Anyhow, he did a great job! And Maya contributed by sitting in her high chair, eating blueberries and just observing the madness known as "Mommy-trying-to-keep-the-dye-in-the-cups-while-toddler-insists-on-doing-everything-independently." :)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Easter Eggs!
We only made a few, since I will probably be the only one who eats them AND we are going to be gone all next weekend. However, Nikos thoroughly enjoyed himself! We got the eggs into the dye, then ate lunch, then went back to get them out and apply the glitter. When I told Nikos we had to eat lunch, he was SO upset. He wanted to stay with his eggs while they were soaking in the dye! Funny kid. The promise of ketchup and repeated promises that we would be coming back were the things that finally lured him away.
Anyhow, he did a great job! And Maya contributed by sitting in her high chair, eating blueberries and just observing the madness known as "Mommy-trying-to-keep-the-dye-in-the-cups-while-toddler-insists-on-doing-everything-independently." :)
Anyhow, he did a great job! And Maya contributed by sitting in her high chair, eating blueberries and just observing the madness known as "Mommy-trying-to-keep-the-dye-in-the-cups-while-toddler-insists-on-doing-everything-independently." :)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
A New Lens!
Gus is awesome. I'm sure you already knew that, but he is seriously just about the nicest guy on the planet. I have been wanting to buy this new lens for a while now (Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, if that means anything to you!), and last week he was like, "You know what? If you really want it, and you will use it, then just go ahead and get it." I found a fantastic deal on a mint-condition used lens, and it arrived today. I. LOVE. IT. It takes such crisp pictures, but has so much more flexibility than the other lens I was using most of the time. Seriously, it's incredible. Here are just a few shots I got with it this afternoon...
I should add that my photography business is starting to take off, and I couldn't be more excited! I have about 10 sessions lined up already, with the next one on April 3rd. I'm not charging yet-- just offering my free services to build my portfolio, but I'm thinking this could definitely turn into something profitable by the end of the year. I can't wait to see where things go! :)
I should add that my photography business is starting to take off, and I couldn't be more excited! I have about 10 sessions lined up already, with the next one on April 3rd. I'm not charging yet-- just offering my free services to build my portfolio, but I'm thinking this could definitely turn into something profitable by the end of the year. I can't wait to see where things go! :)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Where to begin?
I posted about our playdate yesterday, but this weekend was quite the busy one! We spent most of yesterday visiting with my parents, since the playdate was up near where they live and we thought we'd make the most of it. Both kids had a great time playing with Grandma and Grandpa! We all went to the park together, they both went on the swings, and after our playdate, they both gorged themselves on mashed potatoes (it was Maya's first mashed potato experience... and she loved them!). Anyway, here are few pictures from the earlier part of the day, including one of Maya on her little pink scooter. She is loving the ride-on toys these days!
After we had dinner, we bathed the kids, buckled them into their car seats, and they had conked out within seconds. They barely opened their eyes as they were transported from the car to their bedrooms! I guess they were really worn out!
Today started out as a day without plans-- such a change of pace from yesterday. After I got up, Gus suggested taking the kids to the zoo after Maya had her first nap. I thought that sounded like a great idea, especially since we have had such lovely weather recently! However, Maya ended up sleeping a little longer than planned, which meant that we wouldn't have much time at the zoo (assuming we left at 1:00, which is when both kids generally nap in the afternoon). We were still going to go for a little bit, but then I had a total brainstorm! We changed our plans en route, and decided to go to the free air museum at MCAS Miramar. I have driven by it a million times, always thinking that Nikos would love it, but it always slipped my mind! Anyway, it was great! The entire place is free, flat, and totally fenced in-- perfect for a wandering toddler. And he loved seeing all the old planes and helicopters! They have open cockpit events scheduled over the summer, where people actually get to sit inside various aircraft. I am thinking we may just have to come back for that! And there is really no excuse, considering it's only about 15 minutes away. I am so happy we decided to go!
