Lights, camera, action!
Monday, December 16, 2013
Sister Love!
It was a good day at our house. Lauren was in a great mood all day! I don't think she cried once! seriously, this is a MIRACLE! It's been a rough couple of months so we deserve this one bright star of a day.
A bear and a dinosaur living in harmony.
Chair snuggles!
Hugs!
Where's daddy?
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Westawant
Lauren is playing a new game lately. She'll say:
"Mommy, you be westawant, I be Warren." and I say okay.... then she says "ICECREAM PWEASE!" hahaha!
She'll also say, "Mommy, you be Mickey, I be Minnie, Brower be Daisy." We all agree, but then none of us know what to do.
She is very bossy, which I hate, but I think it's fairly normal for a 3 year old girl.
Overall this kid is hilarious.
"Mommy, you be westawant, I be Warren." and I say okay.... then she says "ICECREAM PWEASE!" hahaha!
She'll also say, "Mommy, you be Mickey, I be Minnie, Brower be Daisy." We all agree, but then none of us know what to do.
She is very bossy, which I hate, but I think it's fairly normal for a 3 year old girl.
Overall this kid is hilarious.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Imagination gone wild
Lauren's imagination is running wild these days and it's really fun to see and hear. She is coming out with some hilarious phrases like "Get me outta here!" and "Mommy, you be the restaurant, I'll be Lauren. Ice cream please!"
She often imitates things she sees on TV, She calls Brier "Max" like she hears on Max and Ruby. We explain that her name is not Max, it's Brier, but then she'll laugh and say "No mommy! Not Brier! That Max!"
She often imitates things she sees on TV, She calls Brier "Max" like she hears on Max and Ruby. We explain that her name is not Max, it's Brier, but then she'll laugh and say "No mommy! Not Brier! That Max!"
Walking!
Brier is finally walking! She's a week shy of 16 months and I think she's finally gotten the hang of it.
Video to follow...
Video to follow...
Sunday, November 24, 2013
At a loss and feeling like a crappy mommy
I don't know how to deal with a 3 year old.
I don't know if Lauren is spoiled, scared, overwhelmed or pigheaded in most situations.
Swimming each week is a total disaster. She screams, cries and throws a tantrum for the entire 30 minutes. Sometimes she says she is scared and maybe she is, but she is also not in control and that's probably her biggest issue.
We went to the Santa Clause parade today and she freaked out. "Too loud mommy!" Maybe it was but does that warrant bursting into tears?
Then we went to Nana and Grandpas for dinner and she refused to eat dinner and cried for over an hour and then when the cupcakes came out and everyone else got to have one she really lost her mind.
She refuses to potty train, cries every morning when I drop her off at daycare, screams for daddy when she's with mommy, cries for mommy when she's with daddy.
I find myself dreading these moments that occur every.day. I feel like she is running the show rather than her parents. We need to figure out how to manage her behavior, how to deal with the tantrums. But how?
I don't know if Lauren is spoiled, scared, overwhelmed or pigheaded in most situations.
Swimming each week is a total disaster. She screams, cries and throws a tantrum for the entire 30 minutes. Sometimes she says she is scared and maybe she is, but she is also not in control and that's probably her biggest issue.
We went to the Santa Clause parade today and she freaked out. "Too loud mommy!" Maybe it was but does that warrant bursting into tears?
Then we went to Nana and Grandpas for dinner and she refused to eat dinner and cried for over an hour and then when the cupcakes came out and everyone else got to have one she really lost her mind.
She refuses to potty train, cries every morning when I drop her off at daycare, screams for daddy when she's with mommy, cries for mommy when she's with daddy.
I find myself dreading these moments that occur every.day. I feel like she is running the show rather than her parents. We need to figure out how to manage her behavior, how to deal with the tantrums. But how?
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Halloween 2013
Then we went home and waited for the trick or treaters to arrive. It was a rainy nasty night so we only had about 30 but each time someone came to the door Lauren would say, "Hello friends! I LOOOVE your costume!" Hilarious!
