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
Monday, April 25, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Amelia -- 4 Months & 11 Days
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 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.
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!
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!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
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.
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!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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.
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, April 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
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! :)
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!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Could It Be?
Sassy Britches has left the premises for the moment, and our sweet Madeline is BACK! This Mama couldn't be more overjoyed. In fact, I received several, "You are my most favorite Mommy ever!" comments this week! I'm sure it's because I have not had "Game Face Mommy" on, and life has seemed to returned to normal. Ahhhh, the terrible twos have gone into hiding for the time being.
Sassy Britches has left the premises for the moment, and our sweet Madeline is BACK! This Mama couldn't be more overjoyed. In fact, I received several, "You are my most favorite Mommy ever!" comments this week! I'm sure it's because I have not had "Game Face Mommy" on, and life has seemed to returned to normal. Ahhhh, the terrible twos have gone into hiding for the time being.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Amelia is Three Months Old
Mid-Coo
Amelia, "the wee one", is growing so fast. She's smiling, cooing, starting to let out little laughs, and eating like it's her job! She's adjusted very well to our on-the-go lifestyle, and she's proven to be quite a laid back little lady. Her schedule is pretty predictable right now, and my only complaint is that we can't seem to get her past that 4:30-5 AM wake up call. She is satisfied with not eating until 6 or 6:30 AM, but she still wakes us up at that early hour & goes back to sleep with a little paci action. However, I shouldn't complain because this little bundle of sweetness goes down without so much as a peep! Poor Madeline had to cry it out for what seemed like forever, and Amelia just lays in her crib (with or without paci depending on what strikes her fancy that night), listens to her mobile, and dozes off. It's a beautiful thing, so I really can't complain about her early morning rousing. She's settled into a nice routine --- very much the poster child for the whole "Babywise eat, wake, sleep rule" because that's what she does.
She's eating like crazy these days, and I worry about my supply keeping up with her growth. So far we are doing okay, but I'm certainly not making much extra for the freezer unfortunately. Amelia eats pretty much every three hours during the day with the exception of the middle of the afternoon feeding. Many days, she will nap right through that 3 PM feeding, and I don't have the heart to wake her up to eat. If she's hungry, she wakes up promptly at 2:30 or 3 eager to eat. Her best nap is her afternoon nap since she's out and about with us all morning, so I hate to disrupt that sleep time. She goes down for the night between 6:30 and 7 PM, and like I said wakes sometime between 4-5 AM, but she doesn't eat until 6 or 6:30 AM. Her gassy issues seem to be getting better, and now that she's bigger, she burps really well which helps a lot.
Mid-Coo Amelia's little smile and coo just get me everytime! I was enamoured with Madeline's smiles and coos, but I think I was too worried about "the schedule" & doing everything just right to actually enjoy some of those moments. With Amelia, I know she's settling into a solid routine, and she'll continue to slide into a good groove, so I am able to relax and enjoy our moments together when she's all smiles and coos. I do enjoy our morning feeding together because it is just us, and I can really focus on her without other interruptions & distractions. It's a sweet time that we share, and I'm doing my best to soak it up.
Amelia is just our little laid back, happy, chubby, and sweet little girl. She loves Madeline, her bouncy seat, her playmat, her mobile, and the swing. She loves to interact, and she just goes with the flow with all of Madeline's antics.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Bathtime
In our house bathtime consists of letter play, suds, and fishy play. Sounds pretty normal, BUT, then there is the Tinkerbell scrubbie thing our neighbor, Miss Jenny gave to her in one of those "You have been Boo-ed!" Halloween buckets. Most people lather up with these little mesh things, but in our house, it's a TUB BRACELET! Yes, it's a bracelet in our house only for the tub, AND she gets immediately put on the arm at the start of the bath, AND hung on the nozzle after each bath, "So she doesn't mold!" Those are Madeline's words after her neurotic Mama spotted pink mold on her wing and insisted that she run thru the dishwasher much to Madeline's dismay! Now Madeline understands that if Tinkerbell doesn't dry out, she doesn't get to play during bathtime --- hence being hung on the nozzle religiously. Really, this kid makes me crazy AND cracks me up all in the same day. I guess that's why I love my job so much! :)
"Cheese!" Notice Tinkerbell to your right...
Then, Mama said, "Hold up Tinkerbell bracelet!"
This is "CHEESE!" & Tinkerbell bracelet.
In our house bathtime consists of letter play, suds, and fishy play. Sounds pretty normal, BUT, then there is the Tinkerbell scrubbie thing our neighbor, Miss Jenny gave to her in one of those "You have been Boo-ed!" Halloween buckets. Most people lather up with these little mesh things, but in our house, it's a TUB BRACELET! Yes, it's a bracelet in our house only for the tub, AND she gets immediately put on the arm at the start of the bath, AND hung on the nozzle after each bath, "So she doesn't mold!" Those are Madeline's words after her neurotic Mama spotted pink mold on her wing and insisted that she run thru the dishwasher much to Madeline's dismay! Now Madeline understands that if Tinkerbell doesn't dry out, she doesn't get to play during bathtime --- hence being hung on the nozzle religiously. Really, this kid makes me crazy AND cracks me up all in the same day. I guess that's why I love my job so much! :)
"Cheese!" Notice Tinkerbell to your right...
