Mama is in Denial

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

My Daddy said so on Facebook, but I thought I would let everyone else know too...

I'm cruising! My Mama is in denial. She says I am not cruising. She thinks that I am still a little baby.

Well Mama, here's the proof. My Daddy and I put together a great plan. I would stand at the table, he would entice me with a toy, and I would cruise over to get it. All while Mama watched (in denial, of course) and Daddy took pictures.

So here they are. Proof positive I'm cruising!

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

A Book!

From Christmas 2009

I'm one smart cookie! No one had opened any presents yet, and Mama asked me to get Theo one of his. I chose one out and made sure to let him know what it was -- a book!

Now just to be sure, I didn't help Mama wrap the presents and this one happened to be from a family friend, so there was no way I really knew what it was. I just figured it had to be a book based upon its shape and feel (and of course... the shake test)!

From Christmas 2009

By the way, Theo, books tend to be hard and do not make any noises when shaken.

My next trick happened to be picking out one of my presents to open later... and stating, "My book!" And since I'm the smart cookie, I was right ;)

From Christmas 2009

Merry 1st and 3rd Christmas!

From Christmas 2009

Yesterday I celebrated my very first Christmas! Mama, Daddy, Meredith, and I went to church the day before and learned that we celebrate for the birth of Jesus, not for the presents (or so that I can eat the wrapping paper!). Then yesterday we opened some new clothes, games, books, and toys. It was all very interesting!

From Christmas 2009

It was Meredith's third Christmas. It is starting to become old-hat for her, but she seemed to still enjoy it.

From Christmas 2009

I was glad that I got a new chew toy. My chompers were starting to hurt! This toy happens to be fish that can turn and bend like a snake or necklace. Or, of course, be chewed on. :D

From Christmas 2009

Gilligan, on the other hand, was quite overwhelmed! (until he started eating the wrapping paper or chasing after the ball I got)

Check out all of the new pictures here: Christmas 2009

Any Mama Can!

From Meredith Jane 28-30 Months

I wanted to make sure all Mama's out there know that they do not have to push their kids in their strollers all the time. They can wear their babies in slings! Look we did not even have a sling but my blankie worked just fine!

I am going to make a good Mama some day until I have a baby like our baby Theo I am going to practice with my dolls. My babies get to use both the stroller and sling just like our baby Theo does. Sometimes I even get to go in the Patapum or the Mei Tei too!

On Christmas, I was on Mama's back at the Zoo it is so much easier to see the animals when I am on Mama's back. Plus it was kinda chilly. Mama and Daddy do not want to admit that it was cool because they like to make fun of all the silly people with hats and scarfs on their heads like it is 20 below but I was sure glad to have the extra body warmth of Mama to put my hands between us and snuggle close to her at times.

Did You Know?

From Meredith Jane 28-30 Months

That I am 28 months?!? Well I did not either! I lost count when I turned 24 months (2 years old). Hey you should be proud of me that I made it that far. That is a long way for a 2 year old to count.

More Distractions

From Christmas 2009

Theodore had his time for a distraction, but I made him look good! His collar was crooked, so I straightened him out. What a great big sister I am!

FYI -- Mama and Daddy just ordered Christmas cards, so you should expect one in the mail soon. How do I know that?? I should be sleeping right now?? Oh well...

Distractions

From Christmas 2009

My Mama and Daddy were trying to get Meredith and me to sit still for a little while to take Christmas pictures. I needed a distraction (and so did Meredith since she isn't in the picture). I chose to do the hula dance. What do you think of my mad skills?

Drop It!

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

Many of you have maybe heard that I am not feeling well, but I am on the mend. Gilligan is helping me forget that I am sick. Gilligan and I have a special relationship! Meredith thinks she has Gilligan's heart, but really it is all mine!! I get licks and love when Meredith gets none. Gilligan will even drop his coveted ball right into my lap or onto my toys! He is also oh so gentle in letting me take it out of his mouth.

