Tales of Two Coffins

Happy Holidays from the Coffins!

2011-12-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

Many Memories Snowflake Holiday Card

Turn your family photos into holiday cards this season.

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Coast to Coast with the Coffins

2011-07-05T18:53:00.001-07:00

Is it July already? Our bloggin' skills have been a slackin'.

We had a busy and very eventful winter - but it takes craziness and life changes to help you appreciate what really matters, right? Jeff is feeling better and we have taken advantage of his ability to now drive and be able to ride in the front seat again.

As soon as Jeff got the green light from his doctors in NYC - we headed to Arizona, dropped off Maya and Gabriella (with their grandparents!) and then headed to California. Alecia had a business trip which had her staying at the Beverly Wilshire for 6 days, so Jeff had to come check it out. On the way to the Reg Bev Wilshire, we stopped at Disneyland for Jeff's birthday and met up with good theatre friends from Oneonta - Tommy, Kat (and her boyfriend Jeff). Then we saw a movie - which does not seem like a big deal - but we have not seen a movie in a theatre in awhile - so it was a really special day.

While Alecia worked at the Bev Wilshire, Jeff toured LA and Hollywood. We did see a few famous people along the way. Lainie Kazan from Big Fat Greek Wedding. and Bethany from Real Housewives.

The hotel was amazing and I swear if they were not looking - Alecia would have taken the bed and put it on top of the rental car. The most comfortable bed I have ever slept on!

We then headed back to Arizona and rejoined our girls and grandmom and grandpa Heidecker. Lots of shopping, a visit to a cool science museum and a big steak dinner for Grandmom and Grandpa's 41st anniversary on June 14th.

It was amazing to have some time together and then together with our girls - who just started preschool on the 27th of June. They are the tiniest girls in the class - but seem to be holding their own and having fun. Maya and Gabriella continue to say funny things (Gabriella telling me she was married - married to a little lamb) and Maya telling Jeff that she did not have grass her - but "mulch daddy". They love wonder pets, their babies and music.

So, here is a summer full of wonder, music and babies - who are growing up fast!

Note - the pic of Ella napping - is after the red eye flight. She just crashed after being up a loooong time.

Fall in Love

2010-10-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

The girls continue to amaze me. Maya is talking so much now. And has expressed how much she loves TV (I want TV mama) and Elmo (My Elmo). I read an article that that girl who played Blossom (remember Blossom and all those hats?) does not even have a TV in her house! I envy her! Anyway,I digress. Maya loves to jump, sing and eat - that girl loves food! And Ella - loves singing, and playing with her baby dolls. Yesterday at daycare - she was making play doh pancakes for her baby doll. So, cute. Ella is sometimes more quiet than Maya - but when she talks - there is no stopping her!

The Fall has been busy - as our lives are usually. Work has me traveling a great deal - which has been fun - but exhausting for both Jeff and I. But, we got a jump start on the holiday photos this year. And took these at the end of September with our photographer Erin Bell. Who is Fabulous.

Looking forward to the holidays and more fun-filled Coffin adventures!

Happy Birthday, Maya and Gabriella!!!!

2010-10-02T18:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the girls' second birthday. I don't want to be cliche and say something like "How fast it goes", but, uhhh...yeah. Seriously.

The party isn't until October 17 this year, because Alecia has been bouncing from coast to coast for the last month. But they did get new baby dolls from their Mama, which they both love. They haven't been out of their sights for 24 hours.

Here's another quick picture. I'm sure there will be more after their party!

Hot Fun in the Summer

2010-07-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that July is almost over and it must be a busy summer - because I have been blog lazy.

It has been a busy summer. We started the hot summer fun with Jeff's 40th birthday festivities. We had friends from all over to celebrate the end of the 30's. Then, we went cruising to Canada...on a 4 day escape to OH CANADA. It was great to get away. We had a great time and I am thankful that grandma and papa coffin could take care of the girls.

Work has been busy for both Jeff and I. Jeff has had several urgent projects and I seem to have a bunch of travel this summer. In August, we plan on heading out west and meeting up with grandmom and grandpa heidecker. I will have to work - but it is always nice to see my parents for a few days when travel allows.

