Twittering #3

Gift Ideas for the Kids

These are simply ideas or things I know would be useful.  If there is something else you'd rather get for the kids that's fine.

Aidan:

• Toy cars
• Toy airplanes
• iTunes gift card - These are great and quite the life saver.  I use them to buy tv shows and movies for Aidan when we travel.
• Aidan loves these movies but our copies are in Japanese, English versions would be much appreciated: My Neighbor Tortoro, Porco Rosso, Ponyo (Thanks Grandma and Aunt Erin for the videos, he LOVES them.)
• Zoobles - Aidan got one in a Happy Meal and he loves it.  I've looked into them and there are several different types.  The plain ones that come in a single pack are what he would enjoy the most.  The type of animal doesn't matter.  He just likes that they pop open or can turn into a ball.  He doesn't need a play set or anything like that, just what comes in the package is fine.

• Size 3T or 4T shorts
• We can always use more t-shirts, he needs a 4T for tops.  Take a look at the neck and make sure it can get around his pumpkin head.  Really, I'm not kidding, some tops fit fine once they're on but getting them on is a struggle.  I worry that one day he'll lose his ears.
• White athletic socks.  Not a cool gift, but I can't find them here.  I can find white dress socks and colored athletic socks that disintegrate after one wash, but not plain, sturdy white socks.
• Aidan really enjoys shows with singing in it, like The Wonderpets, Dora, and Sesame Street.  If you know of anything similar to this that you think he might like please let us know.  We have two seasons of The Wonderpets memorized and would be grateful for a new show.

Emma:

This list really depends on when you'll be giving her the gift.  Right now she doesn't really need anything but clothes, but she'll be almost one when we get home this summer and she'll be into toys by then.

• Pajamas: 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months
• Clothing: 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months
• Door muff - this is pretty clever.  I like it with gray fabric and yellow ribbon.

If you love me, you'll buy me this

It would be great if somebody could gift these to me.  Otherwise I'll have to buy them myself this summer and then sneak them into the suitcase.  I'm not quite sure how Patrick is gonna miss a cookie jar.

I would prefer a ceramic Tardis cookie jar, but I can only find that type on Amazon UK.  This one is still great, minus the batteries of course.

Now this next one, well, Patrick might be a bit peeved if I get another coffee mug.  But technically I would use this one at work so he doesn't have to live with it.  Plus, the lid makes it perfect for steeping tea.  I really want it.

It's so cool!

Now I can't say that I need a tea pot, I've just really been wanting one.  Of course I wanted a cheesy William and Kate wedding tea pot, but Karin couldn't find one when she was in London.  But I could settle for this one.

But what I really need, honestly need, is the Death Star tea infuser!  Really, Aidan broke mine and I need a new one.

I'll have some updated stuff for Patrick and the kids soon.  Well, I'll have gift ideas for the kids up, Patrick is terrible about telling me what he wants.

Do you know the Muffin Man?

Aidan helped me make lemon cranberry muffins the other day.  He had a pretty good time, but especially liked stealing the finished product whenever possible.

Happy Birthday!

What did Daddy get for his birthday?  A nap.

A bit about The New Kid

The similarities and differences between newborn Aidan and Emma are kind of interesting.  At least to us.

Emma looks quite a bit like Patrick, but she definitely has my mouth.  She also seems to have inherited Uncle Andy's bottomless pit.  At the rate she's going her first food is going to be a pot of macaroni and cheese instead of rice cereal.  She's a bit more patient about eating than Aidan was at this age.  He would let loose his brain piercing pterodactyl cry that was sure to wake up the whole building.  Emma will snort in the most unladylike manner for about two minutes before crying.  Her cries aren't nearly as horrible as Aidan's were.  Unfortunately she also a noisy sleeper.  She grunts, whines, and gets squeaky hiccups.  After the second night she was home, Patrick commented that he'd forgotten how many noises a baby can make that you don't have to jump up for.  She also seems to like baths, Aidan hated them at this age.  I think he was about two months old before he started to enjoy them.  Emma is happy until you dry her off and she starts to get cold.

Aidan is warming up to her.  He likes to stick his head in the moses basket so that his hair gets in her face.  Our guess is he feels like she's petting him when she starts flailing around.  He's gentle with her, but then gets really excited and starts to tickle her head - Emma doesn't like that.  Aidan seems to like holding her and has tried to take her from Patrick a few times.  If she fusses and we aren't in the immediate vicinity he'll drag us to her.  This is quite difficult when one is in the bathroom.

She is also awake a lot more than Aidan was at this age.  He would sleep for four hours, wake up for food and a diaper change, and then promptly fall back asleep.  I remember being a bit disappointed about this.  Emma, on the other hand, has one hour bouts of wakefulness in wich she must be held.  Normally this is awesome, less so when she's awake at 2:00 a.m.