We spent the afternoon at home, with Gus taking Maya to do grocery shopping while I waded through paperwork in an attempt to do our taxes (getting there-- not done yet!). But my headache was rewarded by this little snippet:
She's been getting closer and closer to saying some real words, and I swear she has said "hi" and "mama" a few times. But that was the first time I was able to capture it, and so clearly! I LOVE my baby girl!! ♥ ♥
On a total side note, I took both kids with me to get Nikos' hair cut on Friday. I thought it would be a better experience, since he is older now and generally listens to logic. We talked it up for days, and he even seemed excited about it! But all hell broke loose the second we entered the PARKING LOT where the salon is located (I'm telling you, the kid has an incredible memory). He screamed the ENTIRE TIME he was getting the hair cut-- he really, truly seemed to be traumatized by the experience. I actually held him in my lap, and he trembled like a little leaf. But the second he was done, he stopped crying, said thank you, showed the cashier lady his toy car, got a lollipop, and was just generally sociable. And when we got home, he ran to look at himself in the mirror and announced that he liked his new 'do. That's right-- I apparently gave birth to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Oh. My. Goodness.
After we had dinner, we bathed the kids, buckled them into their car seats, and they had conked out within seconds. They barely opened their eyes as they were transported from the car to their bedrooms! I guess they were really worn out!
Today started out as a day without plans-- such a change of pace from yesterday. After I got up, Gus suggested taking the kids to the zoo after Maya had her first nap. I thought that sounded like a great idea, especially since we have had such lovely weather recently! However, Maya ended up sleeping a little longer than planned, which meant that we wouldn't have much time at the zoo (assuming we left at 1:00, which is when both kids generally nap in the afternoon). We were still going to go for a little bit, but then I had a total brainstorm! We changed our plans en route, and decided to go to the free air museum at MCAS Miramar. I have driven by it a million times, always thinking that Nikos would love it, but it always slipped my mind! Anyway, it was great! The entire place is free, flat, and totally fenced in-- perfect for a wandering toddler. And he loved seeing all the old planes and helicopters! They have open cockpit events scheduled over the summer, where people actually get to sit inside various aircraft. I am thinking we may just have to come back for that! And there is really no excuse, considering it's only about 15 minutes away. I am so happy we decided to go!
We spent the afternoon at home, with Gus taking Maya to do grocery shopping while I waded through paperwork in an attempt to do our taxes (getting there-- not done yet!). But my headache was rewarded by this little snippet:
She's been getting closer and closer to saying some real words, and I swear she has said "hi" and "mama" a few times. But that was the first time I was able to capture it, and so clearly! I LOVE my baby girl!! ♥ ♥
On a total side note, I took both kids with me to get Nikos' hair cut on Friday. I thought it would be a better experience, since he is older now and generally listens to logic. We talked it up for days, and he even seemed excited about it! But all hell broke loose the second we entered the PARKING LOT where the salon is located (I'm telling you, the kid has an incredible memory). He screamed the ENTIRE TIME he was getting the hair cut-- he really, truly seemed to be traumatized by the experience. I actually held him in my lap, and he trembled like a little leaf. But the second he was done, he stopped crying, said thank you, showed the cashier lady his toy car, got a lollipop, and was just generally sociable. And when we got home, he ran to look at himself in the mirror and announced that he liked his new 'do. That's right-- I apparently gave birth to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Oh. My. Goodness.
New Friends
For the third time since January, the kids and I got together with some of the mommies from my online group. I have to say, I really enjoy getting to meet these people, who prove to be just as awesome in real life as they are on the discussion forum! It is really nice to meet other moms who are around my age, come from similar educational backgrounds, have common interests, etc. We always find so much to talk about! Anyway, I knew one of the girls who came today (with her two adorable kiddos), but we got to meet a few others, too. As you will see, Maya became fast friends with a little boy named Carter who, because of an incredibly rare genetic mutation, is the same age as Nikos but is more cognitively on par with Maya. It was so sweet how the two of them interacted! And Nikos, for his part, enjoyed playing with bubbles with his old friend, "New Brady" (not to be confused with Brady at daycare).