This past weekend, Jeff had to work - so the girls and I visited great oma and had some fun in the park. The weather was so hot...101 degrees. But, we did have fun...drinking apple juice and hanging with the family. There is nothing better than a sippy cup filled with apple juice.

The girls continue to develop more words and are very expressive. They love to dance and listen to hip hop music. Ella's hair continues to curl and get bigger by the day. Maya refuses to let you touch her hair and likes to go with the crazy toddler girl hair style. Ella started running this weekend and is figuring out how to jump like her sister. Oh, and the toddler tantrums have started. It is hard not to laugh, because babies get twisted over the funniest things. Like having to change their diaper or if they want to walk up the stairs instead of being carried. Are the terrible two's almost upon us? Oy vey.

Have an "Eggcellent" Easter!

2010-04-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

There was an Easter Egg hunt in Greenwich last week (3/27) and I was excited. Being Jewish, I never got to experience the hunt for eggs - so the visions that filled my head were exciting. Picture this, a serene lawn filled with easter eggs. The eggs are filled with all of Hershey's delights. Then, reality hit in.

40 deegrees. Cold. Screaming kids. Muddy Fields from the rain. Scarey Easter Bunnies that made Gabriella scream. Maya stood in the field and cried. Gabriella screamed. Our camera died after 4 pictures. But, we did get a whole bbunch of plastic eggs. And the girls take delight in splilling them and throwing them at each other. (it must be a sister thing!).

The girls are now 18 months and they run around, love Elmo (sorry Melissa!), talk a whole bunch although for the exception of a few words - I do not know what they are saying. They also love to do sign language and are addicted to these signing DVD's that a friend recommended us (thanks Melissa!).

Here are some school photos that we were taken a few weeks ago. Love the plastic flowers. The girls are now in Toddler 1 - and are learning their ABC's, how to clean up after they play, eating with a fork, and they love to sing and dance.

Jeff and I are glad it is Spring and hope there are no surprise snow storms coming to CT. too much rain and snow this winter - thank you. Happy Easter, Passover and etc....

Snow, Holidays and Belly Buttons

2009-12-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

This holiday was definitely different than last year. I remember two babies nestled in their baby carriers sitting under a tree last year. This year was SO MUCH BETTER. The girls did not quite understand the meaning of the holiday - but they understood a few things like ELMO. Maya loves Elmo. We got one those Elmo's that sings and waves its arms all around. She loves it. She talks to it, looks at us, and then talks to it more. Ella loves paper. We have known her affections for paper for awhile. Every time she saw a gift - she felt the need to take the paper off. Some gifts not even hers. But, that is the job of having two 14 month olds.

Well, we enjoyed our first snow storm on the 19th. Not quite the 18"-20" - the meteorologists (can we say this is the best job in the world?) predicted - but we still got about a foot. This was the first snow we were able to take the girls in. First there was curiosity, then 5 minutes later, Maya was over it. (takes after her dad).

Then, on to Christmas. A 3 day holiday this year due to family obligations. While daddy had to work for the man on Christmas Eve - mommy piled the girls into the RAV4 to see Great Grandma and her aide for lunch. Grandma kept calling Maya a boy..but when you are 82 - you excuse these things. Then we made it back in time for holiday mass and dinner at Grammy and Papa's.

Christmas morning was awesome. Mommy got a J Jill dress and the girls got a pony from Grandpa and Grandmom in Arizona as well as some pop up books. Daddy got some rockin' jeans and a new video game for his Wii and also a flip cam so we can populate this blog with more insane stuff.

We had brunch at the Rosen's. Then the girls gave us the best Christmas gift EVER. A 3 hour nap. The girls, mommy, daddy all settled down for a long winter's nap and it was fabulous! Then Christmas dinner...back at Grammy and Papa's. More gifts, more food. Life is good!

.

