PARTY!

Since the rain came and wouldn't go away, we postponed Sissy's party until the next Sunday.  And it was GORGEOUS!  The kids had fun planting seeds and going on a "bug hunt" (think egg hunt but with plastic bugs and snakes!), swinging, climbing trees, and running across the bridge. All enjoyed too much homemade ice cream and a delicious cake, and Sissy LOVED her watermelon!  It was a perfect day to celebrate a sweet little girl and her first year...

ONE!

Wow.  Sissy turned ONE! (... two months ago.Yes, yes, I am behind again.... just pretend it is September... you know you want to!)

Though we were determined to keep our celebrations simple, for Sissy's sake and ours, somehow one party turned into two... or three... or four...  Oh well! 

On her actual birthday, Gamma & Beba brought us all some birthday barbecue and arrived just in time to miss Sissy's first steps!  That's right, she started walking on her actual birthday... in her diaper and bare feet in the back yard :) ... and she hasn't slowed down since!  As Sissy is still wheat and dairy free, a first cake was a challenge.  So had apple crisp instead.  I don't think she was too disappointed... until that night when her tummy and her absent-minded mommy realized she forgot to omit the flour from the topping. 

 Sissy was worn out from a day of playing with her new friends at Mother's Morning Out (which is really her mother's morning ON as I help wrangle the NINE one-year-olds!!!) and all the walking and birthday excitement...

We planned a simple Sunday afternoon in the park with friends and family for her actual party, but the weather changed our plans.  Thankfully, we still had some family come over to help us eat the four dozen cupcakes!  I tried a different "cake," made from oatmeal and strawberry dairy-free icing (only for her... the rest of us had the real deal!), but Sissy was none too excited.

The birthday girl wasn't very interested in presents either, much preferring the bags and tissue to the gifts themselves. 

... though she did dance for the musical kitty!

The day was very much reminiscent of the goose's first birthday...  party plans changed by weather (for hers it was 102 degrees!)... grumpy, sleepy baby who couldn't care less about it all....



The Goose on her first birthday... See the resemblance?



The birthday fun continued with a trip to the doctor, which Sissy mostly enjoyed.  She didn't cry when they pricked her finger or when they squeezed it for two full minutes... she just used her other hand to try and take the nurse's vial :) She was not, however, a fan of the FIVE shots but only cried for about a minute.  They certainly didn't slow her down!  She was flipping again as soon as we got home...

She is still a tall, skinny girl... 31" and 18 pounds, 13 ounces.  As of her first birthday, she had six teeth and was working on two more.... all of which she puts to good use as she chews on anything she can get her mouth on! 

As the cooler weather rolled in, Sissy was required to actually wear sleeves, socks, and shoes... none of which she likes.  She was spoiled by a summer of running around barefoot in her diaper and sleeping in a onesie.  Now that sleeves, pants, and socks are required, she is not a fan.  She tries diligently to remove the cumbersome clothing, but only succeeds with the socks.  (And yes, these are some crazy PJs... Mommy was a little slow procuring fall clothing so Sissy had to deal with the hodgepodge of Goose hand-me-downs that were the right season and fit.)

As an added birthday bonus, Lee was able to come visit for a few days!  Both girls loved spending time with her, as always AND being spoiled with lots of fun surprises. 

Naturally, the Goose had to wear & use her gifts the moment she got them (or as soon as Mommy would let her)... hence the umbrella in the bright sunshine and the long-sleeve "Paris Girl" tee on a warm day. 

 

The Goose kindly helped Sissy open said gifts, which Sissy promptly taste-tested...

Sissy's favorite gifts were the plastic bowls, plates, spoons, and silcone wisk, for all her cooking, banging, throwing, and yes, chewing needs!

She also enjoys the new blankies from Mommy & Daddy, but these were never wrapped... she stole them out of the laundry basket before they could even be washed.  She's a sneaky girl who knows what she likes!

