Dinner

The scene:

Family dinner. Mia is sitting next to me. Zoe is next to dad. I am holding Sophie.

Everyone seems to be enjoying their meal: baked potatoes with cheese, chili and broccoli.

Mia reaches out to caress Sophie's head from time to time while she eats. It's a sweet time...

until I look at Sophie and realize that Mia has been painting a chili mural on Sophie's scalp this whole time.

Bathtime!

Mia - 2.5 Years

Happy 2.5 Years Mia!

What a difference 6 months make in the life of a two year old. You are still our Dare-Devil in Chief, but much less so. You are much more likely to pause and watch the action around you, take in the sights, and ask questions before you launch in to something.

You are also far more articulate. Your sentences are more complex structurally, more observant or reflective, and often use emotion as part of the content. We now have legitimate conversations and your memory is so much sharper too.

You enjoy the water and are eager for time in the pool or spray ground parks. You wear your swimming goggles as much as possible too.

Animals have also been a major interest lately. You still mention our trip to Reston Zoo with Grandma Bette almost daily. You remind me that you fed the sheep and rode Trooper the horse, and you tell me that you're not scared of the big black goat anymore and you would like to go back and feed him too.

I believe that genetics go a long way. I can see that many of your features resemble mine and dad's, you can curl your tongue like us, and many other things. But tonight, I saw a new one. When the waitress brought you the strawberry ice cream that we ordered at dinner, you clapped. While I don't do this anymore (or resist the urge when it strikes me), I clapped when I was served tasty food as a child. Zoe has done this too.

We cuddle. One of my favorite times is after nap on the weekends when you come find me (often in bed reading), and cuddle up next to me. Zoe will join and Sophie often follows.

You desperately want your nails painted. Even without polish, you often approach and ask people, "do you like my toenails?" The rule in our house is: no polish until you stop biting your nails. This has only moderately deterred you. We do paint quite a bit though, and you especially like the finger paints.

Bedtime antics are much improved, although as I write this I am aware that you have just made yet another trip to the bathroom for a drink of water. You may pop out of bed a couple of times before falling asleep, but you nearly always fall asleep by 8:30 pm and usually make it to 6 am before coming in our room in the morning.

You and Zoe are still regular companions. You play much more regularly together (versus side by side). You play lots of make believe games, "dog" and "cat" and "baby" games, and jumping games.

We've had a couple of scares this month where we thought maybe you weren't feeling well, but you are clearly a happy, engaged little girl.

I love you.

Mom

Bedtime Mistake

Zoe and Mia have been doing a beautiful job of going to bed at night. Generally speaking, after we do our "4 things" (brush teeth, bathroom, PJ's, and get bed ready/read books), they stay in bed and fall asleep by 8:30pm at the latest. This has been an absolutely joy compared to all the popping up and down they were doing a few months ago when I noted I felt like I was playing whack-a-mole at night.

So, we got a little too comfortable with our bedtime success.

Tonight, after we did our "4 things", Scott and I teased that we were ready for bed and we each went and curled up in one of their beds. The excitement that this turn of events generated was far more than we could have anticipated. Multiple poppings-out-of-bed and bathroom trips later, I think they are finally resigned to sleep. Shhhhh....

Swimmer

In the past month, Zoe has become a true swimmer. While the stroke is still a work in progress, she is eager to swim on her own. It's making pool time much more fun for all.

In this photo, Zoe is the pink blur in the background underwater.

Sophie - Four Months

This has been another month of firsts. A few notables:

• You purposefully reach for and clasp toys.
• You eagerly play with your fingers in your mouth.
• You roll over.
• You imitate me when I stick my tongue out of my mouth. (My favorite)

All this new activity has also meant that you are increasingly engaged with the world around you. You look at everything with interest, you giggle and smile quite a bit, and you are easily distracted.

As a result, our peaceful nights have taken a hiatus with many more night arousals as you flip back and forth on your stomach and wiggle around in your crib.

Your sisters love all this activity and eagerly look forward to time with you. They insist that you talk with them and always want to help feed and cuddle you. You do often coo and giggle when they talk with you.

You grew to 11 lbs 14 ounces and 24 1/4 inches tall this month. That is an awesome accomplishment in my book.

We also had a visit from Grandma Bette this month which included a fun trip to Reston Zoo. You had wide-bright eyes for all the noisy sheep and goats.

You continue to have a really gentle and easy going disposition. This has made our daytime activities and our nursing relationship really nice.

Thank you for a fun and wonderful month.

Mom

Yoga Class

Today I took Zoe and Mia to a tot yoga class. We've been to several of these and the girls both usually enjoy them. Today's class started out with the teacher going around the room and having the kids introduce themselves. The second little girl to be introduced was named Nadal. When the teacher got to Zoe who was last, she introduced herself as Zoe and then announced that Nadal was a famous male tennis player and that she liked him a lot. I don't think the girl had a clue what Zoe was talking about, but yes, Nadal is a famous male tennis player, and I think he plays well too.

I am forever amazed at what you remember and the impression that different things have on you.

You Go Girl!

Sophie rolled over today! I won't go on and on about how precious you are now because I'm sure I'll do that when I write about you next week at your four month birthday.

But, I couldn't help but give you a shout out for your big move today! Now you can nap - you must be exhausted. :)

The Rose

When each of you were babies, I would often sing to you while I nursed you to sleep. One song I seem to always come back to is The Rose. Sometimes I sing the song, but often I find myself humming the tune instead as I would look at you or my mind would wander.

Tonight, while I nursed Sophie to sleep, Mia came in and sat next to me and rocked in the chair. As I hummed The Rose to Sophie, Mia rocked back and forth seeming content and peaceful. Shortly before she left however, she said "mommy, this song is sad for my ears."

A few minutes later, Zoe came in to join me. Sophie was nearly asleep and I was just humming and rocking with Zoe and Sophie. Zoe put her head down between her knees. I asked her if she was ok, and she looked up and there were tears streaming down her face. I asked her what was wrong, and she said that the tune was too sad. She said I needed to just sing the words because the humming and the slow pace were too sad.

I promise to use the lyrics next time.

The Rose

Some say love, it is a river

That drowns the tender reed

Some say love, it is a razor

That leaves your soul to bleed

Some say love, it is a hunger

An endless aching need

I say love, it is a flower

And you, its only seed

It's the heart, afraid of breaking

That never learns to dance

It's the dream, afraid of waking

That never takes the chance

It's the one who won't be taken

Who cannot seem to give

And the soul, afraid of dying

That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely

And the road has been too long

And you think that love is only

for the lucky and the strong

Just remember in the winter

Far beneath the bitter snow

Lies the seed

That with the sun's love, in the spring

Becomes the rose

Mia Speak

Mia: Dad, I love you.

Scott: I love you back.

Mia: I love you front.