybe if I eat my foot...
Elanor: Maybe if I eat you. Mmmm....man flesh!
Ian: Don't eat me! If they don't get a move on, I'll make some food for us myself. Look at this lovely casserole. Now where can I find some saffron...
Elanor: I hope mom and dad take the hint! C'mon, we're pleading with you!
Posted by Tim and Jo at 2:54 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Look ma, no feet!
Posted by Tim and Jo at 2:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
We match!
We got ourselves and the babies dressed on Sunday without even realizing we were all coordinated.
Mom and Ian in the blues and greens...
...while Dad and Elanor cover the purples.
And we actually managed to get a family picture. Whenever we're actually with people who could take a picture, it seems like our babies always have been passed away from us! Or else someone or another is crying or crabby!
Posted by Tim and Jo at 2:34 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 14, 2008
Paris: Episode Five
In this episode the Paris Chroniclers will take you through P�re Lachaise cemetery, and Tim�s risking of life and limb to take that one perfect picture.
Joanna: P�re Lachaise�what atmosphere! A haunting place. So many of the monuments and crypts were works of art unto themselves.
A panorama of moss-covered stone everywhere you looked. The sun would shine on the ironwork on a tomb and create strange shadows on the graves next to it. Little paths and nooks to explore, a gothic feeling emanating from the rows of tombs, mysterious epitaphs and inscriptions on the graves, ornate ironwork, weaving and criss-crossing, and best of all�more amazing stained glass!
Stained glass and iron and stone in such a variety of designs.
We visited graves of some of our favorite musicians and writers, like the novelist Marcel Proust, singer Edith Piaf, composers Frederic Chopin and Georges Bizet (Carmen), playwright Oscar Wilde, and Medieval-love-letter-writers Abelard and Heloise.
Ironically, some of those graves were among the more plain and ordinary ones! Of course we saw Jim Morrison�s grave. We came across a British Doors fan with long hair and Jim�s face plastered on his T-shirt. He and his �da� were walking with a map impatiently trying to find The Grave.
We followed him and soon saw a crowd of Doors fans gawking at the small gravestone. Not all that much to see. We ended our visit by stopping at Chopin�s grave to have a little picnic.
Tim: Now for the more juicy part. Guess what?!? I got my ears boxed by a fuzzy freak! We found a long street market on Rue Menilmontant near the Menilmontant Metro station and started exploring it. Talk about an international street fair! We saw everyone and everything! And close up! It was so crowded that it was impossible to walk without constantly bumping into people. We passed fishmongers, fruitmongers, spicemongers (and every other kind of monger), clothing of all styles, incense, you name it.
Things were going along just fine until I saw a caf� called �Le Metro� with a cool sign. Little did I know that this would cause me some considerable trouble. As I stopped to take a photo of the caf�, this large, swarthy man took an interest in me. Before I knew it, he was yelling in my face, shaking me by the collar and venting a copious amount of spleen and displeasure at me. In my confused state, I said �I don�t speak English!� when I meant to say �I don�t speak French!�. Silly me. Soon another guy came between us and the fuzzy, freaky guy started to calm down. He sent me on my way with a friendly neighborhood shove and I gathered up Joanna and got out of there. Whew! I was so thankful it wasn�t worse. He was big enough to pulverize me if he wanted to!
Anyway, we got out of there and ducked into the Belleville Metro station. Yikes! Egad! Sacre bleu!
Posted by Tim and Jo at 11:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
tr�s nostalgique
Tim stumbled on a photo gallery of absolutely amazing pictures of Paris. They're fun and quirky, not the usual pictures of all the famous tourist traps, though they're in there, too.
It's made us very nostalgic for our trip to Paris. We really want to go to Italy in a few years, but for now we'll have to be content to rehash old trips.
Even though it's been a couple of years, we've been inspired to revive our Paris Chronicles. Those of you that have been looking for something other than All Things Baby, stay tuned!
Here are our first four days. Stay tuned for Day Five!
