Who's Who?

I always get a kick of Janae Black’s posts that show pics of her two girls at the same age and ask “which one is which?” If you haven’t seen her blog, be sure to visit http://www.drblackfam1.blogspot.com/. My two babes look remarkably alike, too. Their newborn pictures are almost indistinguishable. Any guesses who’s who?

A. This one is probably obvious given the outfit...

B. Sleepy babe - which one?

C. Newborn baby - girl or boy?

D. Another newborn pic - the kids' hairstyles are definitely the same!

E. Sweet mug - and a gender-neutral outfit.

F. Abby or Jackie? The white and yellow ducky jammies don't provide any clues!

G. These "yawning" pics aren't the very most attractive, but the babes sure look alike!

H. Who's sleepy?

Summer in San Francisco

While it's known for its temperate (even soggy) climate, San Francisco posted a few blazing days this summer. Of course, the weather is wet and miserable as I type, but these pictures serve as memory of a few scorching afternoons in SF. And since no one has air conditioning here (there's so rarely a need), our homes reach 90+-degrees inside...too hot for those of us (wimps) who are accustomed to the 65-70-degree averages we enjoy most days of the year.

On such afternoons, we fill up our floatie pool and drop the kids inside. We have an itty-bitty backyard and a patch of grass perfect for accommodating the pool! This particular day was Abby's first experience in a pool - solo - without being held by one of her parents. Jackson did a great job "indoctrinating" her.

Jackie wearing his standard "mischievous" mug.

Abby attempting to crawl out onto the grass.

Jackson giving Abby a special "welcome" to the pool.

Jackie grinning through the bright sunlight.

Daddy loves his kids!

Jackson & Daddy

Daddy & Naked Girl

Jackie and Abby are incredibly lucky. Their dad LOVES them LOVES them LOVES them! It is so touching to witness that love every day, and there is nothing sexier than a man who adores his babes! He and Jackson are very much alike. They are both handsome, funny and bright. They both have great hair. And, they're both incredibly strong-willed (read: stubborn!). This creates a bit of tension every once in a while. For example, we've been struggling with Jackson's eating habits of late...for being such a hearty boy, he's an incredibly picky eater! He prefers macaroni & cheese, chicken nuggets, French fries, and shepherd's pie (one of my few culinary masterpieces). He turns his nose up at just about anything else (excluding sweets, of course). Recently, I put my culinary skills (or lack thereof) to the test and produced a rather decent chicken and rice dish. We set the table, said a blessing, strapped the kids into their high-chairs, and hoped that they'd both comply. In her typical style, Abby grubbed happily. Jackson, however, wouldn't take a single bite. Scott wasn't going to let him win, especially since his wife had slaved over a hot stove all afternoon. He bargained with Jackson - "Just take one bite. If you don't like it, you can get down and we'll go watch 'Shrek.'" Jackson refused. For two hours, they fought over a singular bite, until finally Jackson asked to go to bed. Scott obliged. Neither of them won, but neither lost, either!

Scott loves his boy so intensely, it's almost hard for him to bare. Even though Jackson is almost 3, Scott checks on him at least twice every night, sacrificing his own sleep to make sure his boy is warm and comfortable. It is the sweetest love I have ever witnessed.

He feels the same kind of tender love for Abby - expressed with constant tickling, raspberries and snuggles. Every night, he picks her up and puts her in her bed to sleep. First, though, he inhales her, kisses her repeatedly, and whispers "I love you, baby girl" in her ear.

When we talk about our kids - especially during quiet times after they've gone to sleep - Scott's eyes often well up with tears. He can't contain the intensity of his feeling...they've captured his heart...wholly and completely.

My chubsters

Jackson - 5 months

Abby - 5 months

Katy - 1 year

Scott - 1 year

I suppose our hair is only one of the qualities that defines a "Springer." Chubbiness is another! Jackson was a hugely chubby baby, and Abby is practically obese! I say that lovingly, of course, because I'm pretty sure she's also the most beautiful girl in the world :) Here are a few pics of our hearty babies, as well as a couple of Scott and me. I'd say they inherited their "stock" from their father, though Abby clearly has my thighs!

Jackson's first day of school

Colicky boy - this is how he looked MOST days as an infant!

Jackson - Halloween - 11 months old

In the car on the way to his first day of school.

Painting with Teacher Alex.

What next?

Building train tracks with the boys.

My little boy is growing up...he started preschool a few weeks ago! I can't believe it. Seems like just yesterday he was howling in my arms (plagued with colic) or dressed up as Bam Bam on Halloween. The good news is, the transition to preschool was a lot more difficult for the mama than the student. Jackson LOVES school. I planned to stay with him his entire first day of school - just to help him "ease" into it. After about 15 minutes, it was clear he didn't need me at all. He jumped right in - it helped that the other kids were building train tracks when we arrived. I left him there, looking longingly over my shoulder as he waved bye bye without any hesitation!

The Springer Clan

July 2007

Christmas Day (Mom & Dad look awful tired!)

We have finally jumped the "blog" bandwagon. I've never been any good at keeping a journal, but perhaps this attempt will be more successful (the fact that I can type a whole lot faster than I can write should help).

A little about us... we're a family of four with a signature "look" - we all share the same spiky, blonde hair. When our second-born - Abby - arrived in December, we knew she was a "Springer" (as if there were any doubt), as she was born with a full, fuzzy head of blond locks (just like her older brother, Jackson).

Scott - our patriach - has an ad agency in San Francisco, conveniently located one block from our home in Potrero Hill. I (Katy) am the mama and work as the director of field marketing for a national restaurant company (Buca di Beppo).

We have two entirely delicious kids. Jackson will be 3 in December. He is a ball of fire! Disarmingly charming and demonic at the same time. Abigail is nine months old - she is likely the sweetest, happiest baby ever to grace this planet.

Most days, we have a zest for life. We're constantly on the move - at the park, at the zoo, riding the T, etc. Other days, Scott and I simply try to survive our kids, whose batteries seem never to run out. We love our family, our friends, and the San Francisco lifestyle, and we're so grateful for our many and vast blessings.