Well, we have some sad news. Our dog Rico who has been a part of our family since we were married 9 years ago, has passed away. He was very sick Sat, the vet couldn’t determine what was wrong. But he couldn’t stand or use his mouth right, was panting and whining nonstop. Eric brought him back home to see if pain meds and steroids would help him improved, and then he passed away later that night. We are very sad about it and will miss him. Jackson misses him, and Kaylee has been a bit confused about what’s happened. We explained as best we can, and are trying to encourage her to be a good friend to Jackson now who is lonely for companionship. We have been paying extra attention to Jackson who has been regularly “cleaning” up our floor of all Levi’s cheerios, and getting fed cheerios through the gate by Kaylee. Eric had the hardest job in all this, so please extend special sympathies to him if you are able.
News with the kids: quickly…
Levi is teething on the top two teeth now. He’s babbling more, for longer periods, more conversational sounding and at friends. He’s starting to take limited interest in books, allowing me to at least read one all the way through before losing interest or grabbing it to teethe it. His favorite song is still B-I-N-G-O. He likes high pitched silly sounds, and silly faces. He reaches for Kaylee and touches her face, pulling at her hair affectionately. He gets excited to see her and have her attention. He loves balls.
Kaylee is at the stage where she likes to open up all her drawers and throw all her clothes around the room. This is not fun for me, and leaves me confused on whats clean and what’s not. So there’s more laundry too. We’ve been trying to get her to stop and at least put it back herself. The other day as we were leaving our house she was talking about something and said, “My house…you house…our house.” I was impressed she knew the concept of ‘our house’. She is sorting out the difference between blue, black and white. I was telling her about periwinkle today. She said, “Is it like purple and indigo together?” She corrects herself now when she accidentally calls me Daddy. We finally ventured to move Levi’s crib into her room two nights ago. She’s been fearful of her room, and wanted to come into ours. We thought sharing would help, and it has squelched fears for now. Levi is in transition and wakes up frequently looking for me. I couldn’t hack it last night and took him to bed with me, due to exhaustion. We did a similar schedule for transition with Kaylee and it worked well enough. Kaylee has still wanted us to lay with her after stories, but thankfully I am proud to say with Levi in her room she says to me as I’m rocking him and nursing him, “Mama I can stay by myself, and you can sleep in the chair.” Ahhh, a bit more independence for my little lady…and my little man!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
8 things about each of my kiddos
News with the kids:
Levi:
1) took him for his dr. exam ( late due to illness so he's 7.5 mo instead of 6 mo) he weighed 20 lb 4 oz (75%) and was 28 inches long. He tracked objects well, the only issue was he not only tracked but pursued the object heartily. I've been calling hin my little hunter - because he patiently awaits his opportunity and the pounces.
2) he waved for the first time at a birthday party. I got so excited I shouted above he crowd and everybody turned in time to witness the big first! So cute!
3) he sat up and reached for Eric, saying " dad."
4) he likes to move his hand off and on his mouth while making noises, to make funny sounds.
5) Levi feeds himself cheerios and puffs. He loves them and wants to eat when others are eating.
6) he's become attached to his main caregivers- Eric, I and our daycare provider. Today he started to cry each time she left the room for a second. Then when I got him home, he did it with me too crying as if in sudden pain when his fav person leaves the room. Very sad since we haven't yet heard many cries from Levi. So it seems all the more urgent.
7) Levi squeals in delight to see the dogs or if kaylee acts very nice and funny in front of him.
8) Levi likes the tambourine.
Kaylee:
1) took her for her 3 year appt. She was 29 lbs on the dot (25%) and 36.5 inches (50%?) she was within the healthy bmi range. Doctor said make sure there's always one item she likes offered with meals and feed her big breakfasts on weekends and that cereal is okay to feed before bed as a snack. She said she is a little slender but in normal ranges.
2) dr tested Kaylee's verbal skills. " if your soup is hot, the ice cube is (what)" kaylee got them all and dr said she's a year ahead. Said she's showing good imagination, independence and creativity in playing by self. ( she had to wait thru Levi's appt) they also tested her colors and to see if she could build towers.
