Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Cecily 21.5 months
Greg was filling out a form for Cecily's summer Mother's Day Out program, and he wrote on there…"Cecily needs a lot of love. She is a tender and special soul." This is exactly the way we feel about that little piece of pumpkin pie. She needs so many hugs and so many holds. She needs us to help her learn words and interact with her world. She lights up when she sees her sister and parents and is learning many animal sounds and words. She plays peekaboo with us and cracks up laughing when she shows us her belly button. She loves playing outside in the sandbox and coloring with chalk. She loves dogs and points them out everywhere. She giggles when she sees the picture of the black sheep in "Brown Bear." She likes to have books read to her. She loves to dance and listen to music. She uses her signs: more, help, please really well. We love her so much. I could literally hold her all day long.
Hi, My name is Tori….
It has been a really long time since I have posted, so I thought I might start with an introduction. I'm Tori, married to Greg, and mom to Geneva, Cecily, and a dog-baby, Stella. We live in western Texas and we do lots of things- but all good happy things. Like preschool, mother's day out, soccer, ballet, playmates, and lots of play and activities in our town. And on top of that, I'm three years deep into a degree in engineering. We have sort-of-on-purpose made our lives more than a little crazy. Good crazy, but crazy. Crazy-like-we-have-two-small-children-a-career-and-a-parent-in-engineering-school. The kids are happy and healthy and so are we. We work hard and love the kids hard. I want everyone who reads this and cares to check in on us to know that I really do care about you. I love you even. I am grateful for your friendship and interest. I would like to keep up my side of things a lot more, but I am working on some really big things (mothering and engineering). I promise I'll be more attentive to you and more giving of my time. It might be a few years, but it is still a goal.
So, after all that… How about some pictures? Pictures make things better, right?
Last weekend, we took a little trip to Fredericksburg, TX so that we could all stay in close proximity of one another, take pictures in wildflowers, and generally make happy memories. No school books were opened (except just one time when Cecily was napping and I stayed at the house with her).
So, after all that… How about some pictures? Pictures make things better, right?
Last weekend, we took a little trip to Fredericksburg, TX so that we could all stay in close proximity of one another, take pictures in wildflowers, and generally make happy memories. No school books were opened (except just one time when Cecily was napping and I stayed at the house with her).
On long road trips we usually stop and get Geneva a chocolate shake. Cecily was not having it though and demanded half. She was so happy!!
Dancing after dinner.
Central Texas is abloom!!
Front porch pictures.
We saw Gram and Gramps one morning.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Cecily 18 Months (Peak at VDay pics)
Cecily shares her half Birthday with the first day of the New Year. She is now 18 months old.
Cecily continues to grow steadily in her language, communication, physical, and social skills. During these past few weeks in particular, she has added several words and signs. She seems to add at least one word and/or sign per day. She is also imitating her sister a lot. This is a bit of a problem when Geneva does things that would be dangerous for Cecily- like climbing to the top of the bunk bed.
We took her to a birthday gymnastics birthday party a few weeks ago and she loved walking through tunnels and jumping on the trampolines that were built into the ground. The love of the trampolines are a bit of a problem since our pool with its cover on looks and feels exactly like a trampoline for her. No worries- we don't allow her to do this but the few times she has escaped our sight, she has been 100% safe because the cover is pulled very tight and there actually isn't water in the pool at the moment. And just to emphasize, there is only one way to our backyard and it is through our bedroom, which is always bolted shut and the girls are NEVER allowed (nor do they try) to go outside alone.
I took her to the doctor for her well-check and she weighs 22lb 4oz (19th percentile) and is 30.5 inches tall (16th percentile).
Spoken language is coming along and she regularly says:
mama
dada
ball
bye
hi
no (often while shaking head)
"bey bu" (means belly button)
whoof whoof
"bub bub" (the sound a fish makes- which she often says when she sees our fish)
"wa wa" (water).
She has started regularly saying "du" for duck and just tonight said "a-pu" for apple. Greg has reported hearing her say "sita" for sister, "bu" for bear, and "roar".
We are teaching her some signs to help her communicate what she wants, which has been really helpful lately. Since starting to use the signs, the screaming, desperate, reaching routine has dramatically diminished- yay!
Here are the signs she uses independently:
milk
please
more
eat
She has imitated the sign for "drink"
Cecily sleeps from about 7:45pm-7am and takes about a 2 hour nap around lunchtime. She is going through a phase where she wakes up a few times most nights, but we are working through it and hope it passes soon.
She eats all foods, drinks whole cow's milk, and does not have any allergies. She likes seasoned and even mildly spicy foods. She typically wants whatever I am eating. She eats well with a fork and is learning to eat with a spoon. We are trying her with thick oatmeal and typically let her eat topless or with an old tshirt on because she makes a big mess.
We are also happy to see that she is becoming more interested in books. She generally has a short attentions span (like most 18 month olds do) and has not shown interest in books. However, within the past 2 weeks, she has begun bringing us books to read her and will often sit through at least one book. She also sometimes sits on the floor with a book and turns through the pages.
She is still a mega-major-mama's girl and throws full-on-flings-herself-backward-tantrums if I don't pick her up exactly when she wants me to, but I am trying to build up her patience a little bit. However, I am still pretty much in the habit of holding her constantly. It almost seems reflexive now. And admittedly, I like being close to her also. Though it can be frustrating at times ;-)
She has been blowing and giving kisses for a few weeks as well. She will often just lean in for a kiss while going "mmm." She seems to do this more often with her sister than anyone else. It is really super adorable seeing them hug and kiss one another.
We love love love this little chickadee. And love love love getting to raise this little pair of sisters.
Cecily continues to grow steadily in her language, communication, physical, and social skills. During these past few weeks in particular, she has added several words and signs. She seems to add at least one word and/or sign per day. She is also imitating her sister a lot. This is a bit of a problem when Geneva does things that would be dangerous for Cecily- like climbing to the top of the bunk bed.
We took her to a birthday gymnastics birthday party a few weeks ago and she loved walking through tunnels and jumping on the trampolines that were built into the ground. The love of the trampolines are a bit of a problem since our pool with its cover on looks and feels exactly like a trampoline for her. No worries- we don't allow her to do this but the few times she has escaped our sight, she has been 100% safe because the cover is pulled very tight and there actually isn't water in the pool at the moment. And just to emphasize, there is only one way to our backyard and it is through our bedroom, which is always bolted shut and the girls are NEVER allowed (nor do they try) to go outside alone.
I took her to the doctor for her well-check and she weighs 22lb 4oz (19th percentile) and is 30.5 inches tall (16th percentile).
Spoken language is coming along and she regularly says:
mama
dada
ball
bye
hi
no (often while shaking head)
"bey bu" (means belly button)
whoof whoof
"bub bub" (the sound a fish makes- which she often says when she sees our fish)
"wa wa" (water).
She has started regularly saying "du" for duck and just tonight said "a-pu" for apple. Greg has reported hearing her say "sita" for sister, "bu" for bear, and "roar".
We are teaching her some signs to help her communicate what she wants, which has been really helpful lately. Since starting to use the signs, the screaming, desperate, reaching routine has dramatically diminished- yay!
Here are the signs she uses independently:
milk
please
more
eat
She has imitated the sign for "drink"
Cecily sleeps from about 7:45pm-7am and takes about a 2 hour nap around lunchtime. She is going through a phase where she wakes up a few times most nights, but we are working through it and hope it passes soon.
She eats all foods, drinks whole cow's milk, and does not have any allergies. She likes seasoned and even mildly spicy foods. She typically wants whatever I am eating. She eats well with a fork and is learning to eat with a spoon. We are trying her with thick oatmeal and typically let her eat topless or with an old tshirt on because she makes a big mess.
We are also happy to see that she is becoming more interested in books. She generally has a short attentions span (like most 18 month olds do) and has not shown interest in books. However, within the past 2 weeks, she has begun bringing us books to read her and will often sit through at least one book. She also sometimes sits on the floor with a book and turns through the pages.
She is still a mega-major-mama's girl and throws full-on-flings-herself-backward-tantrums if I don't pick her up exactly when she wants me to, but I am trying to build up her patience a little bit. However, I am still pretty much in the habit of holding her constantly. It almost seems reflexive now. And admittedly, I like being close to her also. Though it can be frustrating at times ;-)
She has been blowing and giving kisses for a few weeks as well. She will often just lean in for a kiss while going "mmm." She seems to do this more often with her sister than anyone else. It is really super adorable seeing them hug and kiss one another.
We love love love this little chickadee. And love love love getting to raise this little pair of sisters.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Our little family was so ready for a nice, long holiday break. For 10 days before Christmas, I took the girls up to Illinois to visit with family and friends. We arrived on December 12 in time to SURPRISE my grandfather at his birthday party. It was so awesome getting to spend that night with him and our family. We got to spend a lot of quality time with many people we love. It was a wonderful visit and a great time of togetherness for the girls and I.
After arriving back home, it was basically time for Christmas preparations and celebrations, which we spent quietly at home with one another and my brother's family. It was a cozy little Christmas and I felt so blessed to be spending the time at home with our sweet little girls and our dear niece. Greg cooked his traditional dinner for Christmas Eve and we had Christmas Day dinner at Tracy and Clarissa's. We are so happy to live so close to them.
A few days after Christmas, Greg's sister came to visit us. We all had a really nice visit with aunt Bethany.
Greg and I rang in the New Year very quietly, as the girls were in bed by 8:30pm. It was nice just to hang out at home and begin preparations for a New Year's Day lunch that we hosted for friends. We had a traditional lunch of black eyed peas, pork tenderloin, and sauerkraut. Even with having 9 or 10 children ranging in ages from 11months-4.5years, it was a really relaxing and happy time.