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
My Babies
Sure, one's not looking at the camera... But this is SO typical! I love these kids more than life itself! ♥
And one more, of my beautiful girl on my brand-new barnwood floor paper! :)
And one more, of my beautiful girl on my brand-new barnwood floor paper! :)
Mr. Super Memory
i don't know if I have mentioned this before, but Nikos really has an amazing memory. He never ceases to surprise me by just how much he notices and remembers. Even if I don't think he's paying attention, he really IS-- and will bring it up in conversation at a much later date. Which brings us to our conversation this afternoon.
Out of the blue, he said to me, "Janie go to the Chinese kite festival." I had no idea what he was referring to, but hearing the words "Chinese kite festival" coming out of my baby's mouth made me giggle a little (he's so grown up!). I asked him about it, and he repeated it. I figured he HAD to be talking about a TV show. I know that they sometimes watch TV at daycare, and figured he had to be referring to something he'd seen. I asked him if it was something from the show "Ni Hao Kai-Lan," since I know she (Kai-Lan) is Chinese, and I thought I had seen some preview for an episode involving kites. No, no, no! Nikos was ADAMANT that it was not about Kai-Lan. He kept saying "Oomy-Zoomy," which sounded like total gibberish. I had no idea what he was talking about.
Well... As it turns out, there is a show called UmiZoomi. And an episode where someone named Jeannie goes to a Chinese kite festival. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that that was what he was talking about. :)
Out of the blue, he said to me, "Janie go to the Chinese kite festival." I had no idea what he was referring to, but hearing the words "Chinese kite festival" coming out of my baby's mouth made me giggle a little (he's so grown up!). I asked him about it, and he repeated it. I figured he HAD to be talking about a TV show. I know that they sometimes watch TV at daycare, and figured he had to be referring to something he'd seen. I asked him if it was something from the show "Ni Hao Kai-Lan," since I know she (Kai-Lan) is Chinese, and I thought I had seen some preview for an episode involving kites. No, no, no! Nikos was ADAMANT that it was not about Kai-Lan. He kept saying "Oomy-Zoomy," which sounded like total gibberish. I had no idea what he was talking about.
Well... As it turns out, there is a show called UmiZoomi. And an episode where someone named Jeannie goes to a Chinese kite festival. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that that was what he was talking about. :)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
My Cute Kids
Long story very, very short (because it's bedtime)... We spent the day with Gus' parents, because Gus' mom's birthday was this past week. An excellent time was had by all! And cute pictures were taken! :)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Butt Spiders & Babies in Bars
I have debated whether or not to post this story on here, in the event that my wonderful son sees it one day and becomes embarrassed. But then I realized that it's just TOO FUNNY not to share! So here goes!
I was cooking dinner last night, and Nikos was playing very nicely at his train table about 20 feet away. All of a sudden, he SHRIEKED, ran over to me, started crying hysterically, and really looked terrified. I was scared, too, because obviously something had happened... right? I got him to calm down enough to talk, but all he could do was sob, "A spider get me!!! A spider get me!!!" I didn't see any spiders on him anywhere. So I asked him where the spider got him. He proceeded to point to his butt.
Being a good mommy, I carried him into Maya's room and plunked him on the changing table for inspection. When I removed his diaper, there was definitely something right where he had been pointing... but it was not a spider. Nope, it was a little nugget of toddler poop. And as soon as I got him cleaned up, he announced that the spider was all gone. In addition, he told me that "Muno likes bugs." (Muno is a character on "Yo Gabba Gabba") I just about died laughing. :)
Fast forward to today... My coworkers had planned a happy hour at a local restaurant-- one just a few minutes from our house by car. I hadn't originally planned on going, but figured I'd pop in for a bit to at least say hello. I decided to bring the kids with me, since it was at a nice restaurant and not some dive bar. Maya was perfectly happy being passed from person to person, and Nikos was content to sit and color. Until BRADY showed up! Yes, out of the blue, his good friend from daycare showed up with his mom, who was there for a happy hour with HER coworkers (she's also a teacher). Anyway, the two boys were SO funny. They basically ran between the two happy hour groups, played cars on the floor and, at one point, seated themselves and their toys at a table for two. We were out on the enclosed patio, and we were the only ones there, so it was great. I ended up staying for over an hour AND had a glass of wine, because it went so well! Hooray for toddler friends! :)
I was cooking dinner last night, and Nikos was playing very nicely at his train table about 20 feet away. All of a sudden, he SHRIEKED, ran over to me, started crying hysterically, and really looked terrified. I was scared, too, because obviously something had happened... right? I got him to calm down enough to talk, but all he could do was sob, "A spider get me!!! A spider get me!!!" I didn't see any spiders on him anywhere. So I asked him where the spider got him. He proceeded to point to his butt.