Eleven months…

Either Sissy’s eleventh month was more hectic or she is more active.  Though I thought it impossible, I believe it is the latter.  Sissy.Never.Stops.  For this reason, all photos from this month are action shots (ie. courtesy of my iPhone).  Here’s what this little mover is up to… & into!

After watching every moment of Olympic gymnastics and seeing her sister practice her own gymnastry, Sissy decided she too should join the flipping fun.  She will stop mid-crawl at any random moment, put her hands and head down, and try valiantly to flip over on her own.  She generally requires some assistance, but she is remarkably close to somersaulting all by herself… She can pick both hands up off the floor and stand on her head and tiptoes.  Pretty impressive for an 11-month old I think!  Here she is demonstrating the skill for Granny…  (yes, those are some nice “vintage” floors!)

This feat of baby strength must be followed by a big “finish” of repeatedly throwing her legs in the air and then banging her feet on the floor.  She also feels that one flip is never enough, prompting us to aid her in flipping perfection time after time after time.  Should she be in the presence of folks who have not yet seen her routine, Sissy will now somersault on demand, so next time you see her, do be sure and ask her to show you how!

In addition to gymnastics, Sissy is also trying out her dance skills, though they are not nearly as impressive.  She began with the typical baby bounce, then added in a cute two-handed wave (which was impressive in that she waved each hand in a different fashion.  Go on, try it… it’s harder than you think!).  Now, however, any music prompts the super-baby-flailing-arms-head-shaking-bun-bouncing dance.  It is truly something to behold!

Ever learning, Sissy now knows the difference between her decoy remote (an old one with no batteries) and the real remote, which she also knows should be pointed at the tv.  Kids these days, they catch-on quick!

Toys are nice, but really not necessary.  Sissy prefers odd objects to chew on and play with, including but not limited to… window sills, bolts and the wheels on her crib, diapers, swings, shoes, walkers, junk mail, and furniture.  She is now affectionately referred to as our little billy-goat. 

She also enjoys playing in the kitchen, especially when Mommy gives up and lets her play in the cabinets and fridge...

Speaking of chewing… Sissy’s top two teeth came through a week ago.  Now that she has double the teeth, she has kindly doubled her chewing. 

This month, Sissy got a roommate as the goose moved back into her old digs.  We have a good friend staying with us for a while, so she kindly loaned her big-girl/guest-room to him.  I don’t think either of the girls mind a bit… they will squeal and giggle on end!  Though they are supposed to be sleeping, I enjoy watching them play (when they think no one is watching) too much to stop their fun. 

 

Her favorite foods this month are peaches, yellow squash, banannas, and green beans, all of which taste better when she feeds herself...

As you can tell, we feel that wearing clothes is highly unnecessary for busy babies.  Not only does it save on laundry, but it also makes clean-up and diaper changing easier too... All three areas in which we can use all the help we can get.  I've changed plenty of diapers in my life, but no one, and I mean NO ONE has EVER been as tough to change as Sissy!  Like I said, she's unstoppable!  Or, in the words of the terrible 80s song, "nobody gonna hold her down... oh no, she got to keep on movin'!" 

Stay tuned for our next update:  Sissy 1.0!

Thoughtful Thursdays: Proverbs Three Woman

Not so long ago, a group of friends and I were looking at what it really means to be a “Proverbs 31 Woman.”  What does she look like and do?  Is this even attainable?  Does such a fine female exist?  (I think not, but I digress.)

Perhaps you too have wondered or at least heard of this illusive “Proverbs 31” lady.  While I am not judging nor discouraging those who wish to model themselves after her or seek this measure of proverbial perfection, I have decided that I would rather be known as a Proverbs THREE woman. 

