Nine Months Old and Baptized

The baby stage is going fast with Adeline.  She had her check-up this week: 19.8 lb (75%), 29 inches (95%), and 25.5 cm head (90%).  She is crawling and "coasting."  She pulls herself up on everything.  She waves, gives kisses, claps, does "so big" with arms up, mimics raspberry sounds, and drinks water from a sippy cup.  Her first word was "duck," but it sounds like "daak."  She said it during our California trip, but we were not sure if we heard her correctly.  Now she says it every time we see a picture of a duck in one of her books.  She is also now saying "dada" and "mama" to refer to us.  The rest of her efforts are still unclear, but she babbles on-and-on so she seems to think she is saying something.  She loves her books and enjoys pulling them from her shelf and flipping though them on her own.  She watches Oliver's every move and wants whatever toy Oliver plays with.

She was baptized at the same church as Oliver.  She is a lucky little girl and had her crew of family and friends there to share her baptism and brunch after.  It was a beautiful day.

Water boy

Oliver has had a complete aversion to water activities and getting water on his face since he was old enough to have an opinion.  This summer, we had a few big advances like getting him to play at the pool and playing outside in our kiddie pool.  But, he remained strongly opposed to getting water on his face.  On Saturday, we went to the aquatic center pool and they had the fountains turned on in the kid section.  He nearly did not go in at all, but eventually decided to just stay clear.  That night in bed, he was asking about the fountains and said he wished they were not so high and was thinking maybe he wanted to try playing in a smaller version.  He asked if there were any water parks with smaller water fountains on our continent.  I said I'd look into it.  So on Sunday, he asked about going to the water park again.  We decided to go to the splash park at the park near our house (one which he never wanted to play at before).  What followed blew my mind. Our water hating child was running through the fountains, basking under the daisy shower and laughing through the body misting arch.  He played for nearly two hours.

I've learned that my son is truly capable of just about anything.  However, he will only do things in his own time.  He does not hurry through life.  He takes it all in and when he is ready, he embraces it with an open mind and heart.  

First trip to the ocean

Adeline took her first trip to sunny California over Labor Day weekend.  Meghan and I took her on a girls trip to visit my friend Staci in Redondo Beach.  She did great with the travel (even the red eye flight home).  She had a great time walking in the ocean for the first time.  Looking forward to taking both kids on our next beach vacation.

Eight Months Old

It has been a big month for Adeline.  She started crawling about two weeks ago and pulling herself up to stand in her crib about the same time.  This week she started waving bye-bye and giving high-fives.

She is becoming a very able crawler, but her preference it to hold hands and stand so she can practice walking.  She is also straightening her legs in downward dog position and lifting one arm to try to get herself to a standing position.  It would not surprise me if she is an early walker.  But, we will see.

She continues to be a very happy, chatty and cheerful baby.  Much to my heartfelt joy, she loves books.   She will sit and read a half dozen or more board books at a time with full concentration.  She loves flap books and lifting to see what is behind.  She turns the pages and has her favorite books to read.  She has a touch and feel Peter Rabbit flap book she loves and will always kiss the bunny on the cover when we finish reading.

She is starting to make word connections and you can see that she is understanding some of the things we say to her now.  She loves to clap and cheer for herself when she does something we ask like wave or crawl to us.  

She adores her big brother, and he is always ready to cheer her or make her laugh.  He takes his role of watching out for her very seriously and prides himself on being a good big brother.  And she brings out the silly side in our wonderfully serious little boy.  So far, they are a great complement to each other.

We love her more and more each day, and we are so happy she is part of our family.

Do I look like a big kid?

Oliver's first day of kindergarten: August 22, 2016.  His teach is Ms. Richie, who we met the first time today at drop-off.  If he was nervous he did not show it.  He was full of joy and excitement for his first day.  As we left the house, he put on his new backpack that he picked out and asked me, "Do I look like a big kid?"  He chatted the whole way to school.  We got out of the car to walk a couple short blocks, and I said you look good.  He responded, "Do I really look good mommy?"  Yes, he did.  Drop-off was outside, so we walked up to his teacher and he immediately introduced himself and started telling her about how he likes space, turtles, etc.  He gave me a hug and kiss and insisted I rub it in and keep it all day.  I told him to have a great day and he said of course he would.  I watched him walk into school talking with the teacher. 

I think it will be a great day.  I think he was ready.  I think he will make new friends.  I think he is going to love school.  I think he is a big kid now.

Five Years Old

Oliver celebrated turning five with a Lego themed party.  His request was:  "For my birthday, I would like to have a party at home where I build Legos with my friends."  Despite not being able to sleep the night before because he was so excited for his birthday, I think it was a pretty good day.  His assessment: "The best birthday ever!"

Lots of Legos

Playing Rescue Bots with his best pal, Cavan

The Cake

No singing allowed, but he let us say "Happy Birthday"

Little Sister enjoyed socializing at the party

Learning new tricks

Birthday Boy

Post-party - enjoying his new toys

Last day of pre-school

Little man is growing up.  Hard to believe pre-school is coming to an end.  It was a great school and good first school experience for all of us.