Being a good mommy, I carried him into Maya's room and plunked him on the changing table for inspection. When I removed his diaper, there was definitely something right where he had been pointing... but it was not a spider. Nope, it was a little nugget of toddler poop. And as soon as I got him cleaned up, he announced that the spider was all gone. In addition, he told me that "Muno likes bugs." (Muno is a character on "Yo Gabba Gabba") I just about died laughing. :)
Fast forward to today... My coworkers had planned a happy hour at a local restaurant-- one just a few minutes from our house by car. I hadn't originally planned on going, but figured I'd pop in for a bit to at least say hello. I decided to bring the kids with me, since it was at a nice restaurant and not some dive bar. Maya was perfectly happy being passed from person to person, and Nikos was content to sit and color. Until BRADY showed up! Yes, out of the blue, his good friend from daycare showed up with his mom, who was there for a happy hour with HER coworkers (she's also a teacher). Anyway, the two boys were SO funny. They basically ran between the two happy hour groups, played cars on the floor and, at one point, seated themselves and their toys at a table for two. We were out on the enclosed patio, and we were the only ones there, so it was great. I ended up staying for over an hour AND had a glass of wine, because it went so well! Hooray for toddler friends! :)
Cool Cool Cool Tricks!
(yes, I'm quoting "Yo Gabba Gabba"... because it has become the soundtrack of my life, haha!)
Anyway... Our sweet baby girl has been on a roll lately, and I thought I'd share! First, she has become very skilled at pulling up on anything and everything. And she's fast, too! She even takes a few steps here and there, though I wouldn't classify it as cruising-- yet! She is so bold, though, that I'm sure she'll be all over the place in no time. She seriously has NO fear!
Her cooler tricks, however, include waving, clapping, and giving high-fives. It is indescribably cute to watch her do these things. It's also very easy to get her to do them-- which reminds me, I really should record them on video! All it takes is a wave from one of us to get her started on waving. Or a few claps and a "yay!" from us to get her clapping. And we simply have to hold a hand up within arm's reach to get a high-five. She is so FUNNY!! Whenever she does these things, she gets the biggest grin and starts to laugh. She thinks it's all pretty awesome, hehe!
At any rate, she is so much fun these days... And her brother is really enjoying her, too, for the most part (he has his naughty moments... but they are few and far between. He really does LOVE her!). I can't wait for this weekend so I can spend more time with them! ♥
Anyway... Our sweet baby girl has been on a roll lately, and I thought I'd share! First, she has become very skilled at pulling up on anything and everything. And she's fast, too! She even takes a few steps here and there, though I wouldn't classify it as cruising-- yet! She is so bold, though, that I'm sure she'll be all over the place in no time. She seriously has NO fear!
Her cooler tricks, however, include waving, clapping, and giving high-fives. It is indescribably cute to watch her do these things. It's also very easy to get her to do them-- which reminds me, I really should record them on video! All it takes is a wave from one of us to get her started on waving. Or a few claps and a "yay!" from us to get her clapping. And we simply have to hold a hand up within arm's reach to get a high-five. She is so FUNNY!! Whenever she does these things, she gets the biggest grin and starts to laugh. She thinks it's all pretty awesome, hehe!
At any rate, she is so much fun these days... And her brother is really enjoying her, too, for the most part (he has his naughty moments... but they are few and far between. He really does LOVE her!). I can't wait for this weekend so I can spend more time with them! ♥
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
More Bathroom Pictures
I just have to say... When Gus and I first met in October of 1998, I never in a MILLION years would have imagined him to be capable of gutting and renovating a bathroom. It just wasn't something he had any experience or interest in. That being said, he has done a truly amazing job. The bathroom is probably 90% complete-- to the point where we have been able to use it for the past few days-- but I just LOVE it! LOVE LOVE LOVE! It may be small, but it is a sanctuary now-- as opposed to a cluttered, dated mess. Here are a few pictures I took today.
