 |
| Happy girl at 4 months old only wants to sit or stand! |
 |
| She found her toes back in mid-June...but has been enthralled with them over the past week |
 |
| Happy girl! |
Friday, July 27, 2012
4 months old!
Cause and Effect
I've been meaning to write about this for about 2 weeks now.
Mia understands cause and effect. One afternoon, we were giggling together and I was making funny faces at her. She was wriggling around and startled all of a sudden. Her startle face and arms are so cute and I laughed even harder. She thought this was funny and laughed too. Then she startled again...but I could tell it wasn't a 'real' startle, she was just mimicking the face and arm positions to make me laugh, which it did which made her so proud and made her laugh again. She continued to do this for the better part of 10 minutes. Since then we've done the routine a few more times. It's amazing that at 3.5 to 4 months she already realizes that her actions cause reactions (other than crying = changing/feeding/holding.)
Mia understands cause and effect. One afternoon, we were giggling together and I was making funny faces at her. She was wriggling around and startled all of a sudden. Her startle face and arms are so cute and I laughed even harder. She thought this was funny and laughed too. Then she startled again...but I could tell it wasn't a 'real' startle, she was just mimicking the face and arm positions to make me laugh, which it did which made her so proud and made her laugh again. She continued to do this for the better part of 10 minutes. Since then we've done the routine a few more times. It's amazing that at 3.5 to 4 months she already realizes that her actions cause reactions (other than crying = changing/feeding/holding.)
Growing up!
Last night, Emma wanted to go outside and blow bubbles. It was 100 degrees so needless to say neither Kurt nor I were very excited to go outside. She kept asking us but Kurt was busy feeding Mia a bottle and I was cleaning up the kitchen, so I told her that she could go out on the deck and play by herself. (She usually plays on the front stoop but isn't allowed out there alone.) She sort of whined a bit and went back to watching TV. About 5 minutes later, she came out to the kitchen bubbles and bubble gun in hand and said, "It's still ok if I go to play by myself?" Such a big girl! She played for a few minutes but had some issues with the bubble gun, i.e. it wasn't blowing bubbles. We didn't figure it out but she did play with a wand by herself for a bit. After I finished in the kitchen I went out for a bit to blow and catch bubbles with her.
This morning, Kurt left for work and I went to change Mia and get ready for the day. When I left the living room, Emma was watching the Fresh Beat Band. When I got out of the shower, I didn't hear it. Instead I heard, "Let's a-go!" When I came downstairs, Emma had backed all the way out of Netflix and started Mariocart. She somehow got into the online version and was racing against other people, not just the computer and we couldn't get out of that for a while, but she did it all by herself!
When we got to school this morning, Emma ran ahead of me (I move slowly with Mia's car seat!) and ran inside. Usually, she waits for me to get there to help sign her in on the computer. As I walked through the door, I saw the screen flash back to Welcome! and Emma looked at me with a HUGE smile and said I DID IT MOMMY! That is, she remembered the signin code for me and then used the mouse to check herself in and click "finish." Kurt said that he lets her sign in and I have been too, but for me this is the first day she's remembered the sign in code and didn't need help finding the correct keys!
This morning, Kurt left for work and I went to change Mia and get ready for the day. When I left the living room, Emma was watching the Fresh Beat Band. When I got out of the shower, I didn't hear it. Instead I heard, "Let's a-go!" When I came downstairs, Emma had backed all the way out of Netflix and started Mariocart. She somehow got into the online version and was racing against other people, not just the computer and we couldn't get out of that for a while, but she did it all by herself!
When we got to school this morning, Emma ran ahead of me (I move slowly with Mia's car seat!) and ran inside. Usually, she waits for me to get there to help sign her in on the computer. As I walked through the door, I saw the screen flash back to Welcome! and Emma looked at me with a HUGE smile and said I DID IT MOMMY! That is, she remembered the signin code for me and then used the mouse to check herself in and click "finish." Kurt said that he lets her sign in and I have been too, but for me this is the first day she's remembered the sign in code and didn't need help finding the correct keys!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Laughs and Screeches!
This past weekend at Carrie's parents' was the first time that Emma got Mia to laugh all by herself! Mia has smiled at Emma before but it was at lunch on Sunday, that Emma got Mia to laugh. As posted earlier, Mia things the word disgusting is hysterical. Emma started telling it to Mia and got some giggles out of her. Sunday evening, Mia was in her bumbo seat in the bathroom with us during Emma's bath and Emma had fun saying disgusting to Mia and getting giggles in return. I told Emma to tell Mia she was pretty and we got the same reaction!
Mia's laughs are infectious and instantly make us all happy!
On another note, Mia is discovering different sounds and spent most of today screeching in what we call the baby pterodactyl imitation. It's ear piercing!
Mia's laughs are infectious and instantly make us all happy!
On another note, Mia is discovering different sounds and spent most of today screeching in what we call the baby pterodactyl imitation. It's ear piercing!
