Falling Down on the Job

It's been more than two weeks since I last updated this blog.  On the one hand, a lot has happened, but on the other, nothing has.  Just busy, busy times, times three.

Caroline is still climbing:

which does not make Daddy terribly happy.

On the 15th, everyone celebrated their 18-month birthday.  There was not a big festivity, but tradition mandates that they be measured against the door jamb, just as they have been at each six-month interval.  As you can see in the picture below, at the first two measurements, all three were relatively close together, but in the past six months, the boys have definitely out-grown Caroline, who is lagging more than an inch behind them.  On Monday we take them to the doctor for their check-up and we'll have more detailed statistics for them.

Grandpa returned from a trip to New York City with a very cute little dress for Caroline, complete with a headband that she immediately ignored.  Being contrary, Daniel decided he should give it a chance.  Not the most attractive look for him, though we thought perhaps he could use it for Halloween this year to dress up as a '70s-era NBA star.

Daniel did get a chance to try his hand at dressing up professionally this month - he got his very first "fit modeling" gig with Gymboree!  Both he and Max are "the perfect size", but only one of them was needed and Daniel was in a better mood.  It turned out there was another boy there for the fitting - in size 4T - also named Daniel!  We put our Daniel in two different pairs of jeans and a series of sweatshirts, vests, and jackets and he walked around being viewed by four women who chattered about the placement of pockets and the length of the rise, etc.  It was all over in about half an hour and back out to the car.  I think Daniel's favorite part of the the whole event was getting to ride in the car by himself, chattering away the whole time as he looked out the window.

Daniel wearing his Gymboree visitor's pass

Max took this picture of himself (on the left) and Daniel.

Caroline showed off her hair in a little Pebbles-style pony tail up high on her head.

She was trying out new hairstyles to get ready for Colleen's baby shower.  As you may recall, Caroline scored a coveted invite to Colleen's bridal shower last summer, and she was lucky enough to get invited to the baby shower as well.

Colleen showing off her belly

Caroline, enjoying the party favor

enjoying the garlic cheese bread more!

The play-dough was not as tasty

 The shower was at the Old Spaghetti Factory, which has a wonderful children's menu, complete with applesauce appetizer for the children.  Caroline was a big fan of hers.

She somehow managed to eat all that garlic cheese bread, a cup of applesauce, raviolis, spumoni ice cream, and cake, and only got one little spot on her dress!

While Colleen was opening her presents, Caroline decided she should get some exercise, so we exited the banquet room and ran a circuit through the main dining room.  Luckily, it is a family restaurant and nobody was upset to have a toddler in a party dress wandering up to them.  Of course, she wasn't content only looking at the diners, and I had to stop her from entering the kitchen four different times - and once from pushing her way into the men's room!  

By the end of the party, Caroline was DONE.  She was hot and her hair was stringy, but she still smiled for the camera!