Night Owls

Shhhh....

They're asleep...for about five minutes...

Who Else?

The boys were in good moods tonight...maybe they'll pick up your day, too. And check out those increasing hairlines...

Recession? What Recession?

Today, thanks to their dad's quick thinking, the boys became a pair of Wall Street big shots. It's now official: Carter is now a stockholder in Marvel Enterprises, meaning the creators of Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man, and The Avengers have to answer to him. And Nathaniel will be bossing around the likes of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Wall-E, and Buzz Lightyear as a shareholder in Disney/Pixar.

I'd first became aware of OneShare when I was inspecting condos last summer. I stopped by an open house on Clinton at College, and saw a stock certificate hanging in the nursery. I scribbled down the web address and knew it'd eventually be a perfect gift for the youngsters.

I'm willing to bet that my boys' stock is worth more than my pathetic RRSPs right now...

These Boys Know How To Accessorize

Just because the economy is in the dumpster is no reason to let your fashion sense slide--the boys may be sharing onesies but they're each sporting a fancy new wristband. Carter's adorned with a smiling sun, while Nathaniel has opted for a little bug with antennas. The rattling sounds are already driving Maggie and Minnie crazy...and eventually, us, too....

"Okay, So You'll Cry From 3-4 AM, Then I'll Take Over..."

A rare two-shot of Nathaniel and Carter, clearly in the midst of planning their next sleepless night...which is pretty much every night...

"Reach Out And I'll Be There"

Carter's growing steadily--he's only about a pound less than his younger brother as of their last checkup--and these past few days he's confidently holding up his head on his own and his little hands are starting to wander! Just one more reason for Minnie and Maggie to find new hiding spots...

"The Nathaniel Shuffle"

For a little dude a mere month and a half old, Nathaniel's got some bad-*ss moves. Definitely doesn't inherit it from his old man, who's got two left feet in addition to being left handed...

Hair today, gone forever...

One of the cool perks of pregnancy is that your hair gets thicker and more lustrous, thanks to the raging hormones coursing through your body. Having lived for 42 years with straight, fine, limp hair, this was quite the revelation as my own 9 months of carrying the boys progressed. Suddenly my hair had waves, curls, bounce! I couldn't believe it. For a while there, I had the hair I always wanted but couldn't get without a toxic blend of chemicals and three hours at the hairdresser's. So I didn't go to the hairdresser's for the entire time: from March to December, not one little snip to even style my growing locks.

Maybe it was vanity, maybe a little bit of superstition. But I just couldn't bring myself to cross the street to Capelli Colori and let Bernardo hack off the flowing tresses. (OK, not flowing.) Then the boys arrived and, well, goodbye nice hair.

Not that it became awful, but as it kept growing after I gave birth I could tell it was going back to its usual straightness so I reconnected with Bernardo (who was understandably puzzled as to why I had stayed away, and then delighted when I told him why) and had him take off several issues. The good news is that I've achieved the long bangs I wanted most of last year. Now I just have to see if I can live with them.

If not, buzz cut!!!

Why Can't It Happen Here?!

Various reactions to President Obama's inauguration--

--and at the mere mention of next week's Canadian Federal Budget (there's nothin' in it for you, boys...)

15 Pounds Of Trouble

Today it was back to visit Dr. Papadouris for the boys' biweekly checkup. Carter and Nathaniel each sported a snazzy new hat and were safe and sound in their car seats for the short ride up to Bloor Street.

When we arrived (late), the waiting room was packed with parents and toddlers of all ages but thankfully the wait wasn't too long, with time passed in the usual way--with complete strangers "oo-ing" and "aw-ing" over how adorable--and small!--the dynamic duo are...(they must be getting bored with this routine...)

But appearances can be deceiving--the little guys are definitely growing at a rate that the doc termed "fantastic". Here they are wiggling away happily before the weigh-in...

The results were just what we wanted to hear: Nathaniel now weighs 8 pounds and 2 ounces, and his older brother Carter is catching up at 7 pounds, 6 ounces! (even Carter seems surprised to hear the news!) They've nearly caught up with the cats...

We were so proud--and frankly, surprised--at how well-behaved both of them were. Nary a whine or a tear shed and both were very excited to be able to flop around in nothing but a diaper. We didn't even have to change them--and this was after each of them had to cope with getting a needle in the thigh (I don't think I would've been as strong--during my annual check-up, I still can't look down at my arm when the blood samples are taken).




("don't worry, son...we can always sue and get rich")



Of course, we didn't get off that easy: Carter had a bit of a relapse--I'm thinking a delayed reaction to that pin prick-- but that soon passed. On the way out, it was the usually onslaught of adoring strangers...we may have to hire bodyguards come spring...

Obama Who?

