What a busy week it has been!

This past week, Momma (Stefanie) was off of work for "mid-winter recess," despite the lack of snow. Because of this time off, we planned lots of fun during the week! It began with a meeting of the Forest Hills Infant Twins. Our friend Susan has two girls, Lily and Eve, and our friends Sheryl and Adam have little girl Lily and little boy Asher. The following day, Neomie came over to meet Josephine & Dylan and give them the BEST BOOK EVER - Mommy, Mama and Me! For inexplicable reasons, we have no pictures from either day.
On Monday, our cousins Ricky and Ninoska came over with their youngest, Jamie, (Ivana, the eldest of the three girls hurt her ankle, and Hannah the "middle child" was sick, so they stayed home) as did the babies' Aunt Hope and Cousin Clayton. On Wednesday, our friend Julie (who is pregnant with her second!!) came over - her wife couldn't come because of work, and their son was in daycare - and spent the day remembering when Benjamin was very small (now 20 months old). After that, the week was finished out with some visiting by Grandma Liz and Dale. They came on Thursday and stayed until early Sunday morning. We made baby food (apple, avocado, carrot, root trio, banana, sweet potato) to last a few months! We also went into Manhattan for lunch at Village Natural. Grandma Liz's friend Bonnie, with her son Matthew, and Uncle Matthew all joined us. This was Dale's second visit to NYC so we sent them into Manhattan for some touring. He seemed to really enjoy his time!
On Saturday of their visit, while we were making lots of baby food, Grandma Lenore and Zadye came for lunch (and took on a lot more than anyone accounted for!) They made lunch, helped to clean up, did some chopping and peeling, etc. On Saturday night, Dale was fixing a few things around the apartment for us (like putting arm rests on an arm restless chair) and needed something from Home Depot. Sarah took him and on their way back it was snowing the whole time! It not only was pretty, but Dale was very excited to see so much snow. Of course, it stopped after a short while and never stayed on the ground. It was still very exciting. On our last, final day of vacation, we spent a good portion of the day hanging out with the babies' Uncle Andrew and Cousin Clayton.
Some photo highlights:

Josephine chillin' in the exersaucer 

Josephine snacking on Bonnie's finger while her son, Matthew, sits nearby

Josephine debating the meaning of life

Dylan, debating the meaning of his thumb

Dale and Dylan, waiting for lunch to begin - hungry men! 

Dylan and Momma

The whole table (left to right): Uncle Matthew, Grandma Liz, Mommy Sarah,
Momma Stefanie, Dylan, Dale, Josephine, Bonnie, Matthew

Ricky and Dylan discussing sports

Ninoska and Josephine cuddling

Jamie hanging out with Josephine

Ricky and Josephine

First trip to Manhattan!

Josephine showing off

Clayton and Dylan singing "The Ants Go Marching"

Uncle Andrew and Dylan singing the end of "The Ants Go Marching"

In other news, Dylan is becoming a master roller - on the verge of rolling from his back to his belly. He can get halfway there and then gets stuck. He still hates his high chair, but loves his food! He has 3 distinct teeth coming in which is not making him a happy baby. He has gone from sleeping through the night 11 hours, to waking up 2 to 3 times. Regardless, he loves the exersaucer, eating, the butterfly that hangs on the activity mat, eating, rolling over, eating, and to play. O, Dylan also loves to eat!
Josephine has been working on her speech. She ooh's and aah's all over the place! She holds Dylan's hand to comfort him if he is sad and crying, and will talk to him if they are left with quiet-ness. She loves to set the music off on the exersaucer, giving great big smiles when the music starts to play. She isn't a huge fan of pears, but still loves her apples and carrots!
Both Josephine and Dylan loved having family here for the whole week, and it certainly wore them out. Today they have napped for nearly 4 hours, catching up on some lost sleep (they didn't want to nap when Grandma and Dale were here at all!).

Look at me

Dylan's latest video

And some photos for you to continue your enjoyment!

Time for exercise! 

Make sure to do both sides!!

The family hanging out in the activity gym

Precious.

Look at us grow!

This video is fun! Please TURN ON YOUR SPEAKERS! The audio doesn't start in the beginning (close to a minute), so if your speakers are on and you aren't hearing anything its okay.

As you can see from the video, these two are a fun bunch!

Found Dylan one morning, on his side, half swaddled (and the swaddle was backwards!)

Another view. His diaper, as you can see, is coming off!

"Smile for the camera Dylan!"

Uncle Matt and Josephine

Sarah had their ACTUAL birth footprints tattooed on her right shoulder

Dylan was getting prepared for the Superbowl, thanks to a football gift from Uncle Matt

Josephine's new favorite toy, from Uncle Matt

It's usually so hard to get him to smile for the camera, but the last few days he has been okay

Lady Josephine

Relaxin'

Now that you've seen all the cuteness there is to see - for now - lets tell you what has been going on with Josephine and Dylan as of late..

Josephine, the older sister that she is, has been showing a big interest in her brother lately. She does a lot of staring at him, talking to him, and even telling him jokes! She also has been trying to roll from her tummy to her back - as you saw in the video above. She enjoys playing with the rattle that has a spinner on it, and the new butterfly hanging toy that Uncle Matt got her. She has grown out of her size 1 diapers, XS diaper covers, and has moved on to size 2 and small. She is still fitting into 3-6 month clothing and looks adorable in all of it. Her most recent favorite past-time is chewing on her hand. Her favorite food is carrots; she gobbles them up with a big smile on her face. She really enjoys her naps, taking a 2 hour nap in the morning and two 1 hour + naps in the afternoon.

Dylan is not as interested in his sister, but very interested in where Momma (Stefanie) is at all times. From the time she comes home from work, until naptime/bedtime, he will stare in her direction. When she leaves the room, he stares at the part of the hallway she was last in. He has been laughing hysterically at Josephine's jokes and talking a little; he really likes to listen. He is not too interested in being on his tummy, spending much of that time crying for us to put him on his back. Regardless of this, he has been trying to roll from his back to his tummy. He likes to play with anything that will fit in his mouth. He has also grown out of size 1 and XS and is wearing size 2 diapers with small covers. He looks cute in everything - whether it fits or not!  His favorite past-time lately is to eat anything he can fit in his mouth - which thankfully isn't much. His favorite food was apples, when he only had apples and carrots to choose from. Since we introduced avocado to their diets, he has been doing what we call the "avocado dance." Basically, he wiggles around in the high chair, kicking his feet and arms with a large smile from ear to ear. He will dance from the time he tastes the first spoonful until he goes to bed.

Keep watching...

Big news, photos and videos are to come soon!!!! Make sure you check back soon for updates! :}

Yummmm

This has been a big week for us!
Dylan has been grabbing at more toys, Josephine has been shaking her rattle more, both have begun eating rice cereal, and Josephine is on track to rolling over!
Some photos, for your enjoyment:

Shake, rattle & roll!

mmmmm yummy

Dinnertime?

I can't reach!

My first cereal!

My first cereal!

"Well, Moms, what did you THINK was going to happen with my first meal!?"