Still on the "To Do" list: installing the crown molding, installing the fan, putting in a door knob, caulking the baseboards, replacing the outlet/switch, and touching up the paint. We're almost there! Way to go, Gus!!!
Still on the "To Do" list: installing the crown molding, installing the fan, putting in a door knob, caulking the baseboards, replacing the outlet/switch, and touching up the paint. We're almost there! Way to go, Gus!!!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Short Stories About Nikos
Guilty As Charged
I was in the bathroom earlier, when suddenly Maya started wailing. She rarely cries to begin with, but this was clearly an "I'm HURT!" sort of cry. Naturally, I ran out, swooped her up off the floor, and started calming her down. She had no visible injuries, but Nikos was sitting right next to her on his little yellow car. I assumed he had hit her while riding it, and I asked him what happened. He said nothing-- just glared at me and crossed his arms (guilty much?). I ignored him for a bit, working on calming Maya down and examining her for any visible injuries. In the meantime, he walked off... But a few minutes later he walked back, gave her a big kiss, and said, "Sorry I pull your hair, My-my. That's not nice." I'm pretty sure I just about died from the cuteness. And Maya returned to her happy, giggly self pretty quickly, so that was good.
Oh. My. Gosh.
This is what Nikos has started saying recently. It makes him sound like a toddler-sized valley boy, and it is hysterical! It is usually accompanied with "WOOOOOW!!!" For example, this afternoon he was reading his "Things That Go" book-- a book loaded with pictures of cars, planes, boats, etc. Every time he turned the page, he'd say "Wow, a trash truck! Oh. My. Gosh!" Or if he drops something, he will also say "Oh my gosh," sometimes throwing in a "you silly goose!" for good measure. :)
Man vs. Boy
Nikos has also suddenly realized the differences between men and boys. Not sure where that came from, but he informed me the other day that Santa is not a good boy-- he is a good MAN. And Daddy is a MAN too. Mommy is a girl, and Maya is a baby. And that is how we classify things 'round these parts.
Birthdays
For someone who apparently hates his own birthday and all the attention it brings, Nikos is really excited lately about my birthday and his sister's birthday coming up. He is constantly talking about what he will buy me (which has varied-- a car, an elephant, a dinosaur, and, lately, a princess) and what he will buy Maya (a baby doll!). He discusses eating cupcakes and looking at invitations and who is going to be there and how he is going to sing the "Happy Birthday" song. It is too funny!
Then, today, we went to the market. I usually tell him that if he is very, very good, I will buy him a Hot Wheels car (they cost a whopping 98 cents). This is a very effective little bribe-- he LOVES those cars! Anyhow, he was on his absolute best behavior all the way through the store, and then we went to go find the car display-- only to find it had been replaced with beef jerky! DOH! I knew they still had to be there somewhere, so I did one big lap of the store, searching every endcap. He asked about where the cars where, and I told him I was sad because I couldn't find them. His response? "No, you're not sad- you're happy! We go to birthday party, remember?" hahahaha!!
Big Girls Don't Cry
So I was singing this song to a semi-cranky Maya the other day, and Nikos thought it was funny. On our way home from dinner tonight, he asked me to sing it. He sang along with me-- especially the part that goes "Big girls... don't cry-ay-ay." Then he stopped. He pointed at Maya, and said "She not crying, she happy! She a happy girl!"
And that was the end of the song. :)
I was in the bathroom earlier, when suddenly Maya started wailing. She rarely cries to begin with, but this was clearly an "I'm HURT!" sort of cry. Naturally, I ran out, swooped her up off the floor, and started calming her down. She had no visible injuries, but Nikos was sitting right next to her on his little yellow car. I assumed he had hit her while riding it, and I asked him what happened. He said nothing-- just glared at me and crossed his arms (guilty much?). I ignored him for a bit, working on calming Maya down and examining her for any visible injuries. In the meantime, he walked off... But a few minutes later he walked back, gave her a big kiss, and said, "Sorry I pull your hair, My-my. That's not nice." I'm pretty sure I just about died from the cuteness. And Maya returned to her happy, giggly self pretty quickly, so that was good.
