Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Yeah Vix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are pleased to share our excitement that Victoria is potty trained!!!!! Now, some of you ( and I know who) are thinking well, she's nearly 4 she should be. And you're right, sort of. In a perfect world, she would have been, well over a year ago. My big girl hasn't lived in a perfect world! She has faced 2 moves (1 major one), a new sister, surgery, and a communication delay in a very short amount of time. That would be a lot even for an adult to go through, not to mention a toddler. We have been patient and worked on it diligently and have finally said "so long!" to diapers.
I find it amazing how much of our life hinges on being able to hear, speak, and understand. I imagine it like being in a foreign country and having someone yell at you in their native tongue and you being clueless to translate. Victoria's speech has improved incredibly now that she had the tonsillectomy and all those missing pieces (like potty training and following directions) are falling into place.
I've never seen Harvard ask what age you were potty trained on their application!! Go Vix, we are so proud of you!!!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Early Spring Fun

Winter is finally beginning to loosen its hold on us Rochester folks...although it is far from what I would consider warm.

We emerged from our cave, foraged for food and spent some time in the park.
Victoria played on the swings ...
and walked on the pier...


And when we got home Allie was so happy to have been out in the fresh air, she smiled so I could take a picture of her new teeth!!


Sunday, April 5, 2009

Ashleigh's Sweet 16

Saturday was my niece Ashleigh's Sweet 16 party. Her parents surprised her with a DJ for the big event. Victoria loves all sorts of music and loves to dance. She got Alexandra in on the action. I wish I could have photographed both of their faces. Allie was so excited. She had the hugest grin on her face and was doing her little nosey scrunch laugh.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Our Visit to Phoenix

It was great to see our AZ family and get to spend time with them this past week. Thank you so much to Jenn and family for hosting us, the girls for giving up their bed, Clarissa for babysitting and everyone else for all you did. It was a crazy week filled with visits and appointments. We went to the zoo with cousins, and had a lovely family dinner.

Victoria will no longer accept bagels made by anyone other than Uncle Burt. :) Hope she moves on to a new breakfast food soon!

Vix in a tree at the zoo...



Spending time with cousins


Allie with Gramma and Grampa. I'm surprised Victoria isn't in this picture. She was totally territorial over grandma and grandpa, not wanting to share them with any cousins. I have made it my personal mission to nurture that relationship. She treasures her grandparents!




I am blessed to have 2 little girls that are incredible fliers. Both girls enjoyed the flights, they played with toys, catnapped and looked out the window. When we got off the plane in Rochester a woman came up to me and said that she had been on all 4 flights with us and that my girls were "beautiful, so well mannered and perfectly behaved". I was practically beaming. To me, the best compliment I can receive as a mother is that my children are well behaved.

Monday, March 16, 2009

3 Reasons Why...

I wait for Dave to be home before I shower...

Baptism


Victoria and Alexandra were baptized on March 1st. I plan to upload the video and more pictures as soon as I figure out how to get them off my camera. I stole this one from my brother's Facebook page. Both girls had beautiful white dresses handmade by their extremely talented Aunt Jenn. People came up to me after the service to inquire about where they can buy one. She'd be a rich woman if she decided to sell them!

I was so excited to have the dress for Vix that I put it on her as soon as it arrived. I'm posting that picture too, but she isn't all fixed up or anything yet.

Gardenscape


We went to Gardenscape this weekend with my brother and fam. Inside the convention center type place, tons of landscape companies come and set up gardens, showcasing their unique styles and talents. It was a much needed burst of spring. I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted to but I did get one or two of Vix! The hyacinths and lilacs smelled so delicious!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Virtual Jenn


I have always believed that things can hold a person's energy. Which, oddly enough, is one of the reasons I won't wear someone elses jewelry. I have seen some amazingly beautiful estate pieces but the thought of it sort of creeps me out. Just when you thought I couldn't be weirder eh? I do have a point, kinda. Allie had the worst day ever today. She cried most of the day and could not be calmed...definitely not her personality. This evening she cruised over to the dress Pooh made for me when I was pregnant with her. She pulled it down off the hanger, rubbed her cheek against it and fell asleep. I feel like she felt Jenn's love and peaceful self.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Growing quick!



Our Allie is growing so quick. I blink an eye and another month has gone by. She is really eager to walk and made it across the room with her walker tonight.

Clean Bill of Health/ Anti-Ferber Rant


Allie's lungs are clear!!! Take that RSV! Her ears too. We are really excited. We were waiting for an all clear from the doctor so we can take our trip. She's cleared to fly!! (Did I mention I'm thrilled???) Here is our Allie girl, eating blueberries for breakfast.

She hasn't returned to a normal sleep schedule yet. The pediatrician told me to "Ferberize" her. For those that don't know, the Ferber method is a parenting technique wherein you basically ignore your child and let them work things out on their own. Supporters of the method I'm sure, would describe it much nicer but that's how I see it. The doc told me that when Allie wakes up at night, I should go in, pat her back, tell her its ok, and leave the room for the rest of the night while she screams it out. HELLO???? It's a scary world and she has only had 7 months to get used to it. She didn't ask to be born and I feel if my sleep gets interrupted (or cancelled altogether) it's just part of being a Mom. It's a choice you make when you decide to bring a child into this world. Ok, so being a proactive parent is something I tend to get on my soapbox about. Yes, my girls are cuddled, snuggled and coddled. Victoria seems to be growing up just fine. She doesn't cling to my leg and sob when I leave her at preschool, she embraces her children's church time on Sundays, she offers her hand and introduces herself to people at the Y. She has a self confidence about her and she knows that when she is ready for me that I am there. What sort of message does Ferber send? Oh yeah, you're on your own kid, I'm not here for you.
ok, one more example and I promise I'll stop ranting. When Vix was wee, maybe 7 or 8 months old she got all twisted around in her crib. She ended up sticking her leg out through the bars and somehow rolling over getting her little chubber good and stuck. She screamed. I was downstairs doing chores at the time and it took me a minute to hear her. I ran upstairs to check on her and her little leg was stuck so tight that it was purple. Supposed she was a "Ferber" baby and I hadn't checked, would would the fate of that leg have been?
ok, done with my rant! I know a couple of you are Ferber moms, but I refuse to apologize!