Rain Day

Pretty much the equivalent of being snowed in, we have been stuck in the house because of heavy rains.  SF schools are closed for the day and the kids have a little cold/cough.  Not a good mix but we survived the cabin fever thanks to decorating a ginger bread house, Cheetos, lots of Curious George, jelly sandwiches, and kids letting mommy take a quick cat nap.

18 Month Wellness Check

Healthy and thriving...

24 lbs 14oz (60th percentile)

33.5in (75th percentile) 

47.8cm (60th percentile)

Reading Adventure

Two weeks ago...

Mini: Mommy, I want to learn how to read.

Me: Wow, really?!  Why?

Mini: Because I want to learn how to use the tv remote control and turn on the tv by myself.  Sometimes you're too slow or you forget to turn it on for me.  I can do it for myself.

Me: That's a good enough reason for me.  

Mini: And when can I learn how to drive the car?  I think I'm old enough now.

So the lessons started on Monday, we are into day three, and she's already trying to avoid it.  It's going to be a looooong project.

New Do

At her own request, long hair lopped off today.  Short hair for the first time since she was a baby.  Cute little bob with side bangs.  Love it!

Harmonica Baby

 
Grande discovered the harmonica today and he's been huffing and puffing into it all day.  He's a regular hillbilly with foot stompin', leg slappin', and hollerin' noises.

One Diaper Free, One More to Go

Last Friday, I forgot to put Mini in her nighttime diaper.  She woke up dry. 

On Saturday, it was her idea to go diaper free again.  Ok, but with the caveat that she cooperate with a late night bathroom run.  Woke up dry.

Two nights later, still dry.  By golly, I think she's finally rid of the diapers and at her own request.

Evolution of a Name

She's got it!  Over the past week, we've been working on writing Mini's name and last night she wrote it all by herself, even got the letters in order. You can see the progress in the photos.

Not Talking Yet

So Grande doesn't do much talking.  His vocab is really just Mama and neh-neh (milk).  We have heard him say bye-bye.  At one point he would say Dada and Jie-Jie.

He does fine pointing and taking your hand to lead you places.  If he really needs something, he just yells.  For the most part, he can respond with head shakes and/or running away.  He definitely understands commands like change diaper, eat, take a bath, put on clothes, let's go.

And we have a boy again!

You know it's time for a haircut when people start calling you a girl or asking if it's a boy or girl.  Sorry Grande, you just can't pull off the long bangs.

But he stayed still for his first barber cut.  Thomas the Train on TV, gummy snacks, and a very quick stylist helped.

Dolphin Man

This is the first drawing that I've seen from Mini that resembles what she set out to draw.  It's a person complete with eyes, mouth, hair, arms, and legs.  On top of his head is a dolphin.

Measurements

Today, I measured Grande at a little over 30". Mini is now around 38". Little one is catching up.

Love Hate

This photo describes Mini and Grande's relationship perfectly!

But Mini seems to have given in a little and is nicer to Grande.  

Chuck E Cheese

Let the birthday fun begin!  Gathered Mini and her two best buddies for their first Chuck E Cheese experience.  200 tokens later, they were in kiddie heaven (more like kiddie Vegas).  Bellies full of pizza and ice cream, hands filled with plastic toys, enough carnival games and rides to tide them over for a year.  Such a great time for all.  Even Grande had his fun being mesmerized by the singing animatronic characters and riding all the cars and trains he desired.

 

Such a throwback too since I had many happy times at Chuck E Cheese as a kid.  So happy to share this with my own kids thirty years later.

Småland

We went to Ikea today and put Mini in their Småland playroom.  This is the first time we've done any drop-off program where she is on her own with strangers.  She didn't have any problem with being left there for an hour and likely had a pretty good time with the new toys and art station.  Baby girl is growing up.

Monster Strikes Again

Today is a biting day.  Grande bit into a foam ball, tore off poor snake's tongue with his teeth, and thought my arm would be a good snack.

Sad Face

It's so hard to stay mad at a face like this especially when she's drawn a "tiger face" on herself.  Started lecturing her for hurting lil brother and just busted out laughing.

Little Monster

Leave Grande alone for two minutes and this is what you come back to.  And this is minor clean up.  He's had his fun with trash can contents, spices and salt from the lazy susan, and dry rice.  Now those were major cleans.

It's no wonder that Mini has nicknamed her little brother as the "Little Monster."

Earth Room

Mini has graduated to the Earth Room at preschool.  It's a class for the 3.5-4 year olds.  She has new teachers, new classmates, and new lessons.