3) Kaylee wouldn't cooperate for hearing and vision tests so they relied on my judgement.
4) I asked about k's number of times sick with stomach flu. She said immune systems aren't good by 3. But on sat after that, k had another night of throwing up. Eric and I wrote all the days she's had the stomach flu. 5 days, 3 separate times this month which is only half over. We think we figured out its her milk allergy. I thought about that I had made her pancakes made with milk two of the times. So we'll be more careful with that and see if we can keep her well.
5) took k to her friends 3 year birthday and was slightly embarrassed when kaylee "helped" open all the gifts. Thankfully the girl didn't mind and the parents were cool about it. However I would not let her take off her clothes in front of everyone when she began pulling on them saying she was hot.
6) she would not let me go alone with my sister to get my nails done so we brought her. She's spoiled with her first manicure! She has cute little bright green nails, with white flowers painted on them. I cannot believe how well she sat for the lady she is more businesslike with others. The woman said that k was her youngest patron ever, after a five year old she once had. I was proud of how patient she was but hope she doesn't get too used to being pampered.
7) took them to chuck e cheese. Can't believe she thinks a slimy blue bug is the coolest prize ever. Guess I dont have to worry that she's too much of a girly girl after all.
8) today at daycare she ate all her fajitas at lunch, peppers and all!
Levi:
1) took him for his dr. exam ( late due to illness so he's 7.5 mo instead of 6 mo) he weighed 20 lb 4 oz (75%) and was 28 inches long. He tracked objects well, the only issue was he not only tracked but pursued the object heartily. I've been calling hin my little hunter - because he patiently awaits his opportunity and the pounces.
2) he waved for the first time at a birthday party. I got so excited I shouted above he crowd and everybody turned in time to witness the big first! So cute!
3) he sat up and reached for Eric, saying " dad."
4) he likes to move his hand off and on his mouth while making noises, to make funny sounds.
5) Levi feeds himself cheerios and puffs. He loves them and wants to eat when others are eating.
6) he's become attached to his main caregivers- Eric, I and our daycare provider. Today he started to cry each time she left the room for a second. Then when I got him home, he did it with me too crying as if in sudden pain when his fav person leaves the room. Very sad since we haven't yet heard many cries from Levi. So it seems all the more urgent.
7) Levi squeals in delight to see the dogs or if kaylee acts very nice and funny in front of him.
8) Levi likes the tambourine.
Kaylee:
1) took her for her 3 year appt. She was 29 lbs on the dot (25%) and 36.5 inches (50%?) she was within the healthy bmi range. Doctor said make sure there's always one item she likes offered with meals and feed her big breakfasts on weekends and that cereal is okay to feed before bed as a snack. She said she is a little slender but in normal ranges.
2) dr tested Kaylee's verbal skills. " if your soup is hot, the ice cube is (what)" kaylee got them all and dr said she's a year ahead. Said she's showing good imagination, independence and creativity in playing by self. ( she had to wait thru Levi's appt) they also tested her colors and to see if she could build towers.
3) Kaylee wouldn't cooperate for hearing and vision tests so they relied on my judgement.
4) I asked about k's number of times sick with stomach flu. She said immune systems aren't good by 3. But on sat after that, k had another night of throwing up. Eric and I wrote all the days she's had the stomach flu. 5 days, 3 separate times this month which is only half over. We think we figured out its her milk allergy. I thought about that I had made her pancakes made with milk two of the times. So we'll be more careful with that and see if we can keep her well.
5) took k to her friends 3 year birthday and was slightly embarrassed when kaylee "helped" open all the gifts. Thankfully the girl didn't mind and the parents were cool about it. However I would not let her take off her clothes in front of everyone when she began pulling on them saying she was hot.
6) she would not let me go alone with my sister to get my nails done so we brought her. She's spoiled with her first manicure! She has cute little bright green nails, with white flowers painted on them. I cannot believe how well she sat for the lady she is more businesslike with others. The woman said that k was her youngest patron ever, after a five year old she once had. I was proud of how patient she was but hope she doesn't get too used to being pampered.
