Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Halloween 2015

This year you dressed up for halloween as a kitty cat. Well more like a leopard mixed with a black cat. Your mom made the tail out of feather bow and a coat hanger. It was ingeniously done! After your cousins and aunt and uncle came over, we all started getting ready.

There was a period of a melt down on your part. This could have been from the fact that you didn't nap at all during the day. We managed to finally calm you down by showing you everyone in their costumes outside. After you settled we were able to finish getting you ready. You ran outside for a while with the rest of the kids in the common area.

We went to all the houses in our neighborhood that had lights on. You walked up to each house and politely said trick or treat! You held open your bag and people placed candy inside. I was amazed at how polite and nice you were. You also seemed to be enjoying having people put candy in your bag. I suspect that you still didn't quite grasp what was going on, especially because you have only had one piece of candy since we got back.

I'll probably end up taking it all into work! I'm not gonna eat it all!

Monday, October 12, 2015

Weekend with Nana

Mommy and Daddy went camping this weekend and we left you with Poppop and Nana. From what Nana as saying, you were having a blast. They took you to Homestead Gardens for their fall festival. You rode on a pony and had your face painted. Our camping trip was fun, minus a few hiccups, such as the train tracks about 150 yards away...with trains every couple of hours at all hours.

You're still having a blast at school and listening and working with the teachers. At home you are doing amazing this with drawing on your white board and chalk board. Always doing something creative with your markers and pencils :)

You are becoming a bit more headstrong, as your mom put it "wanting things on your own terms". This is difficult for me to adjust you because you're about two...as far as I'm concerned, you've got quite a few years to earn your own leverage! :) It's all going to work out lovely though I'm sure. We also made cookies today which you enjoyed watching, and eating the M&M's when you had a chance.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Memorial Day Weekend

Yesterday we went to see Pops in the Park at Quiet Waters Park. This was our first time. We found what we thought was a quiet spot in the shade on the hill. As the sun set it slowly started baking us. It didn't seem to bother you one bit. You were running around and dancing and singing, oh and clapping when they would finish songs! It was a great evening and you appeared to love it.

Today we went to the National Zoo with your Aunt Quinn. You had an amazing time. We saw snakes, gorillas, elephants, lions, tigers, panda bears, and sea lions, just to name a few. You were a trooper the entire trip. You were tired and hot but you wanted to see everything. We ate lunch and you were well behaved, eating a ton of fries and chicken tenders (such a healthy meal huh!)

Mom took you to get a stuffed animal and you tried them all on! You eventually settled for a white arctic fox, which surprised us, we were leaning towards a cat of some sort. As we made our way back to the car we could tell you were tuckered out. Finally when we got on the road you were out in minutes. You and mommy spent the rest of the early evening watching Frozen as I prepared dinner. It was a great weekend!

Friday, August 21, 2015

Watching you grow up

It's so strange to notice the subtle changes you go through as you grow up. It's been only a month since my last post and you seem to have grown so much. Your expressions and mannerisms are become more defined and, well, you.

It's been a quiet month except for your new school. We've moved you from the facility near my work to one closer to home. It's the same service but different location. This way your mother can drop you off in the mornings and I can pick you up.

I took you to the library last week to get some books, you weren't too interested in the books, more in the wooden train set. We picked up some classics and some newer books.

This next week you start to transition from your current room to the 2 to 3 room. This is actually for the better because your previous room you were essentially already in this group.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

2nd Birthday

Your second birthday was a blast! We had all family, we were trying to keep it a little more low key than your first birthday which was insane. We had lots of family here, you had a blast opening your presents and running around like a crazy person. I don't think you really stopped until we had to carry you upstairs for bed kicking and half attempting to cry.

I made a chocolate cake, the same kind that you had for your first birthday trial smash cake. You ate most of the piece I gave you along with some ice cream. We think your molars were coming in around the same time because you weren't eating much of anything really. That night though you were cry/fuss/cry/fuss all night long. We finally gave in and got you some motrin around 5am and I think you passed out.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

The beach! New School

July was a busy month for you and we're not even half way through! We went up to your Great Grammie's for the 4th which you absolutely loved! It was a pretty long ride up and back, we could tell on the way back you were done with this whole car and travel thing. Your butt'll get used to it :)

After getting back from Grammie's we packed up and headed for North Carolina. We stayed at your Aunt Shana and Uncle Bobo's place in Elizabeth City. We managed to make it to the beach one day and the pool another which wasn't too bad considering the drives and the rain we had to deal with.

Near the end of the trip you had an allergic reaction to something, we're not sure yet if it was cashews, bug spray, or the culmination of sunscreen, ocean water, and other bits of insanity going on that day. Regardless you woke the next morning and were red in the face, back, neck, and legs. It didn't seem to bother you much, you were your normal chipper self.

The end of the trip you were starting to wear a bit, I think you're like me in some respects that if you don't get your normal peace and quiet then you get a bit grouchy ;)

Monday, June 15, 2015

Summer Fun

It's been a good summer so far peanut! Well, you're no longer really a peanut, and far from a baby! You've come quite a long way. You're talking a lot, forming sentences and really doing great with your words. I am proud to hear you saying "Read a book?" over and over, even when I am trying to make breakfast or dinner.