Brier rode on Norm's shoulders and the whole time she held her arm straight up in the air to secure her candy basket. This kids knows what's important.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Two big news items!
Friday we took Lauren for her 3rd speech assessment. At her 18mth Dr apt it was identified that she wasn't talking as much as she should be for her age. Since then, we've gone for 3 speech assessments and have been working on things with her over the past year and a half. Well yesterday we were officially discharged from speech therapy! In fact, the speech therapist we saw this time was kind of surprised she had had a problem at all. At one point during the assessment, Lauren stopped playing with the therapist, turned around to Norm and I and said "Mommy, Daddy, SIT DOWN AND DON'T MOVE!" I think that's when I knew we were going to be sprung.
In other news Brier took her first steps today! 15 months old exactly! She is only taking 5-6 at a time but it's certainly progress. She has been so stubborn about it because she is so fast when she crawls (if that's what you want to call it). So let the injuries begin, we have a walker!
In other news Brier took her first steps today! 15 months old exactly! She is only taking 5-6 at a time but it's certainly progress. She has been so stubborn about it because she is so fast when she crawls (if that's what you want to call it). So let the injuries begin, we have a walker!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Sisters in the fall
Fall is a pretty exciting time around here! Lauren's birthday, trips to Pumpkinville, Pumpkin carving
and sister time.
Cow train at Pumpkinville
Carving pumpkins with Dad!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Goals
Lauren and Brier,
Today your mommy accomplished a big goal. I ran a 1/2 marathon! This means nothing to you now, maybe some day it will. But to me, it means that I have started to show you that accomplishing your goals is possible (even when it seems like it isn't).
Your goals may not include running or anything physical for that matter, but whatever your goals are, you can reach them if you try hard, apply yourselves and believe you can.
Today your mommy accomplished a big goal. I ran a 1/2 marathon! This means nothing to you now, maybe some day it will. But to me, it means that I have started to show you that accomplishing your goals is possible (even when it seems like it isn't).
Your goals may not include running or anything physical for that matter, but whatever your goals are, you can reach them if you try hard, apply yourselves and believe you can.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Welcome to the real world
Three weeks ago I went back to work. It is and will continue to be a difficult adjustment for me due to work itself, but that's another post completely.
The girls however have adjusted very well to the daycare routine. Lauren started out rough as she was hitting and pushing the other children at daycare, but that seems to have subsided now for the most part. Brier has really done a great job with the whole thing, although she isn't napping much there, once she slept for 2 hours, but it has usually between 25-60 minutes. She is still as happy as ever despite the short naps.
The days are very busy for us all and we really only get to spend a couple of hours with the kids each day and those hours are filled with eating, bathing, crying and going to, or getting out of bed. The hours we get them are their worst and ours too for that matter. Brier is in bed by 6:30p.m. at the latest each night so her evenings are very short to say the least.
Weekends aren't much better because I am training for a 1/2 marathon so my long runs for the week are Saturday mornings, and the rest of the weekend is spent cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, doing laundry, and going to Lauren's swimming lessons.
It's not the most fun life, but it's ours!
The girls however have adjusted very well to the daycare routine. Lauren started out rough as she was hitting and pushing the other children at daycare, but that seems to have subsided now for the most part. Brier has really done a great job with the whole thing, although she isn't napping much there, once she slept for 2 hours, but it has usually between 25-60 minutes. She is still as happy as ever despite the short naps.
The days are very busy for us all and we really only get to spend a couple of hours with the kids each day and those hours are filled with eating, bathing, crying and going to, or getting out of bed. The hours we get them are their worst and ours too for that matter. Brier is in bed by 6:30p.m. at the latest each night so her evenings are very short to say the least.
Weekends aren't much better because I am training for a 1/2 marathon so my long runs for the week are Saturday mornings, and the rest of the weekend is spent cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, doing laundry, and going to Lauren's swimming lessons.
It's not the most fun life, but it's ours!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Happy birthday cake!
Dear Lauren,
Today is your 3rd birthday! You don't get the concept of birthday's yet, so when we told you it was your birthday you wished happy birthday to everyone and everything around you - "Happy birthday Brower!, Happy birthday blue car!, Happy birthday house, Happy birthday MollyGeorge!" Then you asked for cake.
