H's Birthday Party- everyone had a good time!

Sylvie at 6 months!

Sylvie now weights 14.4 lbs (14%) and is 26 inches long (48%) (for those interested, Elsie was 13 lbs (8%) and 25.0 inches (40%) at this age).  She is between size 2 and 3 diapers (when she uses disposables), and mostly wears 6 month clothes.  Sleep is touch-and-go...she normally takes one 2.5 hour nap a day, and one 45-minute nap (or sometimes three 45-minute naps instead).  At night, she sleeps in 2-3 hour chunks.  We've seen a few 4-hour chunks lately since she started sleeping on her tummy, but we are all still pretty bleary-eyed and looking forward to improved sleep as she gets older.

Sylvie has gone through some major physical growth in the last month.  She is officially crawling a few feet at a time (mostly on her hands and feet, not knees).  She only moved backwards for a few weeks, but she has figured out how to make herself go forward now (though for awhile forward motion always ended with a face plant- thank goodness, that stage is over!).  She gets "stuck" frequently, and prefers to contemplate her situation in "plank" pose, or while doing push-ups.   

She is working hard to develop core strength, and is very close to being able to sit on her own.  She loves the freedom to use her hands when she is sitting, and EVERYTHING is a toy.  Daddy's bookmarks, Elsie's hair, Pongo's tail...the world is full of fun things to grab.  Her favorite toys are already her big sis's animal figurines and her stuffed animals (especially Ormie Pig and Platypus).  So, far Elsie is pretty happy to share.

Aaaand...teeth.  Oh, yes, they are on their way!  Sylvie will take anything she can get her hands on- toys, ice packs, fingers- and rub her gums vigorously to get some relief.  Any day now we expect to see some little pearly whites poking through!

Watch me grow:

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

 And just for fun, Elsie at 6 months:

Sylvie really likes her toes.

Storytime at the park

As the steamy days of late summer are upon us, we are busy trying to enjoy every last minute of sunshine and beautiful weather.  Last week, that involved a story time in the park with friends (as little Antoinette calls it, "Kid's Book Club").  Each kid brought their favorite story to share, and we gathered in the shade for snacks, cuddling, and camaraderie. 

Elsie and the rest of the big kids lasted for about four books before they were overcome by the lure of the playground, bleachers, and soccer nets.  The littles, though, sat in laps and seemed to enjoy the calm that comes with just Mamas, Papas, babies and good books. 

When all the books were read, the kids spread out to enjoy the park on their own.  Elsie discovered that a mud-covered stick makes a great "crayon", though her choice of "paper" wasn't ideal (Mama's diaper bag).  She also discovered that she is a very advanced jumper compared to her friends, but that most of them are a little more adventurous than she is comfortable with when it comes trying new things and wandering away from the parents.

We are all looking forward to more book clubs this fall!

It's time...

The time Andy has been waiting for ever since that first little ultrasound picture made its way into our home...

It's Lego Time.

While walking through the aisles of Target, Elsie spotted a clearance rack with Legos on it, and picked the horse and rider set (yes, it's a little bit "princess")as her inaugural Lego pack.   
We brought it home, and Andy was gleefully transported back to childhood as he carefully explained to Elsie how to follow the picture directions to construct the play set.  It was heartwarming to see.

Elsie has spent all day today playing with her new toy, and despite some mechanical set-backs when trying to rearrange the pieces ("Mama, this toy is really tricky to do!"), she can't seem to get enough of the building, rebuilding, and imaginative play.

Yep, I think we'll be a Lego family.

Standing!

Here's a little video of our little "Big Kid", standing at 5.5 months:



And not to be forgotten, a little one Elsie riding the coolest rocking horse ever:

MN visit!

The ladies of the house took a 5-day trip to MN to visit grandparents, cousins, and attend a bridal shower in the Twin Cities.  Here are a few of the highlights:

Campbell, Baby Piper, and Auntie Manda came to Rochester and the babies met for the first time.  The big kids played in the sprinkler (one chose not to wear clothes, one was cold and very concerned about sun protection)...

