Tubby time

The ritual in our house is, and always has been, for the kids to take baths before bedtime. I know that Luke and Mia recognize it as one of the cues that bedtime is drawing near, not to mention that they both love playing in the tub and I love the smell of clean babies, so it is a win-win situation. Plus, these days they both seem in DIRE need of baths by the end of the day. Luke typically has all sorts of "boy" stuff on him - paint from school under his fingernails (and sometimes in his hair), crumbs around his mouth, sand in between his toes, and the random streaks of just plain dirt on his arms or face. Mia, well she's just messy! She wears at least half of her dinner, plus she doesn't shy away from getting dirty outside in the afternoons.

Here are a few pictures of them getting clean the past few nights (I *might* be a little obsessed with my new camera lens and learning how to use it - this might mean that there will be some extra photos in the coming weeks/months).

Pretty Little Lady

Mia at 14 months

How to describe Mia in only a few paragraphs? This I've struggled with, which is why I haven't given an update on her in a while. She has SUCH personality - some of it sweet, much of it sassy.

Let's see ... well, she's walking everywhere and getting faster all the time. She longs to keep up with her big brother, so she sometimes stumbles because her body gets ahead of how quickly her little legs can take her.

She's still quite a peanut. I'm guessing that she is just under 19lbs right now. She has her 15 month appointment in a few weeks, so I'll be anxious to see what she weighs in at, and also how tall she is. We recently transitioned her out of her infant carseat and into Luke's Recaro and Britax, but she remains rear facing because she is still not at that 20lb mark (not to mention the AAP's new rear facing until 2 recommendation). She continues to wear size 3 diapers (although she absolutely detests having her diaper changed). I've moved her into nearly all 12-18 month clothing, and her feet are size 3.5.

For that small body, she sure knows how to express herself! She still doesn't use very many words or signs. She occasionally says "momma," or "dadda." She does have a word for Luke also, but I can't exactly pinpoint what it sounds like. The thing that she says most clearly is still "hi" and now "kitty cat." Even though I continue to sign to her, especially at meal time, she doesn't seem to have much interest in signing back. Most of the time she just shakes her head no or yells loudly to get what she wants (just wonderful!). Her baby babble is really very cute, full of inflection, and lots of different noises. Several people have told me how uniquely darling her babbling is ... so in some ways I am happy to have that a little longer and not have her say any words. BUT, do not underestimate how much she understands just because she doesn't say words. Just this morning I told her we were going to brush her hair and she went and got the hairbrush. Then I said that it was time to brush teeth and she helped herself right up to the bathroom counter and assumed her position.

Teeth: going into this month she had 7. About two weeks ago she got the 8th (bottom right lateral), and this week we saw her first molar come through on the top left side. 9 and counting...

She has become a very, very good nighttime sleeper (thank goodness...she owes us!). She is happy to go to bed right around 7pm and will sleep a good 12 hours most night, sometimes it is closer to 13, especially if she goes down before 7. She is definitely one of those kids who proves that "sleep begets sleep." If she misses a nap or goes to bed too late, she sleeps far less the following few days. Needless to say, it is in everyone's best interest to keep her on schedule. She is still taking two naps per day - one for about 1.5 hours around 10am, and another for about an hour in the afternoon when Luke lays down.

Mia continues to be a pretty good eater, although she has started to develop some of her own opinions in that area as well. If she doesn't feel like a particular food for lunch she will certainly let you know ... but that doesn't mean that she doesn't like it or that she won't eat it for dinner. She still eats WAY more than her brother, so we continue to offer her a wide variety of foods, hoping to avoid having two children who are super picky eaters.

Mia loves to dance and play outside, loves her Daddy and brother best of all, and adores Linus the cat. She certainly has a mind of her own and doesn't hold back in letting us all know what she desires. A few weeks ago we were at Luke's swim lessons and I had a towel laid out by the observation windows. She and I were sitting there with books and snacks watching Luke when Mia decides that she'd like to visit the men's locker room. I must have chased her halfway into the locker room about 30 times that day. Each time I picked her up and took her back to our spot, or redirected her towards the women's locker room she would absolutely scream at the top of her lungs. The woman behind the desk seemed to find it funny ... glad she had a sense of humor and some patience to put up with all of that noise!