We also like to chew on the same ball. Somehow Gilligan can get his whole mouth
around the ball. I have not figured this all out yet but I am working on it.

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

I also am working on throwing the ball for Gilligan, though it needs some practice.

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

Mmmmmm

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

I sure like my food! Well actually, I only like it when it is on my own terms. I like to put in my mouth by myself! Can you say INDEPENDENT?!? Mama finally stopped trying to force feed me. Okay it really was not that bad...but I would only take about 2-3 spoonfuls of what ever she was trying to feed me. One day Mama, Meredith and Daddy were having a veggie that I had eaten before so Mama put some on my tray and into my mouth it went and ever since that day I have gotten whatever is on their plates. Well I guess not everything. Last night I missed out on birthday cake but I got the corn and black beans! Mama still has not given me much fruit but I think that will happen soon as she is no longer afraid that I will not eat my veggies. I LOVE FOOD!! Here I am eating bread and carrots!

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

While Mama is Away...

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

I fall asleep during lunch :)

My Daddy gave me some carrots to eat while he and my sister ate some chicken nuggets and macaroni & cheese. I wasn't interested. Instead I spaced out for a while and then fell asleep.

Good thing the high chair reclines so I could continue to nap!

Early Christmas

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

After we went to see Santa Claus, my Grandma Kat, Patoo, and Aunt Katie went back home and had an early Christmas. I even got to open up presents! Not to mention try to eat the wrapping paper :)

Thank you for coming down to see me and thank you for all of the great presents!

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

Wait, so I'm not supposed to eat the paper?

Santa Claus

From Theodore Elial 7-9 Months

Yesterday we went to see this guy in a big red suit. It looks more like pajamas to me, but that's okay. He seemed to like holding me, and boy was I interested in him!

Now for my big sister, Meredith, that was a different story. She didn't want to see him at all. When Mama told her earlier in the week that we would be going to see Santa Claus, she just responded, "No." From what I overheard my Mama and Daddy saying, she did better this year than last, though. But she still didn't want to be held by Santa.

Mama, do you think I can pull on Santa's long white beard like I pull on your hair?

One Pony Tail

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

My hair has gotten SO LONG! i can not put it up in one pony tail!


Oh Mama says sorry we have not posted in so long things have been happening so fast! I have been helping Mama and daddy get ready for Christmas. The tree is up, some of the presents are wrapped. Mama and daddy have been working on things i am not allowed to share here.

Tomorrow i go and see the big man himself! i think this year i might let Theo see him without me!

File Folders

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

As a teacher my students loved to do file folders. I was unsure where I had stored my file folders and wanted them when I decided to start doing more homeschooling preschool with Meredith. I found my file folder games this week! They seem to be a hit with Meredith too! I am not sure if it is the colors or just the novelty for now with her but it never got old for my students. I hope that they being her lots of learning fun for years to to come. They are even almost fun to put together!

I Miss the Sand!

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

Oh sweet sand, how I miss you! We had so much fun with you going in my hair, kicking you into the water, and playing with you and Zachary. Mama does not let me outside enough to play with our sand. In fact, I am not even sure where our sand has gone to. =( Maybe someday Mama will let me outside again.

One of My Best Friends

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

I have two very good friends whom I ask to play with almost every day. These are pictures of Zachary and I while we were camping. I sure hope that both my friends can come on our next camp out! You can see how much I love to play with Zachary. I hope that we can be friends for a very long time!

Sitting

From Theodore Elial 4-6 Months

So I am sure most of you know that I have been sitting on my own for a while now, but what you do not know is that I can go from my tummy to my butt! I have done it only a handful of times, but Mama has seen me try a few times. To her it looks like I want to sit up, but then remember that once I get up there I can not move from there. Except I don't want to do that! I want to MOVE MOVE MOVE!

Where's Theo?!?

From Theodore Elial 4-6 Months

Wait... if you look closely you may be able to see my foot!