7) took them to chuck e cheese. Can't believe she thinks a slimy blue bug is the coolest prize ever. Guess I dont have to worry that she's too much of a girly girl after all.
8) today at daycare she ate all her fajitas at lunch, peppers and all!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Spring fling (the sand at the playground!)
Quick update: Levi is now better and now kaylee is sick with the second round of stomach flu. She got it last week it ended Thursday and started again ( a new one I guess) Monday.Eric is sick too. So we did have a nice weekend. We just can't seem to keep our kids well! I feel so bad for them and it's stressful trying to figure out who's going to be with the sick ones, this is now like 9 weeks with only a couple days of wellness for both kids on the same day. That is why my blog has been sparse lately. Sorry. It's not fun to blog about sick kids!
So our weekend: on Friday I took the kids to a story hour. The book was well above kaylee's reading level and therefore her attention span waned. She was the only kid and I tried to explain her age and where she is developmentally to the woman, but evidently she wasn't quick on the uptake and has not been a parent. So that was that. But kaylee started to get taught by me how to be a good listener to someone like a teacher setting and get an idea what is polite. Not that she gets it the first time or anything...then I took the kids to a playground. Outside! The weather was great. All they needed was a sweater. What a relief after all the snow and cold we have had to experience this warmth, and for the kids to be able to play outside. Only now that we have kids do I truly detest Minnesota winters. It is hard on the kids, they get so antsy and there's not enough indoor fun that's free! Anyways, saturday we had fun playing with neighbors and going on a long walk to another playground. I hit the sack early, catching up on rest. Sunday,we woke up and went in our hot tub after pancakes, then the kids went to the community center with my parents and played on the playground ( indoor) and went to the pool. Levi's a little water baby! Eric and I in the meantime spent 5 hours busy with spring cleaning. Eric cleaned the garage clearing out everything and getting some new shelves. I did yet another turnover of kids clothes for size and season. Kaylee's been into lately going into her drawers looking for the perfect outfit, sometimes changing a few times and meanwhile throwing all the clothes around her room. Fun times. On the plus side, she's learning to dress herself. So I folded and oraganized and am trying to get her to appreciate the way it's setup to help her find things, and to deter the behavior. We'll see how long it lasts. I also organized books by what teaches numbers, alphabet, dr. Suess, lift-the-flap books, etc. Sort of like setting us up for lessons. Of course I was busy doing my usual cleaning too plus some since no kids so it was one veryroductive day for us both. We got new couches and off-loaded two old ones. Trying to get through stuff in the basement little by little so we can do our project. We need a play space for next winter!
Kaylee misses her daycare people now that she's been gone like 6 days. She pretends with toys they are characters, and has asked if they can all come over for a party. Which we'll have to do!
Another new kaylee thing is she has gone 4 nights with no diaper. She goes potty right before bed. No accidents yet, crossing my fingers...she may not need diapers at all as of now! Hallalueia! (can't spell it but it is the only appropriate word for the occasion!)
Levi is babbling more...baba...gaga. He's loving puffs and cheerios. He has two bottom teeth now, not drooling as much or teething as much on toys. He crawls backwards ever so slightly. He holds himself up against furniture but will easily fall down. He still falls when sitting but I've seen his lower himself slowly to his knees and then to belly when he's going for a toy instead of just falling over during the effort to get the toy. We put away the swing, it wasn't being used. He's liking the infant swing at the parks, but just real slow and gentle. He likes going down the slide together. He babbled to a toddler he liked at the playground, I'd never heard him go on for so long! He's learned to arch his back and grunt when he wants out of his highchair. He whines to go to sleep a very distinct way when he recognizes that I'm changing him into his pajamas. It's great to see him communicating more with the tools he has...makes it easier not that it could get much easier, he's a heck of a good baby! People comment on it in public too, is he always that good? Sheepishly, I say yes. We got lucky. We feel blessed. Two great kiddos! We are very much in love with them and are enjoying them.
