Sing, sing a song

We have a new item to add to the "Ways to Amuse a Busy Toddler" list. Thanks to friends who are also moms to toddlers, Sierra and I learned about the Toddler Sing Along at the Four County Players (about 25 minutes from us).

(side note: how do you all find out about these things? I am either not subscribed to the right sources or not reading the right literature because I feel like I have NO idea what's going on until someone tells me!)

We went for the first time earlier this week, and had a great time. Ms. Pam (Pam Edelman) leads the sing along with her guitar and the kiddos are welcome to sing along, dance, or just run around the room.

Pam leads us in song
Sierra kicks off her shoes and Sophia makes herself comfortable while Tommy checks out the room.

Pam was great. She incorporates the kids' names into songs and encourages them to get up and move around. One song was about "my beanie" and all the little ones got a beanie so they could play along as "my beanie like to dance" (or fly or jump, etc.). She sang Old McDonald had a band and each child had sticks or bells or a tambourine or maracas.

Harper and Sophia had the sticks, and Sierra tried a tambourine.
Tommy went for the maracas (and kept them for awhile, even after the song ended. Maracas are FUN!!)



We sang songs that we all knew, and learned new ones as well. Just last week, Sarah and I were talking about "Ring Around the Rosie," and I mentioned I had heard some girls singing a verse that ends with them standing up again, but I couldn't remember the words. Pam knew them!

In case you're curious (same tune as "Ring Around the Rosie):
The cows are in the meadow
Eating buttercups
Thunder! Lightning!
We all jump up!

Here's a little video of "Skip to My Lou." I didn't get the beginning of the song, so you get jumping, hopping, dancing, backwards, and sleeping to my lou (but no skipping).

Playground picnic

It's raining here. Raining and raining and raining. Thank goodness! Because before now, it hadn't rained for ... way too long. At least since we've been back from Montana. I think someone said July 17th was the last rain of any significance. Yikes! So we've been trapped inside, making the best of it with books and blocks and bubbles and crayons and things.

But last week was gorgeous. Last week it finally felt a little bit like fall after an extended summer. It was perfect picnic weather. And picnic we did, thanks to an invite from some of our toddler friends and their mamas.

Harper and Sierra in deep discussion
(Note the quilt they're sitting on. I finally, after months and months, finished my scrappy quilt. I'll post some more better photos of it later.)

Sierra and Sophia try out their climbing skills



(they're pretty good!)

Other fun things we did included:

Banging sticks on things

Twirling with bubbles
And playing in the sand

Oh, yeah, and eating. There was eating too. But I don't have pictures of that. Because I was busy. Eating. We ordered lunch from Real Food in Orange and sent Sarah to pick it up for us (thanks, Sarah!) and it was fantastic. It always is.

(and just for fun, here's my attempt to be creative with my editing)

Sierra-isms

I've been writing a few of these down to share with you.

While eating breakfast, Thomas, the cat, wandered under the table:
"CAT! Out of my kitchen!"

"Kaia is flipping out!"

Holding up the ends of one of her dad's belts:
"You put this in here then wrap it on your bum"

While putting a puzzle together, she can't quite get the piece to fit:
"Are you kidding me?!"

After her dad spins her around and around and sets her down:
"Ho-ly, mo-ly!"

Watching me nurse Kaia, she lifts up her shirt and holds her bear up to her chest:
"The bear needs a little snack."
Then, taking him down, she looks at me and says,
"He's kinda slobbery."

I thought it would be fun for you to actually see some of these things coming out of Sierra's mouth, so I asked her say theam again so I could record it.

The grandparents (and auntie), a summary

Phew! Why don't I have any time to myself? Oh yeah ...

My in-laws left over two weeks ago, and I have yet to mention anything about their visit on this blog (sorry, in-laws, I'm not neglecting you. Well, okay, as far as the blog is concerned, I did, a little, but here we are now. I'm also neglecting my dishes, the vacuuming, and sleep, if that makes you feel any better).