Oh. My. Gosh.
This is what Nikos has started saying recently. It makes him sound like a toddler-sized valley boy, and it is hysterical! It is usually accompanied with "WOOOOOW!!!" For example, this afternoon he was reading his "Things That Go" book-- a book loaded with pictures of cars, planes, boats, etc. Every time he turned the page, he'd say "Wow, a trash truck! Oh. My. Gosh!" Or if he drops something, he will also say "Oh my gosh," sometimes throwing in a "you silly goose!" for good measure. :)
Man vs. Boy
Nikos has also suddenly realized the differences between men and boys. Not sure where that came from, but he informed me the other day that Santa is not a good boy-- he is a good MAN. And Daddy is a MAN too. Mommy is a girl, and Maya is a baby. And that is how we classify things 'round these parts.
Birthdays
For someone who apparently hates his own birthday and all the attention it brings, Nikos is really excited lately about my birthday and his sister's birthday coming up. He is constantly talking about what he will buy me (which has varied-- a car, an elephant, a dinosaur, and, lately, a princess) and what he will buy Maya (a baby doll!). He discusses eating cupcakes and looking at invitations and who is going to be there and how he is going to sing the "Happy Birthday" song. It is too funny!
Then, today, we went to the market. I usually tell him that if he is very, very good, I will buy him a Hot Wheels car (they cost a whopping 98 cents). This is a very effective little bribe-- he LOVES those cars! Anyhow, he was on his absolute best behavior all the way through the store, and then we went to go find the car display-- only to find it had been replaced with beef jerky! DOH! I knew they still had to be there somewhere, so I did one big lap of the store, searching every endcap. He asked about where the cars where, and I told him I was sad because I couldn't find them. His response? "No, you're not sad- you're happy! We go to birthday party, remember?" hahahaha!!
Big Girls Don't Cry
So I was singing this song to a semi-cranky Maya the other day, and Nikos thought it was funny. On our way home from dinner tonight, he asked me to sing it. He sang along with me-- especially the part that goes "Big girls... don't cry-ay-ay." Then he stopped. He pointed at Maya, and said "She not crying, she happy! She a happy girl!"
And that was the end of the song. :)
Sunday, March 7, 2010
T.G.I.Saturday!
Yes, I am up late once again. I am starting to remember what life used to be like! This whole not-being-pregnant and not-generally-waking-during-the-night thing has changed my world! Bonus (sort of): I am not really nursing anymore. We were down to nursing just once in the morning, but I don't even think that's cutting it anymore. So, I think we're done. She's had bottles in the morning for the past two days. But the upshot is that I really, truly get to sleep in tomorrow, for the first time in ten months! YES!!
In honor of this momentous occasion, please enjoy two complimentary pictures of my littlest monkey (in her monkey PJs, which she changed into after a fun poopsplosion this afternoon). She was hanging out in the pack-n-play while I made dinner, and thought it would be fun to practice her standing. Her brother thought it was quite entertaining. :)
In other news... It looks like we may have a leak in our foundation. Not good. It is a very slow leak, though, so we're not flooded or anything. We get to call the insurance company tomorrow (if they're open) and see what the next steps are... This may mean postponing our summer vacation plans and buying new flooring instead...
In honor of this momentous occasion, please enjoy two complimentary pictures of my littlest monkey (in her monkey PJs, which she changed into after a fun poopsplosion this afternoon). She was hanging out in the pack-n-play while I made dinner, and thought it would be fun to practice her standing. Her brother thought it was quite entertaining. :)
In other news... It looks like we may have a leak in our foundation. Not good. It is a very slow leak, though, so we're not flooded or anything. We get to call the insurance company tomorrow (if they're open) and see what the next steps are... This may mean postponing our summer vacation plans and buying new flooring instead...
