(missed this face today........)
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Video: Baby Bear, Baby Bear
Taylor has a few favorite books, that she knows by heart, and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? is one of them.
Here is a little video of her reading the last couple pages of the book (thanks for capturing this, Aunt Liz!)...she goes back and forth a bit, and throws some words from the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear in there (which she actually likes to read more often), but regardless, listening to her "read" books is one of our favorite things ever. :o) While she is reading, she also mentions about touching a snake. Last time we were up north, Bapa found a snake by the cottage, and Taylor got to touch it!
(And to translate for you in case you are not familiar with the book, the animals on the last page are.....
a red fox,
a flying squirrel,
a mountain goat,
a blue heron,
a prairie dog,
a striped skunk,
a mule deer,
a rattlesnake,
a screech owl and,
a mama bear (supposed to be 'baby bear' :)) - that's what we see!)
Here is a little video of her reading the last couple pages of the book (thanks for capturing this, Aunt Liz!)...she goes back and forth a bit, and throws some words from the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear in there (which she actually likes to read more often), but regardless, listening to her "read" books is one of our favorite things ever. :o) While she is reading, she also mentions about touching a snake. Last time we were up north, Bapa found a snake by the cottage, and Taylor got to touch it!
(And to translate for you in case you are not familiar with the book, the animals on the last page are.....
a red fox,
a flying squirrel,
a mountain goat,
a blue heron,
a prairie dog,
a striped skunk,
a mule deer,
a rattlesnake,
a screech owl and,
a mama bear (supposed to be 'baby bear' :)) - that's what we see!)
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
13 Days and counting...
We've hit that point of the summer...less than two weeks until the new school year begins! With it comes a sense of nervousness, excitement, some sadness, anticipation, and eagerness to see what this new year will hold!
This will start my seventh year of teaching. It took me seven years of school and two undergrad degrees before I became a teacher. It has been a long journey since graduating high school about 13 years ago!!
Each school year has been its own journey, none quite the same - and this year will be a different adventure, again!
In getting ready to go back, Taylor and Camryn went to daycare earlier this week to check out their new rooms, and as sort of a "trial run" to see how drop-offs will go once the school year starts. They are both in new rooms - the baby room is new from the one that Taylor was in, and Taylor graduated up to the Toddler room now that she is 2 1/2. We wanted to check out where they will be playing during the day while Ry and I are at work. This was the first time taking Camryn, and my mommy emotions may have given in a little bit - tears for sure - it doesn't get any easier with the second child.
But the best part of that day? Getting home and being able to snuggle both girls, and enjoy some serious cuddle time with the littlest one. :)
I was lucky enough to have a longer maternity leave with Camryn - an extra couple of months compared to Taylor. I have loved the extra time with her during these early, tiny months of her life. I have no doubt that she will continue to grow and thrive with her sweet caretakers at daycare, and I will just LOVE and cherish the time together as a family outside of work even more.
Amidst the classroom preparation, you can be sure that I am going to be just soaking up the time with these two little ladies...
It has been an unforgettable summer as a family of four
And these two sweeties have been a big part of it :o)
13 more days to play!!!
This will start my seventh year of teaching. It took me seven years of school and two undergrad degrees before I became a teacher. It has been a long journey since graduating high school about 13 years ago!!
Each school year has been its own journey, none quite the same - and this year will be a different adventure, again!
In getting ready to go back, Taylor and Camryn went to daycare earlier this week to check out their new rooms, and as sort of a "trial run" to see how drop-offs will go once the school year starts. They are both in new rooms - the baby room is new from the one that Taylor was in, and Taylor graduated up to the Toddler room now that she is 2 1/2. We wanted to check out where they will be playing during the day while Ry and I are at work. This was the first time taking Camryn, and my mommy emotions may have given in a little bit - tears for sure - it doesn't get any easier with the second child.
But the best part of that day? Getting home and being able to snuggle both girls, and enjoy some serious cuddle time with the littlest one. :)
Amidst the classroom preparation, you can be sure that I am going to be just soaking up the time with these two little ladies...
It has been an unforgettable summer as a family of four
And these two sweeties have been a big part of it :o)
13 more days to play!!!
Monday, August 20, 2012
"Half-y Birthday to You"
Did you know that there is a song for a "half-birthday"? I didn't either until this morning and a few teacher friends filled me in. We sang it to Taylor at dinner tonight, and she thought it was great. :)
Taylor's actual half-birthday was last Friday - cruising towards three!!! I had Taylor step on the scale last week, and she was 28.5 pounds, which means she has only gained about 2 pounds in the past 6 months - but she is getting taller - so she's just leaning out (and looking older in the process!)
