New York, New York

We finally made it to Manhattan with the girls. We went in early and met up with Grandma A and Auntie M. First trip was their hotel as they were in town for their annual "Sisters Week" extravaganza -- a week full of shopping, good food, sporting events and relaxing.

One of my little pumpkins is terrified of elevators, so it wasn't such a fun trip up to their room for a diaper change. I wasn't about to walk up five flights of stairs with a 25 lb baby despite how much I want to fit into my jeans. So we gutted it out. Into the hotel room we went and the girls promptly began to destroy everything in their path. They were loving the room.

After a change, we walked over to Build-A-Bear. One of the girls picked a teddy bear, she really has a thing for bears, and the other picked a puppy. One always seems to get a bear and one a puppy, but I can't tell if she even really likes the puppies.

I mean she loves real dogs, but I think she is holding out for American Girl. She will be a dollie girl and the other will hoard stuffed animals in her crib, which she will probably learn to use to spring out of the crib someday. We met up with my friend D and her little J for a 20 minute Build-A-Bear session. Little J got a pink bear and was very happy. Unfortunately she had to go home for nap, but the rest of us walked up to Daddy's office to show off the girls.

We ran around the office and then stole daddy to go for lunch at Landmarc. I completely underestimated how far it was to walk from daddy's office to the Time Warner Center but it was a beautiful day so no complaints. The restaurant is supposedly child-friendly, but we didn't quite get that vibe. Aside from a very kid-friendly menu, I don't think folks were so friendly. But maybe it's more kid-friendly rather than baby-friendly. And, I totally understand.

When we arrived they said we had to wait since we needed two high chairs. I couldn't imagine they only had two on hand for the entire restaurant. Once they freed up we were seated. The girls began to test their opera voices and throw goldfish around. I will say that the food came quickly, it was delicious, we had a wonderful view and they offer a roomy, handicap bathroom with a changing table -- all very clean.

We had to abandon the FAO Swartz adventure planned for post-lunch and instead just headed to the car. The girls were fading and we didn't want to push our luck. Next time. They fell asleep in the car and daddy let us do a Pinkberry drive-by since I hadn't had it in so long. Love that place. It's all about the regular with chocolate chips, mochi balls and mango. Yummy!

We drove down to the FDR Drive to find it was bumper-to-bumper. The girls promptly woke up from their nap and screamed the whole way home in horrible traffic for three hours. So much fun. Moral of the story, don't go into the city on a Friday or on a holiday weekend with children.

Welcome, Baby R

My brother-in-law welcomed his first child this week, Baby R. He was almost twice as big as my girls when they were born, but still seemed so tiny when I met him yesterday. Mom and Dad are doing well and love their little prince. I am really excited for my girls to have a cousin so close in age to grow up with, because basically it will be like another sibling to them.

Preschool - Too Early at Two? Too Late at Three?

The girls just turned one and now I have to start thinking about pre-school. They can't even say mama or use a toilet and I am looking at programs for them. It's overwhelming. Oh, and did I mention? It's really expensive!

We are talking in the thousands of dollars range, depending on how many days. I looked at one tuition for the preschool that was recommended down the street and there is a waiting list already for next year.

I asked around, including polling two preschool teachers on my street, whether it's better to begin preschool at age two or three and the majority said three. Part of the problem is that my girls have a summer birthday so they would be a young two by the start of the school year. Who knows how potty training will go and they are hanging on my legs 24/7 as it is, so how will mommy leave for an hour to gulp down a Starbucks and return for pick-up?

In the meantime, we will continue at Little Gym and the Y for swimming and also look into Stepping Stones and New Canaan Nature Center, as well as more playgroups and activities at local libraries.

Twin Comments

I know this is a popular topic for me, but I can't help get annoyed. Maybe someday I will learn to ignore. I am getting better though.

I went to my beloved Stop & Shop in Westport yesterday, which I hear is getting a Starbucks, and heard all my favorite (hint: sarcasm) comments!

In less than 30 minutes I heard the following:

* Are they twins? (4x)

* Are they identical? (2x)

* Boy and girl? (1x)

* Double trouble! (1x)

+ two unsolicited toe touches

I know people are just trying to be nice, but it's so annoying. It's not like we are a freak show I mean it's just two children. Lots of people have more than two children. Twins are pretty common anyway these days. If I had six or eight babies in toe at Stop & Shop then yes, I would totally expect crazy stares and questions.

I guess it's not that I actually mind the questions, it's just that they are such stupid questions. I mean the identical question actually doesn't bother me. But they are usually dressed in pink and I have a hot pink stroller so the one of each question is just stupid. I get asked if they are boys a lot too. Let's not discuss.

Double trouble is just so annoying because it doesn't do anything for anybody. I am not going to throw a smile your way for that one! But it was an old guy and usually I get that from older people, so we will give him a break.

And please, don't touch my babies. Unless you want to come over when they get sick and rock them back to sleep every hour while they are snotting on your shoulder, just keep your fingers to yourselves.

Ready for Fall

I am so ready for Fall. The cooler weather, the leaves, apples, soup and Halloween -- what's not to love? I also love Fall clothing.

Patagonia in Westport is having a huge sale right now. I went today to get a credit back on a rain jacket I bought last week and was able to get a zip-up sweater with the refund, so basically it was two for the price of one. It's way too hot to wear now, but the pumpkin color really gets me in the mood for cool days.

The girls have tons of clothes but I was in Janie & Jack the other day on Greenwich Avenue and there are some really cute things out right now. Of course I wait until it goes on sale -- don't think I have ever bought full-price J&J outfits -- and hope the right sizes remain. The Paris line

is so cute, but I love the quilted jacket from the Carousel Line. They are just so comfortable and vintage looking. I also adore the quilted jacket from the Orchard Line. I would probably get one and one so that it wasn't matching.

Swimming

We just joined the YMCA Westport/Weston and signed up the girls for swim lessons. This way daddy can get involved on the weekends with an activity. Poor daddy misses out on a lot of the fun stuff during the week, so this is good bonding time. Plus now that we are members, we can go to the pool whenever we like during the week. Unfortunately, there was no "twin" discount.

The girls seemed really excited at the Y and were waving to everyone. Someone asked if the girls were related. Um, duh? I guess people just really don't know what to say so they ask to be sure. Then someone said well they don't look like you at all. I mean what do you say to that?

Thw weird twins comments just keep rolling out ...

Three Under Three

I thought I was pregnant. That would have been three children under the age of three.

Now that I have learned I am not, I'm left with mixed emotions. I was full of worry and anxiety, wondering if I would be able to give my girls the attention they needed while I was pregnant and then moreso, after the baby was born. What if it was twins again? How would we cope with the care and finance? Would the girls still love me as much or would they just want to be with each other and forget about mommy? We have two precious, healthy girls -- am I tempting fate with another baby? Should I just be happy with what we've been blessed with?

Inside all the worry and anxiety, there was a glimmer of excitement. I was decorating the nursery already. I was thinking of names and birth signs. The baby would have been Aries, like me. Boy or girl? A positive feeling that my husband and I would have made it work and come together for our family.

We're not actively trying, but I am left to wonder "what if"?