Posted by Tim and Jo at 10:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 9, 2008
Visitors from way up North
Yesterday Uncle Chas, Chas Jr, and Melissa came for a visit.
And they came bearing gifts! Aunt Ellyn made us this needlepoint wonder...
...which is absolutely beautiful and looks great over the piano next to the one Kim made us for our wedding.
Chuck and Melissa bought the twins some cute coordinating onesies that have a little pocket on the front so they can safely store their pacifiers. We talked about their very cool wedding plans. Uncle Charlie, Chuck and Tim swapped stories on the strangeness of the south. Melissa talked about the Civil War reenactments where the person who draws the short straw has to fight on the Union side.
Best line on the south of the night--commenting on the Stone Mountain carving, Chuck says, "Why did they carve three traitors into stone?!?" That wouldn't quite fly in the land where they still call it the War of Northern Aggression. (ominous banjo music heard in the background)
We got to talk to Aunt Ellyn AND Amy on Chuck's cell phone. Amy caught us up on all the latest Amy news that is happening in the world of Amy (her new job, her new boss, skating, basketball, the cool dudes on American Idol, etc.)
Melissa also told us that family members are reading our blog. Hi Lynn and Mike! Hi Amy and Aunt Ellyn!!! We wish that we could keep up with everyone as well as we'd like, but we're so glad that you're reading what's happening in our little family. We miss you all!!!!
Posted by Tim and Jo at 6:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 8, 2008
Ian the Independent
"I want to hold it myself!"
Posted by Tim and Jo at 8:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 7, 2008
Bob Dylan rocks!
I just read that Bob Dylan was awarded an honorary Pulitzer Prize.
How cool is that?!?!?
Posted by Tim and Jo at 8:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
New skill
Elanor now knows how to unfasten her diaper.
Pretty cute trick.
Except when I went to refasten it, I found she had deposited a present in there.
A few more moments and the Pretty Cute Trick would have become a Massive Diaper Disaster.
Posted by Tim and Jo at 9:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 5, 2008
We stand
Posted by Tim and Jo at 9:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 3, 2008
Saving $$ II: Baby Stuff
1) There are tons of companies that offer free things for moms of multiples. I�m sure even moms of singletons can call some of these numbers and ask for coupons or offers. We�ve gotten free diapers, toys, formula, and tons of coupons, some of them for $5.00 or so off of diapers, or for free baby food, etc.
2) Joining diaper and other baby clubs is totally worth a little bit of junk mail, or junk e-mail. I made an e-mail account just for that sort of thing so I wouldn�t get overwhelmed by more junk.
3) Publix and other stores have terrific baby clubs. Publix has sent us coupons for free baby stuff, BOGO on diapers and wipes, etc.
4) Plus some stores�like Publix and Kroger�allow you to combine one manufacturer�s coupon and one store coupon. One week I combined a $5.00 off diapers coupon (manufacturer�s) with a buy a pack of diapers get a pack of wipes free coupon, and saved about half off what I would have paid. Last week, I got a pack of 136 diapers for $12.00 by getting an on sale brand, and using a $5.00 off and $3.00 off coupon.
5) Tim has a friend at work who has given us diapers her baby has outgrown, and another who regularly saves coupons for us. And we�re very grateful!!
6) When the time comes when we run out of baby clothes, we'll definitely use thrift stores, consignment shops, garage sales, etc. We already found some great outfits and toys while I was pregnant. And there are tons of consignment sales around, when I keep my eyes open.
7) Things I don�t do, but think are cool: cloth diapers, and cloth wipes. I�ve heard (if you don�t mind gently used diapers) that Ebay has great buys on cool new cloth diapers.
Any other ideas?
Posted by Tim and Jo at 5:14 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 2, 2008
Overalls: Not Just for Rednecks Anymore
or "How I Convinced Tim that Overalls Are Cool"
Posted by Tim and Jo at 9:28 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Grabbing grandpa's beard
Posted by Tim and Jo at 9:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack