Last weekend we celebrated Christmas with Kami, Richard, Adam and Austin in Chapin. Seeing Adam and Austin makes us realize just how fast kids grow up. It wasn’t that long ago that they were my snuggly little babies. They are growing up to be such sweet boys and they are so good to their baby cousins.
Bee Bug is 18 months. Just how does that happen? Right before our eyes she is changing from a little baby to a little girl. James and I are amazed everyday at the things she knows and understands. This is such a wonderful age.
At her 18 month check up, she weighed 21 pounds putting her in the 15th percentile and was 31 inches long putting her in the 25th percentile. She is still our tiny little bug.
She understands much more than she actually says, but her facial expressions pretty much say all that she is thinking. She says a few words: Lily, cracker (which means cookie, candy, or cracker), water and many others that we haven’t deciphered yet.
She continues to eat like a tiny little bird. Pasta and rice are still her favorites. She also loves greens beans. I am so glad to have found a vegetable that she will eat. Needless to say, we eat a lot of green beans around here now.
As I have said before, this girl loves her daddy. If I try to take her, she growls no and clutches on to James. I try not to take it too personally.
Sarah Ellen has not become attached to a lovey. She likes to have blankies and animals in her bed, but is not particular to which ones. In the mornings, however, she likes to grab up all the things in her bed and bring them with her. She gets a little fussy when something gets left behind.
With all of her recent illnesses, we have discovered that she does not like to take medicine. I never realized what a challenge this could be. It takes two of us to give her medicine. One person has to hold her hands over her head while the other person and has to squirt in the medicine and hold her nose. This is made even more difficult because you have to wait until she yells just loud enough to open her mouth enough to get the syringe in the back of her throat. You then sit and hope she doesn’t cry hard enough to throw it all up. It really is torture for all involved. I did discover, though, that acetaminophen does come in suppositories. Those will be saved for those scary high fevers.
She loves to be outside. She could spend an entire hour digging in the garden boxes with a shovel and bucket. She also likes to pick all the buds off our camellias. I suppose I will sacrifice a few flowers this year for a few minutes of toddler entertainment.
Sarah Ellen loves to give hugs and kisses. She has learned to hug like her big sister and leans in for a very sweet “mm-mm.” Her kisses, however, are the sweetest ever. She gently leans in, firmly touches your cheek, and makes the perfect kissing noise. Her favorite person to kiss is her big sister. I must remember to capture this on video soon.
Bug is a very good sleeper. She actually asks to go to bed at night. I try to rock her or read to her, but she just points to her bed saying, “nigh-nigh.” She goes to sleep around 8 and wakes between 7 and 8. She takes a good nap in the afternoons, usually around 2 hours.
She is developing so much personality and becoming a little person. I can tell she is going to have a good sense of humor. Sometimes the sly little grins she gives you are so adult and secretive.
We love you little buggy.
Tis the season, the time has come again
To dress the children and capture that perfect grin.
Our Saviour's birth, I do love to celebrate,
but finding that perfect Chrstmas card picture I really do hate.
“Smile, look at the camera, sit still, say cheese.”
“No, don’t move, stop fussing, hug your sister now please.”
Oh, the joy of the season, but the pain of the photo shoot
To get both children to look at the camera and at the same time look cute.
Here are some rejects for you to enjoy.
I hope even these pictures bring you Christmas joy.
I love this time of year! This is Lily’s three year old preschool class performing Christmas songs. I’m still not quite sure what they were singing, but they looked very cute.
On Wednesday, Lily’s dance class held an observation session for family members to see all that they have learned this semester. Lily has loved dance so far, and is always showing us her new “moves.” These little girls seem to be having a blast.
Here is some video of the big show. It’s a little long, but I figured only grandparents and aunts will be watching it anyway.
Here is her big leap:
