Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Countdown to his big day...

We're well past his 11 month mark and RL is all about making things happen. Grabbing things, banging, dumping out containers, falling into the laundry basket, and chewing on everything in sight (including shoes, ugh!) as his second front tooth is about to come through any minute...surely. He's not really cruising, but today I saw him keep his balance while standing without holding onto anything for the first time.

Here are a bunch of recent pictures of RL in action, playing with a ball in the backyard and laughing at his sisters and watching cars pass as he sits in the stroller. The video at the end shows two big milestones: his first word ("light!") and his first sign (more), which he does sort of haphazardly in the video, but with great precision at other times!


Life as we know it...

Since August 23, when we "officially" started school at our house, our normal pace of weekday life seems to have changed dramatically, and I am realizing that is not a temporary phase we are going through...it's apparently just the way it's going to be most of the time. I guess we are entering a new stage altogether as the older girls are truly not so "little" anymore. It's exciting and a little scary. And tiring. But fun! We have been doing two new "school" groups on Monday and Friday mornings for the last 6 weeks, and that has provided lots of fun and interesting new learning experiences for the girls and a good amount of accountability and "academic assistance" for me. In between, we do as much "school" at home as we can, and squeeze in music and dance lessons and practices and, for the last week and a half, lots of outside playtime because the weather has been awesome! Here's a collection of photos taken over the last month or so:

Can you find the cutest "doll" in the toybox?


Taking a walk and stopping to pose with "PJ" before letting go of their balloons from the dentist's office. Actually, SJ's balloon had gotten away pretty soon after we left home. She was pretty distressed as it floated away and we watched it for a long time. She asked, "Is the string stuck on a cloud?"


SJ, unlike her big sisters, continues to add to the collection of lovies she sleeps with. She has her "thumb-sucking lovies" (which are the little blankets with animal heads attached) but alot more stuffed friends have become bedtime buddies.


She conked out during Narnia one night...


LL and RL in the crib with their lovies one morning


Giggle time!


SJ is not quite old enough to be in AG and LL's dance class, but their teacher has been kind to let her join in for the "free dance" song they do at the end of class each week. Of course she's been dressing for it!


Weekend before last we went to a doll museum as part of SJ's birthday present from Gran and PopPop. Such fun!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Labor Day Weekend

We headed "home" for Labor Day weekend and enjoyed visits with all the grandparents. Even though we'd just been in "school" for a couple of weeks at that point, it was great to have a little break and change of scenery!

The girls enjoyed picking and arranging Gran's pretty flowers.


Having popsicles on the front porch...


Sitting on the front porch steps we ran down as we left our wedding reception 9.5 years ago!


The girls were so happy to get to swim a few times while we were at Nana and Grandpa's. Thankfully AG and LL seem to have really improved this summer!


They had so much fun playing with T and Grandpa.


There was plenty of accessorizing, as usual. This pink wig was a favorite this time!


SJ loves sleeping in her little "mest" of blankets! Can you tell the new baby tiger Nana and Grandpa gave her has become an immediate favorite? (She named it Dotty, ironically!)


We love visiting grandparents!

Monday, August 30, 2010

SJ's 3rd Birthday

SJ is 3! We celebrated with a party at home on Saturday with lots of family and friends. She had been SO excited about this for weeks and asked for a cake with Belle AND Winnie and Pooh and friends.


The birthday girl surrounded by sisters and Gran and PopPop


Playing "Put the birthday hat on Pooh" with a see-through (and thankfully breath-through!) blindfold


She stayed at the table enjoying her cake long after all the other kids had gobbled theirs up and gone back to playing...


Taking a swing at the pinata...


RL hung out with Grandpa to watch the pinata-bashing from a safe distance!


Most of the kids at the party...a hard group to capture!


Opening gifts from her grandparents...


We were all so happy to have Mimi, PawPaw, Uncle Francis, and Annabelle come for the party!




Whew! Relaxing after the party with Nana and Grandpa...


Having another piece of birthday cake on Sunday, her actual birthday, and trying to hold up 3 fingers!


She had been asking if she would be "big" when she turned 3 and get to do things like chew gum and take "bitamins" like AG and LL do. I have to admit she is growing up, but she'll always be our baby girl!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

A Few Last Views of SJ at 2

Our "baby girl" turned 3 today! We have been celebrating all weekend and I'll post about that soon, but here are a few photos and a video taken in the last week, just to help us remember how wonderful "2" was!







and a grand finale...

Monday, August 23, 2010

10 Months...Already?

How can it be that we are just 2 months away from RL's first birthday? Parenting is like being in a time warp these days. The little guy just keeps getting bigger, faster, stronger, and more fun! He is all over the place now, often headed where he doesn't need to be. As AG said a few weeks ago, "L always wants to play with the things he shouldn't play with!" Specifically, he is less and less interested in the toys I set out in the middle of the floor for him and more and more interested in exploring the perimeter of the room, including electrical cords, outlets, cabinets, and floor lamps. Here are a few photos taken recently:

His first "teething biscuit"...'tis the season!


He has 3 teeth on the bottom and most recently cut one on the top. He's getting quite a little toothy grin!


He loves laughing and is always glad when his Daddy gets home from work!


I took these today...true 10-month-birthday pictures!


Everyone has an opinion on which sister he looks most like. He's always reminded me most of AG and continues to look more like her all the time, in his own boyish way!


The center of attention...


and a target for his sisters' kisses!


I may have to up my child-proofing game in the kitchen soon!


Always checking things out...


and having fun doing it!