Transition went smoothly but she did lose some good friends.  Caylee and Miles are still in Moon Room until they transfer to Sun Room.  Miles is in the photo above, that is one smooth lookin' kid.  These two are thick as thieves at school so I hope Mini won't miss him too much.

First Haircut

Before and after of first big boy haircut.  Daddy did pretty good with the clippers.  We had to bribe with a lollipop after Grande couldn't hold still anymore, which was only two minutes.  But I am relieved there will be no more bed head and doubts of his gender.

Dip in the Pool

Book Ready

Story time with Grande has been a struggle that ended with Grande eating the book, screaming at the book, or grabbing the book and throwing it to the ground.  He had NO interest in reading.

Today, he finally sat through two books before wrestling it out of my hands and tossing it to the floor.  Yay!  First book was about a train and second book was about counting.  Perfect timing too, now he can participate in the library's summer reading program and earn prizes.

Milk Fiend

Looking around, looking, looking.  Ah ha!  Found it.  Let's load up the cart.

Crib Fun

Grande is able to sleep in a crib and is fine with it (totally different experience than Mini!).  His bedtime antics are just adorable and this may be when he's at his best.  By best, I mean this is when the cuteness is at the max and you never want the moment to end.  

Grande spoons his Mr. Seahorse, gives him hugs and kisses on the face.  He pats the head and pretends like he is putting the toy to bed. He tumbles around like a baby panda and gets tangled in his favorite blanket.  He points to the animal stickers on the wall.  He plays peekaboo, sticks his arms and legs through the bars for you to tickle, and jumps up and down on the mattress.  There's gurgling and eye rubbing, smiles and sleepy yawns, and then he falls asleep ON HIS OWN!  That's the best part.

Wake-up Call for Mommy

A conversation with Mini this morning...

 

Mini: (out of the blue and in ALL seriousness) Mommy, I don't like you.

Me: Why?

Mini: Because I don't like you.

Me: Why? Give me a reason.

Mini: I just don't like you anymore.

Me: You can't say that without a reason.  Tell me why you don't like me.

Mini: (after more pressing from me) I don't like you because you gave birth to Di-Di. 

 

Yikes!  So Mini is feeling the neglect.  We finished this conversation with the understanding that Mini is entitled to be angry with me but has to understand that Grande is still a baby that needs my attention.  She's a big girl and more independent.  There will be a day when the two will play together and she will love and need him.  For now, she has to practice patience and bear through it all.  She agreed to this concept but I'm still not sure if it sunk in.

 

Looks like I need to schedule some Kayla time and mend this rift. 

Messy

Note to self: don't leave Grande unsupervised with a rice cake.  This kid just smeared it everywhere.  It's even stuck to his eyelashes, his eye was hungry?!  

Zoo Day

Took the kids to the zoo and all they wanted to do was stay at the playground.  Didn't see any animals which defeated the purpose of going to the zoo.  

Magnatile Castle

Look mommy!  I built a big castle.

Mama

My baby called me "Ma-ma" twice today.  I'm pretty sure.

First time he was fussy and I looked down at him and he said clearly "Mama".  Second time, I was washing dishes and Grande was underfoot.  He was likely hungry and wanted his bottle.  He kept repeating Mama and what I swear was "bao bao" (hold me in Chinese).  Mama bao bao, mama bao bao.

Writing

We've got a long way to go with handwriting.  Mini is showing slight interest in writing so we start with her name.  Tracing is manageable but shaky.  Free hand is unreadable (evidenced by the bottom line of chicken scratch).

One Year Wellness Check

Hmm, Grande hasn't grown as much as I hoped.  But he checked out fine and took three vaccinations like a man.  Only two whimpers came out of him.

Height 31in (75th percentile)
Weight 21lbs (60th percentile)
Head 48cm (92 percentile)

Party Time

Grande's close friends and family, trays of Chinese food, painting and ceramics, and cake make for a wonderful birthday party. 

Happy 1st Birthday, Grande!

It's been 365 days and look how far you've come - you're a walking, babbling, eating, and playful munchkin.  Happy first birthday, little man. 

When the cat is away...

... the mice will play.

 

When Mini is at school, Grande gets free reign over the toys and tears the place up.  Without the big sister yelling no and yanking toys away, this little guy is so busy mouthing all the toys and dumping everything out.  Plus, he gets to play with her "special" toys that are otherwise untouchable.

Too Hot Today

It hit 80 degrees in SF today, which is pretty hot for us.  This called for ice cream as dinner and people watching in West Portal.  Then we headed home for bike and trike time in the driveway.