Daycare and visit with Gigi
This week, I am taking Mia into the baby room for a bit after I drop Emma off in the morning and before I pick Emma up in the evening in an attempt to acclimate her to the room a bit before she starts next week. So far she really likes looking around at the new surroundings and at the babies. (There will be 6 babies on her side of the room.) She gets upset when she hears someone else crying, so I'm sure that will take a bit for her to get used to.
Today, after daycare, Mia and I headed down to see Gigi for a few hours. Mia was a little fussy during the visit, but enjoyed getting snuggles and kisses from Gigi. She made Gigi's day when she smiled and laughed for her. =)
Today, after daycare, Mia and I headed down to see Gigi for a few hours. Mia was a little fussy during the visit, but enjoyed getting snuggles and kisses from Gigi. She made Gigi's day when she smiled and laughed for her. =)
Blueberry Picnic
Every year, Carrie's parents host a Blueberry Family Picnic at their house in northeast Pennsylvania. Extended family and friends all gather together for good food, blueberry picking, and catching up. The annual event was held last weekend.
On Friday, we drove to Kurt's parents' house for the day to hang out and visit with his sister, Katie, who is moving to California! Mia, the kiddo who is not a carseat fan, did great and let us drive the whole way there with out having to stop, thanks to Enya who put both girls to sleep! The girls let us sleep in a bit on Saturday morning, and we were on the road and at Carrie's parents' by lunch time. Kurt's parents and siblings all joined us later that day. The day was gorgeous! It was sunny and very temperate. Emma had a great time running around in her bare feet, petting the dogs, picking and more importantly eating blueberries. At one point her tongue was purple-bluish! Mia got lots of attention, snuggles, and kisses.
In the evening, we had a campfire and Emma asked me to play hide and seek with her in the berry bushes. This is a beloved past time of my brothers and me so of course I said yes. I did feel like I had the unfair advantage over the 3 year old though. I was dressed in black pants and navy sweatshirt while she had on a bright white t-shirt. :)
After lunch and shopping with Carrie's Mom, we got on the road. We made really good time and stopped for a quick dinner right before the Maryland border. Emma had a good time playing in the McDonald's Playplace but didn't want to leave and got in trouble for not listening. After we got back in the car, Mia started getting fussy since she had had enough car seat time for the day. We had less than an hour to go, when Emma asked if she could watch Sesame Street when we got home. We reminded her that she didn't listen well and probably wouldn't get to watch TV. She got upset....really upset....so upset that she got carsick. *sigh* We detoured off an exit to get her cleaned up. When the car stopped, Mia got really quiet and smiley as we got Emma and the car as clean as possible. Once we started up again, she go even fussier than before we stopped....poor thing, thought we were home and that she was going to get out of the car!
When we finally got home we were greeted with a house full of ants. Apparently after Friday's heavy rain they sought refuge...in our house. *Double SIGH* Needless to say, we were frustrated! By this point, it was late, so I got both girls baths and put to bed while Kurt did all the dirty work of bringing everything in from the car, cleaning the car and carseat, and cleaning up the ants. Once we were all finished, we each had a big bowl of icecream!
All in all though, it was a very good weekend! I'm not sure about Kurt yet, but I'm already at least smiling (not quite laughing) about the last part of the trip and getting home!
On Friday, we drove to Kurt's parents' house for the day to hang out and visit with his sister, Katie, who is moving to California! Mia, the kiddo who is not a carseat fan, did great and let us drive the whole way there with out having to stop, thanks to Enya who put both girls to sleep! The girls let us sleep in a bit on Saturday morning, and we were on the road and at Carrie's parents' by lunch time. Kurt's parents and siblings all joined us later that day. The day was gorgeous! It was sunny and very temperate. Emma had a great time running around in her bare feet, petting the dogs, picking and more importantly eating blueberries. At one point her tongue was purple-bluish! Mia got lots of attention, snuggles, and kisses.
In the evening, we had a campfire and Emma asked me to play hide and seek with her in the berry bushes. This is a beloved past time of my brothers and me so of course I said yes. I did feel like I had the unfair advantage over the 3 year old though. I was dressed in black pants and navy sweatshirt while she had on a bright white t-shirt. :)
After lunch and shopping with Carrie's Mom, we got on the road. We made really good time and stopped for a quick dinner right before the Maryland border. Emma had a good time playing in the McDonald's Playplace but didn't want to leave and got in trouble for not listening. After we got back in the car, Mia started getting fussy since she had had enough car seat time for the day. We had less than an hour to go, when Emma asked if she could watch Sesame Street when we got home. We reminded her that she didn't listen well and probably wouldn't get to watch TV. She got upset....really upset....so upset that she got carsick. *sigh* We detoured off an exit to get her cleaned up. When the car stopped, Mia got really quiet and smiley as we got Emma and the car as clean as possible. Once we started up again, she go even fussier than before we stopped....poor thing, thought we were home and that she was going to get out of the car!
When we finally got home we were greeted with a house full of ants. Apparently after Friday's heavy rain they sought refuge...in our house. *Double SIGH* Needless to say, we were frustrated! By this point, it was late, so I got both girls baths and put to bed while Kurt did all the dirty work of bringing everything in from the car, cleaning the car and carseat, and cleaning up the ants. Once we were all finished, we each had a big bowl of icecream!