Saturday, March 6, 2010
TGIF!
Two quick pictures of my cuties, before I hit the hay (yes, it's late... but it's Friday!!!):
(on a side note... I used my "other" lens for these photos, as sort of an experiment. The result? I don't like it! And I have decided I officially need the 24-70mm f/2.8 Canon lens, which only costs $1300... time to start saving my pennies!)
(on a side note... I used my "other" lens for these photos, as sort of an experiment. The result? I don't like it! And I have decided I officially need the 24-70mm f/2.8 Canon lens, which only costs $1300... time to start saving my pennies!)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
A Little Song and Dance
In case you couldn't tell, Nikos is a "Yo Gabba Gabba" fan. In fact, he likes to start singing the songs when they fit whatever is going on around him-- his entire life is like a "Yo Gabba Gabba" opera! What? It's dinner time? "It's time to eat, yeah! In my tummy party-party! Yeah!" Or if he's having trouble doing something, he starts singing, "Keep trying, keep trying... don't give up... never give up." Hahaha! And I have to say, I really like the show. At first I thought it was completely bizarre, but it's actually really cool. And I am slightly ashamed to admit this, but I like the soundtrack CD so much that I listen to it in the car by myself... What's not to like? My personal favorite is this song, which Nikos calls "Guys Dancing" (he saw the video first). And it always cracks me up when we listen to it in the car, because he narrates what happens in the video ("It's Muno's FAMILY! It's DJ Lance's SISTER!").
sigh. The things we do for our kids. :)
More Bathroom Pics
The professionals came to install the new enclosure today. It looks GREAT, but we can't use it until tomorrow. Boo! We are both very pleased with how it turned out!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Getting There!
I just wanted to share a few pictures of the bathroom, which is starting to come together! Tomorrow should be a really big day-- the professionals are coming to install the new shower enclosure (yay!). That will make a huge difference. But Gus has been hard at work, installing our new toilet and bathroom sink. We have water again! And it looks really, really good. The pictures don't do it justice, because the lighting is weird (we don't have a real light in there right now-- just a flood light we are borrowing from my parents). I am so pleased with all the colors, and the overall look. And the bathroom looks so much bigger with the shower curtain down. I am thinking that the new glass shower doors will open up the entire (tiny) room.
Anyway, it's looking good! And no leaks! :) After tomorrow, Gus pretty much just has to do a bunch of finishing touches (hanging the medicine cabinet, wall shelving unit, light fixture, etc.). I am so impressed with what he has accomplished this week-- he is becoming so handy!
Anyway, it's looking good! And no leaks! :) After tomorrow, Gus pretty much just has to do a bunch of finishing touches (hanging the medicine cabinet, wall shelving unit, light fixture, etc.). I am so impressed with what he has accomplished this week-- he is becoming so handy!
Monday, March 1, 2010
10 Month Letter
Dear Maya,
Ten. Months. Old. It actually makes me feel a little dizzy and nauseous to think that my teeny little baby girl is rapidly approaching "toddler" status. Then we will have no more little babies! Of course, you and your brother will always be our babies. But it's just not the same when you can run away from us!
Your tenth month of life has been an eventful one, as always. It has been marked mostly by physical milestones. For one, you decided one day that it simply wasn't enough to crawl around. You are now fairly accomplished at pulling up on, well, anything that holds still long enough. I get the impression that you are days away from starting to cruise, too, since you have begun to move your grasp, turn, and reach for other objects once you are standing. It's only a matter of time before your balance improves for you to just let go and take off walking. In the meantime, though, you are endlessly entertained by your brother's old activity table, and love your new, higher perspective on things. The grin on your face when you make it to a standing position tells it all. It is so clear that you want to keep up with your brother!
You have also made some big strides in the food department. Just this month, you have gone from eating jarred baby food and puffs to eating all sorts of "real" food: Cheerios, avocado, peaches, pancakes, blueberries-- you name it, and you eat it! You are fairly adept at getting most of it in your mouth, and you very rarely gag, so I've started trusting you with a wider variety of foods. And you love your new independence! In the evenings, I simply load up your tray with finger foods, and you pick away at it happily while the rest of us eat our dinner. I still feed you jarred baby food, just to make sure you are getting enough, but you manage to do pretty well on your own.
