Archive for March, 2009
Want a Burger and Fries With That?
Saturday, March 28th, 2009Play Tent
Saturday, March 28th, 2009
One of Flora’s favorite things to play is “tent.” Sometimes we rearrange the furniture and drape a blanket over chairs and tables, and sometimes we just drape a sheet over our heads. Then we pile in as many toys as possible, and pretend to have a picnic.
Flora Feeds Charley
Friday, March 27th, 2009A couple of Saturdays ago, I was watching the kids by myself. Flora asked if she could feed Charley. I wasn’t sure it would work, but she did a great job and he really got a kick out of being fed by his big sister.
Name ‘Em Up and Hi Sign
Thursday, March 26th, 2009In Flora’s world, everything and everyone has to have a name — people, stuffed animals, characters in a book, pieces of candy … and if they don’t already have a name, she’ll assign one. She coined her own turn of phrase for this: “name ‘em up.” I love this expression, because it reminds me of how her great grandparents from Missouri talked.
Charley has morphed waving Hi to his own sign for “I want that.” When he sees something he wants — toys on a shelf, balloons on the ceiling, light fixtures … he points to it with his chubby little arm and “waves Hi” at it. And he can answer the questions, “Where’s the balloon?” and “Where’s the light?” by “pointing” with his arm in the proper direction. His little hands and arms are rarely not moving. Even when he nurses, he reaches up to feel around my face like Helen Keller or plays with his own hair, and when you hold him facing you, he loves to play with your hair or ears.
Tubby Time
Thursday, March 26th, 2009
After a quick Photoshopping, one might think that the kids smiled at the same time and sat still long enough to get a decent bath shot.
Charley and Flora This Weekend
Saturday, March 21st, 2009
Nine Months Old
Friday, March 20th, 2009
At nine months old, Charley seems fearlessly curious. He crawls wherever his chubby legs get him, grabs things high and low, tries to pull himself up on everything, and puts anything in his mouth. He prefers to stand up and can almost take a step behind his walker. He’s a real talker and silly-sound-maker. We tried him on his first dairy product (peach yogurt) — so far, so good. He loves to feed himself finger foods, and there is a good chance he’s left handed. Oh those Hergert/Brittingham genes. Blue eyes, blonde hair, and now a lefty. Are these even my kids?
Reading Rainbow
Friday, March 20th, 2009
Flora made a “rainbow” on the dishwasher by grouping her magnetic numbers and letters by color. I suspect she’s going to be artistic and literary!
Nine Month Checkup
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
Charley had his nine month checkup with Dr. G. this morning. It was all fun and games until she came in to inspect his mouth (very swollen gums where his top teeth will soon be appearing), eyes, ears, nose, and body — The Boy really doesn’t like to be messed with — especially when all he really wanted to do was crinkle the paper, play peek-a-boo, and crawl off the edge of the exam table. To avoid injury (to both Charley and Dr. G!), the rest of the exam was spent in Mom’s lap. Large-And-In-Charge weighed in at 22 pounds 14 ounces (85th percentile, a gain of 2 pounds 4 ounces), measured 29″ high (77th percentile, a gain of 2.5″), and his head grew a mere 3/8″ (86th percentile), measuring 18 3/8″. At least he seems all very proportional, until you notice that his torso is twice as long as his legs! Dr. G. assessed that Charley is quite active, and will be the type of kid that climbs on top of the kitchen table. And she said when babies start to “stand” on their hands and feet like an upside down V (we’re there), they will soon be walking. I did catch him cruising a short distance the other day. Help!
We’re starting to teach Charley basic signs for every day activities like eat and drink, which he thinks are quite funny. His language skills are developing as he babbles non-stop, makes sounds to initiate conversation, and repeats back sounds you make. He has mastered sippy cups and straws, and has started finger foods. He really likes books, can play ball back and forth, but most of all enjoys exploring (i.e. getting into everything). And he’s mostly (and FINALLY) able to make it through the night without nursing. But the best news of all was that both he and I can start some dairy products into our diets, and see how Charley tolerates it. As SOON as we got back from the doctor’s office, I nearly wept as I savored veggie sausages with melted cheddar cheese. Yes, cheese tastes exactly as I remember it to, and it was damn tasty!
Kiss Me, I’m Irish
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
Green bagels for breakfast and green balloons for fun. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Wash My Ride
Sunday, March 15th, 2009
After Flora washed her trike, she learned how to pedal in the driveway, and was tickled pink at her new accomplishment. She is very into being a BIG girl, and doing everything “by myshelf!”
The Cage
Sunday, March 15th, 2009
We set up “the cage” just in time — Charley figured out forward crawling, and we’re figuring out just how NOT baby-proofed the house is!
Coiffed Like Daddy
Saturday, March 14th, 2009
Family Day Saturday
Saturday, March 14th, 2009
Our fun-filled Saturday began with haircuts at Nicolo Salon for the kids (Charley now sports a BIG boy haircut) and brunch at Bruegger’s (Flora ate a green bagel with cream cheese), followed by long naps. When the kids woke up, we walked to the playground to get their sillies out, circled back by Peacuddy’s for a snack, then went to Mandarin Reading for some lip-smacking Chinese food. Flora tried shrimp for the first time, and liked it, but liked the complimentary fried banana and ice cream dessert better! And I can’t technically say Charley slept through the night last night for the very first time ever (almost), but after crying for a bit around midnight, he returned to sleep on his own without eating, and didn’t wake again until 6:30AM!
Acrobatics
Saturday, March 14th, 2009
Unfortunately Flora seems to have inherited her coordination from her mother (who has yet to perform a successful cartwheel at age 38), but she still has fun pretending to flip, roll, and somersault. Perhaps she’s overjoyed with becoming potty trained — we sure are!
Chow Down
Thursday, March 12th, 2009
Juicy, ripe pear through the netted feeder. Yum!
Squinty Eye and Square Jaw
Thursday, March 12th, 2009
With a series of seemingly uncoordinated moves (backwards crawling, butt scooching, rolling, and pushing himself up into a seated position (NEW!)), Charley manages to maneuver all around. Last night, he started in the middle of the living room, made his way over to the side chairs, shimmied to the entertainment center, and ended his journey wedged underneath this chair. I’m not officially calling it, but I think he’s been trying to say “Hi.” He pronounces it “Hah” and says it to get your attention or in response to you saying “Hi.” He has also been making sounds like a panting dog, putting toys on top of his head, and just being all around silly. I predict a class clown in our future.
High Five
Sunday, March 1st, 2009
Charley’s favorite trick.
Seneca’s Fourth Birthday
Sunday, March 1st, 2009
This year we celebrated Seneca’s fourth birthday at, you guess it, Perpetual Motion! It was so fun last year that we had to go back again this year. Flora took full advantage of the indoor swings, slide, climbers, sandbox, and ball crawl this time around. And she of course delighted in eating the Disney princess cake. Charley enjoyed the foam block area, tasting everything inedible, and giving high fives (above). Happy Birthday, Cuz!