1. See this sweet little girl? Taylor looks so young, and in this picture she has her beloved paci.
Since she was about 6 months old, paci's have been a part of Taylor's regular routine - something she has loved when she is winding down to go to bed, when she is feeling sick and wants to be soothed, to help calm her on long car rides, and a familiar habit that provides comfort in many situations. Now we are trying to break that habit. We are trying the cutting method - each day snipping a little more off the end of the pacifier - and we are on night 4, and she finally noticed that something was wrong with it. Hopefully as we gradually keep cutting it back, and talking about being done with paci, we are on our way to being able to be done with this part of her 'baby' years. Each change that happens as she gets older is a somewhat hard - it all goes so fast - but I also want to feel excited for her as she grows up little by little.
2. Speaking of our little girl, boy has she been giving us a run for our money recently. Taylor, if/when you read this someday, know that we love you SO much, regardless of how much you scream and cry at us. ;o) Yep - screaming and crying. We have had quite a bit of that lately. You want what you want, and you don't want to wait, and if things don't go exactly your way, your whole world melts down. MELTS down. We are just trying very hard to remain patient, consistent, firm, and loving in our response - and realize that you are just trying to figure out how to fit in with the world and express yourself.
3. Despite these moments that can cause tears or frustration, there are so many more moments that involve smiles and laughter.
Like this photo that captured you pushing around a big stuffed cat (a large version of one that Bapa and Mem gave you) in a shopping cart around Tip Toes - silly girl :)
And finding out that during our little snack together one day, you were actually taking the baby carrots and sticking them in a drawer in the kitchen - which we found later...
And a picture from today when you went to school with me (you love going to "mama's school") - as you were playing and coloring and exploring while I was getting some work done...a kindergarten classroom is a great place for you to play right now, and the bonus is that there is a playground right outside, too, that we get to play at when I'm done working!
4. Camryn is our content little sweetie. She's become a perfect little addition to our family - likes to watch what goes on, seems more and more intrigued by her big sister, smiles more, talks more, and brings a lot of joy to our day. And I am holding onto the moments of snuggling, rocking, napping, and dancing together (with her all snuggled in a blanket, tucked into my shoulder, while we sway to favorite songs) - the time goes so quickly when she will start moving around more, and have less interest in, (or patience for), just being cozy together.
Capturing a little smile while playing in her exersaucer
Little peanut
5. We bought Camryn her own little blanket - that will hopefully be something that she associates with comfort and can have at daycare this fall as something familiar from home. She has already snuggled with it quite a bit already :)
5. Speaking of growing up - check out Addi and Camryn together now! They are cruising on to FOUR months old this month!
(Here is how little they were the first time they met (Camryn on the left, Addi on the right))
6. School starts in about a month. Time to start (or actually continue) mentally preparing for long days away from my two little ones. Feeling thankful already for wonderful teacher/mommy friends who I will be working alongside, and can provide support for each other! I feel like this is going to be a good school year - launching into the new world of all-day, every-day kindegarten - and while parts of it will be a challenge, and I might miss my days at home with the girls, there is sure to be a lot of fun/amazing moments with my new crew of students as well.
7. Things to look forward to coming up - a couple more long weekend trips up north, a family wedding (Ry's brother is getting married this coming weekend!), Camryn will turn 4 months with a check-up to see how she is doing, Taylor will turn 2 1/2 years old, I will get to meet my new group of students, and (hopefully) it will start to feel more like fall a bit - this hot, dry weather this summer makes me crave autumn a little sooner!