All in all though, it was a very good weekend! I'm not sure about Kurt yet, but I'm already at least smiling (not quite laughing) about the last part of the trip and getting home!
"Carrie!"
I did Emma's bath tonight. We started quite a bit later than normal so she was a bit more wired than usual and tried to drag bedtime out. I stuck to one story The Very Lonely Firefly, which she read, prayers, and then kisses and hugs and tucks in. She managed to choose a different blanket and pajama pants before I left the room as well.
After the final Good night and I love you, I shut the door and no sooner walked into the kitchen than I heard her door open. I sighed and waited. Then I heard a small quiet voice say, "Mommy?" followed by a stronger more determined slightly accusing voice say, "Carrie!" When I went to her I was told, "Carrie! You forgot to have me go potty again! Because you forgot to." *Sigh* Into the bathroom and then straight back to bed we went!
Emma has called us by our first names a few times. (Between 18 months and 2 years, we worked with her a lot on learning our whole names --as well as family members-- in case she ever needed to tell anyone.) For instance, the girls and I visited some friends and their kids and the room was sort of chaotic. I think Emma was trying to get my attention but I didn't hear her, so she said, "Hey Carrie!" Lately, we've noticed that whenever Emma is upstairs and I'm downstairs, she will use my first name. After thinking about it, we've realized that it's probably because Kurt often will yell questions down to me and start them with my name.
It's kind of cute and kind of funny to hear my name come out of a 3 year old's mouth!
After the final Good night and I love you, I shut the door and no sooner walked into the kitchen than I heard her door open. I sighed and waited. Then I heard a small quiet voice say, "Mommy?" followed by a stronger more determined slightly accusing voice say, "Carrie!" When I went to her I was told, "Carrie! You forgot to have me go potty again! Because you forgot to." *Sigh* Into the bathroom and then straight back to bed we went!
Emma has called us by our first names a few times. (Between 18 months and 2 years, we worked with her a lot on learning our whole names --as well as family members-- in case she ever needed to tell anyone.) For instance, the girls and I visited some friends and their kids and the room was sort of chaotic. I think Emma was trying to get my attention but I didn't hear her, so she said, "Hey Carrie!" Lately, we've noticed that whenever Emma is upstairs and I'm downstairs, she will use my first name. After thinking about it, we've realized that it's probably because Kurt often will yell questions down to me and start them with my name.
It's kind of cute and kind of funny to hear my name come out of a 3 year old's mouth!
Good Friends
We are fortunate to have wonderful friends. Unfortunately, some of our very good friends are scattered across the globe. Tonight we got to visit with Matt who is in town for a few days.
Emma was very excited to see him. When we got to his hotel she asked to go into the lobby, since we were a little early I figured it was better to wait there than in the car. Instead of becoming quite shy as she usually does, she started talking to him pretty quickly. She showed him her wand that she received from her dance teacher today and in the car, gave him a rock as a gift. When Matt asked where the rock was from she matter of factly told him, "Outside." (Earlier, when I asked her why she was given the wand, she told me, "To do magic, Mom.")
She had a great time showing him her toys and pretty much didn't stop talking all evening.
After he left, she asked why Japan had to be so far away. I assured her that we would see Matt, Ashley, and Hazel on Skype and that we would live near them at some point. :)
Emma was very excited to see him. When we got to his hotel she asked to go into the lobby, since we were a little early I figured it was better to wait there than in the car. Instead of becoming quite shy as she usually does, she started talking to him pretty quickly. She showed him her wand that she received from her dance teacher today and in the car, gave him a rock as a gift. When Matt asked where the rock was from she matter of factly told him, "Outside." (Earlier, when I asked her why she was given the wand, she told me, "To do magic, Mom.")
She had a great time showing him her toys and pretty much didn't stop talking all evening.
After he left, she asked why Japan had to be so far away. I assured her that we would see Matt, Ashley, and Hazel on Skype and that we would live near them at some point. :)
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Let's compare water babies!
Can you guess who is who (without cheating by looking at a post below?!?)
Almost 4 months Almost 3 months
God words
We've recently started doing night time prayers with Emma. We have a child's prayer book that we're working through and we're teaching her to recite, Now I lay me down to sleep followed by things she's thankful for and something that she might need help with.
The other night, she told Kurt not to forget to help her with her God words and then another evening, that Mommy does them better. So we've now done them as a family so that we all do them the same. Generally, she thanks God for people she's seen during the day or is excited to see in the near future (i.e. if we're traveling to see grandparents, they're on her mind and she is thankful for them). She's also thanked God for birdies and for teaspoons. *shrug* I usually suggest that she asks God to help her be a good listener since her lack of listening to us lately has been especially frustrating to Kurt and me.
