My Big 3-year Olds

So today we are having the twins 3rd birthday party at grandma and grandpas house!! And I just can't sleep. I'm way too excited. And nervous. But mostly excited. Mason woke up to "go pee pee in the potty" at about 5:35 and she said, "Is it our real birthday now?"

"Um, well Mase", as I lifted her onto the toilet, "Today is your birthday party and tomorrow is your real birthday. But today is still your birthday. So this year you kind of have two birthdays." A rare moment of silence from the little princess. She pees. And goes back to bed. I do not.

It's kind of a hard concept to explain to a 3-year old. Not sure why I tried. But Mason and Jacob are wicked smart and honestly, I think they kind of understand.

Anyway...so today is their 3rd birthday party. Tomorrow, will be their real birthday and I just can't believe it. What a difference a year makes. There is a crazy difference between 2 and 3. They are so much bigger this year! They are so much more aware of their birthday! I guess when they are 2 they are still essentially babies (although at the time I thought they were really big) and we kind of forced their birthday on them. This year, they were able to tell us they wanted a "Dora and Diego" party. When I asked them who they wanted to invite to their party they responded with mostly all adults -- family members and my friends --. They wanted "Grandma and Grandpa and Nana and Papa" (It was then I tried to reiterate to them how far away England was and why Nana and Papa couldn't come...but that we could see them on the computer) They mentioned all their Aunts and Uncles. And GG. And then they said, "And Gillain." (their bff Burke & James mom) "Oh and Alicia...baby Sania's mom." That was their list. So that's what we're doing. And there are a few kids coming as well - their friend's Burke and James, my cousin Melissa and her kids and a few others. Should be fun!

At least I really hope they have fun. Jacob and Mason, but I think especially Jacob, has been looking forward to this all week as he asks anyone he comes in contact with, "Are you coming to my birthday party?" And he looks so excited and eager to hear their response. The other thing is, is I told them they were definately having a Dora and Diego party but it was just a few days ago Harvey and I realized that they think Dora and Diego will actually be there. Oy. I'm a good mom. But not that good. And I got really emotional thinking about their disappointment if Dora and Diego and Map and Boots and Isa and Benny and Backpack and Rescue bag don't show. I just don't want to break their little hearts. So being the neurotic fool that I am I ordered as many Dora beanie babies as I could on Friday and spent ridiculous amounts of money having them shipped overnight to my mom's house so they arrived yesterday. Let's hope that does the trick. It should. I hope. I just don't want to break their little hearts.

But then I think they'll probably be distracted by all of the family doting over them. And the presents. And the balloons. And the three pools and bouncy castle we're going to set up out front. Oh yeah, and the bowls of popcorn and "sour chips". I think they'll be happy.

Anyway -- that's that. My little babies are 3. And it's bittersweet I guess. Couldn't be happier at what I see. They are HILARIOUS. And gorgeous. And sweet. And funny. And they love each other. (they even say sometimes, "we're best friends"....so cute) So far I think I've done an alright job I guess. But then there is that little part of me that's really sad that they are so grown up and not babies anymore. Not really sure why it makes me all weepy. But it does. I mean, Mason is practically a teenager...much to my chagrin she's now taken to calling me "Mom" sometimes. And Jacob, I look at Jacob and think, "What am I gonna do when his first girlfriend breaks up with him?" He's so sensitive. Poor little guy will be devastated. And Mason will probably kick her ass.

Thus I digress...

Happy Birthday Jacob and Mason. Mommy loves you.

Our First Movie

Forgot to mention that the last day we were on the Cape it was "a bit murky" as Harvey would say. So we took the kids to see their first movie -- Winnie The Pooh. We went with their friends Burke and James (who had already been to see Cars 2 so those guys are pros) and I figured I could follow Gillian's lead. Harvey and I weren't sure how it would go, what they would do, if they would sit through it, or whaaaa.

But I'm proud to report it all went very smoothly. And they absolutely LOVED it. They pretty much sat through the whole thing. Sat up on their little booster seats and ate popcorn. And Mason had M & Ms as well. It was only a little over an hour, and it was a pretty good first movie I think - as it was flat animation - no crazy loud sound or pixar 3D insanity. Just Pooh and Eeyore and Tigger.

When the movie started, well, when the previews started, Jacob turned to me and said, "Mommy...this is the biggest TV EVER!!!!" That made me smile throughout the show.

Real Chocolate

Real funny story from this morning...

I was pouring the kids milk and Mason comes into the kitchen.

Mason: You got any chocolate milk Mommy?

Me: But you don't like chocolate milk.

Mason: I know.

(pause)

Mason: Well, how about just some real chocolate then.

Cape Codders 2011

I know I've already posted this pic as a sneak peak in an earlier blog entry but it's my favorite one of the trip so I thought I'd post it again. Pretty much sums up the week.

We were in Cape Cod again last week. We rented the same house as last year. But this year was much different. The kids are a bit older and obviously a little more independent. And Mason decided she liked the sand this year so that made things a hell of a lot easier as you may imagine. Ha ha. Mason actually mentioned that she didn't like the sand when she was little, but now that she's bigger...