Then on to day 3 (the day after Christmas) for more festivities at Grammie and Papa's and Aunt Jenny, Uncle Bill, Cousins Lauren and Catherine. The girls got a ton more stuff. And mommy and daddy got a wii fit (so exciting) and a new video camera. And Maya found her belly button and loves to show it off to everyone cause to her it is the coolest thing in the entire world...maybe even cooler than Elmo?

So, as this year comes to a close. I would like to reflect on a few things. The good friends we have who have gotten me through some rough times this year.

Work is business and not personal. Sometimes hard to remember when you are asked to give your life to the man...but it is just business at the end of the day.

My family. Close and far away. And for the ones who do not want to talk to us...they are losing out, we are not. I am concentrating this next year on what I have ...and not what I do not have or do not need in my life...and that is DRAMA. Enough of you...go away. (They do not read this blog, but it does feel cleansing saying that).

And Jeff, who is amazing and puts up with my bs (and I fling much of it often) but he is calm and wonderful and is my soul mate. And I love him so much. We have beautiful, amazing babies and he is a wonderful father. He is just fabulous.

Here is to a great 2010. I hope to see more friends and family and a year full of laughter and maybe...a bigger house? That would be nice....a big kitchen and a driveway! Oh, I dreamed a dream....For now. We have a roof over our heads and heat. Life is good. Simple...good...love!

Fun Fall Weekend

2009-11-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

Today was such a GORGEOUS day. And we connected with a photographer to get some holiday photos for the family - as I refused to go to crazy-ass Sears again. I was surprised we got out of there alive last year. Seriously. Well, I convinced Jeff we needed to get new photos for the grandparents, godparents, aunt, uncle and great-grandmas - and we had so much fun at our mini-photo shoot. The sun finally emerged and it ended up being a fabulous afternoon. We met Erin (the photographer) in Darien at Tilly Park and our girls were just great. So, now we will have some holiday cheer with our two little angels. The girls continue to amaze us. Maya says words like mine, baby and up. Gabriella continues to laugh and giggle - which makes us laugh and giggle and then she giggle even more! The walking thing is not happening yet for Ella - but when she does...I know it will add a new meaning to chaos!

Can anyone else find it hard to believe Thanksgiving is in 10 days?

2009-10-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Alecia!!!

Love, Jeff & the Girls

You Say its Your Birthday!

2009-10-12T20:10:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to our girls! Thanks to a lot of hard work and planning on the part of their mother, the girls had a great first birthday party. Thanks to everyone who came to help us celebrate and congratulate the girls on all the growing they've done for the year!

The "cupcake" party could not have been more fun. I hardly noticed that I was sick at all! The girls got a lot of presents and a lot of love, and everyone had a good time and ate too much. What more could you want? Here are a few of my favorite photos from the evening.

Maya and her balloon. The balloons were all helium, blown up by right before the party. The girls loved them.

Here's a shot of the girls opening their
gifts. I'm not sure they really understood,
but they found things to amuse themselves.

They both enjoyed the ribbon...

And playing with their cousins...
(That's Gabriella with cousin Lauren, and Maya with cousin Catherine.)

And their toys and cards ...

At the end of the night, we had two tired but happy little girls - although the tired wins out in these shots.

Happy birthday, Gabriella & Maya!

Published

2009-08-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

So, many of our blog reader friends know of the trials we went through to have our beautiful daughters. Well, at the time of all that, I connected with a few women who were also having the same obstacles and wanted to share our stories in a positive and constructive way. These stories culminated into a book called, The Waiting Room. Well, I am pleased to announce - that this book has been published and is available for purchase. My story is called, Magical Stork and provides a glimpse into my journey of infertility...which ended up (which the story does not go into) two beautiful baby girls who are two little blessings. (except when they fling food at us and scream at restaurants). OK, that is all good too since it keeps life interesting. You can see a preview of the book below- as well as purchase it.

http://www2.xlibris.com/Bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=62498

A Day Off and it's Sunny!

2009-07-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

So, today the Coffin family piled in our RAV4 and made our way up to Quassy-for some amusement park fun. We saw a magic show, rode the Carousel twice, the train twice and Maya hit the Saturation Station. The girls wore their new bathing suits and looked super cute. It was a great way to spend the day.

