http://picasaweb.google.com/schwartzmeg/HappyBirthdayUncleVal
You'll notice at the end of the video clip, Anna says, "NOW I can have a candy cane!" Bribery is a beautiful thing.
Happy birthday, brother of mine, hope it's the best yet. *HUG*
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Little Ears, the continuing saga
So after Silvia's most recent ear infection (last week), we decided to have a consultation with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist to see what preventive options were available.
Her appointment was today and after a hearing test and exam, the doctor recommended ear tubes. I know it's probably the right choice, since Kurt and I are both really uncomfortable with constantly giving her antibiotics and also just hate to see her in so much pain on so regular a basis. I mean, really, she's had a painful infection every month of her life since she was three months old. That pretty much sucks for her, you know?
So her surgery is scheduled for December 10th, first thing in the morning. The procedure itself is very minor, takes about 6 minutes total. The tubes they insert into her eardrum will be very, very tiny, smaller than a grain of rice. The doctor said that within half an hour of the surgery, she should be almost completely recovered. I'm still very uncomfortable with the idea of general anesthesia, but I'm dealing with it and trying to get past the mommy worry syndrome.
Her appointment was today and after a hearing test and exam, the doctor recommended ear tubes. I know it's probably the right choice, since Kurt and I are both really uncomfortable with constantly giving her antibiotics and also just hate to see her in so much pain on so regular a basis. I mean, really, she's had a painful infection every month of her life since she was three months old. That pretty much sucks for her, you know?
So her surgery is scheduled for December 10th, first thing in the morning. The procedure itself is very minor, takes about 6 minutes total. The tubes they insert into her eardrum will be very, very tiny, smaller than a grain of rice. The doctor said that within half an hour of the surgery, she should be almost completely recovered. I'm still very uncomfortable with the idea of general anesthesia, but I'm dealing with it and trying to get past the mommy worry syndrome.
Candyland Magic
For Anna's birthday, Monica sent her very first board game: Candyland.
Candyland is AWESOME. It's become the solution to every possible toddler problem. Won't eat dinner? Eat three more bites and then we can play Candyland. Doesn't want to sit on the potty? As soon as you're done, we can play Candyland. Won't share toys with Silvia? Play nice and use good manners or else we WON'T play Candyland after dinner.
Anna loves this game, absolutely loves it. She is always the yellow game piece, she thinks it's so great to get a picture card even if she has to move all the way back to the beginning to go to that picture. She loves it when it's my turn or Kurt's turn or her turn. Doesn't matter, as long as someone "wins the Candy Castle", as she puts it.
Thank you, Auntie Mo! You have given us three year old magic.
Candyland is AWESOME. It's become the solution to every possible toddler problem. Won't eat dinner? Eat three more bites and then we can play Candyland. Doesn't want to sit on the potty? As soon as you're done, we can play Candyland. Won't share toys with Silvia? Play nice and use good manners or else we WON'T play Candyland after dinner.
Anna loves this game, absolutely loves it. She is always the yellow game piece, she thinks it's so great to get a picture card even if she has to move all the way back to the beginning to go to that picture. She loves it when it's my turn or Kurt's turn or her turn. Doesn't matter, as long as someone "wins the Candy Castle", as she puts it.
Thank you, Auntie Mo! You have given us three year old magic.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Post-Birthday Post
Anna turned three last Saturday, amid tears and celebration. Tears for her, celebration for everyone else. The poor birthday girl was overwhelmed by the presents and friends and cake and presents and friends and also, the cake.
But, in spite of the tears, a good time was had by all. And now, a week later, she's fully into the Thoroughly Rotten Three's. She has been whiny and weepy and bossy and dramatic all day today. Sigh... I hear it's nice when they turn five, five is supposed to be good, right?
Still, amid all the obnoxious toddler-ness, she's still developing as a sweet little girl. She wakes up every morning and begs to see Silvia, showering her and smothering her with hugs and kisses to the point we have to separate them for fear of asphyxiation. She is coloring pictures on her own, staying roughly in the lines and drawing some shapes on her own, too.
Anna loves to sing, she sings everything as she narrates the day, even singing about the potty. Speaking of which, she is doing very well with her potty training and having very few accidents anymore. We took the changing table out of her room last week to celebrate her birthday and Big Girl status.
Silvia, poor thing, is still struggling with a bad cold that she developed two weeks ago. We're taking her into an Ear Nose and Throat specialist next week to consult on the possibilities of ear tubes to help with her recurrent ear infections.
Still, even snuffly and not sleeping well, she's a very happy baby. She's been standing on her own for a few seconds at a time lately, clapping Anna's toy cymbals together with glee like a musical monkey. She's well on her way to eating solids and seems to have a liking for strong flavors just like Anna.
All in all, the girls are good. Now we just need to get Mom a full night's sleep and an injection of patience. Out of curiosity, is there a limit the number of times you can say, "I can't understand you when you whine, if you want something you need to be polite and ask in a nice voice," before your head just starts to liquefy?
Hugs all round, hope everyone is well!
But, in spite of the tears, a good time was had by all. And now, a week later, she's fully into the Thoroughly Rotten Three's. She has been whiny and weepy and bossy and dramatic all day today. Sigh... I hear it's nice when they turn five, five is supposed to be good, right?
Still, amid all the obnoxious toddler-ness, she's still developing as a sweet little girl. She wakes up every morning and begs to see Silvia, showering her and smothering her with hugs and kisses to the point we have to separate them for fear of asphyxiation. She is coloring pictures on her own, staying roughly in the lines and drawing some shapes on her own, too.
Anna loves to sing, she sings everything as she narrates the day, even singing about the potty. Speaking of which, she is doing very well with her potty training and having very few accidents anymore. We took the changing table out of her room last week to celebrate her birthday and Big Girl status.
Silvia, poor thing, is still struggling with a bad cold that she developed two weeks ago. We're taking her into an Ear Nose and Throat specialist next week to consult on the possibilities of ear tubes to help with her recurrent ear infections.
Still, even snuffly and not sleeping well, she's a very happy baby. She's been standing on her own for a few seconds at a time lately, clapping Anna's toy cymbals together with glee like a musical monkey. She's well on her way to eating solids and seems to have a liking for strong flavors just like Anna.
All in all, the girls are good. Now we just need to get Mom a full night's sleep and an injection of patience. Out of curiosity, is there a limit the number of times you can say, "I can't understand you when you whine, if you want something you need to be polite and ask in a nice voice," before your head just starts to liquefy?
Hugs all round, hope everyone is well!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Bath Times Two
http://picasaweb.google.com/schwartzmeg/BathTimesTwo
Silly little video of the girls in the bath together. There is lots of splashing, go figure!
Silly little video of the girls in the bath together. There is lots of splashing, go figure!
3rd Incarnation of the Frog
This frog costume was really worth the money! The first year, Anna wore it, then Ryan last year and now... Froggy Silvia!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Princess Anna to the Rescue
Silvia may be sick, but she's got a blue-blooded big sister to help her feel better! Check out the princess dress Terry made for Anna for Halloween this year. Whenever I let her put it on, it's nearly impossible to get it off, she loves it so much.
Poor Little Ears
So late last night, after the high fever for two days and the hacking cough and rattling chest congestion and constant crying, I took Silvia into the Acute Care Clinic. They were worried about pneumonia. She caught the virus that Anna had last week, but while Anna bounced back after a few days, Silvia has developed a sinus infection and another ear infection. She's got mucous dripping down into her lungs, and left untreated, would definitely develop pneumonia. In fact, if she's not improved by tomorrow night, we're supposed to take her in for a chest x-ray.
Now that she's on her 4th ear infection in less than a year, they want to do the surgery for ear-tubes. I really hate the idea of surgery on her, I hate it, hate it, hate it. I know it's minor, and I know that there's a very real danger of hear-loss if we don't act preventively, but... they have to put her under and cut her and put something plastic in her body... I just hate it, it freaks me out. I know that in the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal and it's a minor procedure, etc, etc... but I still just hate it.
I also hate how much obvious pain she is in. You can just tell that the pressure in her ear and the pain and congestion are excruciating for her, she's so miserable. She hasn't slept in two nights, and there's just not much we can DO for her. And the surgery would be something we could DO, but it's not something I want.
