Swim Lessons

Owen & Millie just finished 7 weeks of swim lessons. They l.o.v.e.d swim lessons, and it was the perfect indoor exercise during this absolutely horrendous, awful winter we've been having. I do have to admit that even though the kids loved the pool, Mike and I often felt like we were abusing our children carrying their wet little bodies out into 10 degree (or below) weather. I promise we had hats, gloves, coats, and the warmest jammies possible but I still felt bad.

Amelia is a true fish, and she has no fear. This equals mucho fun in the swimming pool!

They have the kiddos throw a ducky and then reach & swim toward it. She had no problem at all with this activity!

Eager Beaver

Back floating!

They play ball, popcorn, wheels on the bus, and all sorts of fun games. No fear Millie, though, her favorite game is to jump in off of the side. You've got to be on your A-game with her!

Snuggles with her favorite parent. This girl is attached to her daddy & her snuggles.

Here's big brother getting his feet wet! We originally put O in a 'Pike Plus' class because it met at the same time as Millie's. Well, poor O wasn't quite ready to be a Pike Plus, and his original teacher (a 74 yo woman named Jo) wasn't so much patient or gentle. Owen cried during his entire first class.... oops! I felt awful. So, we bumped him back down to Pike with Miss Molly and that was a great fit.

Guess how many times I said, "Owen, remember to walk". Just guess how many times ;)

O did a great job learning to kick & paddle with the noodle.

They played lots of ball & as the class went on he got more used to water in his face. I can't blame him for not liking this.. his mother (not a fish) hates it too =)

Kick kick kick! It's adorable how fast his little legs go.

Diving for rings.

"I wuv swim wessons with Miss Mowwy".

Miss Molly promoted him up to Pike Plus. I'm proud of him for working so hard!

 

My favorite things about swim lessons:

1. I was forced to shave my legs every Wednesday (even though Mike took Millie to class most days and I sat on the side while O swam ;) ).

2. The kids went to bed immediately and without an extra peep EVERY Wednesday since January 8th.

3. They absolutely loved swimming, got exercise, and learned lots of water safety (a huge need for our upcoming trip to Maui!)

 

We felt like they benefitted so much that we signed them up for an additional 7 weeks.

 Now if I could just find some time to get myself to exercise ;)... maybe instead of blogging?!

Popcorn

 

Owen's commentary regarding the popping of popcorn literally cracks me up. You can scroll through the first 50 seconds to get the goods =)

16 Months: Moo, Baaaa, La La, La

Our budding little talker & reader has identified her favorite author this month. We've had a lot of Sandra Boynton, a woman responsible for several noteworthy titles: "Moo, Baa, La, La, La", "Doggies", "The Going to Bed Book", "Red Hat, Blue Hat", etc. Well thanks to Ms. Boynton, Millie is now mooing like a cow, baaing like a sheep, and knows multiple dog noises. I really enjoy this part of having a 1 year old. It's so  darn cute. Karen Katz, another favorite author, has helped Millie identify her nose, ears, mouth, hair, and sometimes eyes.. that's always a hard one because someone gets poked.

 

 She's also added a few words to her repertoire: Doll and Cheese. Still no 'Mama', but I'm requisitioned by that name plenty and I don't know if I'm ready to have two 'mamas' coming at me all of the time =)

The laundry basket is always a nice place to sit back and read (Karen Katz book here).

She still thoroughly enjoys her food, though she's eating less fruits and veggies than her normal. I know it's a phase, I know it's a phase,  I know it's a phase.....

In other news, she uses a fork and spoon better than Owen does to this day =)

 

Owen has some competition now in the kitchen.

 I can not believe how big she looks pondering her next stir.  

 

My little helper all of a sudden loves the snow, too! She shoveled so hard that her mittens got in the way so she took them off. I finally had to bring her inside kicking and screaming because she was turning bright red from the cold.

A little sensory exploration. The other day I gave her a few lids, some fuzzy balls, measuring cups, and a couple of containers. She was enthralled for 30 minutes & I loved watching her. Of course Owen was sleeping, so she could use her own creativity. It's fascinating to watch her start to process concepts.

A concept she's mastered is the stairs. Up and down, up and down.

 

She's also working on a really good jump. I can't help but giggle at this video.

 

In addition to developing fine & gross motor skills, language, and though processes, she's also gained 3 new teeth with one more coming in. We're at a total of 9 now. Almost half way. To say we've gone through some ibuprofen is an understatement!

 

I love these monthly reflection times, because I can just sit back, enjoy Amelia, and thank God for a healthy & vibrant little girl. Thanks for sharing in our journey.

 

Magic House

Kappa Claire bought the kids a Magic House gift certificate for Christmas. This is a perfect gift for them, and perfectly timed as well with the winter we've been 'weathering'. A few Saturdays ago, we went, just the four of us.

 

I didn't recall this entrance of glass balloons, but I think it's beautiful!

There's an area specifically for kids ages 1-5. Jackpot!

Sand tables are always a hit!

And Millie even got the hang of this toy. She's so smart.. I'm not biased, though.

Think these 2 look much alike? They were watching Owen build something.

When did he become such a big kid?!

And then Amelia found the 'Vet Office'. We spent 85% of our time in these 30 sq ft and she

could not have been more thrilled with her 'GOGs'!

