Birthday Princess

Photo courtesy JCPenney Portrait Studios.

Yesterday Skylie celebrated her second birthday. Thanks to a Dora episode and a few books, Skylie has been mesmerized with birthday cakes and birthday parties. On her birthday eve I made the mistake of telling her, "Tomorrow's your birthday!" as I got her ready for bed. She ended up falling asleep crying "Birthday cake! Party! Birthday Cake! Party!"

Skylie's birthday wish was to go the the library—so we did. After dinner we opened presents, then a couple friends and neighbors came over for cake, ice cream, and sparklers. Skylie loved it!

Dinner: Brazilian Rice and Beans
It's usually one of Skylie's favorites, but I think she was holding out for the birthday cake.

Skylie got a kitchen, food and dishes for it, and bubbles for her birthday. It was a hit.

Not all the attention was on Skylie. Kaitlyn got her share of hugs/mauling. Skylie saw these hats at the store and exclaimed, "Birthday hat! Party!" So of course I couldn't resist getting them.
The birthday cake made by yours truly.
Cake plus princess stuff scored big points with the birthday girl.
The anticipation of eating cake was almost more than Skylie could handle.

Some of Skylie's favorite neighbors couldn't make it for the first round of birthday cake. No problem here. That meant Skylie got seconds!

Skylie,
Two years ago you forever changed my life. You made me a mother. Thank you! You are growing up so fast, and I'm loving the stage you're at right now. It has it's challenging moments, but watching your spunky personality develop makes it all worth it.

At two years old:

• Last week we walked on a trail that's surrounded by lots of trees. You thought it was the "Spooky Forest" that's on your favorite Dora episode. Then you proceeded to look for "Pablo's Mountain."
• Once in the middle of the night (in a moment of possible insanity on my part), I wanted to get you and see if you'd cuddle with me. At about 12:30 at night I lifted you out of bed hoping that you'd stay mostly asleep. You woke enough to ask for "books", so we sat in the dark on the couch while I turned pages of books and made up words. You did indeed cuddle with me for quite a while. When I finally tried to lift you back into your crib, you insisted on a "prayer". After we said one you went to sleep like a champ.
  
• You love Kaitlyn and are constantly asking for "baby, too" if she's not around.
  
• You group everything into families. The rocks are mommy rocks, daddy rocks, and baby rocks, according to you.
• I blow on Kaitlyn's face when I'm trying to feed her so she'll wake up. Sometimes you'll put your hand on my chest and insist, "Mommy hot. Mommy hot." I appreciated the compliment, but wasn't sure why you were saying that. Then I got it. When food's hot we blow on it, so you thought I was blowing on myself to cool down! I laughed really hard when I put it all together.
• Your nursery leader says you are one of the most talkative kids in nursery.
• At a local party your daddy and I tried to get you to play in a bounce house. You acted terrified, clung to Daddy, and would have nothing to do with it. One week later though, you had no hesitation climbing onto a trampoline and rockin' out with a bunch of older kids. (Then I was the one terrified.)

We love you, Skylie!

Love,
Mom

Also Loving...

I don't own this Phil & Teds Sport Double Stroller, but as I've been looking into getting a double stroller, this one has won my heart! There's one posted on Craigslist and if the stars align (aka: my wheeling and dealing goes as I hope) it will soon become mine.

Moms, do you have any suggestions on double strollers I should look into? I'll take all the advice I can get.

Loving....

So good! These are one of my favorite treats lately. I'm not going to admit how many times I've eaten these babies the past couple months (mostly because I can't keep track). Even Matt, the not-so-into-chocolate-guy, loves 'em! For only $2 and a couple minutes of your time, they are definitely worth trying. Trust me.

Kaitlyn at Eleven Days

Photos courtesy JCPenney Portrait Studios.

Month 23

Skylie,

Two days after you turned 23 months old, you became a big sister. Kaitlyn's arrival came one month sooner than expected, and I'd been a little worried how you'd handle the huge change. Thankfully you adore your little sister. You talk in the cutest "baby talk" to her, race to her aid whenever she cries, and are constantly wanting to "wrap" her in blankets and push her in the swing. Jealously doesn't seem in your demeanor at all, and I'm hoping that doesn't change.

While I'm really happy you have a sister to play with, I already miss the one-on-one time we had together. You don't seem to mind though, and I think you actually prefer hanging out with your sister over me. :)

One memorable moment this past month was when I took you to the library for the weekly movie. Some kids laid on the floor while others sat in chairs in the back. I sat in a chair anticipating that you'd sit on my lap and cuddle with me. No such luck. You wanted to be a big kid and sit all by yourself. You acted mesmerized by the movie, Tangled. When all the other kids laughed at cheesy funny parts, you joined in with your cheesy, fake laugh even though you had no idea what was so funny. You fell in love with the "Princess" movie, and so we rented it and let you watch it to your hearts content for a couple days after Kaitlyn's birth.

This month you also got to go to the Children's Museum with our friends Jaden, Dallin, and Patrice. You LOVED it, especially the trains, dinosaurs, Dora exhibit, and toddler play areas. The carousel, however, scared you. (The splash park I took you to also scared you. You have strange fears--lawnmowers, carousels, splash parks--but huge dogs, loud fireworks, and going headfirst into deep water doesn't phase you.)

It's been a month since you first experienced fireworks, but you still ask on a regular basis to see them again.

Daddy and I have spent a bit of time working on our yard this month. You loved to be Daddy's helper. Daddy, by the way, is your favorite person these days. You love playing with him, laughing with him, and helping him with anything. When he is home you almost always prefer him over me. I don't blame you one bit!

You also decorated sugar cookies for the first time and loved eating the frosting as much as anything.

At 23 months your:

• Favorite color: Blue (you now know all your colors)
• Favorite food: Otter pops; blueberries
• Favorite activities: Watching one of the movies below, playing with Kate and Brook at the pool, reading, and "helping" with everything
• Favorite movies: Tangled (you call it the "Princess" movie), a Berenstain Bears DVD we checked out from the library, and Dora (particularly the "Pablo's Flute" episode)
• Favorite songs: "If You're Happy and You Know It" "The ABC's", "Old McDonald", and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"
• Favorite obsessions: Blankets, anything "big", and lawnmowers (You're terrified of lawnmowers, but you talk about and point them out all the time.)

I love you so much, my not-so-little girl!

Love,
Mom

Kaitlyn's Stats

At one week Kaitlyn is doing great! We love having her with us. Skylie adores her, is a very willing helper, and always wants to be with "Baby Kaitlyn".

I'm sure it will get harder for me as Kaitlyn begins to be awake more, but as of right now the adjustment to having two kids hasn't been as difficult as I'd imagined. That being said, this is the first day Matt's gone back to work and he has been nothing short of amazing around here.

At six days Kaitlyn's stats were:

Length: 18 1/2 inches; 5th percentile

Weight: 5 pounds, 5 ounces; 1st percentile

Head Circumference: 12 5/8 centimeters; 3rd percentile