I just wanted her to get better and stop getting all these infections. And there's the whole worry about her immune system, that she's so prone already to infection, what can we do to help her? I mean, I can't exactly keep her away from Anna and Anna's just a walking petrie dish most days, it seems. I'm just worried and reacting emotionally. And, oh yeah, I haven't slept in a week. There's that too, right?
And, of course, mom and Terry are both out of town this week, which means I'm on my own during the day, sleep-deprived or not. Times like these really make it stand out how much we completely depend on them and how wonderful it is to have family close to the kids. Nothing like a little absence to make the heart grow fonder... and desperate!
Coming home soon, ladies???
Now that she's on her 4th ear infection in less than a year, they want to do the surgery for ear-tubes. I really hate the idea of surgery on her, I hate it, hate it, hate it. I know it's minor, and I know that there's a very real danger of hear-loss if we don't act preventively, but... they have to put her under and cut her and put something plastic in her body... I just hate it, it freaks me out. I know that in the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal and it's a minor procedure, etc, etc... but I still just hate it.
I also hate how much obvious pain she is in. You can just tell that the pressure in her ear and the pain and congestion are excruciating for her, she's so miserable. She hasn't slept in two nights, and there's just not much we can DO for her. And the surgery would be something we could DO, but it's not something I want.
I just wanted her to get better and stop getting all these infections. And there's the whole worry about her immune system, that she's so prone already to infection, what can we do to help her? I mean, I can't exactly keep her away from Anna and Anna's just a walking petrie dish most days, it seems. I'm just worried and reacting emotionally. And, oh yeah, I haven't slept in a week. There's that too, right?
And, of course, mom and Terry are both out of town this week, which means I'm on my own during the day, sleep-deprived or not. Times like these really make it stand out how much we completely depend on them and how wonderful it is to have family close to the kids. Nothing like a little absence to make the heart grow fonder... and desperate!
Coming home soon, ladies???
Monday, October 08, 2007
Oh, Poor Anna
Anna's been going nuts lately whenever Silvia gets within 10 feet of any toy Anna's playing with. She starts getting very defensive, "NO! Baby Silvia, that's my toy! No! Don't touch it! Give it back!"
All this she's yelling while Silvia is still sitting 10 feet away, drooling and chewing on her toes.
Today, she got a little too defensive, waving around and smacking the baby with a basket that she was trying to keep sacred.
I put her in time out, "No hitting", and put the basket away, "If you can't play nice, you can't play at all".
This is what I heard her self-narrating while in time-out:
"Oh, poor Anna. Mommy took the basket. Mommy took Anna's basket. No basket for Anna, poooooooor Anna. Oh, Anna's got a cold, *cough, cough*. Poor Anna. Anna's so sad and so sick."
Cry me a river, little one. Your ploys will not work on me! I am... Mommy with the Heart of Steel!
"Poor Anna.... *cough, cough*...sigh..."
All this she's yelling while Silvia is still sitting 10 feet away, drooling and chewing on her toes.
Today, she got a little too defensive, waving around and smacking the baby with a basket that she was trying to keep sacred.
I put her in time out, "No hitting", and put the basket away, "If you can't play nice, you can't play at all".
This is what I heard her self-narrating while in time-out:
"Oh, poor Anna. Mommy took the basket. Mommy took Anna's basket. No basket for Anna, poooooooor Anna. Oh, Anna's got a cold, *cough, cough*. Poor Anna. Anna's so sad and so sick."
Cry me a river, little one. Your ploys will not work on me! I am... Mommy with the Heart of Steel!
"Poor Anna.... *cough, cough*...sigh..."
The Plague! The Plague!
It started with a high fever on Thursday, and by evening Anna was delirious, coughing and generally miserable. She had a rough weekend and is still bogged down with a steady grouchiness and thick cough today.
Then this morning, Silvia woke up with a raspy voice and runny faucet of a nose.
Oh, joy, the plague has come! Yay! And it's not even my birthday!
On the bright side, they did wait until we were back from vacation to get sick, sweet things.