I can't help but to write about Taylor as a 2 1/2 year old...because she is just such a delight... and challenge all in one. :o)
Just a few of the delightful parts...
** Counting - getting closer to 20, and she even will spout off numbers in the 20's sometimes, too
** Shapes - recognizes square, rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, diamond, star, heart
** ABC's - says them like a champ
** Sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", certain verses of "Let's Go Fly a Kite", songs from her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse album and Toddlerville CD
** Loves identifying letters and numbers - two examples... when we are out running, or driving in the car, she will notice the letters on street signs and the other day at a stop sign she spelled out the letters ... s-t-o-p... and went through and said what sound each letter made, too! And when we are out walking, she will want to stop at each house and tell us what the house number is - love it!!
** Can spell her name "T-a-y-l-o-r....TAYLOR!"
** Repeats words a lot now... we gotta be careful what we say!!
** Starting referring to Ryan as "friend dada" after an afternoon of playing on the beach
** Has many moments of wanting to be independent - like buckling her own seat belt in the car
** Wants to help with Camryn when she can - getting her diapers, throwing away her dirty ones, fetching her blankets or stuffed animal, turning on her music while she is on her play mat, and giving infinite kisses and hugs
** Gets up in the morning, or from her nap, and says "You stop sleeping" along with a big "Morning, mama, Morning, dada!"
** Will sit and read and read and read and read (especially at bedtime - she is also becoming quite skilled at procrastinating :))
** Has the books "Brown Bear, Brown Bear", "Baby Bear, Baby Bear", "Very Hungry Caterpillar", and, "Goodnight, Moon" practically memorized - so fun to read these with her!!
You are such a joy, Taylor Leigh!
(Oh, and want to see something that might make you laugh? Check out my attempt at a "half birthday" cake - idea from pinterest...no, your computer screen isn't playing tricks on you, the cake is tilted and leaning (and a bit messy) - but it tasted really good, so Ryan is hoping that I give it another try for Camryn's half birthday in a few months. :))
Taylor's actual half-birthday was last Friday - cruising towards three!!! I had Taylor step on the scale last week, and she was 28.5 pounds, which means she has only gained about 2 pounds in the past 6 months - but she is getting taller - so she's just leaning out (and looking older in the process!)
I can't help but to write about Taylor as a 2 1/2 year old...because she is just such a delight... and challenge all in one. :o)
Just a few of the delightful parts...
** Counting - getting closer to 20, and she even will spout off numbers in the 20's sometimes, too
** Shapes - recognizes square, rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, diamond, star, heart
** ABC's - says them like a champ
** Sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", certain verses of "Let's Go Fly a Kite", songs from her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse album and Toddlerville CD
** Loves identifying letters and numbers - two examples... when we are out running, or driving in the car, she will notice the letters on street signs and the other day at a stop sign she spelled out the letters ... s-t-o-p... and went through and said what sound each letter made, too! And when we are out walking, she will want to stop at each house and tell us what the house number is - love it!!
** Can spell her name "T-a-y-l-o-r....TAYLOR!"
** Repeats words a lot now... we gotta be careful what we say!!
** Starting referring to Ryan as "friend dada" after an afternoon of playing on the beach
** Has many moments of wanting to be independent - like buckling her own seat belt in the car
** Wants to help with Camryn when she can - getting her diapers, throwing away her dirty ones, fetching her blankets or stuffed animal, turning on her music while she is on her play mat, and giving infinite kisses and hugs
** Gets up in the morning, or from her nap, and says "You stop sleeping" along with a big "Morning, mama, Morning, dada!"
** Will sit and read and read and read and read (especially at bedtime - she is also becoming quite skilled at procrastinating :))
** Has the books "Brown Bear, Brown Bear", "Baby Bear, Baby Bear", "Very Hungry Caterpillar", and, "Goodnight, Moon" practically memorized - so fun to read these with her!!
You are such a joy, Taylor Leigh!
(Oh, and want to see something that might make you laugh? Check out my attempt at a "half birthday" cake - idea from pinterest...no, your computer screen isn't playing tricks on you, the cake is tilted and leaning (and a bit messy) - but it tasted really good, so Ryan is hoping that I give it another try for Camryn's half birthday in a few months. :))
Weekend
Another long weekend at the lake is behind us - only a few more summer weekends before school begins!
A few moments captured from this weekend...
1. Being outside a lot, we tend to see a lot of creatures and Taylor had a close encounter with a snake and a very cool little tree frog. Unfortunately we didn't have the camera out for the snake, but Taylor was not afraid to touch it, and thought its long red tongue was really neat. Later that same day, this teeny tiny tree frog kept us company for a bit.