This last year you have grown up so much - both physically and otherwise. We recorded your height on the wall last night and you have grown 2 whole inches since your last birthday!
You are the perfect combination of adorable and frustrating. You know what you want and you will settle for nothing less. At some point in your life, this trait will be considered a strength, but for now it is challenging for your old mom and dad.
You talk non-stop, and often come out with things that we could have never expected. Like last week when I handed you your water bottle and you replied "Thank you Your Majesty!" or when Brier picked up a shoe and you said "A shoe! Good choice Brower, good choice!"
You are beautiful. Strangers stop me in stores and tell me how pretty you are. Your hair is still curly and has still never been cut. You love dresses, make-up and jewelry. You also love Peppa Pig and Max and Ruby much to our dismay.
You refer to yourself as 'Princess' and that's exactly what you to us. Happy birthday baby girl!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
Today is your 3rd birthday! You don't get the concept of birthday's yet, so when we told you it was your birthday you wished happy birthday to everyone and everything around you - "Happy birthday Brower!, Happy birthday blue car!, Happy birthday house, Happy birthday MollyGeorge!" Then you asked for cake.
This last year you have grown up so much - both physically and otherwise. We recorded your height on the wall last night and you have grown 2 whole inches since your last birthday!
You are the perfect combination of adorable and frustrating. You know what you want and you will settle for nothing less. At some point in your life, this trait will be considered a strength, but for now it is challenging for your old mom and dad.
You talk non-stop, and often come out with things that we could have never expected. Like last week when I handed you your water bottle and you replied "Thank you Your Majesty!" or when Brier picked up a shoe and you said "A shoe! Good choice Brower, good choice!"
You are beautiful. Strangers stop me in stores and tell me how pretty you are. Your hair is still curly and has still never been cut. You love dresses, make-up and jewelry. You also love Peppa Pig and Max and Ruby much to our dismay.
You refer to yourself as 'Princess' and that's exactly what you to us. Happy birthday baby girl!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Lauren-isms
This kid is suddenly coming out with the most hilarious stuff!
Lauren and Brier are in the living room 'playing' I'm in the kitchen and I hear Lauren say:
"Brower, Brower, NO You're a bad girl, that's RUDE!"
What was Brower doing you ask? Crawling into the office minding her own business.
Then, today Norm was driving Lauren to his parent's house. Making conversation he asks her if she would like a snack when she gets to Nana and Grandpa's house. He goes through a list of foods:
"Would you like eggs, toast, candy etc?" Her answer to each is always "No"
Then he says "would you like pancakes?" And she replies "Sure daddy, sure, good choice!"
By the way, the kid is really not that fond of pancakes.
Lauren and Brier are in the living room 'playing' I'm in the kitchen and I hear Lauren say:
"Brower, Brower, NO You're a bad girl, that's RUDE!"
What was Brower doing you ask? Crawling into the office minding her own business.
Then, today Norm was driving Lauren to his parent's house. Making conversation he asks her if she would like a snack when she gets to Nana and Grandpa's house. He goes through a list of foods:
"Would you like eggs, toast, candy etc?" Her answer to each is always "No"
Then he says "would you like pancakes?" And she replies "Sure daddy, sure, good choice!"
By the way, the kid is really not that fond of pancakes.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Cuddle Pwease
Lauren's newest thing is to say "Cuddle Pwease" and I pick her up for a cuddle. So very unlike her. Least cuddly kid. Ever.
So she and I go into Brier's room this morning to get her out of bed. I'm just about to pick Brier up when Lauren says "Mommy, cuddle pwease" so I pick her up. She looks over Brier's crib and says to her "Sorry Brower, I cuddle mommy."
For a kid who can't talk, she really knows how to rub it in.
Sorry Brower.
So she and I go into Brier's room this morning to get her out of bed. I'm just about to pick Brier up when Lauren says "Mommy, cuddle pwease" so I pick her up. She looks over Brier's crib and says to her "Sorry Brower, I cuddle mommy."