Then this morning, Silvia woke up with a raspy voice and runny faucet of a nose.
Oh, joy, the plague has come! Yay! And it's not even my birthday!
On the bright side, they did wait until we were back from vacation to get sick, sweet things.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
We're Home!
We got back in late last night from our first family vacation together, and while it was a total blast, it's really nice to be home.
The girls both traveled really well, sleeping and playing during the flight and staying close to us and behaving during all the relentless ushering from place to place. I was SO proud of Anna, especially, because she really kept herself together, listened well and stayed calm and happy almost the whole trip.
We got to spend a lot of time with Otto and Gerhard and also with my brother Val. We had one evening dinner with Kurt's Auntie Elena which was very special and sweet. We also spent a lot of time with Kurt's friends and all their kids. It was fun to see all the guys hanging out and see the next generation getting rowdy, too. Anna had a great time with all the little girls, since there's only ONE little boy in the whole group, Brendon, who's 1 and a half.
So, we're home! I'll post the link to pictures a little later today.
The girls both traveled really well, sleeping and playing during the flight and staying close to us and behaving during all the relentless ushering from place to place. I was SO proud of Anna, especially, because she really kept herself together, listened well and stayed calm and happy almost the whole trip.
We got to spend a lot of time with Otto and Gerhard and also with my brother Val. We had one evening dinner with Kurt's Auntie Elena which was very special and sweet. We also spent a lot of time with Kurt's friends and all their kids. It was fun to see all the guys hanging out and see the next generation getting rowdy, too. Anna had a great time with all the little girls, since there's only ONE little boy in the whole group, Brendon, who's 1 and a half.
So, we're home! I'll post the link to pictures a little later today.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Chicagoland
We're here! We've got free internet at this hotel, so I thought I'd take a minute and try to preserve the memories.
I was terribly nervous about traveling with the two girls, prepared for the worst and anxious in the extreme. I had packed every possible necessity, coloring books, stories, even an emergency candy pop bribe in case Anna completely lost her head and I was desperate.
The candy pop is still in it's wrapping. The trip out here went perfectly smoothly. There was no line at DIA, the security screening went by quickly and easily, Anna loved the trains to the gate, and we got settled in our seats on the plane with no trouble. Anna was very excited about the flight, she had her own seat and asked to sit there like a big girl rather than in our laps. Silvia played and babbled and charmed all the people sitting around us. She is now the official mascot of Southwest, I believe. She slept or played the whole flight and Anna colored and read and played games. Total peace.
We landed and picked up our rental car with no problems and Kurt drove us straight into the city to our hotel, again with no mishaps. It was a perfect arrival. We got settled and then headed out to Portillo's for dinner, delicious! Kurt has gorged on chicago dogs and italian beef at just about every meal since we got here.
The first night with us all sleeping was a little difficult, Anna was excited about sleeping with Kurt and took a long time to settle down. The city noises were loud and kept every up. Silvia was very confused and woke often in the bed with me and we all got up at about 5:30 Saturday morning.
But spirits were high, even though we were exhausted. It has just been so NICE to spend all this time together. I feel like I am getting a lot of help and a big break from the day to day duties with the girls becuase Kurt is here to share it all with me. And the girls are loving spending so much time with daddy. Kurt and I are joking that we haven't seen each other since we got here, but it's really nice to just have all day to chat and pass banter back and forth and focus all our attention on just being a family.
Saturday we went to the Aquarium and Anna LOVED the fish and the sharks and the dolphins and the penguins. Then she had a meltdown, she was just exhausted. After that we all went back to the hotel and she crashed out in the baby's crib for about 2 hours. Uncle Val met us and played with his nieces and then we all met Kurt's dad, Opa, for dinner on Navy Pier.
We slept a bit better that night and spent yesterday just catering to the girls; letting Silvia make friends with every passing pedestrian, taking Anna to the carousel and on a boat ride, eating ice cream and looking at fountains. They both passed out in the stroller by the afternoon and Kurt and I slowly walked along the river with them, just holding hands, joking around and talking. It was perfect.