Now you go read it and decide whom you would rather be... It’s only one chapter, but in thirty-five verses there is endless wisdom… Instruction for everyday, covering discipline, good-behavior, being fair, true wisdom, fear, unexpected tragedy, money/financial matters, and even sleep (my personal favorite!). 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3: 5-6) … and sweet your sleep! (v.24)

Turning the Goose Loose: First day of 5-K

I can't believe this day is here. I thought it would be easy but am surprised at my own apprehension.  I am anxious about more than a few things, but the goose is all excitement.  She is ready, but I don't want to let go. Sure we make each other batty on a regular basis. No I don't have the knowledge, gifts, or patience to teach her myself. Still, I want to hold on. It feels like I am letting her loose all alone in the big scary world, though I know it's just kindergarten. 

She didn't want a new book bag. (Which is rightly called a backpack as she reminds me that you don't take books to kindergarten.) She turned up the offer for a new lunch box. (Rightfully called a lunch bag. I stand corrected, again.)  She did request a $13 princess water bottle which I frugally vetoed and pointed her instead toward an equally useful $3 water bottle with flowers on it. She can write. She can read. She can add. She is ready. No fear. She doesn't know a soul and says she doesn't care. She required a mama-manicure (twice) in five different colors no less for the first day of 5-K... Some new socks.... And a peanut butter and honey sandwich with extra honey. Two weeks of practice going to sleep and getting up early. Three years of preschool. And five-plus years of getting mama ready to let go. 

Camera (forgotten by the door, thank you Lord for phone cams!)

Bracelet (to remind her that she is loved)

Kiss (one on the cheek and one in her hand to hold onto all day)

Hugs (for me and Sissy)

And no tears (Surprisingly!  I was just hoping to make it back to the car first) 

Here we go... I’m turning the goose loose. 

Thoughtful Thursdays: Baby Steps...

Today I begin a series I like to call “Thoughtful Thursdays”… and, as per usual, I am a day late.  So for the first installment, we’ll call it “I thought it was Thursday” or “Forgetful Friday”...  the choice is yours.

These “Thoughtful Thursdays” are not designed to impart pearls of wisdom, solve the world’s problems, or serve as a platform for any particular position.  Instead, I hope these open-ended prompts push you to think… and read… and pray, and perhaps even come to your own conclusion or resolution.  Why do you believe what you believe?  Better yet, what do you believe?  Is it consistent with God’s Word?  Do you live it out?  I think if we are honest, the sad truth is that all too often our answer to all of these questions is “I don’t know.”  I urge you to know.  Someday we may all find out we were wrong about at least a thing or two, but let’s be thoughtful, intentional, prayerful people who can say, “I know…” “Here’s why…” and “I try…”  So that, in the words of Paul, “your faith may not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” ~ 1Cor.2:5

Thoughtful Thursday:  Baby steps…

Sissy is trying to learn to walk.  She is very capable of getting where she wants to go using all four of her limbs, yet she wants so badly to walk.  If she holds onto something, she can do it, but if she let’s go, she falls.  Sometimes she knows she’s off-balance and gently sits down.  Other times, she is moving so fast that she comes crashing down… usually head-first.  She can’t catch herself, and I usually cannot get there quickly enough to catch her either. I hate watching her fall, but I love watching her learn… I always seem to learn something in the process too.

We first learn to stand by pulling up on something steady… something that doesn’t move.  As we get stronger, we try to get to our feet on our own.  Sissy is quite amusing at this right now.  She will sit on her knees, put her right foot out to the side and bounce.  You can totally tell what she’s trying to do… she’s working up her momentum… building her muscles… working on her balance… training herself to stand.  She’s practicing a very important and basic skill that’s required BEFORE she can walk: first, she has to learn how to stand alone.  Someday very soon she will master this standing-up thing, she will let go of the couch, she won’t need to hold onto my fingers, and she will toddle away.  Her steps may be shaky… her balance uncertain… but she will practice… she will improve… she will walk… and someday run. 

How is this like our faith?  Are we…

Still crawling?

Holding on?

Letting go?

Practicing?

Getting stronger?

Learning to balance?

Walking, with shaky steps?

Sure-footed?

Ready to run?

Think on it…  and Read on… 1 Corinthians 2; 3:1-2,10-13

(and if you’re feeling really inspired… blog on too!)