New Words

C seems to be wanting to learn new words, yet, he isn't able to pronounce them.  Most of his new words come out as "da da" or something unrecognizable.  Today's example, M was coaching him to say "water" as we watched the roter-rooter man flood our yard in an unsuccessful attempt to fix a clogged gutter drain pipe:

"Wa-ter"

"Da-ddy!"

"Wa-ter"

"Da-ddy!"

hehehe.

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Read Across America

We headed to a great special event this morning at Lincoln Square Mall.  It was a really fantastic event focused on reading and literacy.

Both kids enjoyed themselves, especially M.  She really enjoyed sitting on various carpets listening to stories. She was truly captivated.  She sat right down, cross legged, hands in her lap, listening intently as each book was read.  Some favorites - Polar Bear, Polar Bear,  If You Give A Pig A Pancake, If You're Happy And You Know It.  And some we had never read before too.  We even got to listen to "celebrity reader" Mike Frerichs, our IL state senator, read The Little Red Hen!

But I think the most magical moment was meeting Curious George and the Man In The Yellow Hat:

Can't wait to do this again next year. 

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Whoooo Goes There?

We stopped by the Anita Purves Nature Center (a.k.a. Mommy's Work) today before heading to the Read Across America Event at Lincoln Square Mall.  We happened to arrive as weekend staff was cleaning out the owl cage, and were able to snap a quick photo with Quasi the Screech Owl before she was tucked away in her carrier while her cage was getting cleaned out.  Thanks, APNC!

Erica, the Environmental Public Program Coordinator, put M to work, helping prepare for the birthday party that was about to start.  M was a great helper and a hard worker!

C just wondered around with a sucker most of the time, pleased as pie that I let him have one. 

Everyone loves coming to Mommy's Work.

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Like Mother, Like Daughter

I came home today to find this situation in the living room:

For anyone that knows our family, you know that shoes on the floor is one of my husband's biggest pet peeves.  I've really tried to work on ensuring that my shoes are stowed neatly by the front door, but sometimes I fail.  Apparently my bad habit has worn off on M too.  We're in trouble now!

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2 Kool 4 Skool

M wanted her sun glasses for the ride to daycare one day last week.  I just had to snap a photo when I turned around and saw her.  Too funny.  ♥

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Spring Has Sprung Part 2

We played outside this morning in the back yard for the first time this year!  C was so cute because he was able to walk up the paver-stone path to the playhouse, which he was not able to do on his own last time we tried.  He was awfully proud of himself.  M spent most of the time sweeping the house and the slide off - spring cleaning.

It is supposed to be sunny and 50 degrees this afternoon.  We'll be headed to the park for sure.

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Spring Has Sprung

"We got to play outside TWO TIMES today, at school AND at K's house"

Welcome to spring, everyone!

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Brick House!

M has been known to shout things out while driving down the street, not unlike one of her uncles...

In this case, she has been learning the 3 Little Pigs story at school.  Whenever she sees a building made of bricks she calls out "Brick House!"  all the way home.  :)  I can't help but to be reminded of the song by the Commodores.

This reminds me of her early words.  In Chicago, while strolling through the city, she would yell out "Bus!", "Bike", "Train!" whenever she identified any of these.  The walk up the lake shore was hilarious with all of the bicycle traffic.

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You've Got a Friend in Me Part 2

In yesterday's post, I neglected to discuss the friendships that C has begun developing during his short life thus far.

I think right now he idolizes his sister.  If M is doing something, he wants to too. Doesn't matter that he is two years younger and not actually able to do certain things - he still wants in on whatever is going on.

Other than that, his best friends at the moment are the kids he spends the most time with: his day care buds.

Just Chillin', J (left), J (middle), and C (right), December 2009

Cuddle Time, C (left), J (right), January 2009

K, the lady who cares for my kids, has three of her own (all J's).  She's great about texting me pictures of the kids, helps me feel more connected throughout the day.  Thanks K!

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Right Again

"How do you spell your name?" M inquired.

"C-A-T-Y" I answered.

"That's not right!  It's M-O-M"

Silly me.

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The Fountain of Youth

 "The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm."
~Aldous Huxley

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” 
~Sophia Loren


M asked an interesting question while getting ready for bed tonight:

"When do we get to be babies again?"

I asked her why she would want to be a baby again, what babies get that she's not, and we hugged and cuddled for a moment while she thought about it.

You'll always be my baby, sweetheart.

