Guess What?!

This banana-phone-talking-bead-loving-toenail-polish-addicted-&-silly-band-wearing-little-girl, who is NOT so little anymore, has given up her PACI!!! WHOOP! WHOOP!

Eric and I banned the paci to the bed since she was 12 months old, but we've been putting the paci-going-away-thing off since then. We always had an excuse --- the rental house, the move, the arrival of Amelia, the big girl bed, and the list goes on and on. Of course, the longer we waited, the more attached she became, and the more we fretted about the paci going away. We talked about numerous "tactics" as to how to banish the paci for good, but they all seemed "hokey" for our parenting style. So, in true Stewart fashion, the paci just went away one night at story time. Madeline kept asking about it, and we kept telling her what a BIG GIRL she was, and that was that. No crying, no big deal, no discussion, nobody "taking" it, no one exchanging it for a prized gift, no nothing, and best of all, no paci. We've gone almost one week sans paci at nap time and bedtime, and as the days go on, the less questions we are getting about the beloved paci. Eric did have to experience the most pitiful statement ever one night when he was putting Madeline to bed, "Daddy, I miss my paci." in probably the saddest voice EVER like she lost her best friend. Daddy didn't dwell & just told her that it would be okay. The End.

Our big girl really is becoming a big girl, and we are so proud of her!

(We mean no offense to anyone who chooses the ideas out there for getting rid of the paci, but it's not us.)

Easter 2011

We had a wonderful Easter! We've had a lot going on lately, so it was a very low key family of four celebration. Sometimes it is just nice to relax and enjoy each other.

We hunted our eggs --- Madeline caught on very quickly and loved it!

Madeline enjoyed her Fancy Nancy Elegant Easter book that the Easter bunny brought her.

Amelia was impressed with her diapers, wipes, bum cream, and new clothes that the Easter bunny brought for her!

Madeline's basket was filled with goodies --- sidewalk chalk, bubbles, two new books, a new dress, and Raisinets.

Amelia's goodies --- Madeline thought it was hilarious that the Easter bunny brought Amelia bum cream!

Of course it wouldn't be Easter if we didn't dye eggs. We only dyed one dozen, but I am pretty sure that Madeline would've dyed 10 dozen eggs. She LOVED it!

Amelia watched us dye eggs from her swing.

Daddy was impressing Madeline with his mad egg dying skills as well.

Such concentration...

What a beautiful day!

TIMMMBBBEEEERRRRR!

When I was looking back at our camera for Easter pictures, I noticed this series of outakes from our four month photo shoot. Too cute not to share.
Happily Sitting Upright

Whoops!

On the belly with lots of grunting...

Happy Girl

Madeline's Preschool Conference

I had Madeline's two year old spring conference with her teacher this morning. Her teacher told me all sorts of wonderful things about Madeline --- she loves to learn, listen to stories, and participate in music class; she is very compassionate toward her friends; she has expanded socially meaning she will play with others besides a few BFFs; she is a good listener; and she is easily redirected if she's doing something wrong. Her teacher also shared some things to work on --- using words instead of taps, tugs, and grabs to get someone's attention; learning to be more of a leader instead of a follower especially when she knows rules are being broken; & learning to complete a chore at home. We couldn't be more proud of Madeline's growth this year in preschool, and I am so thankful for the teachers that have worked with Madeline to help her develop socially, emotionally, and academically.

Amelia -- 4 Months & 11 Days

Amelia Bedelia, as Mommy & Madeline have nicknamed her, is growing like a little weed. So plump and so smiley! Daddy calls her "Smiley Pants." Amelia is starting to really get some belly laughs out, and "It's so cute!" according to Madeline. Speaking of Madeline, she ADORES her little sister and has become very protective of her in public settings. I've actually seen Madeline "scolding" other tots at the gym nursery because they are too close. "This is MY baby. Don't poke her head!" Madeline proclaims.

This last month has been a little bit of a rough one in the sleep department. I think she's just trying to figure it all out --- some nights she would sleep a straight 11-12 hours & some nights she would fuss at 2:30 AM, then again at 4 AM, and then again at 6 AM! And, napping has been a little bit wanky as well since we are on the go all morning long, so she's cat napping 15-20 minutes at a time. The afternoons have proven to be a little rocky as well in the napping department --- sweet baby can't decide if she needs a 3 PM feeding or not --- some days yes, and some days snoozing through it. I know in due time we'll get there, and summer will help when I'm not rushing us out the door to preschool and other activities in the morning. And, perhaps this Mama is pushing too hard for that nice long afternoon nap a little too early, but I selfishly am so looking forward to two children snoozing away in the afternoons to give me some down time to regroup. There are days at 5 PM when all three of us have a tendency to be a little ill tempered with one another.

Amelia's disposition is so sweet natured and laid back much like her Daddy. She just smiles and coos and kicks her legs even if her belly is growling or her diaper needs changing. Amelia even smiles while she's getting her little nose all sucked out with the bulb! Also like her Daddy, when she's had enough, she snaps, and let the full out screaming commence. It's not pretty because this child has a set of lungs on her. Luckily, she rarely gets to that point! The ladies at the gym adore her, and she gives them the best giggles and smiles. They've even said to me, "Does she ever cry?" Nope, not really.

Amelia had her 4 month well visit today, and Dr. Kapp gave us the thumbs up. All measurements & developmental milestones are looking on target. Although she looks to be short and plump, her measurements speak otherwise.