So, where were we? Ah, yes, Nana Diane, Grandpa Butch and Auntie Michelle came to visit the week of Labor Day. Definitely fun, but our house is way too small for five adults, two children and four dogs. Yikes! Looking back at my photos, I didn't really take many from their visit, but that was really by design. My father-in-law's camera is basically an appendage, so when he's around, I can neglect my usual photographer duties a little (perhaps he can post some of those photos to an online album and I can link it here. [eh, Butch?]).
We didn't do a lot of out and about things while they were here (well, they did, visiting some of the historic sites in the area, but I didn't want to toddler wrangle for the cost of $12 entry fee when I can do that for free), but we had plenty of at-home good times. It's great to have extra hands to baby hold, read stories, chase Sierra around the yard, and share the occasional diaper change duty. I did take a trip to C'ville with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law (there was a sale at JoAnn that I wanted to hit!) while the men chased Sierra. And Friday morning, we went to Yoders for donuts.

And goats!

I dare you to resist the cute

Go ahead and try, it's irresistible, I tell ya!

Popsicle party

The popsicle party was two weeks ago (today) but I am just now getting around to telling you about it. Phew! Where does the time go? (No, seriously. Where does it go?)

Lorae and Sarah hosted a casual gathering on the lawn after dinner one night, to celebrate the new school year, and the warm weather, and to see all the friends we've missed and welcome the new ones! There were lots, and lots of sticky faces.

Harper and Sophia get this party started
Sierra gets in on the popsicle action
Spencer shows off his best "sticky face". Good job, Spence!
Elizabeth with big girls Cordelia and Grace
I adore this photo of Sophia. Those eyes!
Mia demonstrates proper sticky face + clothes technique

When sticky faces had been mostly wiped (and sometimes not), there was time to run around with our friends. There were balls to throw and bubbles to pop, and our sweet Sierra was a bad influence on her younger friends, showing them how to jump off the wall. Yikes!
I'm so glad I was reminded of this fun little get together. Since Nana Diane, Papa Butch, and Auntie Michelle were in town, I likely would have been distracted and forgotten all about it. I'm glad we didn't miss out on the fun!

One of those days

I feel like a bad mom today.

Which means, since my primary position at the moment is "mama," I guess that means I'm having a bad day at work and a bad day at home all rolled into one. It hasn't been anything specific per se, but I feel disengaged.

I don't want to read that story again. (and again)
I don't want to "play puzzles" (even though I do because you requested it and you ask so nicely)
Please stop taking every. single. book. off the shelf. They're not even your books.
I smell like spit up and I've cleaned up poop at least a 1/2 dozen times.
And I haven't showered today.
My kitchen is a disaster (as is the living room, dining room, office, and my own bedroom. I don't want to clean them up. I just want to sit here). If I put the mess under my bed will the cleaning fairy take it way and leave me $1?
The little one has not let me set her down today. I have been holding her or had her tied to me all day long. I set her down, she cries. I set her down 25 minutes ago and I can hear her starting to squeak right now (please, please go back to sleep so I can have this time to myself.
They were both crying at the same time. I very nearly joined them.

I felt down and distracted and as a result, completely spaced on playgroup. And I really could have used that time away today to talk in short sentences grownups between chasing toddlers. Sierra could have run off some of her boundless energy so that maybe there would be less available energy for putting stickers on the couch (but probably not). Viscious cycle. Instead, there are stickers on the couch (and on the dog, too, I think).

Thank you, Lorae, for reminding me when I mentioned this feeling what a lovely, smart, vibrant little girl Sierra has become. Because I do my job well. Most of the time, I'm pretty good at "mama." Just not today.

But tomorrow will be better.

A peek into Sierra's room

I was going to wait until I have everything finished and just so and then have a great unveiling, but I wanted to participate in Sew and Tell this week.

As a result, I will show a few of things that I have finished so far in Sierra's (and Kaia's future) room. This week I made a crib sheet (that probably won't be used for a year or more when Kaia moves out of our room, but hey, I do set her in the crib occasionally!). I was a bit intimidated by making a sheet, but wow! It's so easy. This one is pink, and I have plans for a green one in the future.
You can also see the crib skirt that I made with the five different colors in the room (though I didn't finish that this week, so it doesn't count for Sew and Tell). The colored panels on the crib skirt match the curtains I made. They are denim and have cute little tab-tops. The scraps from all that went into a throw pillow. Phew!