Elsie thought it was really funny to pretend to fall off the deck...Campbell was very concerned, and would yell, "Mimi (Grandma RJ), save her!".

After outside time, everyone wanted to be naked while they shared a snack and watched a show.

Oh, the joy of shared fruit snacks!

All the kids lined up, and the big kids though the whole process was quite funny. 

The babies are actually about the same size, despite their 7-wk difference in age.

They recreated this photo, taken on the same blanket when Campbell was two weeks old and Elsie was 5.5 months:


At the Bridal Shower, Great Grandma Dorothy met Sylvie for the first time.  Sylvie loved Grandma Dorothy, and they sat together and smiled for quite a long time!  People who didn't know the family thought that Elsie and Campbell were twins and Sylvie was their little sister, and that Piper was Manda's only child!

Manda, Josie, Elsie, Sylvie, Campbell, RJ, Piper

After the shower, we went to Campbell's house to play.  Campbell took a really long nap, though, so Elsie had some solo play time on his fun new climber!

Rock-climbing like a pro!

I did it!!!

When Campbell woke up, he wanted some alone time.  When he was finally ready to play again, they had a great time with farm animals and a barn...one of Elsie's favorite things to do!

"Hey, so I guess we are cousins or something.  How's YOUR nuk taste?"

A good-bye hug- a touching moment, until they hugged so tightly they both fell over and cried.

On the way back to Madison, we stopped again in Rochester and helped Papa Todd celebrate his birthday at a surprise birthday party lunch.

Elsie had a blast with all the yard toys and water fun.

Her favorite part was playing with the big kids.  What a fun, unexpected day with her step-cousins!  A perfect way to wind up the long vacation.

The normally 3.25 hour ride home took about 6 each way, but we made it with lots of stopping, a few for potty breaks and a few for rest-stop playgrounds. Elsie was a trooper!  She is growing up so fast!

Chickens at the Children's Museum

There are adult egg-laying chickens on the roof, and baby chicks in the Clubhouse, but Elsie's favorite Museum chickens are the puppets in the Wildernest.  She seeks them out as soon as we arrive, and (as long as no one else wants to play with them), she will carry one or two with her the entire visit.  Who knew?

They slide (and the other kids are generally very patient when it was the chickens' turns).

They run.

They ride the oxen-pulled wagon.

Time with grandparents...

Hanging out with Papa on his birthday.

Discussing golf with Grandpa David.

Going for a walk with Grandma RJ.

Sylvie dancing with Papa.

Playing a game with the Cooper grandparents.

Papa giving me a bath...

...and reading me my bedtime stories.

Grandma RJ and Sylvie hanging out with Mama.

Sister time

In which Elsie teaches Sylvie about Tea Parties (the animal kind, not the republican kind).

Sylvie is 5 months!

 

At five months of age, Sylvie is a silly little girl.  She is happy and giggling almost all the time.  The exception is that she is anxious to be on the move, and gets mad that her month of scooting hasn't blossomed into full crawling yet.  Luckily, she gets over her locomotion disappointment quickly, and can easily be satisfied with smiles and tickles from her sister.

Elsie is starting to truly love being a big sister, and is the first to bring Sylvie a nuk, toy, or blanket at any sign of discomfort.  We had to have a very serious talk last week when Andy came around a corner to find Elsie holding Sylvie by herself over the tile floor, but other than that episode her overwhelming sisterly love has been of the sweet and helpful variety. 

Sylvie now weights 13.6 lbs (16%) and is 25.25 inches long (45%) (for those interested, Elsie was 13 lbs (8%) and 25.0 inches (40%) at this age).  She has moved into size 2 diapers (when she uses disposables), and mostly wears 6 month clothes.