• Weight --- 14 lbs. 7 oz. (77%)



• Height --- 25.5 in. (96%)



• Head --- 40.5 cm (62%)

She's loving her playmat now that she's figured out the whole grabbing and squealing thing. The mirror is her favorite part of the playmat, and I have seen her trying to almost roll over to grab at herself in the mirror. Quite the motivated one to get places unlike her big sister who just enjoyed being immobile. She's also loving her Bumbo seat. I'm sure it's refreshing to be sitting up a little bit, and the ladies at the gym stick her in the crib (in the mix of what's happening, but also out of probing fingers reach) all propped up in boppy pillows, and she's happy as a clam to take in the world around her.

Amelia Bedelia is just the perfect little addition to our family, and we couldn't love her more!

Backyard Makeover

When we moved into our home almost a year and a half ago, we loved the fact that our backyard was large and backed up to the woods. We had visions of a manicured backyard and clearing out the woods area for a play area for our kids. This summer, we are making that happen. Well, we are working on the manicured part, but that will come in due time, we hope. After much researching, talking about money, thinking about our kids' young ages, & considering how much we entertain at our house, we decided on a simple Rainbow system for our playset. It's a tad pricey, but we really wanted our backyard and woods area to be inviting, nice, and fun. So the work has begun to get the playset area ready for the installation of the playset.

Before:

I was a big help in the initial clearing out. As it turns out, I am a mean one with the big rake, & I even swung the ax a time or two to chop out some underbrush. I was pumped about the bonus cardio and ab workout I received that day! :) Anyway after the intial clearing out, it was all up to Eric to saw down some larger trees, and luckily we have a wonderful neighbor with a chainsaw, a four wheeler, and a wench who helped us cut the trees down so they landed in just the right spot (ie not on our house nor our neighbors' houses) and pull out a ridiculously large cedar tree stump. The backyard slopes down into the wooded area, so Eric has the the master plan of creating a step down complete with a retaining wall and a "Daddy-made sandbox" with landscape timbers.

Once it's all set up and done, my job is then to watch the sun all summer long, so my mom and I can figure out what types of bushes and such to plant in the surrounding beds NEXT summer based on the sun's intensity over the course of the day. Yes, we really did mean "manicured", but it's fun stuff to plan, work hard, and see the end result.

We want a fun, safe playspace for our kids and their friends while still maintaining a yard that looks like adults live here too. I think we're off to a great start, and I'll be posting progress pictures as they come!

Bite Your Cheeks

Scene: Madeline was talking on her phone which happened to be a bunch of bananas from her play kitchen while eating a little piece of chocolate.

Conversation: "Hey gurwl! I got my chocolates!" with sassy tone and rubber-necky-head motions!


Eric and I couldn't stop laughing...

Preschool Easter Parade

Madeline's little class had an Easter parade the day before spring break. Each child was to decorate their riding toy, and be prepared to ride it through the courtyard in a parade fashion. One word, "Hilarious!" It was more like bumper cars!

Madeline and I had fun decorating her new pink tricycle. I held the glue steady while she helped me trace the letters out with the glue all the while talking about the letters. So fun to listen to her talk about the letters having sticks and holes and curvy parts. Then my inexperience with preschoolers showed since I foolishly gave her the tube of glitter and said, "Ok, sprinkle the letter I." Whoops, the entire tube of glitter went on the letter I. Lesson learned. So, we traced the words out with glue, Madeline chose the glitter color, and WE gently shook the glitter on the words! She asked for Mommy to make glitter flowers, so I did my best. Finally we wrapped the fuzzy stuff and attached the purple flower to the front. Madeline was all ready to ride in the parade the next day.

Yea, not so much. Madeline does NOT pedal. She sat there blocking traffic all the while yelling, "I need help!" So hilarious. I passed the camera & Amelia off to Daddy and rescued my little non-pedaling-tricked out-pink-tricycle Diva. We knew that was going to happen since she doesn't really "get" pedaling yet, and the facts are Miss Madeline would much rather play with her babies, jewels, and coloring books than pedal her tricycle. We're okay with that, but we do want her to learn how to pedal. She will in her own time and with practice. However, she was super cute in her paper plate bonnet in the parade. The boys were decked out in paper plate bow ties. So cute.

Mommy and Madeline made several trips around the courtyard before it was time to head home. When Madeline realized that she was not going to ride on anyone else's riding toy, then she was DONE with the whole bonnet, parade, and sunshine thing.

Sunday Cuties

A photo opportunity presented itself this morning before church, so we snapped a quick picture of our girls! Sometimes I just sit in awe that these two little darlings are mine!

We Actually Saw Horses
Eric and I were able to go to the Camden Cup horse races this year, and we had a wonderful day with our closest friends, Brian, Jen, Shay, and John. We also had no children with us which made the day even more refreshing! Eric and I had a wonderful day with our friends and being together. As you can see from the pictures it was a beautiful day although the wind was whipping making it quite chilly. Of course my age showed when I showed up in weather appropriate clothing instead of some strapless dress and high heels, while super cute, not comfortable or warm!

On the other hand, this little girl had a WONDERFUL time with her Nana and Papa. They indulged her by climbing to the third floor numerous times to play in the newly established playroom, reading lots of stories, talking, looking for squirrels, eating "chocolate sammiches" (Nutella sandwiches), cooking omelets, and baking cookies! Of course it wouldn't be a complete weekend if Madeline didn't try to slip a fast one past Nana every now and then! Unfortunately for Madeline, Nana knows the house rules! :)

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend for everyone!