Tracy's birthday was on the 3rd and they had us over for a delicious dinner of traditionally prepared Spanish Paella and homemade chocolate cake. It was delicious and so nice to spend the evening with them and celebrate Tracy's birthday.
I still have a whole week left of winter break and I am enjoying every minute of this slower pace, bonding time with Greg and the girls, and catching up with friends. As a bonus, we are even getting a few small projects complete in the house.
This was my first time flying with both of them. They did really great and I would even volunteer to do it again. Here they are on the plane. I think all three of us were excited.
Uncle Nate took Geneva and let her pick out her Christmas gifts. I think 7 Barbies can be considered "spoiling."
My hometown put on Christmas activities and we got to ride on a horse drawn carriage with my grandparents. The girls loved it!
One of the activities was cookie decorating.
My mom and dad's visit overlapped ours for about a day.
While we were in town, we stayed with my grandfather.
Here I am with some of my beautiful female relatives.
There were delays with our flight and we nearly got stuck for the night in Dallas, but we were so very lucky that everything worked out ok and we arrived at our home airport at 12am. The girls did so well and were so happy to see their daddy!
After arriving back home, it was basically time for Christmas preparations and celebrations, which we spent quietly at home with one another and my brother's family. It was a cozy little Christmas and I felt so blessed to be spending the time at home with our sweet little girls and our dear niece. Greg cooked his traditional dinner for Christmas Eve and we had Christmas Day dinner at Tracy and Clarissa's. We are so happy to live so close to them.
We tried over and over to set the camera to take a photo of all of us. This was the only one we got where everyone was looking and there were no heads out of the picture.
It is hard to get Cecily to stay in one place long enough to take a picture of her and Geneva together.
Geneva, on the other hand, is always up for a picture.
Christmas Morning
Santa ate some of his cookies and left a note for Geneva and Cecily.
Christmas Day dinner at Tracy and Clarissa's.
A few days after Christmas, Greg's sister came to visit us. We all had a really nice visit with aunt Bethany.
Greg and I rang in the New Year very quietly, as the girls were in bed by 8:30pm. It was nice just to hang out at home and begin preparations for a New Year's Day lunch that we hosted for friends. We had a traditional lunch of black eyed peas, pork tenderloin, and sauerkraut. Even with having 9 or 10 children ranging in ages from 11months-4.5years, it was a really relaxing and happy time.
Tracy's birthday was on the 3rd and they had us over for a delicious dinner of traditionally prepared Spanish Paella and homemade chocolate cake. It was delicious and so nice to spend the evening with them and celebrate Tracy's birthday.
I still have a whole week left of winter break and I am enjoying every minute of this slower pace, bonding time with Greg and the girls, and catching up with friends. As a bonus, we are even getting a few small projects complete in the house.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Cecily 16 and 17 months
At 16-17 months, Cecily is as active and busy as ever. She is constant motion at times. She is incredible sweet and cuddly- always leaning in for hugs and cuddles, gives kisses spontaneously and when asked, and loves to be held. She is also a bit dramatic and will fuss or yell when she wants something. She is very good at pointing and gesturing to get what she wants.
She has started repeating a few more words. The other day, she said "Nonna" and "doll." She is quite interested in my belly button (??? I have no idea why), and often tries to lift my shirt and say "Bay Bu"- which is definitely an attempt at "belly button." She even did it to Geneva the other day. She says "bye bye" "mama" "dada" "ball" and often uses the "more" sign. We are working on the sign for milk. Sometimes she repeats "mi" for "milk."
I am sure this is because she is the younger child, but the other day, I was debating with Greg about whether or not we should try to introduce a fork to her, or just continue to let her eat everything with her fingers. I had sort of reluctantly decided to give her a fork to try it out, expecting a huge mess and learning curve. To my surprise, she took the fork and started using it perfectly. I am not sure where she learned this or maybe she just knew from watching people, but she proved to us that she is a little bigger than we thought she was.
She has started repeating a few more words. The other day, she said "Nonna" and "doll." She is quite interested in my belly button (??? I have no idea why), and often tries to lift my shirt and say "Bay Bu"- which is definitely an attempt at "belly button." She even did it to Geneva the other day. She says "bye bye" "mama" "dada" "ball" and often uses the "more" sign. We are working on the sign for milk. Sometimes she repeats "mi" for "milk."
I am sure this is because she is the younger child, but the other day, I was debating with Greg about whether or not we should try to introduce a fork to her, or just continue to let her eat everything with her fingers. I had sort of reluctantly decided to give her a fork to try it out, expecting a huge mess and learning curve. To my surprise, she took the fork and started using it perfectly. I am not sure where she learned this or maybe she just knew from watching people, but she proved to us that she is a little bigger than we thought she was.
16 Months
17 months
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