Watch me grow:

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

  And just for fun, Elsie at 5 months:

July Quotes by Elsie

***

Elsie: "I can just go potty in my high chair!"
Mama: "No, high chairs are not for tinkling.  You can use a potty chair."
Elsie: "No, Mama, my high chair is JUST LIKE my potty chair!"
Mama: "Honey, a potty chair is a vessel so the tinkle doesn't run all over.  Your high chair is not like a potty chair.  You need to use the potty."
Elsie: "Well, I could just use a bucket!  Or a boat!  I can just use my BOAT!"

***

After two evening trips to Dairy Queen in a row with Grandpa David:
Mama: "Which did you like better, the ice cream you had last night, or tonight's ice cream?"
Elsie: "I think I will like the ice cream I get with Grandpa David tomorrow night best... "

***

Elsie:  "Daddy, what do you want for your birthday?"
Daddy:  "3 hugs and 3 kisses."
Elsie:  "Okay.  What else do you want?"
Daddy:  "Hmmm, a nice back rub."
Elsie:  "Daddy, that would be weird. "

***

While playing with me one afternoon, Elsie let me know that her friend Henry doesn't like to share (he does).  We decided to role-play what she could do if she was playing with a friend who wasn't sharing.  After about twenty minutes of me "being Henry" in our role-play, we abandoned the game for lunch.  An hour later...

Elsie: "I want to go to the park now!"

Mama: "Well, we can, but it looks like it might rain.  How about if we go on a puddle walk instead?"

Elsie: "Okay, but Mama, are you still being Henry?"

***

Elsie: "I want to play with Adah!"

Mama: "Well, today is Sunday, and Sunday is a family day.  Maybe we can play with Adah later in the week."

Elsie: "But Adah could be in our family!"

***

After explaining to Elsie that I was packing up some clothes that didn't fit for Goodwill:

Elsie: "I have some clothes that don't fit anymore, too!" 

Mama:  "That's true, we box up your clothes that don't fit anymore so that someone else can wear them when she gets a little bit bigger.  Who is going to wear your clothes when she grows a little bit more?"

Elsie: "Adah!"

***

***

While at the park Elsie unexpectedly needed to make a tinkle.  Elsie and Daddy opened the Port-a-Potty, but it was really dirty and Elsie didn't want to use it (she later told Mama, "It was too stinky for girls to use.").  Some pine trees nearby were pressed into service.  Pulling up her pants afterwards, she said matter-of-factly: "And now, a flower can grow!"

***

 "Good night, Mama.  I love you!  And Mama....I really love Baby Sylvie, too!"

***

"I can't have the chicken, Daddy, because chicken tastes like pickles."

***

Swinging on her 3rd birthday (yes, those are big-kid undies!).

Elsie's first injury!

A few days ago I was playing at the playground and fell when I was jumping off a little platform.  It was really scary, and my foot really hurt when I tried to get up.  Mama pushed me home in the stroller (and I was really glad she always carries a disposable ice pack in our diaper bag).  Auntie Manda gave us some good over-the-phone doctor triage, and I felt a little bit better (it's awfully nice to have a doctor in the family!).  I didn't really want to walk on my foot that night, and the next morning, I still didn't want to step on my toes.  Off to the doctor we went, and I got my first injury diagnosis: sprained ankle.  Ouch!

My official treatment plan is no jumping, running, or going to the park (really-my doctor actually said that!) for three-to-five days, or longer if it still hurts.  When he asked if I understood, I said, "No."  How can I not run or jump or GO TO THE PARK for five days?  That's crazy!

He told my Mama that I would naturally avoid doing things that would hurt my ankle, but it turns out I would rather run with a very bad limp than not run at all.  I do have this cool band-aid (ace wrap) to wear, though!  I panicked when Mama first put in on ("MAMA, I CAN"T SEE MY HEEL!  NOOO!  I CAN'T SEE MY HEEL!"), but I don't mind it any more.

I keep trying to convince Mama and Daddy that I am all better so we can go to the park, but so far they aren't believing me.  I am still limping a little bit, but today will likely be my last day of restricted play.  I will be free to climb again tomorrow!  I can't wait!