Sitting Up!

Nora started sitting on her own for a few seconds 2 days ago, but I thought it was a fluke so I didn't post anything about it.  Well, she's done it a few times every day now - for just 3-5 seconds - but that's how it starts!  She hasn't done a "tripod" yet, so I'm not sure what that means... can't remember if that comes later or not.  She doesn't seem to have the affinity for keeping her arms up and out like Joseph did, prefering to rely upon sheer brute core strength, I guess!

I'll try to get a pic/video this weekend when I have another set of adult hands.  It's not a one-man operation yet.

Giggles and Fun for Everyone

Joseph's 3 Year Pediatrician Appointment

Today we went to the doctor for Joseph's physical.  He was a champ!  We'd read Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor yesterday, and he was very excited.

He weighed in at 26lbs (3% from what I can tell on the charts) and 38.5" (75%).  So I guess he had a growth spurt, as he was usually around 50%.  The doctor was happy with the variety of food he eats, as well as his language skills and physical appearance.  Not one comment about feeding him more or putting weight on him - hooray!  Have I mentioned how much I love this doctor?!?

Joseph did get his MMR finally today (we were waiting for him to top 25lbs).  He knew that he was getting a shot and that it'd hurt for a little bit, but I think he was pretty shocked when it happened.  He didn't cry during the shot, but I think when the pain didn't subside right away he got a little frightened and then started crying.  Poor buddy.  He commented several times that "it hurts" afterwards.  He got a cookie for being brave.

In other news, I went to parent-teacher conferences at preschool today!  It was fun to hear how great he is.  Hahaha.  He's doing awesome at school and learning lots!

20 Questions with Joseph

All About Joseph - Answered by me, because he's only starting to understand "favorites".  He'll get to play next year.


1. What is your favorite color? Pink
2. What is your favorite toy? Mater the Tow Truck (This was a hard one!  Depends on the day)
3. What is your favorite fruit? Grapes
4. What is your favorite tv show? Thomas the Tank Engine (Splish, Splash, Splosh episode)
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac'n'Cheese
6. What is your favorite outfit? No preference, but we prefer wind pants for stretchy waists that fit better
7. What is your favorite game? "Here he comes, there he goes" (he runs away and towards me and I say that).  Other favorite is being Lightning McQueen and racing Daddy and Mama around the house.
8. What is your favorite snack?  Crackers, raisins are a close second.
9. What is your favorite animal? He talks about manta rays A LOT.
10. What is your favorite song? Skinimarinky dinky dink.  Also loves the Thomas theme song and See How I'm Jumpin' from our Music Together CD.
11. What is your favorite book? Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things that Go".
12. Who is your best friend? Daddy
13. What is your favorite cereal? Quaker Toasted Oatmeal Squares (or "Square cereal")
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Run around the tree after preschool with his friends.
15. What is your favorite drink? Water (we still only do water and milk).  Well, unless you count milkshakes. ;)
16. What is your favorite holiday?  His birthday - he's just starting to get holidays
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Sea horse and brown bear are necessary.  Also has mr. bear, panda bear, blue bear, doggy, and bunny in bed.
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? We had pizza - his favorite
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Based on interest, definitely a garbage truck driver. 

She's a Maniac, Maniac on the Floor

And she's dancing like she's never danced before!

Is there anything cuter than babies in baby legs???

Goodness Me, Joseph is Three!

Yes, my little man is THREE!  This is the first "holiday" he's really understood, and I owe that to preschool.  Several of the kids have had their birthdays in the last 2 months, so Joseph was VERY excited to be the one getting sung to and getting to hand out his gifts to his friends (play doh).

We started out the morning by going in to Joseph's room to sing happy birthday when he woke up.  He got out of bed and crawled under it while we sang!  I guess we weren't that great.

Then he had the first of many temper tantrums about Nora "being loud".  It's a major issue in our household as of late.  Unfortunately, I can't make a baby be quiet, and I apparently can't keep Joseph from dissolving into tears, either!  Sometimes Mama can't win.

Anyway, we'd forgotten one of Joseph's presents at Christmas (it was hiding a little TOO well in a closet) so we had that out for him when he got downstairs.  He was pretty excited to see "big Thomas".

He also got to open a few presents we'd received by mail before school, which was very exciting for him.  He loved them

After school, it was time for more tantrums (yey!), lunch, and a nap.  While he slept, we brought up his toy kitchen from the basement (that I bought on craigslist and painted "stainless" and brown from pastels!) and I put a bunch of the accessories in (to avoid having MORE presents to wrap up - Ha!  Note the present wrapped in Christmas paper... that was all me.

Joseph luckily woke up in a better mood, and loved his kitchen.  Made all the work worth it.  We had TJ's parents, Godparents, and Grandma over for pizza and cupcakes, and Joseph loved being the center of attention.  He was amazed when I turned out the lights and brought out his cake with 3 candles lighting the way!

It was a pretty wonderful day all around.  Joseph's becoming more articulate every day, and says all sorts of funny things.  He uses a lot of big words, mostly adjectives like "wonderful", "properly", "beautiful", and more I can't think of in my exhausted haze.  He's a sensitive, caring, and well mannered little guy, and we're so so lucky to have him.

4 Months!

Nora is 4 months old!  Time really is flying by.  This month she learned to roll over (front to back), *really* found her voice (all the shouting is wreaking havoc on her brother - he thinks she's crying even though she's just "talking"), and can hold on and "play" with toys in earnest.  Best of all, she's beginning to laugh!  She's also starting to like pulling on my hair.  No toothbuds, yet, but she's leaking like a sieve and chomps on my knuckles with vigor.  Her hair and eyelashes are growing in thick, though her hair is still pretty short. 

We had her pediatrician visit today.  Stats:

Height: 24.5" (50%)
Weight: 12lbs 12oz (25%)
Head Circ: 40.5cm (30%)

Interestingly, Joseph's were:
Height: 25 1/4" (57%)
Head circumference: 41.5cm (26%)
Weight: 13lb 6oz (17%)

I know that they are just giving us a ballpark % at this new place rather than the more technical computer printout at our old pedi.  Also, girls have different charts than boys, but it's funny to think that Nora is smaller than Joseph at the same age - she seems so darn tall and chunky to me!  Hahaha.  In my defense, she is almost growing out of some of her 3-6mo clothes already, so what else am I to go on?

In gratuitous compliments, the pediatrician said she had beautiful skin and really thick, luscious hair.  I can't help but agree!