Maya is now crawling. She started sitting up on June 6th and then started crawling on June 13th...slow but steady. Then June 20th....she not only crawled like a champ - but also started pulling herself up. Gabriella continues to talk up a storm, roll everywhere...and just got up on all fours yesterday. Daddy and Mommy can't Wait until everyone crawls...which should make for some interesting adventures.

Happy 1st 4th of July Maya and Gabriella and everyone else!!!

School Photo Day

2009-05-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Maya and Gabriella continue to blossom like Spring flowers. Maya flips herself over - and although she is not crawling (yet) she manages to roll over to everything she should not be touching. Wires, Coasters, and turning our Wii on/off. A sea of toys and Maya chooses to chomp on a wooden coaster.

Gabriella now flips over as well. She is chatting up a storm - especially at 3am when her sister likes to wake up (EVERYBODY) to tell us how she really feels about her new fabulous teeth. They are a real scream! Those little chompers continue to hide - but we ALL know they are there.

The girls had their first school photos taken. This photographer was pretty amazing - and the pictures were super affordable - DOUBLE DEAL! The pictures just came in time for our trip out to visit Grandmom and Grandpa in Arizona - so now the Arizona grandparents have tons of pictures to get them through to their next visit with the girls in September.

BTW - Mother's Day was amazing - Daddy and the Girls let mommy take a nap, made her a delicious breakfast and change very few diapers. Overall - a successful day. Does that mean that mommy needs to change all the diapers on Father's Day? Yeah.

Baby Superstars!

2009-04-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

The May Parents Magazine issue is out - and Ms Ella and Ms Maya grace page 19. So, twinfabulous! Can we say - that the May issue will go like hotcakes. Get it, bacon, eggs and hotcakes! Maya is the egg - and Ella is the bacon!

Ella Gets a Modeling Gig for Fisher Price

2009-04-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

So, excitement abounds in the Coffin Household! Gabriella landed a print job modeling gig for Fisher Price. Maya auditioned too - but I have not broke the news to her that she did not get it. Well, today was the big day and Ella was happy as a bouncy seat when she woke up. But, disaster struck when those cameras started flashing. She was super serious - and was just not "feeling" it. Tried to feed her and hold her - and then she fell asleep. Oh, baby. Well, after being there for about an hour and a half...the nice photo people said - we got what we need! In other words- get out of here!!!

Poor Ella - but she did get paid. Happy or Not - we have more clams for College. Baby modeling is really only a back-up gig - a doctorate of law if what Ella was really striving for....and Maya - a doctorate of Bio-Physics!

Happy Half Birthday Maya and Gabriella!

Food Glorious Food

2009-03-07T20:27:00.000-08:00

5 months old and it is time for FOOD. Rice Cereal, Peaches, Bananas. I have to admit with working - the girls have only eaten real food a few times. My fear is that they might be drinking out of bottles until they are teenagers - if I do not do the food thing with more discipline. The girls are doing SO great. They laugh, and like to talk. Maya seems to have a great deal to say. Gabriella is very selective on when she wants to speak - but when she speaks...SHE speaks. The girls have really started to notice each other in the past month. I know they have this deep kindred bond in the womb - but now Maya like to touch Ella's face - so deep spiritual bond aside - they really know each other exists.

Maya and Mommy headed to Arizona on a business trip. Maya liked to travel - which means she inherited something from her parents! We got to spend time with Grandmom and Grandpa Heidecker. Maya had a blast and started to turn herself over. Now, she likes to fully flip herself over like a flapjack.

Gabriella and Daddy went to visit Aunt Jenny, Uncle Bill, Cousins Lauren and Cate. Gabriella enjoyed watching her cousins and really started to chat it up. Gabriella has been enjoying it her Rainforest Bouncer - since she is now big enough to touch the ground with her feet.

The girls are doing so great and it amazes me how fast they keep growing!