The other night, she told Kurt not to forget to help her with her God words and then another evening, that Mommy does them better. So we've now done them as a family so that we all do them the same. Generally, she thanks God for people she's seen during the day or is excited to see in the near future (i.e. if we're traveling to see grandparents, they're on her mind and she is thankful for them). She's also thanked God for birdies and for teaspoons. *shrug* I usually suggest that she asks God to help her be a good listener since her lack of listening to us lately has been especially frustrating to Kurt and me.
Series of Hats
A couple days ago, I found a bunch of hats in Mia's drawer. Some of them are getting too small, but I made her to a little fashion show anyway. (I'm a mean Mommy!; Kurt says I have too much time on my hands.)
 |
| Mia au naturel |
 |
| As a cosmonaut |
 |
| In a too small bonnet |
 |
| Mommy, you wear me out! |
 |
| Channeling her inner elf |
 | |
| In the hat she came home from the hospital in (well, the size bigger, we had 2!) |
Mia likes Baths!
Mia has started to like baths!
I gave her a bath on July 11th and she had a great time watching water drip from my fingers. During her bath a couple days later, on July 14th, I had the camera near by. She had a great time watching my fingers drip with water and was very interested in her toes in the water. Our little girl is growing up so fast!
I gave her a bath on July 11th and she had a great time watching water drip from my fingers. During her bath a couple days later, on July 14th, I had the camera near by. She had a great time watching my fingers drip with water and was very interested in her toes in the water. Our little girl is growing up so fast!
Baby, Baby, it's time to clean up!
Tuesday, I got to daycare to pick Emma up right when they were starting to clean up their centers. I waited so that she could help clean up. Ms. Kenisha puts on music that all the kids have to clean up to. The goal is to be done cleaning up before the music ends. The music of the day or all the time, I'm not sure was Justin Bieber's Baby Baby. It was so cute to see many of the kids singing along to the song as they put away their toys. Emma kept catching my eye, would smile, stop and start swinging her little (non-existent) hips around dancing. I loved every minute of it!
Big Girl!
This morning, Mia and I spent a little time in Emma's room rearranging her book case. Mia had a great time in Emma's rocking chair and inherited a small doll. (Shh! Don't tell Emma!) I also tried to put her in a small doll cradle that Emma has in her room, but alas, Mia is too big! I should have thought about that a few months ago!
Enjoy a few pictures!
Enjoy a few pictures!
 |
| She actually picked up the doll and appeared to hug it! This is when I decided the doll could be hers! |
4th of July!
We had a quiet morning on the 4th of July, in the late afternoon, we went over to Colin, Melissa, Cameron, and Claire's house. It was H-O-T, hot! The kids had a great time in the kiddo pool and running around their yard. As always Colin and Melissa, out did themselves with food and we had a scrumptious cookout! Mia split her time in the bouncer between inside and outside, since she doesn't do too well in the heat. She also clocked some naked baby time outside. :)
We headed home around bath time and a tired Emma went right to bed. Kurt and I then watched the Capitol 4th on PBS -- twice! It's so fun to listen to the patriotic music and see the fireworks!
Maybe next year, we'll be able to get somewhere and let Emma see fireworks (and Mia too I suppose! :) ).
We headed home around bath time and a tired Emma went right to bed. Kurt and I then watched the Capitol 4th on PBS -- twice! It's so fun to listen to the patriotic music and see the fireworks!
Maybe next year, we'll be able to get somewhere and let Emma see fireworks (and Mia too I suppose! :) ).
More fire please
Last night we went to a get together with some friends we met in Germany. We had a great time visiting; Mia enjoyed some snuggles from friends and Emma had a blast playing with Robert. The get together was at Robert's house, and so we were able to let Emma and Robert just go play together without worrying about what they would get into. (We love going places where everything is already toddler proofed!)
At the end of the night, John broke out sparklers! Renae mentioned she had seen that sticking the sparkler into the bottom of a disposable cup (like a sword) made it slightly safer for kids since the sparks wouldn't fall on their hands/wrists. Emma and Robert both got a sparkler and had a good time with them, although they didn't wave them too much, they sort of just stared and them mesmerized for a while. After they went out they went around asking for "more fire please!" It was very cute!
Unfortunately, I didn't have the camera out and didn't get any pictures. :(
At the end of the night, John broke out sparklers! Renae mentioned she had seen that sticking the sparkler into the bottom of a disposable cup (like a sword) made it slightly safer for kids since the sparks wouldn't fall on their hands/wrists. Emma and Robert both got a sparkler and had a good time with them, although they didn't wave them too much, they sort of just stared and them mesmerized for a while. After they went out they went around asking for "more fire please!" It was very cute!
Unfortunately, I didn't have the camera out and didn't get any pictures. :(
Nursery Rhyme Fortune Telling
I was just straightening up the bookshelf in Emma's room and came across a huge Mother Goose Treasury (Thanks Aunt Brenda!). Flipping through it, I saw the Monday's Child Rhyme:
According to this, Emma is loving and giving and Mia is full of grace. So far, I think these descriptions are fairly accurate of our two girls!
In case you are wondering, Carrie is fair of face and Kurt is also loving and giving.