So our weekend: on Friday I took the kids to a story hour. The book was well above kaylee's reading level and therefore her attention span waned. She was the only kid and I tried to explain her age and where she is developmentally to the woman, but evidently she wasn't quick on the uptake and has not been a parent. So that was that. But kaylee started to get taught by me how to be a good listener to someone like a teacher setting and get an idea what is polite. Not that she gets it the first time or anything...then I took the kids to a playground. Outside! The weather was great. All they needed was a sweater. What a relief after all the snow and cold we have had to experience this warmth, and for the kids to be able to play outside. Only now that we have kids do I truly detest Minnesota winters. It is hard on the kids, they get so antsy and there's not enough indoor fun that's free! Anyways, saturday we had fun playing with neighbors and going on a long walk to another playground. I hit the sack early, catching up on rest. Sunday,we woke up and went in our hot tub after pancakes, then the kids went to the community center with my parents and played on the playground ( indoor) and went to the pool. Levi's a little water baby! Eric and I in the meantime spent 5 hours busy with spring cleaning. Eric cleaned the garage clearing out everything and getting some new shelves. I did yet another turnover of kids clothes for size and season. Kaylee's been into lately going into her drawers looking for the perfect outfit, sometimes changing a few times and meanwhile throwing all the clothes around her room. Fun times. On the plus side, she's learning to dress herself. So I folded and oraganized and am trying to get her to appreciate the way it's setup to help her find things, and to deter the behavior. We'll see how long it lasts. I also organized books by what teaches numbers, alphabet, dr. Suess, lift-the-flap books, etc. Sort of like setting us up for lessons. Of course I was busy doing my usual cleaning too plus some since no kids so it was one veryroductive day for us both. We got new couches and off-loaded two old ones. Trying to get through stuff in the basement little by little so we can do our project. We need a play space for next winter!
Kaylee misses her daycare people now that she's been gone like 6 days. She pretends with toys they are characters, and has asked if they can all come over for a party. Which we'll have to do!
Another new kaylee thing is she has gone 4 nights with no diaper. She goes potty right before bed. No accidents yet, crossing my fingers...she may not need diapers at all as of now! Hallalueia! (can't spell it but it is the only appropriate word for the occasion!)
Levi is babbling more...baba...gaga. He's loving puffs and cheerios. He has two bottom teeth now, not drooling as much or teething as much on toys. He crawls backwards ever so slightly. He holds himself up against furniture but will easily fall down. He still falls when sitting but I've seen his lower himself slowly to his knees and then to belly when he's going for a toy instead of just falling over during the effort to get the toy. We put away the swing, it wasn't being used. He's liking the infant swing at the parks, but just real slow and gentle. He likes going down the slide together. He babbled to a toddler he liked at the playground, I'd never heard him go on for so long! He's learned to arch his back and grunt when he wants out of his highchair. He whines to go to sleep a very distinct way when he recognizes that I'm changing him into his pajamas. It's great to see him communicating more with the tools he has...makes it easier not that it could get much easier, he's a heck of a good baby! People comment on it in public too, is he always that good? Sheepishly, I say yes. We got lucky. We feel blessed. Two great kiddos! We are very much in love with them and are enjoying them.
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All Smiles
Kaylee Mom and Puppet
Happy 11 months
With puppet
she's concentrating...
on daddy's head!
me and Kaylee
Eric and Kaylee
at the conservatory
All Smiles
Up to some mischief
Grandma and Kaylee
Me and Kaylee
Paparrazzi
A gleam in her eyes...
Say ahhh!
Teething
KAYL-BOP
Eric, Kaylee and Auntie
Aunt K and Kaylee
Me and Kaylee
The cousins
Sweet Potato Face
Beautiful Profile
Kaylee
Cousins awake
Cousins sleeping
Kaylee in the Sun
Eric and Kaylee
Me and Kaylee on the Beach
Under the Palm Trees
Family Vacation
First Christmas as a "family"
Santa Baby
Kaylee in black dress
My beauty
On top of the World
Christmas Mood
Playing with new toy
Smiling in Highchair
In highchair...Not eating of course!
Happy Baby
Floor Play
Kaylee had a little lamb...
Kaylee in her PJ's
Nuckies are so fun
Sweet Pea
halloween costume