Taylor being very gentle (don't mind the crazy post-boat-ride curly hair :))
Close up
2. Playing by the river in Boyne City after dinner
3. Naptime
4. Kisses and hugs
5. Can you spot the bald eagle??
6. Camryn and dada
A few moments captured from this weekend...
1. Being outside a lot, we tend to see a lot of creatures and Taylor had a close encounter with a snake and a very cool little tree frog. Unfortunately we didn't have the camera out for the snake, but Taylor was not afraid to touch it, and thought its long red tongue was really neat. Later that same day, this teeny tiny tree frog kept us company for a bit.
Taylor being very gentle (don't mind the crazy post-boat-ride curly hair :))
Close up
2. Playing by the river in Boyne City after dinner
3. Naptime
4. Kisses and hugs
5. Can you spot the bald eagle??
6. Camryn and dada
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Boat rides
It was a gorgeous day on the lake, and we took full advantage!
Camryn went on her first boat ride - and did so well! We didn't take Taylor on the boat until she was a year old, but at four months, Camryn rode like a champ. :) She was not interested in taking a long nap (even though she was tired), so we thought a little fresh air, wave rocking motion, and boat noise might be the trick to getting her to sleep, and it worked! We didn't take any pictures during the ride (she was snuggled in my arms), but when we stopped in a cove to float, I took her down in the cuddy cabin...
...and after a little bit, this is how she spent the rest of the time...
...cashed out.
It came time for us to head back home, and instead of waking her, we just started up and headed back with her riding underneath. She didn't move or make a peep until we got back to the cottage!
This is a blurry picture of when we were moving along - and Camryn was fast asleep (boat waves and all). :)
When we got back (Taylor had been napping during our afternoon ride), Taylor really wanted to go in the boat, so after dinner we headed back out. We got Taylor a new life jacket (not surprisingly, her infant one didn't fit her anymore!), and she was excited to try it out!
"Taylor - smile for the camera!" (Silly girl :))
And here is a video that Ryan took from the backseat...Taylor loves watching the wake behind the boat...
A great day to be on the lake!!
Camryn went on her first boat ride - and did so well! We didn't take Taylor on the boat until she was a year old, but at four months, Camryn rode like a champ. :) She was not interested in taking a long nap (even though she was tired), so we thought a little fresh air, wave rocking motion, and boat noise might be the trick to getting her to sleep, and it worked! We didn't take any pictures during the ride (she was snuggled in my arms), but when we stopped in a cove to float, I took her down in the cuddy cabin...
...and after a little bit, this is how she spent the rest of the time...
...cashed out.
It came time for us to head back home, and instead of waking her, we just started up and headed back with her riding underneath. She didn't move or make a peep until we got back to the cottage!
This is a blurry picture of when we were moving along - and Camryn was fast asleep (boat waves and all). :)
When we got back (Taylor had been napping during our afternoon ride), Taylor really wanted to go in the boat, so after dinner we headed back out. We got Taylor a new life jacket (not surprisingly, her infant one didn't fit her anymore!), and she was excited to try it out!
"Taylor - smile for the camera!" (Silly girl :))
And here is a video that Ryan took from the backseat...Taylor loves watching the wake behind the boat...
A great day to be on the lake!!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Happy Four Months, Camryn!
The months are just ticking by! It is amazing to think that by the time I post her next monthly update, I will have already been back to teaching for two weeks. Summer is going quickly!
Camryn's well-child appointment is on Thursday. It will be fun to see how big she is now, and also to see if our doctor thinks that maybe our little girl is starting to teeth a bit. I kind of hope so, because it would help explain the extra gnawing, drooling, and waking UP at night. Yes, Camryn is back to waking me up in the lovely early, early morning hours of 1am, and sometimes 3 or 4am, and then sometimes up for a while at 5:45am. We went four straight weeks of sleeping through the night, and those nights seem like a distant memory as she started sleep regressing about two weeks ago. Sigh. But this too shall pass, at some point. :)
Camryn Ann, at four months here is what you are up to ~
* Wearing size 2 diapers, and 6 month clothes
* Eating every 3 1/2 to 4 hours during the day
* Smiling and talking up a storm, especially in the morning - you are SO happy when you wake up in the morning :)
* Have gone to bed as early as 8, but usually closer to 8:30 or 9:00, and are getting up once or (usually) twice a night
* Taking two longer naps, one in the morning (about an hour to an hour and a half after you get up), and one in the afternoon (if I am lucky, it occurs at the same time as Taylor's nap :)). You will also usually take a little cat nap in the evening at some point
* Spending more and more time playing each day (tummy time, batting toys on your play mat with your hands and feet, or bouncing around in your exersaucer)
* Attempting to put EVERYTHING in your mouth
* Becoming quite enamored with your big sister
* Riding along as a great companion during runs with the double jogger - Taylor will play with your toes and peek over to your side to see how you are doing (so glad we got the side-by-side stroller)
* Recognizing your dada, sister, and me, and are showing signs of being aware of when you are in the arms of someone unfamiliar
Maybe by the next month update, you will be rolling over! We are working on it. :)
Four month pictures
(Dada was adding a little distraction to the pictures - baseball! - she couldn't take her eyes off of it :))
Big smiles :)
Neck muscles are getting stronger!