For Charlotte, from Jeff

2009-02-07T10:48:00.000-08:00

A long, long time ago, I was single. And I lived on the lower floor of a big 2 bedroom apartment, one with nice wood floors. Alone. Now my life is filled with three people that I love more than anything, but back then my only thought was, "What am I doing with all this space when I live by myself?" I decided to get a pet.

A long, long time ago, there was a woman who had the nicest cat in the world. She loved this cat, but she had advanced Alzheimer's. The cat loved this woman, but also loved climbing out onto the sloping porch roof over the bedroom window, forcing the woman to put her walker out on the roof and try bring the cat back in. It was time for the cat to find a new home.

So that is how I got Charlotte. She was a big cat (16 lbs!) She was a lazy cat. Before Alecia came along to tell me how to keep house, I think there was a nest of grey hairs on the living room rug where Charlotte liked to lay. And most of all, Charlotte was a very, very nice cat. I remember how nervous I was when I found my other cat (Emily), outside my bedroom window. I thought there was no way Charlotte would accept another cat in the house. But she just went right on with her life. She played with Emily, pawed with Emily, and shared her food and litter box with Emily. When Alecia came along, Charlotte accepted her before anyone else. Charlotte was a good cat.

So I hope that we were as good for Charlotte as she was for us. I guess we were enablers, because she never got out of that habit of being a big lazy cat. But we tried to make sure that through all the changes (new wife, new house, new kids), that we still loved her. And we knew by her obnoxiously loud purrs that she felt the same way about us.

RIP, Charlotte. We miss you.

Bye Bye Charlotte Cat

2009-02-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

So, our house is a little sad today. Our beautiful grey haired Diva cat Charlotte passed away yesterday. Charlotte was an amazing cat. I remember when I first was dating Jeff - she was scared of me at first and then she purred at me with open "paws" just one week after we met. She loved to take naps next to me (we both had that in common)and also loved nuzzling her way in between Jeff and I - sucking all the blankets beneath her with her massive cat weight (16 pounds!). The last two years Charlotte developed diabetes and when I would get up and feed the babies - she was always there to push her bowl and purrrrrr...saying, "I need water too, mommy". In fact- Charlotte was always there to greet us at the door when we came home and she would sprawl out in front of us when we came home from any of our vacations - letting us know she missed us as much as we missed her. Jeff was amazing with Charlotte and gave her two insulin shots a day to keep her diabetes in check. And in the end - he always cleaned her box and paper when she became too old to get to her box in time. Charlotte was an amazing cat and friend. She did not quite know what to make of our two new little additions - but was always curious with a sniff and purr. When I was on bed rest - she always managed to jump on the bed and just hang out with me - as she knew I was not feeling well and like a true friend wanted to make me feel better. We miss you Charlotte Cat - your big ol' belly of fur and warm purrs to welcome us. You will always be our amazing diva cat wherever you are. oxoxox.

Happy Babies Keeping Spirits Warm in a Cold Winter!

2009-01-26T19:26:00.000-08:00

January has been cold in Connecticut - but that has not stopped the warmth in this house. The babies are really showing their personalities. Maya is a bundle of energy - smiling and socializing. Gabriella loves mornings (who is this child related to? Not this mommy or daddy!) and is a happy smiling baby when she wakes mommy and daddy up at 6:30am on Saturday mornings. 92 Ledgebrook runs on Dunkin' and those delightful creamers that come in assorted flavors. I hate that I have to drink caffeine and that the people at Dunkin Donuts know how I like my coffee. But, it gets me through the day!

Maya and Gabriella started daycare on January 20th and mommy is getting used to the whole school thing. Teachers and Parties - and packing liquid lunches. A whole new baby world! The girls seem to really like daycare - so much that they are EXHAUSTED by 8:30pm. Good when you want to watch evening television and have dinner. Bad when babies want to play at 4:30am. We do not do anything well at 4:30am - especially PLAY GAMES AND SING SONGS. But, we will survive.

We had a special visit from cousin Moshe on January 25th- only 4 days older than Maya and Gabriella and a super cutey! Maya and Moshe enjoyed having a baby conversation over colorful blocks. They were quite the social babies! The talk of the town! I do not know what these babies werw talking about - but after Moshe left Maya and Gabriella took naps!