For a kid who can't talk, she really knows how to rub it in.
Sorry Brower.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Potty Prison
I have no idea how to potty train a child.
Lauren is going to be 3 in 7 weeks and she is no where near potty trained. I am going to have the only child who can't go to school when she's 4 because she's still wearing diapers. I bought the diapers that are supposed to turn cold when they pee and make them uncomfortable and aware. She didn't even notice. Sigh.
We've tried candy, stickers, parties, praise, but non of it matters to her.
I don't know what to do next.
Lauren is going to be 3 in 7 weeks and she is no where near potty trained. I am going to have the only child who can't go to school when she's 4 because she's still wearing diapers. I bought the diapers that are supposed to turn cold when they pee and make them uncomfortable and aware. She didn't even notice. Sigh.
We've tried candy, stickers, parties, praise, but non of it matters to her.
I don't know what to do next.
They're all talk
This morning I gave Lauren her daily bowl of dry Cheerios for her pre-breakfast snack, and out of nowhere she said to me "Thank you your Majesty!" and bowed. Yep, that's right kid, mommy's the queen!
Brier is even working on her vocabulary, she now says Mamma, Dadda, Hi and Thank you. Seriously, she does.
Brier is even working on her vocabulary, she now says Mamma, Dadda, Hi and Thank you. Seriously, she does.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Bye bye baby!
Dear Brier,
Tomorrow you turn one year old. You will go from being a happy, joyous baby to a bright eyed, mischievous toddler.
Your first year has been amazing. From the moment you were born you were so happy and sweet. People are constantly asking "is she always this quiet/happy/sweet?" and the answer has always been, yes!
You have fallen into the roll of second born with grace and ease. You are observant and quick both mentally and physically. You have 6 1/2 teeth and you rock every one of them! Your big blue/grey eyes sparkle and scrunch up when you smile and you love to dance. I can tell all ready that you are going to be the climber, the mischief seeker and the one who will win everyone over with your personality to get your way.
You are still crawling around on one knee while using the other leg to propel you along faster. You love to climb the stairs when we forget the shut the gate, and swish your hand and arm around in the toilet bowl when we don't close the bathroom door quickly enough.
Your daddy and I have always felt so lucky to be your parents. We couldn't have asked for a better baby and we wish you could stay this age forever. Knowing that you can't, we look forward to watching you grow, hearing your voice and seeing who you become.
Happy birthday sweet girl!
XO
Mamma
Tomorrow you turn one year old. You will go from being a happy, joyous baby to a bright eyed, mischievous toddler.
Your first year has been amazing. From the moment you were born you were so happy and sweet. People are constantly asking "is she always this quiet/happy/sweet?" and the answer has always been, yes!
You have fallen into the roll of second born with grace and ease. You are observant and quick both mentally and physically. You have 6 1/2 teeth and you rock every one of them! Your big blue/grey eyes sparkle and scrunch up when you smile and you love to dance. I can tell all ready that you are going to be the climber, the mischief seeker and the one who will win everyone over with your personality to get your way.
You are still crawling around on one knee while using the other leg to propel you along faster. You love to climb the stairs when we forget the shut the gate, and swish your hand and arm around in the toilet bowl when we don't close the bathroom door quickly enough.
Your daddy and I have always felt so lucky to be your parents. We couldn't have asked for a better baby and we wish you could stay this age forever. Knowing that you can't, we look forward to watching you grow, hearing your voice and seeing who you become.
Happy birthday sweet girl!
XO
Mamma
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Sister love
Lauren is much better lately around Brier. The hitting/pushing seems to be fading. Many times a day she will run over to Brier and give her extended Eskimo kisses. The two of them will giggle and laugh and have a grand time. Eventually Brier somehow gets knocked over and the fun abruptly ends, but while it lasts it is super cute!
Die die naps!
Sadly at 2 years and 9 months, Lauren has decided she is finished with her afternoon naps. She doesn't sleep when visiting Norm's parents house on Tuesdays, then Thursday Stacey decided to not give her a nap and see how things went. Well since then she refuses to nap at home either! I put her in her room and 2 hours later I could still hear her playing. Loudly. It's for the best. Now when we put her to bed for the night at 7 p.m. she falls asleep very quickly, rather than banging around until 10 p.m. like she was starting to do with naps.