And just a shout-out to my mom, who made the quilt which inspired all the colors in the room in the first place!

Sierra loves her room. Every time someone comes to our house, she says, "Come see my pwetty bedwoom." And drags them upstairs. And, honestly, I'm pretty happy to have her show it off. I'm darn proud of what I've done up there. I'll have to show you the paint on the wall, the colorful shelves and the matching dresser drawers another day.

Baby doing baby things

Unless you are related to this baby in some way, and thus interested because of genetic similarity, or you really, really, really like small humans and all their small-human intricacies, you may want to skip this video. It is nearly 3 minutes of Kaia, grunting and squeaking and flapping her arms about a bit. You also get to hear me talking in that high pitched "baby voice" that nearly all mothers use when speaking to infants and Sierra babbling about books and bunnies in the background. There. I guess you don't need to watch this afterall.

The 16th

Well, it's September 16th. Exactly one month ago, we were holding a newborn Kaia in our arms. (Ack! I feel so behind on this blog, even though it's only been 12 days since I've posted. A lot has happened in 12 days.) We took Kaia to the doctor today for a weight check because last week, according to the scale, she had lost weight since her 1-week check. It seemed weird because she eats like a little milk machine and she certainly looked bigger. I had stopped eating dairy because Kaia was having tummy troubles and that can be a reason. When our doctor asked what I had replaced the dairy with I said, "Ummmm ... " Yes, I suppose a lot of my dietary fat came from cheese and milk and yogurt. Expecially cheese. Mmmmm, how I miss cheese. I cheated and had a piece of cheesecake tonight. Okay, I digress. This is how you can tell I've not had enough sleep lately. So why am I still up at 11:28pm? (Because I feel way to behind on this blog) And I digress (again). Seriously ... sleep ...

Well, it seems something was amiss last week because today, she weighed in at 9 pounds, 11 ounces, exactly 3 pounds heavier than when she was born a month ago. And I can tell. She's getting some chub on her legs and her cheeks have filled out. Brand newborns are not super cute. (There. I said it.) But Kaia is increasing in her cuteness as time goes on (then again, of course I think she's cute; I'm her mother). She's doing fairly well for a 1-month-old in terms of sleep, usually waking up around 1 and then again at 4-ish. Though, two nights ago, she woke up at 4:30am and was AWAKE!! Every time I tried to get her to go back to sleep and turn off the light, she would squeak and grunt and fuss, making it impossible for Jason and me to sleep. Finally at 5:00, Jason had to go sleep in another room (he was waking up to do some grad work at 5:30. I don't envy him this term: teaching, coaching, a grad class, a newborn ... but I don't envy myself either ... and I'm sidetracked again). When he woke up at 5:30, and I was still up with Kaia, he came to get her and hung out with her for the next hour until she finally went to sleep again. That night Sierra actually slept in her bed without waking up until 5:55am (WHAT?!?!) when she came into our room. By that time of the morning, I would not expect Sierra go back to sleep, but that morning (miracle of miracles) she did! She climbed into Jason's vacated spot, snuggled up next to me and went back to sleep. And I was so thankful because I really needed that extra hour.

Okay, there were some more things I wanted to write about this evening (popsicle party, grandparent visit) but it's pretty clear I'm tired (all the rambling ... I may have to edit/delete later ... or perhaps I should just leave it to remind myself in the future what this time in my life was like), so I'm going to bed.

Good night.

This makes me smile

Back in the game

In celebration of Kaia's 3 week birthday yesterday, I ran for the first time in, oh, longer than I can remember. Four months? Five? Well, I jogged, anyway.

Okay, let's be honest, it was really more of a slog than a jog, but hey! Both feet were off the ground at the same time! And I haven't run in months! And I had a baby 3 weeks ago! I'll take it.