And also, mostly because I never remember these things and might if I actually write them here:
(I copied these descriptions from this site)
Emma is a Gemini:
Flexibility, balance and adaptability are the keywords for the Gemini. They are quick to grasp the meaning of a situation and act on it, often with positive effects. They tend to have a duality to their nature, and can sometimes be tough to predict how they will react. They can turn from hot to cold and may be prone to noticeable mood swings. However, they are generous signs with tendencies of being affectionate, and imaginative. They also inspire others easily as they seem to naturally motivate themselves their charisma and accomplishments are infectious. Geminians are very supportive, and are especially good at promotions, sales, and driving hard bargains.
Mia is an Aries:
Aries people are creative, adaptive, and insightful. They can also be strong-willed and spontaneous (sometimes to a fault). Aries people can be driven and are very ambitious often making them over-achievers in anything they set their mind to tackle. Aries are fire signs, and so too is their personality. They may be quick to anger, but don't take it personally, it's just their fiery, passionate personalities showing through. Aries signs have excellent sense of humor, and they get along with almost everyone at the party (and they DO know how to party). Aries can be impatient, but we love them anyway because they are devoted friends, lovers and family members they are loyal to then end and will fight for their causes (usually supporting the underdog).
Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living,
But the child born on the Sabbath day,
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
According to this, Emma is loving and giving and Mia is full of grace. So far, I think these descriptions are fairly accurate of our two girls!
In case you are wondering, Carrie is fair of face and Kurt is also loving and giving.
And also, mostly because I never remember these things and might if I actually write them here:
(I copied these descriptions from this site)
Emma is a Gemini:
Flexibility, balance and adaptability are the keywords for the Gemini. They are quick to grasp the meaning of a situation and act on it, often with positive effects. They tend to have a duality to their nature, and can sometimes be tough to predict how they will react. They can turn from hot to cold and may be prone to noticeable mood swings. However, they are generous signs with tendencies of being affectionate, and imaginative. They also inspire others easily as they seem to naturally motivate themselves their charisma and accomplishments are infectious. Geminians are very supportive, and are especially good at promotions, sales, and driving hard bargains.
Mia is an Aries:
Aries people are creative, adaptive, and insightful. They can also be strong-willed and spontaneous (sometimes to a fault). Aries people can be driven and are very ambitious often making them over-achievers in anything they set their mind to tackle. Aries are fire signs, and so too is their personality. They may be quick to anger, but don't take it personally, it's just their fiery, passionate personalities showing through. Aries signs have excellent sense of humor, and they get along with almost everyone at the party (and they DO know how to party). Aries can be impatient, but we love them anyway because they are devoted friends, lovers and family members they are loyal to then end and will fight for their causes (usually supporting the underdog).
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Disgusting!
Mia is becoming quite the little giggler! It's adorable! The other day, during a diaper change, I told her she was disgusting. She thought this was hysterical! Every time I say disgusting, she smiles and usually gives a little laugh! I'll try to upload a video later.
A day at Gigi's
On Monday, the girls and I spent the day visiting Gigi. Emma was very excited to go, and even packed her Dora lunch box with some play food to take along as well as her Princess Look at Me! book. As always she had a great time talking with her Great Great Grandma and leading her all around the house looking at different things and asking to eat Gigi's strawberries and crackers! Mia gave Gigi some smiles and giggles and was much less maintenance than her older sister.
Aunt Brenda joined us as well. Emma had fun with her as well; especially the walk they took down to the water. She came back telling us she wanted a boat and that she wanted to go home with Aunt Bren. Mia was enamored with Aunt Bren and looked at her and talked to her all through lunch!
Before we left, Aunt Katie arrived and we got to visit with her for about an hour before it was time for us to head home. After her initial 35 seconds of shyness, Emma threw herself at Katie and didn't let her out of her sight! She liked stealing pieces of Katie's mango for a snack. Mia got some Aunt Katie snuggles for the first time and loved them! (Katie and Mia met when Mia was a few days old, but unfortunately, Katie wasn't feeling well and didn't get a chance to hold her then.)
 | |
| Gigi and her great great granddaughters |
 |
| Gigi explains decorations on a bird house to Emma |
 |
| Gigi gets some Mia smiles |
 |
| Mia gets her first Aunt Katie snuggles! |
Food please!
Monday evening, Kurt held Mia on his lap during dinner. She was very interested in his food. She sat and watched him eat practically every bite and even reached forward a bit to try to touch the food on his plate! She is showing much more interest in food much earlier than her big sister did!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Port Discovery
On 28 June, the girls and I went to Port Discovery with our friends Corri, Emily, and Ethan. It was the first time that I've taken the girls out without Kurt. The girls and I walked over to Corri's house (they live about 2 blocks away from us) in the morning, and Corri drove us so it was a fun big outing for all of us! The girls had fun in the back of the van and Corri and I were able to catch up in the front seat.
Emma had a blast being showed around by Emily and Ethan who get to go frequently. They had fun in the convenience store and gas station, the water room, the kiddo room, and the diner. The kiddo room and water room were favs of Corri and I because there are doors that close and keep the kids in and we were able to relax a bit. They also enjoyed some of the exhibits, but I found it nerve racking trying to keep my eye on Emma and Mia at the same time!