Then, Mama said, "Hold up Tinkerbell bracelet!"
This is "CHEESE!" & Tinkerbell bracelet.Love my sweet Sassafrass otherwise known as Madeline!
Sunday, March 06, 2011
More Madeline Cuteness
Over dinner on Sunday evening, Eric and I were discussing some finances & his upcoming bonus check*. We were discussing various goals for our home and summer travel & expenses that come with those goals. He mentioned that perhaps Mama should have a little extra in the budget for some spring/summer clothes shopping. :) Meanwhile, Madeline is obviously listening and interjecting random commentary.
Then our conversation moved onto when the bonus check would actually get dropped into the bank. He was going back and forth on some days when he finally mentioned a specific date. At that point, Madeline exclaimed, "And THEN Daddy can have a brewsky!" Perfect timing.
Obviously in a recent conversation that phrase was used because it was not used in this particular conversation, but YES, Daddy deserves a celebratory brewsky for his hard work to earn a bonus check! Haha!
*Disclaimer --- I only mention finances and bonus checks to set up the funniness of Madeline's perfectly timed commentary.
Over dinner on Sunday evening, Eric and I were discussing some finances & his upcoming bonus check*. We were discussing various goals for our home and summer travel & expenses that come with those goals. He mentioned that perhaps Mama should have a little extra in the budget for some spring/summer clothes shopping. :) Meanwhile, Madeline is obviously listening and interjecting random commentary.
Then our conversation moved onto when the bonus check would actually get dropped into the bank. He was going back and forth on some days when he finally mentioned a specific date. At that point, Madeline exclaimed, "And THEN Daddy can have a brewsky!" Perfect timing.
Obviously in a recent conversation that phrase was used because it was not used in this particular conversation, but YES, Daddy deserves a celebratory brewsky for his hard work to earn a bonus check! Haha!
*Disclaimer --- I only mention finances and bonus checks to set up the funniness of Madeline's perfectly timed commentary.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Madeline Cuteness
We were arriving home from our morning out, and I was scurrying into the house with all of our stuff from the car probably taking longer than necessary. Amelia was still in her bucket seat on the kitchen floor. It was lunch time, and Amelia was screaming, I mean full out, "Feed ME NOW!" screaming. Mama Madeline kicked in, and she first tried to console her by rubbing her kicking legs & practically choking her with the paci. When that didn't work, Madeline says, in possibly the most hilarious, sweetest, "baby talk" voice, "Amelia, baby, we didn't forget about you! We know it's your lunchtime." I love how she used the collective pronoun, "we."
We were arriving home from our morning out, and I was scurrying into the house with all of our stuff from the car probably taking longer than necessary. Amelia was still in her bucket seat on the kitchen floor. It was lunch time, and Amelia was screaming, I mean full out, "Feed ME NOW!" screaming. Mama Madeline kicked in, and she first tried to console her by rubbing her kicking legs & practically choking her with the paci. When that didn't work, Madeline says, in possibly the most hilarious, sweetest, "baby talk" voice, "Amelia, baby, we didn't forget about you! We know it's your lunchtime." I love how she used the collective pronoun, "we."
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Thankful...
Last week was a rough one, and this one is shaping up to be a tad challenging as well. However, while both of my little ladies are napping, I need to set my mind straight and remember my blessings.
So, in this moment, I am extremely thankful for:
Last week was a rough one, and this one is shaping up to be a tad challenging as well. However, while both of my little ladies are napping, I need to set my mind straight and remember my blessings.
So, in this moment, I am extremely thankful for:
- my hard working husband who is home from his business trip for this week & has no current plans for business trips next week
- my two girls even if schedules and attitudes are wanky
- my workout at the gym this morning
- having the opportunity to be a stay at home mom
- a few minutes to myself to do this post and gather myself
- upcoming weekends of "Anne & Eric" time
- a "big sister" package in the mail for Madeline from my Aunt Maureen --- more books! yay!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
AHHHH!
This cutie
slept from her dinner feeding until 4:45 this morning! So, that's a bunch of hours of sleeping and NO eating! Could we be turning the corner?
I mean, I love feeding this bundle of cuteness one more time after her dinner feeding at nine or ten or midnight, but I'd much rather get a good night's rest and see her sweet self at 5 AM when I am feeling refreshed from an EIGHT hour sleep.
I guess we shall see over the next few nights if this was just a fluke or if my sweet Amelia is looking to sleep for a solid 12 hours!
This cutie
slept from her dinner feeding until 4:45 this morning! So, that's a bunch of hours of sleeping and NO eating! Could we be turning the corner?I mean, I love feeding this bundle of cuteness one more time after her dinner feeding at nine or ten or midnight, but I'd much rather get a good night's rest and see her sweet self at 5 AM when I am feeling refreshed from an EIGHT hour sleep.
I guess we shall see over the next few nights if this was just a fluke or if my sweet Amelia is looking to sleep for a solid 12 hours!
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