Oh There's a better picture of me on Mama's back!

From Theodore Elial 4-6 Months

I overhear many people ask my Mama about our various slings and backpack carriers all the time. Some people think they are great, some people look at us like we have two heads (we do when I am on Mama), and some people are curious.

Here is what I think. They are GREAT! I love being close to my Mama and Daddy. Mama and Daddy like them because they can go wherever they want in them! Plus I really like to fall asleep in them pulled up close to Mama, hearing her heart beat, jostling just a little. It is almost like being back in the womb!

I hear that Mama and Daddy wore Meredith while doing some serious hiking/rock scrambling while in Utah. What a better way to see the world! Sure the stroller is nice, and I get more then enough time in there looking at knees and whatnot. There is something about looking people in the eyes and smiling that I just love! It always seems to make the other person happy too!

Well, I just wanted to share some pictures of me and my Mama and Daddy wearing me because it is something that we enjoy! I hope that I get to be worn as long as Meredith has because there are times where both Meredith and I are each on either Mama's or Daddy's back.

Meredith can "spell!"

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

So this morning Mollie and I were discussing what we were going to do. Often on Saturdays we go to places like the zoo, Sea World, or out hiking somewhere. Mollie asked me (spelling), "Would you like to go to the Z-O-O or S-E-A W-O-R-L-D?"

And Meredith said, "the zoo!!"

Mollie and I now think we'll have to see how many of the letters Meredith really knows. :)

Exploring the Great Outdoors

I went on my first camping trip this weekend. Mama, Daddy, Meredith, and I went to Pedernales Falls State Park with a bunch of Mama and Daddy's friends. It was a great time.

While there, I got to explore the great outdoors:

From Theodore Elial 4-6 Months

I learned pretty quickly that the blanket on the ground was no fun, no matter how many toys someone put on there. I liked crawling over to the dirt and playing in it. That seemed like so much more fun than the toys I play with every day at home!

From Theodore Elial 4-6 Months

Do you know what is even better than exploring the great outdoors on the ground? Exploring the great outdoors on my Mama's back! Meredith rode with Daddy (even though she kept saying "my walk!"). It was great fun, I don't see why Meredith would give up such a great free ride?

My First Hair Cut

My Daddy couldn't hold out forever, especially with my Mama's unrelenting nagging. ;) (who is writing this post anyway?)

So today I got my hair cut for the first time ever!

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

I wouldn't sit alone in the chair, so my Mama had to get wet along with me. I made sure it was known that I was grumpy. However, my Mama was sly and brought along candy. Who could resist that -- free candy?

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

I am now the proud owner of a new set of bangs. My Mama says it will make it so I can't hide behind my hair anymore. What does that mean? Does it mean I can't do the emo look anymore?

Following Instructions

Today my Mama tried to teach me how to follow instructions. Something about how it would be good for me to learn. I think she needs to take my short lessons on jumping and playing in the sand. Aren't those instructions too?

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

Mama and I followed instructions by measuring, cutting, and tying it all together.

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

And of course spinning around in the fruits of our labor!

P.S. -- I loved my tutu so much that I wore it the rest of the day, including to get my hair cut!

Sand

A four step process (I seem to like these lately, check out my previous post on jumping) on how to play in the sand:

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

1. Sit down, enough so that the sand gets into your pants.
   
2. Shove your feet and your hands in the sand.
3. Pick up two fistfuls of sand.
4. Pour the sand over your head.

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

Fifth (I couldn't resist...), wipe off your hands so at least they are no longer dirty :)

Jumping

A four step guide to jumping:

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

First, get ready and make like you're going to sit down. Some people call this "squatting."

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

Second, stand up really fast. And by really fast, I mean fast enough that you launch yourself into the air.

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

Third, smile. Jumping is fun, especially mid air!

From Meredith Jane 25-27 Months

Fourth, stick it. A good landing is a toddler's best friend.

Fifth (so what if I said this was a four step process), repeat.