Emma had a blast being showed around by Emily and Ethan who get to go frequently. They had fun in the convenience store and gas station, the water room, the kiddo room, and the diner. The kiddo room and water room were favs of Corri and I because there are doors that close and keep the kids in and we were able to relax a bit. They also enjoyed some of the exhibits, but I found it nerve racking trying to keep my eye on Emma and Mia at the same time!
Date Afternoon
Last Friday, Kurt took the afternoon off and we went to Ikea to look at potential couches. Emma was at daycare and Mia slept most of the time in the stroller, so it was almost like we were out by ourselves. After walking through the store, we got ice cream cones and then coffee for Carrie and soda for Kurt. As we were walking to the car, we agreed that it was almost like we took a daytrip like we did when we lived in Germany. :)
Little Helper
Emma loves being a helper when it comes to Mia (usually anyway). The other evening, I was trying to fix dinner and Mia was ridiculously upset even though she was fed and clean. Emma tried amusing her in the jumperoo by showing her how the toys moved and when she got too upset for that, Emma went to the living room and brought in the bouncer, all by herself! She told me, "I've been working out Mom. I'm strong." Emma continued to try to get Mia to calm down and kept giving her her pacifier and saying, "It's ok Mia." and "Don't worry Mommy, I'll get Mia." It was super sweet!
Emma loves holding Mia, but Mia is starting to get pretty big for Emma. Sometimes, she'll tell me what Mia wants. "Mia wants to go back in her bouncer," "Mia wants you to hold her Mommy." Lately, she's come right out and said, "Mom, Mia is too heavy for me!"
Emma loves holding Mia, but Mia is starting to get pretty big for Emma. Sometimes, she'll tell me what Mia wants. "Mia wants to go back in her bouncer," "Mia wants you to hold her Mommy." Lately, she's come right out and said, "Mom, Mia is too heavy for me!"
Some random notes
On July 4th and 5th, I posted on Facebook that Mia was working on becoming a rolling over pro. During tummy time, she rolled over all by herself 3 times each day. And they weren't convenient rolls, i.e. I didn't prop her arms up to make it easier for her to roll. However since then, she's not rolled over...she's gone back to burying her face in the mat she's laying on and screaming whenever she gets tired of being on her tummy.
On 11 July, Mia and I had a very fun giggle session. For the past few days, she's been blowing bubbles incessantly. (She's been blowing bubbles for ages now, but it seems like this week, she's been doing it on purpose.) After watching her lips, it seemed like she is working on blowing a raspberry. (Emma never did this!) I blew a raspberry and she thought it was hysterical! We had fun giggling and raspberrying for quite a while. On 12 July, during a diaper change, she actually got her lips in the right position and got a quick little raspberry out! I think* this is the first one for her!
I think I posted before, that Mia basically puts herself to sleep at night. Between 7 and 730, I change her into pjs, nurse her, read her a book, then put her in her crib with her mobile on 'nature sounds' and she falls asleep by herself. Every once in a while, she gets upset and I'll go back into her and give her a pacifier. Whenever I go in, she has her little hands holding her fuzzy little head and her little face all scrunched up. Although I don't like to see her upset, it is super cute!
Mia has recently started to rub her eyes when she's tired. It's super cute!
Mia, in the past 3 days has become a very distracted eater. Feeds now take twice as long, especially if we're not at home. My arms get very tired due to all her wriggling around!
On 11 July, Mia and I had a very fun giggle session. For the past few days, she's been blowing bubbles incessantly. (She's been blowing bubbles for ages now, but it seems like this week, she's been doing it on purpose.) After watching her lips, it seemed like she is working on blowing a raspberry. (Emma never did this!) I blew a raspberry and she thought it was hysterical! We had fun giggling and raspberrying for quite a while. On 12 July, during a diaper change, she actually got her lips in the right position and got a quick little raspberry out! I think* this is the first one for her!
I think I posted before, that Mia basically puts herself to sleep at night. Between 7 and 730, I change her into pjs, nurse her, read her a book, then put her in her crib with her mobile on 'nature sounds' and she falls asleep by herself. Every once in a while, she gets upset and I'll go back into her and give her a pacifier. Whenever I go in, she has her little hands holding her fuzzy little head and her little face all scrunched up. Although I don't like to see her upset, it is super cute!
Mia has recently started to rub her eyes when she's tired. It's super cute!
Mia, in the past 3 days has become a very distracted eater. Feeds now take twice as long, especially if we're not at home. My arms get very tired due to all her wriggling around!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
3 months!
Mia is 3 months old already! On her 3 month birthday, 27 June, when she woke up, she seemed to be a baby and not an infant any longer. She seemed to have grown and developed overnight!
At 3 months, Mia continues to chat up a storm. When she wakes in the morning, we usually just hear her cooing and talking. When we go in to say Good Morning! we are greet with the biggest gummiest smile you can imagine.