She tried to pick up as many as she could. I'm sure the combo of these stuffed

dogs outweighed her tremendously!

A little help here mom?

 

Here she is shouting Gog (!!!!!). When Mike and I switched kids,

I could still hear her screaming GOG from the other room!

Meanwhile, Owen found himself at a car. Is anyone else shocked?

I love how intently he's changing this tire. Great for his fine motor skills, too =)

Checking out the detailing on this car...

 

Then on to building lego cars. He actually played here longer than I thought he would!

Probably because he could race the cars down the track! I'll be honest, the cars fell apart before they reached the bottom every time. He was patient and persistent though. I was proud of him!

 

Learning about magnets.

This picture captures one of those booths where a light flashes and the shadow of your silhouette remains. He thought this was tooooo cool.

Mike and I cracked up laughing at this Colorblindness Test. Guess which Wade passed?

 Owen had to tell Mike the numbers. ;)

Who is that good looking baby in the mirror?

Are you ready for some football?

We wore this little sweetsie out. She could hardly move toward the end,

and she just wanted to cuddle on my lap.

....which means I missed my opportunity for the great pic of them together. We were after all, creating perfect family memories, right?!

 

We really did have a total blast, though, and I would love to take the kids again before the winter is over...apparently this will be at least 6 weeks. Thanks, Punxsatawney Phil. The Magic House requires one adult for each child (my rule, not theirs), so I'll have to wait for a good weekend day so daddy can join again!

Springfield, MO

A few weekends ago (the only weekend without frigid temps and feet of snow), we took a little road trip down south to visit Mike's Aunt Bev & Uncle Bill (Mima Wade's bro & sis-n-law). We had the added bonus of company with cousins Roger & Jennifer and their son Andrew (11). It's a great set up down in Springfield. Bill & Bev live downstairs while Rog, Jen, & the kids live upstairs. Bill & Bev used to care for the whole house, but I think their knees are appreciating the downsize =)

 

Within 3 minutes of our arrival, Andrew brought down his cars, many, many cars.

...and a race track. We've got friends for life here!

Millie entertained herself for 30 minutes walking around in O's shoes!

And then she found a very comfy spot in Roger's lap, with a book, of course!

And then she found her way to Aunt Bev....with a book.

 

She and Uncle Bill just talked shoes. All the while, Owen and Andrew were

playing cars and more cars and more cars.

The Kinney clan is notorious for their good home cookin'. They did not disappoint this weekend. Bev & Bill made brisket, potatoes, corn, home made rolls, home made applesauce, and salad. Jennifer whipped up this beauty after work on Friday. It was a perfectly perfect cheesecake. We left Springfield with home made cinnamon rolls, applesauce, pickles, jelly, and bread. All home made. Our tummies were haaaaappppy!

 

Our hearts were happy too! We had a great time visiting, and we're so glad we live close enough to see our extended family more often!

15 months: Laps

Our little 15mo old lovey weighs 21lb 9oz (25-50%) and 31.5 inches tall (75%). Her percentiles are the same as she's been her whole life. She seems to me like she's slowed a bit in the weight department despite the fact that she truly, genuinely eats 3 big meals and 2 snacks a day. The girl loves her food... and I think she's already turned in to a stress eater like her mama. It definitely is a 'calming influence' on her. Now if only I can delay the need for chocolate to be present in order to have the same calming effect....

 

One day late December I found her in her room, in her chair. Bib on. Blanket on. Paci in. Doll handy. Reading her (current) favorite book. I about melted and was even able to run and grab the camera she was so settled.

 

Maybe she's looking a little more Cooper these days?

On Dec  28th we got to visit Auntie Kim at her folks house in O'Fallon. Amelia cuddled right up on her lap. And that's this month's theme because she will find a lap, any lap, and back up on to it. I think a 'Beep Beep' should accompany her wherever she goes.

She'll also take some standing up cuddles... especially the daddy cuddles are the best.

 

Somehow without words she bargained for both bowls of popcorn.. hers and Owen's.

Snow day fun = rides in a laundry basket.

No new words, per say. Still 'GOG, GOG, GOG' (always shouted), Dada, Gock (sock).

She has added 'mmmmmmm' with bites of food she REALLY likes.

 

She's also signing more, all done, drink, and please. We are working on wait, but that one isn't catching for some reason ;)

Future hubby? This is Auntie Kim's nephew, Rigby (21mo).

 

It's not a lap, but she's cuddled in. The best part about her lap obsession is that she's

generally asking you to read a book to her, and she's getting better about sitting

through the whole thing. She's very interested in pointing to pictures and

having you tell her the name of the object.

 

I dressed her up on my birthday.

Love this gorgeous little girl in this gorgeous little dress!

 

She's increasingly in to imitation, even got a dirty Kleenex out of the trash to wipe her nose. =) Laundry folding is a favorite time for her as she has a plethora of towels to 'wipe' around the house. This week she started to imitate the finger in front of your lips when saying 'ssshhh', and she folds her hands together while we pray before dinner. I really need to get a picture of this act!

 

She also knows where her nose & hair are, often sticking her finger in or on O's nose (much to his chagrin).

 

Most activities need to be in her timing or her terms, and Mike and I are ready for the 'next stage' that includes words instead of whining. I know this wont change her desire for things her way, but maybe we'll be able to communicate a bit better! In the mean time, bring on those books, Millie! Let's learn some words ;)