~

You've Got a Friend in Me

The title for this post is fitting, becuase Toy Story is M's favorite movie.  We let her watch it about once a week, but we try to limit TV as much as possible.  Movies cut into our book-reading time.

M has had two people who I would consider her real "friends" besides daycare and school friends and her cousins.  Mainly they are my friend's kids, but that's ok.  She truly enjoys these two friends, and excitedly awaited their play dates.

M and E go way back, and I would consider her M's first friend:

Shopping trip!  M (left), E (right), April 2007

Parallel Play, E (left), M (right), April 2007

Chalkboard Fun, E (left), M (right), August 2008

Fireworks, M (left), E (right), 4th of July 2009

M's other good friend is P.  P is a little older than M, and M looks up to P and models her.

Peekaboo Cabinet, P (left), M (right), May 2008

We were so lucky to be able to have both P and E over for Halloween in 2008.

Trick-Or-Treat, P (left), M (middle), E (right), October 2008


E's family moved to Ann Arbor this past summer, and P's family moved up to Chicago.  Mama keeps up with her friends still, but M is not as electronically connected...  We miss you guys!

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A Goodnight Kiss

Roscoe found a special friend to kiss goodnight. We found him passed out asleep in this position:

Reminds me of a book we like to read, Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest.
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Flashback

This post the other day reminded me of a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo we took in 2007, when M was just C's age.

They have some great exhibits at that zoo that let you get some awesomely close views of the animals.  M was fascinated by the fish.

This was back in her Binky days.  She couldn't go anywhere without her pacifier, and we had to bring extras in case God forbid we lost one or one fell on the ground, or else it would have been the end of the world!  We are all glad those days are over (she finally gave up her binky when she was 2.5), and for this exact reason, we never once offered C a binky.

The giraffe exhibit was one on of my favorites:

Later, baby M became a tiger herself. :-)

We have since tried to make the Lincoln Park Zoo an annual event.  Since Aunt E and Uncle S live walking distance to the zoo, it makes for an easy field trip and a nice visit.  We love spending time with family, especially when it involves seeing some neat exotic animals!

In 2008, I was pregnant with C, so it was not quite as involved of a trip. I was easily fatigued.  We first went north to the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum, which was great fun:

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Insect Fear Film Festival Fun

Had a fantastic time at the 27th Annual Insect Fear Film Festival!  Brought M for the second year in a row, and C for the first time.  This is a tradition that I bring to my kids - I've been going to this festival almost every year since I can remember.  We held tons of bugs, and petted a horseshoe crab!

M was psyched for the event, got dressed in her butterfly shirt, and let me put her hair in pigtails (a.k.a. antennae).

Mama held many creatures, while M and C petted/observed:

M pets a Tobacco Hornworm.

C pulls away, reeling in repulsion, as a event person presents a hissing cochroach.

M and I pet the surprisingly docile and pleasant giant grasshopper (I don't think it's the same species shown in this link, but it looked similar).

Also not pictured, Mama held a hissing cockroach, and also another kind of cute little digging beetle.

I ♥ the IFFF! 

~

P.S. For the record, I actually have a moderate insect-phobia, so tonight I will do my heebee-jeebee shake-off dance before I go to bed!

Cowboy Wonder

My husband cleaned out the front closet last weekend and found both his cowboy hat that I gave him as a wedding gift, and his toy guns.  The kids enjoyed them momentarily, until they went back into the closet.

Better behave yourself; the sheriff is comin' to town:

I'm the cutest cowboy you ever saw in these here parts:

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Coolest T-shirt Ever

I've always been partial to this T-shirt for C.  I like the faded look:

















 September 2009


But then I found this one in the drawer!!

Awesome!

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Building Blocks

Our "family game night" this week was building with blocks in the playroom.  Mom builds with Duplos and Megablocks, and dad gets to use the awesome wooden blocks.

Dad builds a fortress with M:














"Dad, that's a pretty zee-sign [design]!"

Close the door.

Open the door

Put block in.

SMILE!

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Sick Is No Fun Part 3

Now C is sick with a high fever.  After a doctor's visit this afternoon, we discovered the cause: a nasty ear infection.  :-(  My poor baby.

But I really think I will miss my baby just down-right laid out on me, resting and cuddling.  Just being sweet and nuzzling, and snuggling, and wanting comfort from mom.  I'll be glad when he feels better, but I will miss that.

And for a photo:  Fish at the doctor's office:

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Baby Pictures

M and I were looking at a brag-book of her baby pictures this evening.

 "Look, Mommy, I'm wearing lipstick!"

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