We went to the beach almost every day. Mason was like a fish. You had to chase her into the ocean so she wouldn't go too far. Jacob learned to jump over waves which he thought was rad. Grandma and Grandpa were with us for the week as well which was really fun. (yes, i'm being totally serious.) Grandpa dug big holes for the kids on the beach much to their amazement. And at the end of the week were were joined by Aunt Jennie. And even Uncle Mat and Aunt Lena trecked down for the Sunday with 3.5 week old baby Harold. He's an adventurer that little one. Shit, I didn't take Mason and Jacob out of the apartment for at least 3 months I think. Ha ha. Well, ok, maybe we took them to the doctor and for walks around Hoboken. But I remember not being happy about it. Jacob scared me. Thus I digress...

We also hung out with our BFF's Burke and James every day. And celebrated their birthday on the Monday which was pretty awesome.

All in all it was a fantastic trip. Outside shower and all. I'll stop blabbin and let the pictures tell you the rest.

















































I actually have a whole bunch of video footage as well. But being the awesome editor I am, I haven't had time to properly go through the footage yet. (see...I'm British now) But I will post at a later date.

July 4th

This July 4th we were up in Boston to visit baby Harold and the family. We spent the 4th at a BBQ at Aunt Jennie & Uncle Andy's house. The kids had a blast. We BBQ'd like good American's should and played outside all day. God bless the kiddie pool. Here is a shot from the morning.

Harold Joseph Mason-Zuckerwise

My littlest nephew, Harold Joseph Mason-Zuckerwise was born on June 26 at 6:38 PM. He weighed in at 6lbs 6oz and was 19 inches. Mason and Jacob love their little cousin and can't wait to corrupt the little guy.

Here are some pics of the little guy when he was born and from his bris.


What a cutie.


Ditto.


Uncle Mat has a baby!!!!


Proud cousins.

Poconos Baby!

About a month ago we also made a day trip to the Poconos to see our good friends Maj, Alicia and Sania. The kids loved the outdoors. Oh yes. We went to the pool which was a highlight of the day.



"The water won't hurt you Jay-jay...splash like MEEEEEEEEEE"


Down to the camera...

Big Boy & Big Girl Beds

So Mase & Jake actually got into big boy and big girl beds about a month ago. They weren't complaining about their cribs or anything. They weren't climbing out. Shit...I probably could have kept them in their cribs until they were like 5. But for reasons I'll explain a little later, we decided that now would be the best time to transfer them. And they actually love them! So far so good. In fact, I have to keep reminding them that they can get out if they want in the morning and play with some of their toys until I come to get them (or wake up). They are learning to pull up and down their own underpants/pull-ups so Harvey and I have also been trying to teach them they can get out of bed and go pee on their own and come back to bed. But so far that is sort of a lost cause. They stay in their beds until we get them. Which, is not entirely bad. They are well trained, what can I say?

Jacob does fall out of his occasionally. Like just last night he fell out twice. Poor little guy. But they are doing really well. The "Woody" bed and "Princess" bed are huge hits in the house. Nice work Harv.

Here are some shots from the morning we gave them their beds.

When I get bigger...

Just had to share this quickie story before I got back to writing TV spots for vitamin supplements...

When we were at Cape Cod last weekend Mason and Jacob were talking quite a bit about how they are getting "bigger". They are quite aware that their birthday coming up...how they are not sleeping in cribs anymore...and how they don't wear diapers anymore. And this statement came out of both of their mouths...

Jacob: When I get bigger...I want to drink beer.
Mason: And when I get bigger...I'm going to drink soda...and put on makeup when I go to the doctor.
Jacob: And when I get really bigger I'm going to work. And to drive.

(think mason meant go to work but for some reason she said "doctor")

Clearly they idolize us. (Harvey and I) They see Harv drinking beer all the time and me drinking soda water ALL THE TIME. And occasionally I'm running late going into the city so Mason comes in the bathroom with me and watches me put on make-up. And if they get up early enough they wave bye bye to Harvey out the window as he drives to work. So funny. Even funnier when you hear them say it.

where have the twins been?

they've been in hoboken. and in boston. and on cape cod.

and i apologize again for not updating the blog as much as i should. i still have stored up entries so don't worry, they will be coming. for sure.

i'm on this freelance job that just won't end and i can't seem to get it all together. or at the very least find time to update all of our fans. i'm really sorry. but i'll try and update soon. i promise.

quickly though --

-new baby cousin -- BABY HAROLD-- was born on June 26, 2011 to my brother Mat & his wife Lena
-mase and jake are in big boy and big girl beds. no more cribs.
-they are peeing in the potty. mason is pooping in the potty. jacob is almost pooping in the potty. they even wear "pull-ups" to bed now and often have dry diapers when they wake up.
-jacob is actually peeing "standing up" just like daddy.
-had a great 4th of July at Uncle Andy & Aunt Jennie's
-we were in Cape Cod for a week at our beach house and the kids had an absolute BLAST

will write more later...promise.
but here is a picture of my little beach bums from last week:

Where are the updates?

Apologies to the avid blog readers out there in blogland.  It's getting on to a month since you've been updated on life with the twins or had the opportunity to gaze at their beautiful pics.  The reason is that the main creative force, i.e. Ann, has gone and got herself a freelance gig and has been working her socks off the past couple of months to keep myself, Jacob and Mason in the manner to which we have become accustomed.  Never fear, I assure you lots has been happening in the Lieberman household and we will update you all as soon as possible.