This month marked the first time in your life that your daddy had to go on a business trip, which meant that a few changes were needed in our nighttime routine. You started taking baths with your brother, which is still a constant source of entertainment for you both. You took to the big tub like a fish to water. You don't just sit there-- you crawl and flop and splash like a little porpoise, leading to fits of giggles all around. You don't mind getting splashed too much, and the two of you just have a fantastic time together. And after your bath is over, you brush your two teeth with your cute little pink toothbrush.
If I had to describe you in three words, I think I would choose "happy," "feisty," and "determined." You are always such a joy to be around, but you know how to hold your own-- even with a rambunctious toddler. We can see the wheels spinning in your mind much of the time-- if there is something you want to do, you will find a way to do it. You always seem to have a plan, and you try to see it through. Often that plan involves standing up, somehow, or making a mad dash back to your brother's bedroom to empty every cupboard in his play kitchen and examine all the fake food. And whenever you achieve your goal, you look at us with the biggest grin as if to say, "Hey, did you SEE that? That was AWESOME!!"
Anyhow, you are the best little ten-month-old we know, and we love you beyond description. You truly were the missing piece in our little family, and the past ten months have been such an incredible experience. As always we can't wait to see what your future holds. We love you forever, little Maya-bear!
Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and Nikos
Ten. Months. Old. It actually makes me feel a little dizzy and nauseous to think that my teeny little baby girl is rapidly approaching "toddler" status. Then we will have no more little babies! Of course, you and your brother will always be our babies. But it's just not the same when you can run away from us!
Your tenth month of life has been an eventful one, as always. It has been marked mostly by physical milestones. For one, you decided one day that it simply wasn't enough to crawl around. You are now fairly accomplished at pulling up on, well, anything that holds still long enough. I get the impression that you are days away from starting to cruise, too, since you have begun to move your grasp, turn, and reach for other objects once you are standing. It's only a matter of time before your balance improves for you to just let go and take off walking. In the meantime, though, you are endlessly entertained by your brother's old activity table, and love your new, higher perspective on things. The grin on your face when you make it to a standing position tells it all. It is so clear that you want to keep up with your brother!
You have also made some big strides in the food department. Just this month, you have gone from eating jarred baby food and puffs to eating all sorts of "real" food: Cheerios, avocado, peaches, pancakes, blueberries-- you name it, and you eat it! You are fairly adept at getting most of it in your mouth, and you very rarely gag, so I've started trusting you with a wider variety of foods. And you love your new independence! In the evenings, I simply load up your tray with finger foods, and you pick away at it happily while the rest of us eat our dinner. I still feed you jarred baby food, just to make sure you are getting enough, but you manage to do pretty well on your own.
This month marked the first time in your life that your daddy had to go on a business trip, which meant that a few changes were needed in our nighttime routine. You started taking baths with your brother, which is still a constant source of entertainment for you both. You took to the big tub like a fish to water. You don't just sit there-- you crawl and flop and splash like a little porpoise, leading to fits of giggles all around. You don't mind getting splashed too much, and the two of you just have a fantastic time together. And after your bath is over, you brush your two teeth with your cute little pink toothbrush.
If I had to describe you in three words, I think I would choose "happy," "feisty," and "determined." You are always such a joy to be around, but you know how to hold your own-- even with a rambunctious toddler. We can see the wheels spinning in your mind much of the time-- if there is something you want to do, you will find a way to do it. You always seem to have a plan, and you try to see it through. Often that plan involves standing up, somehow, or making a mad dash back to your brother's bedroom to empty every cupboard in his play kitchen and examine all the fake food. And whenever you achieve your goal, you look at us with the biggest grin as if to say, "Hey, did you SEE that? That was AWESOME!!"
Anyhow, you are the best little ten-month-old we know, and we love you beyond description. You truly were the missing piece in our little family, and the past ten months have been such an incredible experience. As always we can't wait to see what your future holds. We love you forever, little Maya-bear!Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and Nikos
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