Drew: Set 2

Drew Ryan

Set 1--More to come!

Bosom Buddies and Bonkbeds

Meredith and Lauren have been staying with us for the past week.  Tess and Lauren have become quite the bosom buddies.  They were separated for a couple hours on Wednesday when Tess went to playschool.  From the squeals, hugs and jumping at their reunion, you'd think they'd been separated at birth.  Three incidents in particular signify how close they've grown. 

#1--Meredith came downstairs and caught the two of them with big wads of paper towels, attempting to clandestinely clean up paint water they'd spilled all over the kitchen floor.  Buddies cover for each other.

  

#2--When I heard Tess say, "Lauren, STOP SINGING!"  That phrase pretty much sums up my childhood with Meredith.

#3--The fact that now Lauren is gone, Tess keeps calling me "Lauren" instead of "Mom."

While Meredith was here, we took on the task of turning Tess' room into a space for 2.  I've been kind of dragging my feet with it, mainly because I loved Tess' room and was sad to change it.  Luckily, with Meredith around, there was no shortage of creative ideas!

After much deliberation, we decided to try putting bunkbeds in her room and turned the top bunk into a play loft for Tess.  The bunkbed can also break down into two separate twin beds.  

Tess hasn't wanted to sleep in her toddler bed since her new bed arrived.  She calls it her "bonk bed" because we taught her that she'd bonk her head on the top bunk if she tried to stand up or bounce on it (it's a low bunkbed).

She's been equally enamored of her "play loft."  Mer found a "bed tent" that forms a little tunnel over the space.  I had a board cut to fit the bed (we were most creative in fitting a twin-sized piece of plywood in my car!) and covered it with foam mats and a car rug.  She loves practicing the ladder and knows that for now she can only go up there when Mom or Dad is in the room. 

We also found a line of bedding and fabrics at Ikea that I totally fell in love with for the room.  I was ready execute the Curious George idea when we happened on this bedding with whimsical cars.  It's accented with blue and white stripped fabric that looks like it was made for the room.  

I just saw that the designer's name, Silke Leffler, is on the fabric and it turns out that she is a German children's book illustrator.  I would love one of her books if anyone needs a Christmas present for me or Tess!  

       I Have a Little Problem, Said the Bear     The Flower Ball      Andersen's Fairy Tales    

I love that they sell coordinating fabric, which I plan to make into a valance and bedskirts for the beds.   Maybe a couple of pillows for the "loft" too.  (Here's our project, Mom!) 

They even had a coordinating baby quilt, but I may make a baby blanket out of the cars fabric.  I can't decide if the baby quilt is a little too feminine.

They have the cutest coordinating accessories--I had to restrain myself!  Still, we got all of it for what we would've spent on just the Curious George valance and bedskirts (I still would've had to buy separate bedding).  Gotta love Ikea!

I'm so excited to see it all put together!

And I think we're settling on a name for Baby Brother.  I think.

38 Weeks

Still pregnant here.  At my appointment yesterday, the doctor said I'm still carrying the baby quite high.  I've dilated to 2 cm, so some there's been some gradual progress.  Since Tess was induced at 39 weeks, I'm not really sure what to expect from contractions and labor that happen on their own.

I don't really feel like this baby is ready to be here too soon.  The doctor said that at my next appointment, he'll probably put me on the inducement schedule, in the event that I go past my due date.  At least I'll know the latest date this baby could be born!

Mega-Post!

OK, I've gotten a little behind on posting, so time for catch-up!

Ryan's 37th Birthday

Ryan is now another year older and wiser too!  

Mer & Bri watched Tess while we took in a Wizards game, which was a lot of fun.  It was an exciting game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.  The teams were pretty well matched and took turns taking the lead.  Ryan could probably provide a more technical recap of the game.  In the end though, victory eluded us, Washington 102 - Cleveland 107.

The celebration continued at Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, where we attempted to decipher an engimatic menu written largely unfamiliar culinary terms.  (10 points to anyone who can correctly translate this dish:  "White Pudding with Warm Du Puy Lentils.")  We managed to pick delicious dishes and we enjoyed a relaxing meal in this beautiful restaurant.

Tess & Lauren

We've been lucky to spend a lot of time with Meredith and Lauren on their east coast visit.  Tess and Lauren are the cutest two little peas in a pod.  Mer and I can't get over how easy it is when they're together because they totally entertain themselves and are just happy to be together.

Preschool

Mer was here to help with preschool this month and Tess was excited to have Lauren come to her "school."

Gratuitous Tess Pics

Guess This Means I Need to Pack My Hospital Bag

The other day Tess told me I needed to watch her bunny while she went to the "doctor."  She then proceeded to bring me everything that bunny would need while she was gone, including a jacket, a blankie, his milk, and his "bed" for a nap (her toy sink).  And apparently he needs his fur blow-dried.