I will say, not napping makes for some very long days and I am having a hard time keeping her quiet when Brier is sleeping but TV is really helping!
My little girl is growing up!
I will say, not napping makes for some very long days and I am having a hard time keeping her quiet when Brier is sleeping but TV is really helping!
My little girl is growing up!
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
My little slugger
Ahhhhh.....
Lauren is going through a really rotten stage right now. She is hitting, pushing, kicking etc. Brier and now it is bleeding over onto her daycare friends and friends in general.
As a result, I have turned into the kind of mother I hate. I spank her, yell at her, give her time-puts, put her in her room with no toys, books, entertainment of any sort. None of it is working. I am at my wits end. I feel like crap, she feels like crap, I'm sure Brier feels pretty crappy too. I don't know if she is jealous, or angry, or what. \n some ways I can understand her attitude toward Brier, but I don't like her hitting kids at daycare. I don't want to be the mom of the daycare asshole.
Lauren is going through a really rotten stage right now. She is hitting, pushing, kicking etc. Brier and now it is bleeding over onto her daycare friends and friends in general.
As a result, I have turned into the kind of mother I hate. I spank her, yell at her, give her time-puts, put her in her room with no toys, books, entertainment of any sort. None of it is working. I am at my wits end. I feel like crap, she feels like crap, I'm sure Brier feels pretty crappy too. I don't know if she is jealous, or angry, or what. \n some ways I can understand her attitude toward Brier, but I don't like her hitting kids at daycare. I don't want to be the mom of the daycare asshole.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
This kid is going to be trouble
Beyond that, she has no problem climbing out of 'the pit' so no one and nothing is safe.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Brower and the Bassle
Groundhog Day - July 1st edition
We went to the park on July 1st again this year, just like we had done one July 1st 2011 when it was just Lauren and us. I took the same action shots of the girls in their Canada Day duds (not intentionally). Can you tell who is who? Seeing them like this, I even have a hard time distinguishing between the two. Maybe it's the strategically placed soothers?
(In case 10 years from now I don't remember, Brier is in the red, Lauren in the white. Brier is 11 months old this week and Lauren was around 9 months at the time.)
Peg Leg
I had to get video evidence of Brier's crawling technique these days. She looks like a peg leg pirate. But it gets the job done and I will say she is quick!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Table Manners
Or lack there of.
This is our biggest problem of late. I understand dinner time in many households is a complete nightmare, but when it's going on in your own home it really sucks.
Lauren is brutal at meal time. Dinner specifically. She doesn't want to be in her chair. She doesn't want to eat what we're serving, she screams, she cries, she pushes her chair away from the table, etc.
It's bad enough at home, but she also does that in public or at other people's houses. And that's when I really lose my cool.
We are struggling with how to deal with this situation. I would like to take the " Fine. Don't eat, go to bed hungry, but sit there quietly while we enjoy our dinner." approach, unfortunately that doesn't actually work. I don't want to let her leave the table either because that's just giving in to what she wants. Then she gets to go have fun instead of eat. So what can we do? Sadly, I don't know.
This is our biggest problem of late. I understand dinner time in many households is a complete nightmare, but when it's going on in your own home it really sucks.
Lauren is brutal at meal time. Dinner specifically. She doesn't want to be in her chair. She doesn't want to eat what we're serving, she screams, she cries, she pushes her chair away from the table, etc.
It's bad enough at home, but she also does that in public or at other people's houses. And that's when I really lose my cool.
We are struggling with how to deal with this situation. I would like to take the " Fine. Don't eat, go to bed hungry, but sit there quietly while we enjoy our dinner." approach, unfortunately that doesn't actually work. I don't want to let her leave the table either because that's just giving in to what she wants. Then she gets to go have fun instead of eat. So what can we do? Sadly, I don't know.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Is Jekyll and Hyde just a phase?