Mia loves her Mama. She is content just to sit and smile and talk to Mama for long amounts of time. If Mia is fussy and someone else can't quiet her, Carrie can just pick her up and she settles down.
On 27 June, Mia slept in her crib for the whole night. Prior to this she had been sleeping in a bouncer in our master bathroom with the fan on for white noise. She really likes being inclined, but since she is getting close to being able to roll over, she won't be able to be in the bouncer to sleep too much longer. She did great, although her long stretch of sleep is slightly shorter (by about an hour) when she is in the crib. We've found that when she is getting tired, we can set her in the crib and put her mobile on and she will fall asleep by herself.
Mia continues to hate blankets. When she naps during the day, it's usually in the bouncer or in the boppy. We cover up her legs with light blankets since she's usually in a dress or sunsuit. She kicks them off as quick as she can, then settles back down to sleep.
Mia loves being up and about. We're currently working on sitting up. She does really well with the boppy and extra pillow behind her when I'm doing some chores in a room. During play time, we've been practicing sitting up without the boppy. Mia holds on to a finger to steady herself and has started (just barely) to be able to put her hands down in front of her in a sort of tripod position to catch herself when she leans too far forward. Most of the time though, she faceplants and then kicks out her legs to get onto her stomach.
Mia is doing awesome at tummy time! She has found that she likes the different perspective, and I think as she gets stronger, she'll figure out she can reach for different toys. Sometimes, she scrunches up her legs and bum but I think she still hasn't figured out exactly how to move. She's also still working on figuring out how to roll over.
Mia found her toes when Grammy was visiting and continues to be very interested in them. She also has started to really reach and grab at toys. Her depth perception is still off though and this can be a frustrating experience for her.
Mia has a crawl along snail and just yesterday was very amused by it while on her tummy and while sitting. It's the longest it held her attention yet!
Mia has found her thumb! Grammy worked with her a lot to show it to her and low and behold the day after she left...Mia successfully and consistently found her thumb! She seems to really like it and two nights ago, actually removed her nuk from her mouth with one hand, held onto it and then inserted the other thumb in her mouth. She was VERY proud of herself!
Mia's giggles are becoming more frequent and longer. and they are ADORABLE! She's giggled for several people. I think Emma still has to earn a giggle but Emma gets so excited every time she gets a smile out of Mia!
It's so fun to watch Mia grow and learn new things and I'm trying to treasure every moment with her and give her as many snuggles as possible because before I know it, she's going to be more interested in running around with her sister!
At 3 months, Mia continues to chat up a storm. When she wakes in the morning, we usually just hear her cooing and talking. When we go in to say Good Morning! we are greet with the biggest gummiest smile you can imagine.
Mia loves her Mama. She is content just to sit and smile and talk to Mama for long amounts of time. If Mia is fussy and someone else can't quiet her, Carrie can just pick her up and she settles down.
On 27 June, Mia slept in her crib for the whole night. Prior to this she had been sleeping in a bouncer in our master bathroom with the fan on for white noise. She really likes being inclined, but since she is getting close to being able to roll over, she won't be able to be in the bouncer to sleep too much longer. She did great, although her long stretch of sleep is slightly shorter (by about an hour) when she is in the crib. We've found that when she is getting tired, we can set her in the crib and put her mobile on and she will fall asleep by herself.
Mia continues to hate blankets. When she naps during the day, it's usually in the bouncer or in the boppy. We cover up her legs with light blankets since she's usually in a dress or sunsuit. She kicks them off as quick as she can, then settles back down to sleep.
Mia loves being up and about. We're currently working on sitting up. She does really well with the boppy and extra pillow behind her when I'm doing some chores in a room. During play time, we've been practicing sitting up without the boppy. Mia holds on to a finger to steady herself and has started (just barely) to be able to put her hands down in front of her in a sort of tripod position to catch herself when she leans too far forward. Most of the time though, she faceplants and then kicks out her legs to get onto her stomach.
Mia is doing awesome at tummy time! She has found that she likes the different perspective, and I think as she gets stronger, she'll figure out she can reach for different toys. Sometimes, she scrunches up her legs and bum but I think she still hasn't figured out exactly how to move. She's also still working on figuring out how to roll over.
Mia found her toes when Grammy was visiting and continues to be very interested in them. She also has started to really reach and grab at toys. Her depth perception is still off though and this can be a frustrating experience for her.
Mia has a crawl along snail and just yesterday was very amused by it while on her tummy and while sitting. It's the longest it held her attention yet!
Mia has found her thumb! Grammy worked with her a lot to show it to her and low and behold the day after she left...Mia successfully and consistently found her thumb! She seems to really like it and two nights ago, actually removed her nuk from her mouth with one hand, held onto it and then inserted the other thumb in her mouth. She was VERY proud of herself!
Mia's giggles are becoming more frequent and longer. and they are ADORABLE! She's giggled for several people. I think Emma still has to earn a giggle but Emma gets so excited every time she gets a smile out of Mia!
It's so fun to watch Mia grow and learn new things and I'm trying to treasure every moment with her and give her as many snuggles as possible because before I know it, she's going to be more interested in running around with her sister!
