Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Let Me Entertain You

The other day I realized that the babies will actually follow me with their eyes and watch what I'm doing. I discovered this one evening when Lily was in the swing fussing up a storm. At a loss as to how to make her happy, I just started dancing around in front of her like a fool. She immediately stopped crying and just stared at me like, "What the heck are you doing, mommy?" Hence the birth of the baby dance party! I've become a big fan of the music stations on our TV. We listen to Toddler Tunes a lot, but while searching for the Sounds of the Season station I found Party Songs! Hello, good times! The babies and I spent a fair amount of time the other day listening to songs like "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Celebrate" and jumping around. When Joe came home from work he grabbed Lily and I took Charlie and we had a great time dancing around the living room. The babies really enjoyed themselves, and so did we. Of course, now I feel compelled to sing and dance around all the time. It's amazing how quickly they quiet down when I start acting like a fool.

Another benefit of the babies paying more attention to things is that it's a little easier to keep them occupied. The other night after dinner Lily was hanging in her swing watching TV (That's terrible isn't it? But she loves to look at it when it's on - especially the wedding shows...) but Charlie was a bit fussy. I wanted to clean up the kitchen, make Joe's lunch for the next day, make bottles, etc., so I brought Charlie's bouncy seat into the kitchen and sat him in there with me. He had a grand old time watching me do my chores, and listening to me sing and endless song I made up on the fly with the inspired chorus of, "Mommy and Charlie are in the kitchen, in the kitchen, in the kitchen.." Charlie's interest in the kitchen was promising, so I decided to relocate both babies into there yesterday morning while I made cookies. Again, Charlie enjoyed watching me and listening to me explain everything I was doing ("Now, we add the cinnamon and salt to the flour...oops, that was the sugar. Oh well, I'm sure it will be fine.") and Lily slept. Still, the change of scenery was nice for all of us! And the cookies were delicious, if we do say so ourselves!

And now, a shameless plug. I mentioned before that I recently became a Pampered Chef consultant and I just earned my own website. So, if anyone was planning to order some Pampered Chef products for themselves or as holiday gifts, please consider doing it through my sparkly new web page! Thanks! (The site is in Joe's name for financial reasons, but I'm the consultant.)

I love this smile. And what I love even more is that he tends to reserve it just for me!
"Seriously, Mom, do you ever give that camera a rest? I can't always be on, you know?"
Charlie says, "Hooray for Daddy!"
Lily says, "Hooray for Lily!"
Why does Lily look so annoyed in this picture? She's unhappy that I have her dressed in Charlie's pajamas. But Charlie has more fleece jammies than Lily and it gets cool in their room at night. I think she looks cute in the polar bears, but Lily wants you to know that this was not her fashion choice.
And now, a look at my awesome new pajama pants purchased for me at Target by my mom. SO comfy and soft! Even better, there is a hot pink pair wrapped up at my mom's waiting to be my Christmas gift! (The t-shirt is an old one of Joe's that says "I'd rather be stuck on Gilligan's Island" that he got when he joined the Gilligan's Island fan club back in high school. Yes, I willingly went out with and married a guy who showed me his Gilligan's Island fan club membership card the first time we talked...)

11 comments:

Holli said...

I just found your blog and read through some of the early entries and the NICU experiences and then fast forward to see how you are all doing now. I just wanted to tell you that you are both so very inspiring. I am a mother of premature twins, born at 28 weeks in May and we survived over 100 days in the NICU so I can appreciate some of what you have lived through. You write so honestly, and lovingly and keep a sense of humor through it all. I can't imagine what you've both had to endure with the loss of your daughter. My heart just aches terribly for you with even the thought. The post that you wrote about "this is love"---its sooooo true and I'm in incredible love with my husband after 11 years of marriage but then our babies came, and I thought "wow----I guess I really didn't know love before, not like I thought." Anyway, I'm rambling now but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your life, your lessons in all of this, and your beautiful family. I wish you all the best!! Holli

The Slacker Mom said...

We have Toddler Tunes on ALL THE TIME (when we're not watching PBS) at our house. Well, until this week when it was replaced by Sounds of the Seasons. Dancing for my kids makes me realize just how few "moves" I really have. They seem to like it.

Anonymous said...

I just love reading your post! Not only looking at the adorable pictures of Charlie & Lily but your funniness (is that even a word??) Doesn't matter what you dress Lily in, she's beautiful! And Charlie's smiles just melt my heart!! I'm so happy everything is going great for you guys!

Anonymous said...

Mommy hood is really setting in... Just wait and see the things that you will be doing with those babies. You will do absolutely anything just to make them happy and smile... Lily - don't fret - you look adorable in polar bears and Charlie you just have the sweetest little smile. And I love the chubby legs... YES... Chubby legs...

And to anyone reading this - Brooke is a wonderful Pampered Chef Consultant. My show was not even two weeks ago - my order went in last week and received today. Check out her site...

All My Love, Auntie :) xoxoxo

Cate said...

This totally reminds me of the Friends episode when Ross and Rachel discover that they can make Emma laugh by singing "Baby Got Back."

I can't believe how fast the babies are growing up!

Anonymous said...

Make sure you continue to do the hot dance moves well into their teenage years. I'm sure that they will appreciate it just as much then :::wink wink:::

They are so precious!

Michele from FTHS said...

They get more beautiful as each day passes. Congrats on your Pampered Chef accomplishments and, yes, I can believe Joe is a card carrying member of the Gilligan's Fan Club. LOL. Love ya, Joe. ;-)

Jeannie said...

OMG! I was reading your blog often when they were first born (my daughter was born the same time as then 6/26/09) and I CAN NOT believe how big they are now! They look almost as big as my little girl who was full term!
So glad to see they look healthy.
So many times I wanted to respond to so of your earlier posts and didn't. Many times you helped pick me up when I was down helping me realize what a tremendous blessing babies are (although HARD) work. Thank you and Congrats.
(I found you from the Nest)

Theresa said...

Idea for your Christmas photo...get a cloth plaid or red or green tablecloth (can find those everywhere right now) and a couple of rolls of wide green/red/whatever ribbon in it.. and let them go at. Take lots of pictures, there will likely be one in there that's a keeper!

Gretchen said...

Ohhh Brooke! lol I used to do the same thing for Meara! I'd sing about what I was doing or if we were driving or something I'd sing, off to Grandma's house we go we go we go to Grandma's house... so on LOL but it gets awkward when you do it when you're alone or when you're around adults... Oh what Mommys will do to make their children happy or to entertain them! You have many more years of singing and dancing!!! Have fun, and Happy Holidays to you and your amazing family!
With Love,
Gretchen

Amy, Washington, DC said...

Love the pictures!! They are getting SO big!!

For some reason, your Pampered Chef site wont display any of the the images for each product. Maybe it's just my computer?? I'll keep trying!