Zion and Ben--Cupcakes

We had Ben over to spend the night the week before Christmas. Our big project was making 150 cupcakes for church the next day--here are some pictures of our efforts.

Christmas Party at NWMH

Every year, the doctors at the clinic where Zion and Zen were born throw a big Christmas party so they can see the little ones grow up. We were there for the first time in years; it was so nice to see Dr. Garcia,(pictured here with Zen) who helped with both pregnancies. She is my hero--the picture of patience, faith, peace and calm. I am honored to have known her.

Zen was, again, very intrigued by Santa (this was his third visit to Santa's lap, very unlike his brother's first encounters). Zion was dressed up for his Christmas pageant. Everyone commented on what a handsome, polite young man he was. Both boys had a good time watching the balloon artist and face painters.

Zion's Gingerbread House

The kids at Bethesda spent the morning making these a few weeks ago. Zion was quite proud of his and shared it with the rest of the family that evening.

Pictures with Santa

We went to the Children's Memorial Hospital Christmas Party on Friday night. We had a great time--there was a DJ and dancers who circulated, getting all the kids up on their feet. This is the party where Zion had his first, infamous picture with Santa taken--the one in which he is screaming his head off, absolutely terrified. Zen had a different take on Santa, perhaps because his big brother was near.

Here are the boys with Santa, and Zion showing off some of the many tattoos he got.

New Car Seat

I had to get a picture of this because it was so amazing. Usually when Zen gets anywhere near his car seat, he is anything BUT Zen-like...he arches his back, locks his knees and screams. I have perfected a wrestling move that consists of using my left forearm, both hands, and a significant part of my bodyweight to strap him in. If I have remembered to bring the pretzel stick that I usually placate him with, he calms down within seconds, only pausing to give up a few more howls of indignation just to let me know how much I have inconvenienced him. If, however, I have forgotten the pretzel, he sometimes continues to screech until I have made it all the way out of the parking garage from our 8th floor spot. I usually do this at least twice a day, and it is for sure the absolutely most exhausting part of my day. Add the warm-up stress of wrestling him into his snowsuit, hat and gloves, and you have one very tired mommy. But, here he is....new car seat, smiling.

Big Stuff!

Zen started walking right around his birthday.enjoy!

pac man

my favorite video game is now available on our blog for those of you who have too much time on their hands!!!! pac man is actually the only video game that i still like (after atari and intellivision fell out of vogue, i stopped playing altogether). anyway, i know that those of you who logged on hoping to see some cute new pictures of the boys must be disappointed, but they're coming soon, i promise :-)

play the game!!