Monday, July 2, 2012
34 Long Hours
On Friday night, following a day of 100 degree heat, a strong storm blew through the area. The storm was categorized as a 'land hurricane' or derecho. Strong winds (+60mph) and a lot of lightening downed trees and wires in it's path. At least a half million people in Maryland alone were without power. We were included...for 34 hours.
I went to bed early to try to make up some sleep from the night before when Mia was up several more times than normal. I remember waking up at some point and hearing rain hitting the bedroom window and thinking, that's weird, I didn't think Kurt was going to water the lawn tonight. This in itself doesn't make sense because our bedroom is in the back of the house, and I can't hear the sprinkler at the front of the house when it's on. At 11pm, Kurt woke me to tell me the power was out and he put a flashlight on my nightstand. We fell asleep thinking that the power would be back on in the morning. It wasn't.
We made sure all the shades were drawn and went out for breakfast. We saw someone in a neighboring subdivision and they told us they had power. We were positive that our power would be restored that morning. Panera was packed with people without power. Emma enjoyed a chocolate chip bagel (or donut as she calls them). We tried to get online but the wi-fi was out. We walked around Target for a bit, which had minimal lighting and no air conditioning (there was still residual coolness). Emma liked playing in the toy section.
We spent some time at home. Poor Emma kept asking to watch TV. She kept using longer and more polite sentences thinking we would let her then. Finally, we let her use the remote so that she saw that the tv really didn't work. In the afternoon, we went to Michelle, John, and Natalie's house. They already planned an open house for the afternoon, and we were grateful they didn't mind us hanging out until 830 that evening. Emma and Natalie had so much fun jumping on a bed, getting chased by John, playing in the sprinkler, kiddie pool and getting squirted with the hose!
We had heard power would be restored by 830 and headed home then. Unfortunately we were still in the dark...and heat. Luckily the basement was about 75 degrees, so we had a family slumber party. Sunday morning, we went to Panera again for breakfast. The wi-fi was working by this point and we were able to get online. We were excited to see that word on the Facebook street was that we had regained power! We quickly returned home and Kurt made sure that the house did have power before we unloaded the girls.
Emma was so excited. She walked into the house and jumped up and down and shouted "TV! TV! TV!" She watched a couple episodes Rugrats while we straightened up and got laundry started.
We definitely would have been able to handle no electricity but it was the lack of air conditioning combined with the intense heat that was debilitating! We're not looking forward to trash night tonight since we'll have to empty out our fridges and freezers :(
All in all though, we're very lucky. A great number of people are STILL without power 3 days later and who knows when it will be restored. We are also very grateful that we have wonderful friends who offered up their houses to us during the time we were without power.
I went to bed early to try to make up some sleep from the night before when Mia was up several more times than normal. I remember waking up at some point and hearing rain hitting the bedroom window and thinking, that's weird, I didn't think Kurt was going to water the lawn tonight. This in itself doesn't make sense because our bedroom is in the back of the house, and I can't hear the sprinkler at the front of the house when it's on. At 11pm, Kurt woke me to tell me the power was out and he put a flashlight on my nightstand. We fell asleep thinking that the power would be back on in the morning. It wasn't.
We made sure all the shades were drawn and went out for breakfast. We saw someone in a neighboring subdivision and they told us they had power. We were positive that our power would be restored that morning. Panera was packed with people without power. Emma enjoyed a chocolate chip bagel (or donut as she calls them). We tried to get online but the wi-fi was out. We walked around Target for a bit, which had minimal lighting and no air conditioning (there was still residual coolness). Emma liked playing in the toy section.
We spent some time at home. Poor Emma kept asking to watch TV. She kept using longer and more polite sentences thinking we would let her then. Finally, we let her use the remote so that she saw that the tv really didn't work. In the afternoon, we went to Michelle, John, and Natalie's house. They already planned an open house for the afternoon, and we were grateful they didn't mind us hanging out until 830 that evening. Emma and Natalie had so much fun jumping on a bed, getting chased by John, playing in the sprinkler, kiddie pool and getting squirted with the hose!
We had heard power would be restored by 830 and headed home then. Unfortunately we were still in the dark...and heat. Luckily the basement was about 75 degrees, so we had a family slumber party. Sunday morning, we went to Panera again for breakfast. The wi-fi was working by this point and we were able to get online. We were excited to see that word on the Facebook street was that we had regained power! We quickly returned home and Kurt made sure that the house did have power before we unloaded the girls.
Emma was so excited. She walked into the house and jumped up and down and shouted "TV! TV! TV!" She watched a couple episodes Rugrats while we straightened up and got laundry started.
We definitely would have been able to handle no electricity but it was the lack of air conditioning combined with the intense heat that was debilitating! We're not looking forward to trash night tonight since we'll have to empty out our fridges and freezers :(
All in all though, we're very lucky. A great number of people are STILL without power 3 days later and who knows when it will be restored. We are also very grateful that we have wonderful friends who offered up their houses to us during the time we were without power.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)