You aced your swim class, if you were older they would have passed you on to group swim. It takes you a bit to get out of the pool on your own (you haven't done it yet.) I suspect that's more because of your current motor skills, mostly due to age.

We've been rocking the kiddie pool on the deck almost every chance we can get. You just love jumping in and out of it, trying to lift buckets of water to dump outside of the pool, only to dump it on yourself and fall back in.

School's been treating you well, although the teachers keep emphasizing listening ears. I guess it's what I get though, you're Uncles and I suffer form selective hearing, it appears you've got it too!

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Moments never to forget

School called me on Monday to come get you, you were running a fever. I warned them in the morning that you had a fever the evening before but it had subsided somewhat. When I got there everyone at school was concerned because you were not acting yourself. You were not dancing to the songs that you liked and were very sad towards your favorite teachers. They knew something was not right.

By the time I had come to pick you up, you were just about asleep on your cot, this was the first time I did not see you jump with joy to my arrival. Finally after waking you, you were so very tired and pitiful looking. You just snuggled your head on my shoulders and attempted to go back to sleep.

We finally arrived at the doctors office and got you checked in. Right Time Medical Care was good with getting us in as soon as possible since Maryland Primary Care was not taking phone calls till after we would have gotten there, did not want to risk not getting an appointment and having you wait longer than necessary.

All the while we waited through the nurses to look at you, you just laid your head on my shoulder and just snuggled up. I could feel your burning fever but I could also see the goose bumps on your arms. It is so sad to see you sick but its a rarity that you'll just snuggle up on my shoulder and take a nap.

We got you some meds and got you home to take another nap. Now I'm here watching you try to get comfortable in your crib on day two of strep throat. Sleep well peanut!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Moving on up to room 10!

Well Isla you graduated to room 10! This room consists of the 18 month to 3 year kids. The first couple of days the staff and teachers said you were doing great. I would drop you off in the mornings and after washing your hands, you'd run off to play with your new friends. This morning was a little different though, you cried a bit, it's heard to leave when that happens. The teachers look at you with a reassuring glance of "it's alright, she'll be fine" but it is very hard to leave a crying child, especially when it's your daughter!

When I came to pick you up, you were standing there crying at a picture of your mommy, you and me. It was suggested to bring in a family picture because it helps with the transition, but I guess it kept reminding you of us. The staff mentioned they were keeping you busy with reading books and play. You were fine when you were outside, but then again, when you're not cooped you, you usually do.

Speaking of books, you are one voracious reader! Your Mima and Granddad baby sat a few weeks ago, as soon as Mima came in, you ran to her, grabbed a book and proceeded to have her read through about 15 or so. As soon as Granddad came to relieve Mima, you grabbed the same books and had him read you those too!

Well spring is almost here, there is one more scare of possible snow and then we should be in the home stretch. This will involve you being able to go out on the deck, play in the common area, and just about stretch your legs far away from the 2nd floor of the town home we live in. It's been a long winter but its almost finally over!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Can't Seem To Get Enough Snow And Sickness

We're expecting probably 6 to 10 inches of snow tonight. Work has already closed for your mother and me and it hasn't even started yet! We took you for your third swim class, this was a makeup since we missed last weekend. You loved it! We got there a little late, between picking you up from school, running to Severna Park, sitting down to eat, and then making it over to the swim place, it was...well...complicated. You're just a regular ol' fish though! No stopping you from enjoying that water.

Next week you start your new class at school. You're moving up with Evelyn and Sophia, both of whom usually greet you at the gate when we get in, in the mornings. Evelyn and you seem to hang out a bit more than most though. We have your orientation for your room tomorrow, however that's probably not going to happen if it snows.

Mr. Eric, who you'll learn all about, offered to let us sled at his house with his daughter so maybe we'll do that tomorrow if we can get out of the neighborhood!

Friday, February 20, 2015

Winter time is so much fun!

You enjoyed your first real romp in the snow on the 17th of Feb. All you wanted to do was climb this 10ft snow mound and play with the rest of the kids. They were a few years older than you and could hold their own where as you couldn't quite understanding why your gloves kept coming off, why your had wouldn't stay on, and what this white cold stuff was :)

Fast forward to the end of the week and our house heater stops working. This happened the year before, fortunately this time we have daycare and I was able to drop you off while I wait for a service person. Your mother, on the other hand, just went to NYC with Aunt Goose to finally celebrate your mom's birthday. While they're having fun, and your having fun, the cat and I will keep things in check!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

So its been too long

Sorry Isla, I need to update more often. The holidays are the hardest because everything is go go go. We just got back from Deep Creek lake where we spent some time with your Nana and your aunts and uncles. It was quite an adventure. You did well! Sleeping has always been a challenge, but all things considered you were a champ. I got some awesome photos of you sliding on the slides at the Wisp ski resort.

It's amazing how much you've developed in the past few weeks, I don't know if its because you were hanging with your cousins or just natural development. You've really seem to come alive with personality, some not so enjoyable :wink:

Christmas was great, your Granddad and Mima got you tons of awesome gifts, including an very cool table with chairs that you can sit around now and play with your animals at. It feels like we're slowly running out of room in the sunroom with the more toys you get.