This and that

It's beginning to look a lot like Spring!  I must say, it's lovely.  We enjoyed some time outdoors today, and it made me eager to enjoy this spring with two little girls who like to be outside.  Notice I didn't say LOVE to be outside.  Elyse isn't exactly a real "outdoors-woman," but I think Emily will most likely LOVE it.  Here's a little bit of what's going on with the girls. . . unless anyone wants to hear about my recent new habits, new words, or funny personality traits?  Yea, didn't think so.

Emily.  Miss Emily.  Don't even know where to start.  I'll probably save most of her news for her 10 month post, but here are a few updates:

* This girl is serious about her food.  I think I've hinted at that in the past, but I have never seen such an impatient baby.  Seriously, her spoon can enter her mouth once every 2 seconds, and it's still not fast enough. I've got to start planning bigger meals for this baby.  She is eating a TON at meal time.  She has really liked meat so far, but cottage cheese was a bit too much for her.  I'm hoping that changes?

* Em is also enjoying finger foods.  We're still working on expanding her repertoire, but she's doing well.  She loves to clap when she manages to get something in her mouth.

* I am still seeing a goofy side that frightens me a bit.  I do believe Em would love to be tickled all day.  We've started getting a lot more giggles out of her, too, which is fun.  Along with that goofy side comes a little smirk when she's scolded.  Already.  9 months old.

Elyse is a small tornado around here most days.  I love all of her creative energy, and at times it can be a bit challenging to keep up with her.  I am extra thankful for the quiet moments of reading & focused playtime that make the craziness more fun :)  Here's what she's been up to:

* I love seeing her imagination develop.  I love that she'll talk to her toys, or about her toys, when she's all by herself. I love seeing her "boss" her toys around by telling them where they will sit, or what they will do.  Yep, she's turning out to be a great big sister.

* I love watching her dance.  Seriously, she has one move she uses over and over again, and it's so funny to me.  I admit, she might need a lesson or two.

* Somewhere over the course of the last few months, certain table manners have disappeared.  I totally take the blame on this one, as I should have been continuing in my instruction on manners, but she has become quite a messy eater.  I've resorted to having her place her left hand flat on the table most meals to keep her little fingers from wandering around her plate.  I'm fortunate if I can get her fork and spoon to engage the food at all with some meals.  SO, we're working diligently to retrieve some etiquette.  The worst is when I catch her in the act of reaching for her yogurt with her fingers, and she'll look up at me with the cheesiest grin and say, "Hi, Mommy!"

* I love the random things that come out of her mouth.  She'll say "Hi, sweetheart!" to us and give us the kind of side-hug we give her at times.  She'll also say, "You're my sweetie-pie!" when she is trying to get out of trouble...  I do love when she says "lay on Mommy's shoulder" and puts her head down.

* Here's a recent funny:  The other day I took Em to her 9 month check up, and Elyse and I had a conversation about it afterwards.  It went like this:
Elyse:  Mommy took Emmie to the doctor!
Me:  Yes, Emily had a check up.
Elyse:  Mommy?  The Doctor said, "No more monkeys jumpin' on the bed!"

* Elyse has been loving her potty sticker chart, and we're pretty much "day" potty trained.  Momma is one happy camper about that.  Seriously.  And, not just because I'm no longer giving her treats for succeeding :)  She's done super these last two weeks, and I'm realizing how big she is.  This is one major milestone that makes her seem so grown up!  Negative: I actually took her potty seat to church with me Sunday.  A new low.  Positive: No more diaper purchases for Elyse!

* Elyse loves her kids' class at church.  She talks all week about going to her big girl class, and though she acts all shy when she gets there, it's all we hear about afterwards.  I love hearing her talk about her friends.

* Elyse loves to answer questions with "um... maybe..." or "how 'bout...."  She also loves to make suggestions.  For instance, from the minute she wakes up in the morning, she's asking about breakfast.  When I ask her what she wants for breakfast (mostly just for amusement), she'll say, "umm.. how 'bout cinnamon rolls... or banana bread with butter... or cookies... um.. or peanut butter!"  I'm not sure where she gets this stuff!!  She had half of a cinnamon roll one time, and it must have impacted her greatly.  And, no, I don't serve her cookies for breakfast.  :)  She just learned the word "because" and has NO idea what it means.  Her sentence might go something like this: "Need to be nice to Emmie, because, it's time to eat in a litta-bit."

* She's turned all of the words with "ooo" sounds into "ew" sounds.  For instance, she'll say "Mommy does that tew!" or "just like yew."  I'm not sure if that will stick around or not, but it is kind of funny.  Food is fewd, do is dew, etc...

* She loves her Curious George book.  It's a book containing 8 stories, and she will sit on the couch and slowly move through every page.  Did I mention that I love her Curious George book, too?

* She's still not super adventurous, and I find that unfamiliar situations bring extra challenges. . . especially if my arms are already full with a certain squirmy baby.  We're working on friendliness & kindness a LOT.

I love my two darlings.  They sure keep life interesting and fun!