January is coming to an end - but it was a great way to kick off a new year and a new presidency. The economy may be bleak, the weather chilly, but we have babies - and that is pretty darn awesome. We also have caffeine - which is AMAZING.

Happy Holidays and Peace on Earth! (well, not in this house!)

2008-12-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

I have been back to work for two weeks. I miss the babies so much - but they have been hanging out with Grandmom and Grandpa Heidecker. I can not say we provided the best weather for the Arizona Grandparents (I think it was sunny one day) but they can get all that darn sun when they are back in Arizona. (but, can they send some this way pleeeaaasseee???). The girls are doing great. When not doing autographs for their Natalie Portman film appearances (which went really well! They did 4 days of work and have received paychecks already - woohoo money for Harvard!)

The girls are doing great! They started to:

- Smile. :)
- Find their hands.
- Really look at you when you talk.
- Sleep 6-8 hours at night. (they inherited something from mommy and daddy!)
- Avoid Paparazzis

We will be spending time with Grandma and Papa Coffin for the holidays. And visiting Great Grandma and Great Oma over the weekend. Happy Holidays everyone!

The Sears Photo Shoot

2008-11-26T23:39:00.001-08:00

So, I convinced Jeff that we should take an annual holiday picture of the girls and that we should go to Sears to take all the photo action. We had a good time. The photographer was strange and kept making weird clicking noises at the babies (did I mention - weird?). Maya and Gabriella were super patient (cause Sears was a little disorganized) and we got some nice photos. Gabriella just had enough at the end and fell asleep after screaming. Maya was a little super star - maybe she will be an actress like her mommy? The Sears Photo Shoot = Success! Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving - Let the Holidays Begin!

2008-11-24T14:03:00.000-08:00

I do not think anyone can prepare you for parenthood. Everyone says, "It's going to be a ton of work!". And you think, "I am a hard worker! I can handle this." And then your life is turned upside down. You wonder if you will get 5 hours of sleep in one straight shot or just remain sleep deprived and wanting an IV drip of Dunkin' Donuts.

But, then I think of the journey that brought us to multiple boppy pillows and bouncy chairs. The injections and the testing. The unsuccessful treatments and then finally...SUCCESS.

I may be a tired mommy - but I am thankful for my beautiful girls. And thankful for all the love and support we have received and continue to receive from our family and friends.

Now, I need to change a diaper!

Multitasking

2008-11-13T23:04:00.000-08:00

1. According to all the baby books - never let your newborn cry for more than one minute. This becomes tough when you have twins. Very tough.

2. Boppy Pillows allow for maximum feeding utilization and the ability to feed two babies at once. Yipppeee.

3. Boppy Pillows do not allow for burping or help you to change a diaper. They also did not take this picture.

4. Ignore Babies can not cry for more than one minute rule. Because changing a poopy diaper and feeding another baby just does not work at the same time.

Helllooo November!

2008-11-13T22:44:00.000-08:00

Well, Halloween has passed and we are full swing into November. I apologize to our blog fans - but mama bear has not been feeling so well. Darn Gall Stones. I get the stupid - non-functional organ out on Monday 11/17. And then I will be ready for all the foods I have been missing (or attempting to eat and resulting in a VIP frequent visitors club pass at Stamford Hospital). Jeff has promised me an ice cream sundae.

Enough about me. The babies are doing great. Gabriella is almost 8 pounds and Maya is almost 7 pounds. They enjoy tummy time and have started to look around a great deal more. They are almost done with Newborn diapers. Sigh. They spend a great more time awake during the day - which means less time on facebook and blogging. But, we am having so much fun - busting out the old 70's Sesame Street Records (yes vinyl, baby!) and singing songs. Rubber Duckie...your the one...you make bath time lots of fun...rubber duckie I am awfully fond of you! It does not get better than this!

Photo Shoot

2008-10-29T19:38:00.000-07:00

We are attempting to take photos of the babies for a birth announcement. It seems that when one baby is photo happy - the other is not feeling very super model like. We are still working on the birth announcement. :)