Emma 18 months (1 1/2 years)

-still sweeter than all get out

-now sporting all 4 molars + front upper left for 10 teeth in total

-ever-so-intrigued by dogs but remains skeptical

-mothering instincts have kicked in and she loves to burp, swaddle and feed her babies

-very observant and knows where stuff goes in the kitchen (great dishwasher emptying help!)

-she's cute and she knows it

-not many new words this month but she did add "grandpa" to her repertoire:

-still loves wrapping clothes, towels, whatever around her head and neck

-got a new backpack!

-no longer walking but RUNNING, including away from me when trying to load her in the car

-her new favorite activity is sitting on the counter and "helping" me cook

-she's an eater! (read: don't let her get her hands on the craisins....)

-went for about 3 weeks straight quite possibly without eating a single veggie. I acted casual, practiced what I preach and continued to serve them and not make a big deal of it. After quite the hiatus, this week she's back to downing kale chips, broccoli, peas and green beans. Phew. 

-loves music, dancing and playing the piano

-spends a lot of time reading in her room, often in the leather chair in her closet

-has a new "scrunchie face" that has proven nearly impossible to capture on film. (This is the best I've come up with but usually her eyes are closed too.)

-has a slight temper to her and lets us know when she disagrees

-still (barely) taking 2 naps

-goes to bed at 7 PM and wakes whenever her sister starts making noise (usually ~ 6:45 AM)

-my snuggle bug

-LOVES watermelon (like even more than bread!!!)

-has gone happily to the nursery 4 times running - yay!

-almost fitting size 24 month clothes!

-loves her daddy and reaches for him with arms outstretched anytime he arrives home and she's still up

-nicknames include "Emmy, Emma Bear, M&Ms"

-so much like her dad it's ridiculous 

-and incredibly endearing

Happy Half Birthday Isla

 Happy Half Birthday to my sweet Isla girl who is now officially 3 1/2! (I can finally say that now without getting reprimanded!) I get questioned a lot about this tradition of celebrating half birthdays but yesterday's festivities affirmed in my mind (and I think finally Graham's too!) that this mid-year celebration is an absolute must. It was 100% worth the minimal effort to let this girl know she is extra special.

 Isla woke up and immediately asked if she was 3 1/2 when she was lying in her bed. I think she was trying to identify the exact moment when the aging happened. As per tradition, she got to choose a special breakfast and she selected "flat pancakes" (Swedish pancakes) with fresh blueberries and eggs. She got a real kick out of using the GLASS "You are special today" plate.

 

 

 "Mom, now take a picture of my angry face!"

 Isla was SO excited about her present and asked for it ALL day but we made her wait until after dinner. We ate homemade ravioli with roasted beet filling (pink!), a tomato salad and kale chips. It was yummy and I made sure my family really enjoyed it because I will NOT be making ravioli again anytime soon. Ay caramba! I spent the entire afternoon making those things!!  

 And finally, the moment she'd been waiting for....

 New clothes for her little dolly! Isla was beyond thrilled:

 Probably the best $8 I've ever spent!

"I know this day is about Isla, but I mean, come on! Just look at my hair!" We still don't know where this child came from. Sometimes she's just too much.

After presents came pink cupcakes. We let Emma have half a cupcake and it was literally GONE in 0.87 seconds. Man has she come along since her 1st birthday!

 Meanwhile, Isla leisurely licked her cupcake and savored it for at least 20 minutes....

 Everyone we passed today learned that Isla is now 3 1/2 within seconds. Her excitement is contagious!  

Isla: 42 months (3 1/2!)

-couldn't wait for her half birthday

-our very social creature

-ever-so-talkative

-always asking questions

 -went to visit preschools and didn't want to leave

-learning to recognize letters

-can now write her own name! 

-loves to change her clothes and dress herself

-loathes coats and long-sleeved shirts

-wears her pink dress up shoes like house slippers

-favorite colors: pink and purple and silver

-favorite song: "The Oh-Oh-Oh song" (Your Name High by Hillsong)

-knows how to prolong bedtime like a pro

-adores her sister

-can now coast down hills on her Strider bike

-loves playing Candyland (and even lets me win!)

-learning to play the matching game (note the pink shoes)

-there they are again! 

 -ironically enough, she HATES wearing shoes anywhere else and is known to take her shoes off immediately upon being buckled in her car seat....

-does daily cares for her baby "Leia" which includes dressing, swaddling and feeding (even pumping apparently! She came up with this contraption all by herself because her baby needed milk!)

-mama's little helper in the kitchen

-dislikes spicy food now :(

-becoming a little more picky

-scared of being stolen by strangers (oops)

-always wants to watch clips of Cinderella

-loves stickers and tapes her artwork up all around the house

My Valentines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh my how holidays get better with children! I was supposed to be working today up until yesterday afternoon when Emma awoke from her nap with a fever. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise to get to spend this pink-and-red-heart-chocolate-flowers-mooshy-moosh-love-filled day entirely with my little loves. Isla is old enough now that she "gets" it and so told me "Happy Valentine's Day" and that she loved me probably close to a million times. We set to work early and had a heart-shaped hay day at every meal (not pictured: heart-shaped sandwiches at lunch). Unfortunately the Mr. had an all day/night date with something called school but at least he was at Evergreen for the first half and so left late enough to enjoy coconut pancakes with the rest of us as we opened and read our Valentines. My parents sent personalized picture cards along with stickers for the girls - a real hit! Graham conveniently forgot his lunch but since he was just up the road, was able to pop back home and eat with us once again before taking off the for rest of the day. The girls and I were just returning from a Valentine delivery errand and walked in to find flowers, a card and a latte for me. The girls and I made a date of our afternoon, seed shopping and going on a walk/bike ride along the Sammamish River Trail (I forgot  the camera!) Isla helped make our special dinner calzones and now the kids are in bed and the subject of the last two photos is in progress as I type. My other date should be home any minute to enjoy it with me! Hope your Valentine's Day was as sweet as mine!