Thursday, September 9, 2010

First Day of School 2010

Both girls started pre-school this year 2 days/week. Here are some pictures from their first day of school. They both did good and seemed to enjoy their day.






Monday, September 6, 2010

Lila Turns 16 Months Old

You are a full-fledged toddler, Little One. Your "babyness" is almost gone (except for when you cuddle in our arms when you're upset/nervous or needing some sleep). Even your knees have evidence of your new stage of life ... they are covered by scrapes and bruises these days, courtesy of your new walking/running/climbing skills. Bactine, bandages, and a few kisses are never far away!

As you enter this new stage of life, your personality continues to emerge. Recently, I have noticed that you are quite a ham. Whether its shaking your head back and forth wildly to “dance,” popping a raspberry on the tip of your finger, or making a funny noise, you wait for a reaction, smile coyly, and then continue on with pure amusement. Usually, giggles abound from your sister and that is enough to keep you going for a while. You also continue to be quite strong-willed and are starting to learn how to exert your independence with emphasis. During a recent trip to the doctor's office, the nurse was taken aback by your strength when we couldn't get you to lie down on the table. You were having none of it. You also have a way of making your entire body limp when I want you to do something you don't want to do. Yet, as frustrating as these episodes are for us at the time, I am also sheepishly proud to know that you will stand your ground and even a bit amused on some level at the sight of your little body limp in protest. Just save this skill for once you’re out of the house, O.K.?

Your entry into the English language has started much earlier for you than it did for your sister. These days you are trying to say all sorts of words and have mastered quite a few. Some of your favorites: "uh-oh," "uh-uh," up, more, all done, help, bye, hi, cheese, duck, hop, Mama, Dada, and Adah. It’s a joy to hear your little voice try to sound out new words!

Much like your sister, you also have an affinity for music. You like to dance, even if it’s just a cartoon jingle, and you even like to sing. One day I heard you singing in your crib. When I looked in on you, you were singing the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and making the hand motions that go with the song. Your favorite song at the moment is Wheels on the Bus, and you are learning all the motions to the song quite quickly.

So much of your life up to now has been built around routines within our little family … walks in the morning, lunchtime and naptime, playing with Daddy at night, etc. This week your world will get a little larger as you start pre-school and learn to trust others while we are away. Though it’s only a few hours a week, this will be a good first step to growing up. Love you, Lila Bug.