In the year I was born, The Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Warren Commission decided that Oswald acted alone, and America began bombing North Vietnam. Not that I have any memory of these events, and technology of the time was so limited and exclusive that a single black-and-white family photograph was a luxury, so I didn't realize my toddlerdom spanned such a turbulent period in North American history until many years after the fact...although I do recall hazy images of the moon landing, and the launch of Sesame Street...

Today, shooting a high-quality still or video clip is as simple as a keypad press on your cell phone. Of course, I've invested in some more serious hardware--a Nikon SLR and a Sony HD camcorder--and have taken about 2,000 stills of the boys, and shot about 22 hours of high-definition video since Dec. 3...if you plan on coming to my place for "home movie night", plan to stay awhile...

Tonight, the boys were witnesses to a new era with the broadcast of the inaugural celebration concert for Barack Obama. Not that they'll remember either--they spent much of the two hours snoozing, although Lidia says Carter seemed to respond to John Mellencamp's "Pink Houses"--but here's proof that they were mere inches from history being made...in glorious 5.1 surround sound!

You've Got Mail!

Technically, our boys are only two weeks old, and already, they've each received a personalized letter. Although not a cheque from Ed McMahon or an Order Of Canada from what's-his-name--no, the boys are now officially the property of The Ontario Ministry Of Health and Long Term Care. And they've got the OHIP cards to prove it.

It's not like either of them have a wallet yet to put it in: Carter looks like he might take a bite out of it, to tide him over between feedings...

...and Nathaniel seems to be taking a cue from the late, great actor Patrick McGoohan, who said famously as "The Prisoner": "I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered!!!"

They've already had enough experience with hospital overbookings and extended wait times...hard life lessons learned early...

A Rare Appearance By--Me!

It's rare that I appear in any photos--I seem to always be stuck with the role of photographer and I've yet to master the art of aiming the camera at myself (my arm just isn't long enough). But here are a few rare shots of me in action with my beloved brood...

Wherever There's A Hangup, You'll Find The Spider-Man...

This morning, before work, I braved record freezing temps to ensure that the boys had a copy of the limited-edition, hard-to-get special issue of "The Amazing Spider-Man", which features an appearance by President-elect Barack Obama (who confessed in an interview that he's a fan of "Spidey" and "Batman"--is it any wonder I like the guy? I doubt Harper's heard of "Archie and Jughead"...). Good thing Lidia was watching CP24, else I probably would've missed out--I immediately bolted down Queen W. to the Silver Snail and got the very last copy...and was interviewed briefly on live TV for it.

The boys were obviously thrilled--Carter's mood improved tonight and Nathaniel indulged in a more-energetic-than-usual session of wiggling and squeaking, right through a phone call from Grandma.











To think--if someone had preserved an original 12¢ issue of Spider-Man from the year I was born, it'd be worth $5936 in today's dollars (and in only near mint condition). Of course, that likely won't even pay for text books by the time the boys eventually go off to college, but it'll be a heckuva fun read to look back...

Action Fans

Lidia and I have been devotees of the highly-addictive series "24" since its very first episode back in 2001, and have anxiously awaited every new serial since. The boys have come along just in time for the season premiere, and are obviously as hooked on Jack Bauer's adrenaline-surged adventures as we are--it was nearly impossible to get them to bed when the episode was over!

Bath Time!!!

"Cleanliness is next to--"

IMPOSSIBLE!

Carter: Up Close N' Personal

Nathaniel: Up Close N' Personal

Partners Forever...

Project! From The Diaphram!

Charlie Brown defined it as a "warm puppy", The Beatles as a "warm gun", but for my two youngsters, nothing defines "happiness" like a hearty mid-bottle burp. Each responds to a different technique: Carter requires little prodding beyond the odd back pat, while Nathaniel's a bit more difficult, preferring a head or tummy rub and lots of patience...

Years from now, they're gonna want to kill me for posting these photos...

Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The News...

Today began with another road trip as the boys had a followup appointment with their pediatrician, Dr. Papadouris, at her Bloor Street practice. The office wasn't nearly as jam-packed as it was during their first visit two weeks ago, and the checkup was quick and eventful: both boys are healthy and growing spectacularly, with Carter now weighing in at 5 pounds, 14 oz., and Nathaniel at 6 pounds, 11 oz!

Of course, the dynamic duo continues to draw crowds wherever they go. In the lobby (on the way in and out), in the elevator (ditto), in the waiting room, complete strangers were compelled to approach and ask us a gazillion questions about them. I can't imagine how we'll ever make it five feet down the street come spring when the boys are out and about in full form...

Later on, as the boys napped and recovered from their exhausting ordeal, Minnie and Maggie launched into one of the most ferocious scratch-n-claw-fests I've ever witnessed (and there have been many, believe me!). Guess the boys have been getting too much attention and they had to do something to show them up...don't worry, girls--there's room here for everybody...