The three amigos

We love Friday mornings, Alexis.
Because we usually spend them with two of your favorite buddies:

Lately, we have been going to JAM -
an art studio in SoNo that's the perfect place to play in the winter.
It's a huge studio space, with different art stations set up all over the room.
Last month the three of you painted snowmen and Christmas trees to your hearts' content -
while a local musician sang Christmas carols.

This month you have been busy making Valentine's cards
and using droppers to paint giant piles of snow -
with someone playing the bongo drums in the background.

There is no structure, there are no rules, other than to explore, be creative and have fun.
It has been a blast to see what activities interest you,
to see what masterpiece we will be bringing home each week.
It's so much fun to watch you and Shane and Tyler as you race around the room together,
while your mothers chase after you with wipes and paper towels.
And, after a great morning at "art class", the six of us head off to lunch.

We pick a family-friendly restaurant,
so you guys can play a mean game of tag or follow the leader until lunch is served.
And while the moms chat for a few minutes, here's what happens:

Yup, it's a good thing I keep those wipes handy.
Needless to say, you usually fall asleep by the time I buckle you into your car seat.
Next up is the new indoor bounce place that opened here in town.
Take that, winter.

My Cousin Emma

On Saturday, we got to meet Miss Emma.

She is so tiny, with dark brown hair.
She looks a lot like her daddy so far, a lot like a Hamilton.

The new family of 3 is doing great!
And, both Vic and I loved holding one of these again.

As for our own little peanut,

she wasn't allowed to meet her new cousin.
The hospital only lets direct siblings in to the labor and delivery wing.
Lexi even turned on the charm for the security guard...
and still no dice.
So, she and her Grandpa spent the afternoon together -
riding the elevator time and again (so Lexi could push all the buttons),
rearranging everything in the gift shop,
making friends around each corner,
and letting off a little steam.

She was given a "Baby Emma" by family friends,
and she knew just what to do with the doll.
As soon as she saw Uncle John,
she came racing over to him and handed him his "daughter".
And then she made him pick her up.

Can't wait to get these girls together soon!
Oh, and Tom has officially stopped calling Alexis "the baby",
now that there is a new baby.
Times, they are a changing :)

The littlest Hamilton

Emma Lucretia Hamilton has arrived!

We are so excited for John and Kate - who became parents this afternoon -
and we are thrilled to welcome our new niece/cousin.

We know Lu is smiling down on her, today and always.

No!

Does this look like the face of a little girl whose favorite word is suddenly...
"Nooooo"?

Well, don't let her fool you.
Over the last few weeks, the terrible two's have descended upon us.
We now have a very cute, but a very opinionated, stubborn, bossy little girl on our hands.
She knows what she wants, and she's pretty determined to get it.
But, her parents are hardly pushovers, and we are stepping up our game.
Luckily, we're not alone.
Many of Lexi's friends are going through the very same phase -
which makes for some interesting playdates, lunchdates and preschool pick ups.

There have been a few moments where I wanted to pull my hair out.
But, I remind myself that they call it the "terrible two's"for a reason.
And, then I get a call from my own mother.
And she tells me stories of her own opinionated, stubborn, bossy little girl...
who now happens to be 32.
And, I just know that she's smiling through the telephone.

And, as if she can sense our frustration,
Alexis runs up and throws her arms around our legs in a big hug,
or begs Vic and I to cuddle on the floor with her for a "family snuggle"
or whips out one of those "I love you's",
and we vow to enjoy every minute of this wonderful, challenging phase.

"Put your arms down when you get to school"

We have been seeing a lot of this lately:

And you are so excited about it, Lexi.

Last winter you had just started walking.

You could barely stand up with all your gear on.

What a difference a year makes!

Now you race from window to window.

"It's snowing" you cheer. 

You talk about Frosty and catching snow on your tongue.

I have to admit, you still look quite a bit like Randy from "A Christmas Story",

but you don't let all the puffiness get you down. 

You happily try out the new sled from your Grandparents

You run all around the yard and the street, 

laughing at the dogs as they eat the snow.

You humor your mom in these way too big mittens

And you've learned that your dad can't refuse your requests for a ride in the snow

After the second storm, we decided to step up our game.

We went over to Fairfield University for some REAL sledding.

You enjoyed going down the hill -

and had no fear.

We enjoyed it too!

Back for more

First snow angel of the season

And when it snowed, AGAIN, you knew just what to do

You've also learned at an early age

that coming in from the snow is half the fun...

because of this:

(hot chocoate)

and this:

And, while your parents may secretly be wishing it was April,

We are determined to enjoy the winter weather 

because, really, what other choice do we have living in Connecticut?

Yup, your dad and I are so happy that you are loving the snow,

because we are supposed to get up to a FOOT of it tonight.

Bring it on, Mother Nature!

We're ready. 

Those 3 little words

I.Love.You

Alexis, you said these special words to me for the first time on Sunday.
Oh sure, for months you've been repeating them to your father and I at bedtime every night.
But on Sunday, as we headed upstairs for your nap, you hugged me really tight and then said,
"I love you mommy. I love daddy very much too."
And my heart melted right then and there.

And then last night, you just wouldn't fall asleep.
You were busy banging away in your crib and singing some Christmas carols.
"Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" are your faves :)
I decided to rock you in your chair in the hopes of quieting you down.
As you like to do these days, you insisted the two of us sing "Rockabye Baby" to the whole family...
First to mommy, daddy, you and Offu the owl.
Then to Aunt Wendy, Uncle Carl, Matt, Cece and Ozzy the puppy.
Then to Nanny, Grandpa Mike and Gigi.
Then to Grandpa Tom.
Then Uncle John, Aunt Kate and Baby Girl.
Then to your preschool class and your teachers, too.
Then to Coco, Hannah and Abby, the dogs on our street.
I alternate between thinking this is endearingly sweet and also a big stall tactic at bedtime.
And, in the middle of singing you stopped, looked up at me and said it again,
"I love you mommy. I love daddy too."
Like I said, MELT MY HEART.

You know what else makes me oh so happy?
Seeing you in these cute little pigtails!
I'm not alone...friends and strangers always tell me how sweet the pigtails look.
It's our "new do" for the two-year-old you.

2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND...HERE'S TO A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND FUN 2011!