All dressed up (I had to wake her up from her nap - hence the tired little look) for Uncle Jon and Katie's wedding
With dada
You are such a fun little girl, Camryn!!!
Camryn's well-child appointment is on Thursday. It will be fun to see how big she is now, and also to see if our doctor thinks that maybe our little girl is starting to teeth a bit. I kind of hope so, because it would help explain the extra gnawing, drooling, and waking UP at night. Yes, Camryn is back to waking me up in the lovely early, early morning hours of 1am, and sometimes 3 or 4am, and then sometimes up for a while at 5:45am. We went four straight weeks of sleeping through the night, and those nights seem like a distant memory as she started sleep regressing about two weeks ago. Sigh. But this too shall pass, at some point. :)
Camryn Ann, at four months here is what you are up to ~
* Wearing size 2 diapers, and 6 month clothes
* Eating every 3 1/2 to 4 hours during the day
* Smiling and talking up a storm, especially in the morning - you are SO happy when you wake up in the morning :)
* Have gone to bed as early as 8, but usually closer to 8:30 or 9:00, and are getting up once or (usually) twice a night
* Taking two longer naps, one in the morning (about an hour to an hour and a half after you get up), and one in the afternoon (if I am lucky, it occurs at the same time as Taylor's nap :)). You will also usually take a little cat nap in the evening at some point
* Spending more and more time playing each day (tummy time, batting toys on your play mat with your hands and feet, or bouncing around in your exersaucer)
* Attempting to put EVERYTHING in your mouth
* Becoming quite enamored with your big sister
* Riding along as a great companion during runs with the double jogger - Taylor will play with your toes and peek over to your side to see how you are doing (so glad we got the side-by-side stroller)
* Recognizing your dada, sister, and me, and are showing signs of being aware of when you are in the arms of someone unfamiliar
Maybe by the next month update, you will be rolling over! We are working on it. :)
Four month pictures
(Dada was adding a little distraction to the pictures - baseball! - she couldn't take her eyes off of it :))
Neck muscles are getting stronger!
All dressed up (I had to wake her up from her nap - hence the tired little look) for Uncle Jon and Katie's wedding
With dada
You are such a fun little girl, Camryn!!!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Sister Lovin'
"Hold Camryn"
This is something that Taylor says a few times every day... and Camryn is finally warming up to it. :) At first, I think Camryn was a little worried about being in the hands of big sister, but now we can tell that Camryn really recognizes Taylor and can be quite amused by her, too.
Silly girls
Smiles (makes my heart melt - notice how Camryn is holding onto Taylor's shirt)
Camryn giving Taylor a little smirk - while Taylor was being a stinker for the camera :)
Girl talk
Kisses
This is something that Taylor says a few times every day... and Camryn is finally warming up to it. :) At first, I think Camryn was a little worried about being in the hands of big sister, but now we can tell that Camryn really recognizes Taylor and can be quite amused by her, too.
Silly girls
Smiles (makes my heart melt - notice how Camryn is holding onto Taylor's shirt)
Camryn giving Taylor a little smirk - while Taylor was being a stinker for the camera :)
Girl talk
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Outside!
Taking walks
(Have I mentioned how much I love this stroller? - the girls love it, it fits through doors, is so nice for running and walking, and it has lots of room to hold all the stuff we need when heading out for longer periods of time - so nice!)
Fascinated by fountains
Naps in the stroller
Playing by the splash pad
Splashing in our kiddie pool
(That has a few holes somewhere, and deflates to looking like the picture below within 20-30 minutes, ha! :) Luckily Taylor doesn't care :)) Also, notice the little floating ice cubes in the pool? This was Taylor's request today as she watched them melt with great fascination)
Fascinated by fountains
Naps in the stroller
Playing by the splash pad
Splashing in our kiddie pool
(That has a few holes somewhere, and deflates to looking like the picture below within 20-30 minutes, ha! :) Luckily Taylor doesn't care :)) Also, notice the little floating ice cubes in the pool? This was Taylor's request today as she watched them melt with great fascination)
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