I will start this post by saying "Lauren, I love you dearly, but...."
Man this kid is moody! I don't understand. One second she is delightful, fun, funny, sweet and happy and the next she is a screaming, kicking, nasty mess! Anything can set her off. I could ask if she would rather blue or red and she throws herself on the ground screaming. What The F*%$?!
With Brier beginning to be a bit more mobile, Lauren is constantly saying "No Baby!" "Mine" etc. Apparently a year and a half at daycare has not given her the sharing skills I had hoped.
In the car, Brier reaches her little hand out - but can not actually touch Lauren in her seat - and Lauren will lose it! Kicking, screaming, crying. SHE CAN'T EVEN TOUCH YOU!! Deep breaths mommy.
This is all normal 2 year old behaviour right? Tell me this is normal and only a phase. Mommy's going to lose her mind! Then there will be two of us crying and screaming on the floor.
She's on the move!
She has two center lower teeth, and her two upper 'fang' teeth, and this week she's working on the upper middles. She is having a hard time with these ones, the left side of her sweet little face is a bit swollen and she is grinding her teeth/gums. I've ordered an amber teething necklace for her to wear to help with the discomfort, but we'll see if that really works.
She is off formula now and is drinking homo milk. I need to get more meet into her diet to make sure she is getting enough iron.
Finally, she is still as sweet and adorable as ever! Just look at that face!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Photo dump
First day in the back yard. The slide is getting a bit short.
9 months old and eating Cheerios!
We don't take enough video
The best part about this video apart from Lauren's version of 'dancing' is when she falls and says
"What happened?"
Cutie pie.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
She likes her! She really likes her!
We've been trying more and more to get Lauren to interact with Brier.
When Brier is in her highchair Lauren and I play a game by tickling Brier's feet, cheeks, hands, anything really. Brier can not take her eyes off of Lauren and laughs hysterically when her big sister actually makes contact with any part of her body.
Every once in a while we ask Lauren to kiss or hug Brier and about 20% of the time she may actually do it. Again, Brier is in heaven.
Finally Norm managed to catch this rare and fleeting moment on camera.
When Brier is in her highchair Lauren and I play a game by tickling Brier's feet, cheeks, hands, anything really. Brier can not take her eyes off of Lauren and laughs hysterically when her big sister actually makes contact with any part of her body.
Every once in a while we ask Lauren to kiss or hug Brier and about 20% of the time she may actually do it. Again, Brier is in heaven.
Finally Norm managed to catch this rare and fleeting moment on camera.
This is one of the only photos we have of the girls together and it only took 9 months! BFFs in the making!
Tank Two Ma Mommy
The transition to the toddler bed for Lauren has been going really well. It's been around 10 days now and she's only gotten out of bed maybe 5 times. For me it has not been the nightmare I had envisioned.
The other night - okay it was 5 a.m. but no where near morning in my opinion - she got up and came out of her room (I only know this because the cow bell we tied to the door knob woke me out of a deep slumber). I met her in the hallway, she put her arms up in the air, I picked her up and she rested her head on my shoulder. I took her back into her room, placed her in bed and she immediately rolled on to her side as if she was going right back to sleep. But before I could leave the room she said "Tank two ma mommy." You guys!, I could have melted. But instead I went back to bed for 2 more glorious hours.
When this kid's on, she's really on.
The other night - okay it was 5 a.m. but no where near morning in my opinion - she got up and came out of her room (I only know this because the cow bell we tied to the door knob woke me out of a deep slumber). I met her in the hallway, she put her arms up in the air, I picked her up and she rested her head on my shoulder. I took her back into her room, placed her in bed and she immediately rolled on to her side as if she was going right back to sleep. But before I could leave the room she said "Tank two ma mommy." You guys!, I could have melted. But instead I went back to bed for 2 more glorious hours.
When this kid's on, she's really on.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sister bath fun
Bath time can be both fun and dangerous at our house. We try to bath them, together whenever possible because it's cute and efficient and we think it's good for Lauren to get use to being close to, and gentle with her sister. Only a few times has she held Brier's head under the water. So it's going well all in all.
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