This is one of those instances of "know thyself." I know I'm competitive. I also know that if I try to jump too quickly back in to running that it would be entirely too easy to get injured. So I have a plan (at least a loose plan that exists in my head. Perhaps I should actually write it down. Things to ponder ... ). Anyway, for this first run slog, I only ran slogged one minute for every five walking. There is a 5K in Orange October 9th, and I hope to make that my first post-baby race. I'm registered for a 10K October 31st.

Too ambitious? ... Nah

One ... two ... three

I meant to write this post yesterday, but yesterday passed by just as quickly as the first three weeks of Kaia's life have passed. Three weeks? Really? Already? It's just such a contrast to Sierra's first three weeks. We were new parents. We had no clue what we were doing. We were having a terrible time with Sierra not eating and losing weight, so we were worrying about her. Not to mention, we were trying to get ready to move from Connecticut to Virginia (which happened with Sierra was 5 weeks old ... I do not recommend moving and all the chaos and stress that surrounds it with a 5 week old! In fact, it was the day before Sierra turned 3 weeks that she *actually* breastfed for the first time.

This time, Kaia eats like a champion, so that is not even a slight worry. And time goes by so quickly, in part because Sierra keeps us so busy. This week, my in-laws are here, so they've been a huge help, but next week, it's just us again, and all me during the day. I'm glad the adjustment has been softened by help from friends and family.

Last night, Jason was on duty. Sierra had a rough beginning to her night. She went to sleep about 8:15, woke up at 9:00. My father-in-law settled her back down. She woke up at 10:20. I was busy with Kaia, who was upset, and Sierra got out of bed crying that she had to go potty. My father-in-law (who had gone to bed) came to help, but Sierra wanted Jason. She just kept screaming, "NO! Daddy! Daddy! DADDY!!" Finally, I came out and tried to put her back to bed. She vehemently refused, so I took her to my room. I was trying to get myself to bed, brush my teeth, etc. but every time I put Kaia down she would start screaming. Meanwhile, Sierra is crying hysterically and I can't get her to tell me what the problem is. So, I brush my teeth one handed while holding a crying Kaia in one arm while Sierra is holding on to my leg, also crying. Sigh. The joys of parenthood. I bring all the babies back to my bed, get Sierra calmed down, give Kaia a boob (again) and everyone falls asleep. Poor Jason came home from duty about 11:15 to find Sierra sprawled out all over his side of the bed. I guess he didn't even want to mess with it because he just went and slept in her bed.

Sierra-isms

We were walking. I was holding Sierra's hand. She stumbled and I caught her and she said, "Mama saved your butt!"

The other night, Jason made dinner. Sierra was really taking it down, so I asked her if she liked the dinner Daddy made. She looked at him and said, "Good job, Jason Getz!"

I helped her put her underpants back on after she went potty. She put one foot in and said, "Thank you." Then she put the other foot in, "Thank you." Then said, "You're such a good mama."

Jason and I were having an intense discussion and Sierra remarked, "Stop freaking out, Daddy."

Sierra was trying to help me load the dishwasher, but she pulled two side plate off the table, shattering them. Shortly after, Jason came home and asked Sierra how her day was. Her answer? "I broke TWO plates!"

First thing in the morning, she runs into our room and says, "I had good nap!"

I was changing the baby's diaper and Sierra was watching. She commented, "Kaia made a biiiiig poop."

First of September

The author of a blog I read posts photos of her kiddos on the first of every month. I love this idea and I am inspired by her to do that here. It will be a grand way to see the way the little ones change over time. Let's hope I can keep it up.

So, here we are, the first of September. How on earth ... ?!?! September seems to speak of fall to me, but that's hard to believe right now because it's so blazin' hot here. Ick. I just went for a 30 minute walk (at 9:30 at night) and had sweated through my shirt by the time I got home. Double ick. I could use some nice fall weather right about now.

September seems like a month of newness and change and starting over, even more than January to me. Another summer coming to a close, a new school year. And this year, in our case, September 1st is the first "first of the month" that we are parents of two beautiful daughters. Jason went back to work today, so it was me and two little girls for the morning. We did well. Read a lot of stories. Sierra had her first real show of jealousy. But we worked it out. And she's back to being a loving big sis.




I really had trouble deciding which pictures from our little photoshoot to post here, so if you're hungry for more check out this album.