16 Month Round-up

It feels like a while since we have devoted a blog to the wonderful Beatrice Lea, and given how much her personality is growing it is about time.

The poor thing has been working on all 4 molars the last few weeks so hasn't totally been herself. But between biting on toes, biting on me, and bouts of Tylenol, we have been enjoying the spunk that our second-born has brought into our house.

One of the things that continues to surprise us is how much Bea plays by herself. This is just totally new territory for us. And if she didn't literally put EVERYTHING in her mouth any chance she gets, we could pretty much leave her home alone and she would be happy. But alas, she is a dirt, rock, sand, playdough, penny, etc eater. So we have to keep a close eye on her. :)

But with this growing independent play, the sisters have started to enjoy some more playtime together. (which also means we have caught a glimpse into our future with the fighting)....

But in between bouts of fighting there is a lot of sweetness, and Matilda is getting more anxious for her little sister to catch up to her so they can fly together.

Bea is very patient when she is trying to figure something out. She will spend long period of time trying to do something that could frustrate her. Put on her shoe. Put a crayon in the box. Pick up a tiny rock off of the floor so she can put it in her mouth. You get the picture.

That patience is zapped to zero when it involves her hunger or something she wants, now. But it impresses me that she appears to have a penchant for problem solving.

Some of my favorite Bea things right now:

- hysterical maniacal giggling when we crack the code of what she wants

- the way she stops, looks over her shoulder and nods 'yes' right before she does something naughty

- her 'lobster claw'--when she hooks her arm around ours when we carry her

- the way she just pops her little hand out of the stroller when she wants something. It's a quiet sort of demanding

- Her obsession with Suzy Doll and Annie Bear and how she has to bring them out of the crib each morning

Bea started the Toddler room this past week, and it was SO clear to me that she was more than ready.

The way she was playing with toys--picking up a purse, grabbing the stroller, packing it with a baby and waving bye bye. 

She did really well--although I can't imagine this child--who is ALWAYS on the go sleeping on a cot. I can't wrap my mind around that.

The child is also OBSESSED with her hat and shoes. Literally wears her hat around the house 75% of the time. Will stop what she is doing (even if it is crying for food) and walk like a hypnotized robot when we ask her where her shoes are and to go put them on (sometimes I do it just to stop her from crying!).

For how 'busy' Bea is, she is also a Lover. Free with her waves, her kisses, her drive-by snuggles.

She is still quite the peanut from what we are used to, but what she might lack in theft around her middle, she makes up for in spunk.

Defiance First

An interesting new trend has emerged with the 3-year old.

Almost any time we ask her a question, she immediately answers no. Like she is predisposed to be defiant.

Examples:

(Tillie struggling to carry a bag)
Me: Tillie you want me to carry that bag for you?
Tillie: NO (very quickly....pause...). Yes.


Me: Tillie do you want to go outside with Mama.
Tillie: NO! Yes.


You get the picture.

It's hilarious because she says no before I think she really has even processed what she is saying no to.  This does two things for me. First, it literally makes me fear the teenage years. Can you even imagine the sass and defiance this girl is going to have?? Second, it gives me a little hope that she won't be as stubborn as me. Because I have to imagine that once i said no to something as a kid, I stuck to it on principle, even thought I may have wished I said yes.....

Time will tell I am sure, but in the meantime we are enjoying this silly little quirk!

Tillie Talks

Nate and Tillie ran to Target for a quick errand. As they pull into the parking lot, there is a car getting jumped. Tillie asks "what's that?" Nate tries to explain. To which Tillie responds,
"They should try a band-aid"

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"Daddy, I got you your seatbelt" said while handing him a belt for his pants.

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"I need to get better pants on"
--said as she was leaving to go to Bylerlys to get milk with Nate
Clearly I say this too much as I roam the house in pajama pants and always have to put 'better pants on' to leave the house. :)

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Playing a game in the basement, we were pretending coins were money. Tillie launches into a story about how she was going to take her money go to work and stop at Target after work to buy two things: "Sausage and Peanut Butter"

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One night, as Nate was putting Tillie down for bedtime, she told him:
"I want to give you a kiss and a clap". He wasn't sure what he was in for, but she bent over and gave him a  kiss and then a high five. Then promptly turned over and went to sleep.

Visitors!

I want to say I have no excuses for poor execution of this blog the last month or so, but in reality I feel like I have a lot. :)

First of all, if someone isn't trailing Bea at all times she will definitely consume more than her fair share of dirt, sand, rocks that are choking hazards, or crayons.

Second, the weather has been so gorgeous the last thing I want to do after being on the computer all day is sit in front of the computer some more.

Third, and most fun, we have had a TON of visitors this last month to help us break in the new house. So usually I catch up on my blogging on the weekends, but that hasn't been able to happen because we have been out having fun.

And fourth (and probably the most legit reason for the absence) is that I CANNOT get my freaking iphone pictures to sync up with my blogger. I have tried so many times and it isn't happening. So I apologize for the post below--no pictures. There are lots of cute ones. If you want to see them to tell the story--let me know and I can scroll you through my phone. :)

Emily and Joe came and visited us all the way from Texas, and while Joe tried his best to better Matilda up, I'm not sure we made as much progress as he would have liked. The girl has a steel-trap memory, and just will not let their first encounter go. Bea, on the other hand, gives it up straight away.

We had a lot of fun exploring some new restaurants, going to the park, visiting Nate at Target, and generally just hanging out with the girls. It was SO awesome of them to fly all the way up here, and now we are on the full-on countdown until they will LIVE up here.

Then we were lucky enough to get to host the entire Joyce crew. Amy and I were WAY WAY WAY overdue for an in-person visit. I hadn't met the wonderful ms. Winnie yet, and Amy hadn't gotten her hands on the crazy Beezy Lea. It was a little harder to get out the door with four little ones but we managed to make it to a few parks (which Matilda thought she was the boss off), and out for an amazing breakfast at Agra-Culture.

I love how each of the 'big siblings' have their arms around the OTHER little sibling--like oh, I'll be nice to this little baby since it isn't coming home with me....

We made a run to the beer store which ended up with both Matilda and Paddy getting their first 'tattoos' and all of the children naked and rolling around in a giant mud puddle in our front 'yard.' What can I say?

We ventured out to the Food Truck festival as well, but long lines and blasting sun/heat kept our stay short (but not before I indulged in some seriously craveable tater-tots). 

Time moves to fast when you are with your favorite people and both of these weekends proved that. I am so bummed looking back at how few pictures we snapped, but regardless of the photos I have to prove for it, we had a great time. Either of guys can come around again anytime you want!!!