Sometimes I refer to Mia as my little firecracker ... but in all honesty, she can also be the sweetest, most gentle little girl. For instance, she approaches that cat and dog with amazing gentleness and love. She strokes them both so softly and doesn't approach either too quickly. She also loves to lay on my chest/shoulder before she goes to sleep. She dozes there and twirls my hair (which she has done since she was a little baby and I was nursing her). She also loves to babble sweetly and is full of kisses at bedtime, which I love.

Sassy, sweet Mia, we couldn't love you more!

A new bed

Luke designed his very own "bed" yesterday. It was constructed of his and Mia's armchairs, some pillows, stuffed animals, and several blankets. He was so pleased with it and when I started to disassemble it so that I could put his regular bed back together, he nearly lost it (okay, he did lose it). So, together we pushed it from the hallway into his his bedroom and I agreed to let him sleep in it. He was so excited!

Of course, after one loud THUD around 11pm, I found him lying next to his "bed" on the floor, so I moved him into his regular bed. Several hours later I was awoken to hysterical crying because he had woken up and found himself not in his new "bed." So, we rearranged yet again and he slept there for the rest of the night.

So, what is "fun" for Luke isn't necessarily so much fun for Mommy and Daddy.

Now, that's an outfit!

Oh, Luke, you are so full of life right now and you never cease to make us laugh. From your quirky behavior to some of the things you say, I feel like I am constantly wondering if I heard you correctly because I can hardly believe how silly you are ... or how smart.

I couldn't let this one go by - you just looked too cute when you came out of your room after your "nap." Even after a long Mommy day, I couldn't help but stop and take a long look at you as I laughed inside and my heart was reminded of my deep appreciation for this role that I've been given as your mother. Nothing could be better ...

...except maybe a fireman who comes to my house without pants and offers to draw me a pretty picture and then vacuum :)!

Ski Bum

I honestly have a hard time believing when I look at these pictures that that is MY child, and that he is big enough to even walk, much less SKI.

That aside, Luke had his first ski experience last weekend and he did amazingly well. He had said on multiple occasions that he wanted to ski, but when the time actually came he was hesitant. He looked less than thrilled and nearly cried when we were suiting him up in the helmet and boots, but after a little brownie he was feeling much better.

Getting his skis fitted to his boots

The Gondola ride was pretty exciting for Luke. He had a ton of questions about how it worked, how it would stop, where we would get off, and if Daddy would be there when we arrived at the mid mountain.

Of course, Daddy was there and he and Luke shared some snacks, a drink, some live music, and a bit of warmth around the fire pit before heading out.

Mia loved bopping around to the music also!

My parents met Jay the ski instructor on the chair lift recently, so once we knew when we would be giving it a try with Luke (we decided to wait for the right weather so that Luke enjoyed his first day on the slopes), we gave him a call. They ended up doing a 2 hour lesson with just Luke, Michael, and Jay. This also allowed Michael to gain a few tips on how to help Luke learn to ski going forward.

Luke meets Jay

Starting by pushing along with only one ski on

Learning to lean forward in the boot

Coming down on his own!

Jay gives Luke a "lift" to save some of his energy - climbing up the hill on that little carpet in skis is hard work for a 3 year old!

Mia loving being out and watching her brother - such the life of the party!

As Luke, Michael, and Jay were working on some skills on the little hill with the carpet, I turned to say goodbye to Mia and my parents who were heading down for a nap. When I turned back I couldn't find Luke anywhere on the little ski school slope. Finally I called Michael on his cell to find out where they had gone...and he tells me that they took the chair lift up and that they would be back down in just a few minutes. I couldn't believe it when I looked up the mountain and saw my little guy just skiing down on his own!

They took the lift up a few more times and came down the same run. Michael said that Luke did great and that on one of the runs, he didn't even fall. Honestly, kids learn so much easier than adults. I mean, who learns to ski in less than 2 hours?!

Luke was thrilled with his accomplishment and had a great first experience. Jay was great and we will most definitely be going back this season so that Luke can get another ski day in with Daddy and Jay.

Proud Mommy with her little ski bum

Life's lessons

Mia watches Luke's every move these days, and tries to do everything that he does. Now, this isn't always beneficial, but on this particular night, Luke was teaching his little sister good oral hygiene.

I just love watching them together and seeing the way that she looks at him. Precious and priceless.