Lilacs and Lilywhites give off a gentle scent

My favorite book to read to the kids, "In a Blue Room" gives me the title for this post.  Today we were in the Arboretum for Lilac Sunday and Mother's Day.  We went for brunch and then strolled through the Arboretum meeting up with Nick, Mike and Lisa, and Beau.  The babies took turns with cat naps and dog watching while the parents took in a perfect spring day.  I especially enjoyed sitting on the grassy banks with many other families.  Too often we stroll through the Arboretum without "copping a squat".  Today made me realize we need to stop and smell the lilacs and enjoy some picnics in our extended backyard.  The kids had their first experience walking on their own  in the crowds... Bibi was easily distracted, Iman kept up with our pace and Sylvie took off on her own sending Beau chasing after her on several occasions.  The only thing I would change is the use of sunblock, how after 36 years it hasn't gotten through my thick skull that I am a white girl, I don't know. 

Bibi "climbing" a tree

Sylvie enjoys a dip

kisses

Iman of the trees

I love their expressions... I definitely caught them in the act... what act I don't know

Mom and son

Mom and goofball son

Uncle Nick and flower child Bibi

Miss Thang

Trouble with a capital T

Baba and Iman

Sunny days... everything is A.O.K.

It was a perfect weekend in Boston, sunny and in the 80's, so we spent both days outside.  We went for a hike through the woods on Saturday and today we took a nice long stroll through the Arboretum.  Beau, Katie and Sylvie came over for a visit in the afternoon and the girls Christened the pool in our backyard.

mmm sun

Iman "milking" the water

Bibi explores yet another tight spot

Iman and I hiking through the woods

Sylvie had a blast in the pool

As promised some daytime walking that's a bit easier on the eyes.

lights, camera, action

I don't know if it's the artist/photographer in me, but lately I seem to only take photos when there is great natural light striking my subjects (Iman and Tayeb, obviously).  Next thing you know I will only be showing black and white images.  I think this is a gut reaction to my very disappointing dream the other day about grocery shopping.  I can't imagine my life has become so domesticated that I am grocery shopping in my dream... what happened to international spy mystery woman?  Anyway, until I carve out some me time for an art class, the kids and the blog will have to do for creative outlet.

OK, this shot is included to ask the question... is there baby hair gel and where can we get our hands on it?  Of course I have never used "product" for my own hair, so we may need some help.

Unlike photos, I take video whenever the kids are doing something new or cute and all my mad photography skills obviously do not translate to videography.  Last time I took video sideways, this time it's entirely too dark, but the kids seem to dig walking around after dinner.  Iman actually looks like she is breaking into a sprint in a few of these.  Hopefully, she will repeat this in the daytime so it might be seen a little better.

Unsolicited walking

  The babies had their one year well baby exams and we proceeded to leave their "stats" printouts at the docs office.  If memory serves, Tayeb was 20 lbs 11 oz and Iman was maybe 17.5 lbs?  I can't remember, it was a whole week ago.  I know we were told to try and bulk Iman up a bit.  I think the fact that they have both almost tripled their birth weight in one year is impressive, but I guess it doesn't work like that.  The babies and I are ready for spring, every day I look outside waiting for the sun and warmth, for a day that begs us to go outside and play.  Until then here are a few shots of the babes hanging in the living room.

Lions and tigers and bears oh my!

Checking out the backyard for kitties and squirrels.

Iman manages to hold four of these "gears" in one hand and then spends a half hour trying to repeat the feat.  I think she is going to be stubborn like her mama.

I love the innocent look away as she dives her entire fist into her snack trap in search of more goldfish.
This little top is tricky, requiring a quick turn to get it to light up and sing, both babes are trying to figure it out.

A friend of ours heard how much Iman enjoys texting on her daddy's blackberry.  He works in I.T. and was nice enough to bestow the babes with blackberrys... (or would it be blackberries like the fruit?) of their very own.  Of course Iman needs to hold both of them, somehow with two babies you need three of really great toys so Bibi still has at least one.

The whole family taking a lazy Saturday morning nap.

We took a trip up to my old stomping grounds in NH, it turned out to be a beautiful day and we enjoyed a nice walk through the wilderness.  It makes me look forward to hiking and camping with babes this summer, is that nuts?  Can we camp with babies?

 

The Babies B, jammin' while they eat

And the "piece de resistence", Iman started to do some unsolicited walking over the weekend.

Not to be left behind, Bibi saw his sister and decided to follow suit today.  Please ignore mommy brain videographer.  I am so used to taking pictures vertically and seem to forget that videos don't rotate so easily, so turn your heads and enjoy.

Today I called Bibi "Captain Hectic", I just love this clip of him getting that booty in the air and then his walk with reckless abandon... that's my boy!

Thank you Easter Bunny, one fun and a swing

Are you ready for image overload?  It has been quite a year, and honestly I feel like it has flown by.  My little babies are one year old.  I feel like I will blink and they will be headed off to school.  Grammy was in town to help celebrate and although she was here for a week I have very little photo evidence to show for it.  We got some professional photos of our one year olds and their cousin... they had real live floppy eared bunnies as props, how could we turn that down?  It is proving harder and harder to have three mobile babies in a photo shoot, even with a super cute bunny, there was almost always at least one baby making a run for the door (or quick crawl).  Here are a few shots that they did manage to get.

Droolicious

smile

super smile

I am not sure Iman is the animal lover that Sylvie is, she reaches out to touch bunny then quickly pulls her hand away, who could be afraid of this little bun?

This is as close as Bibi came to petting the bunny, pulling vs. petting..... tomato tomahto

Again, not the intent when bringing carrots for the bunny.

On Saturday we celebrated the babies' birthday, it was amazing having our house full of family, friends and neighbors.  The little ones seemed to enjoy our toy filled rooms and the big people seemed to have a good time too.  I managed to take a whopping four pictures during their party, so thankfully Beau gave me his and hopefully others will send theirs along as well (hint hint).

Typical Iman, although she has a perfectly good piece of cake in her hand she is looking at her brother and wondering why she does not have his cake in her left hand.

Bibi's first taste of frosting.  He really didn't try the cake until the next day, not for lack of trying on my part.  By day three he turned into a cake loving little man.

Sylvie's cute kissy fish face, her newest trick to charm the crowds.

My little Moroccan baby is serious about her drumming, there is actually a tradition of Moroccan dance on a steel drum, it's in her blood I guess.  I have tried to show a link to youtube, but I guess it's too late tonight, for me to figure out the Mac. 

I love these videos of the kids dancing.  Every time they hear music they can't seem to help themselves.

And last but not least the Babies B had there first ride on a swing, they couldn't stop giggling.