By evening the girls were wiped out, so we packed up and headed straight to our next hotel. We're in Schaumburg now, where Kurt grew up. We ordered in Uno's Pizza and had a pizza party in our jammies. The beds were much more comfy and we all slept pretty good, though Kurt is learning that Anna is a real bed hog.
Today is another relaxing day. We're going to go visit Opa and Uncle Gerhard and do a little shopping, then spend some time at the hotel pool.
Hope everyone is doing well! Silvia is crawling and standing and pulling up on everything and talking up a storm. Anna has really been very sweet, but isn't eating very much, hopefully she'll be tempted by something soon.
I was terribly nervous about traveling with the two girls, prepared for the worst and anxious in the extreme. I had packed every possible necessity, coloring books, stories, even an emergency candy pop bribe in case Anna completely lost her head and I was desperate.
The candy pop is still in it's wrapping. The trip out here went perfectly smoothly. There was no line at DIA, the security screening went by quickly and easily, Anna loved the trains to the gate, and we got settled in our seats on the plane with no trouble. Anna was very excited about the flight, she had her own seat and asked to sit there like a big girl rather than in our laps. Silvia played and babbled and charmed all the people sitting around us. She is now the official mascot of Southwest, I believe. She slept or played the whole flight and Anna colored and read and played games. Total peace.
We landed and picked up our rental car with no problems and Kurt drove us straight into the city to our hotel, again with no mishaps. It was a perfect arrival. We got settled and then headed out to Portillo's for dinner, delicious! Kurt has gorged on chicago dogs and italian beef at just about every meal since we got here.
The first night with us all sleeping was a little difficult, Anna was excited about sleeping with Kurt and took a long time to settle down. The city noises were loud and kept every up. Silvia was very confused and woke often in the bed with me and we all got up at about 5:30 Saturday morning.
But spirits were high, even though we were exhausted. It has just been so NICE to spend all this time together. I feel like I am getting a lot of help and a big break from the day to day duties with the girls becuase Kurt is here to share it all with me. And the girls are loving spending so much time with daddy. Kurt and I are joking that we haven't seen each other since we got here, but it's really nice to just have all day to chat and pass banter back and forth and focus all our attention on just being a family.
Saturday we went to the Aquarium and Anna LOVED the fish and the sharks and the dolphins and the penguins. Then she had a meltdown, she was just exhausted. After that we all went back to the hotel and she crashed out in the baby's crib for about 2 hours. Uncle Val met us and played with his nieces and then we all met Kurt's dad, Opa, for dinner on Navy Pier.
We slept a bit better that night and spent yesterday just catering to the girls; letting Silvia make friends with every passing pedestrian, taking Anna to the carousel and on a boat ride, eating ice cream and looking at fountains. They both passed out in the stroller by the afternoon and Kurt and I slowly walked along the river with them, just holding hands, joking around and talking. It was perfect.
By evening the girls were wiped out, so we packed up and headed straight to our next hotel. We're in Schaumburg now, where Kurt grew up. We ordered in Uno's Pizza and had a pizza party in our jammies. The beds were much more comfy and we all slept pretty good, though Kurt is learning that Anna is a real bed hog.
Today is another relaxing day. We're going to go visit Opa and Uncle Gerhard and do a little shopping, then spend some time at the hotel pool.
Hope everyone is doing well! Silvia is crawling and standing and pulling up on everything and talking up a storm. Anna has really been very sweet, but isn't eating very much, hopefully she'll be tempted by something soon.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
The times, they are a-changin'
Silvia is crawling.
CRAWLING. As in, moving about of her own free will to explore as yet unplundered areas of the house. As in, being in one place when you look and then, two minutes later, being in a completely different place.
With someone's shoe in her hand.
And her mouth.
As in, nothing will ever be the same!
Still, as disturbing as her newly developed freedom is for me, it's very exciting and cute for her. She's just so pleased with herself, she's practically giddy every time she gets those slippery little fingers on something new.
Like another shoe.
Also new in this household, Anna is branching out. She's actually deigning to eat, or at least try to eat, what Kurt and I have for dinner. Tonight for instance, she announced that she loved hamburgers. Then she had a fingerful of ketchup and changed her tune.
"Anna, don't you just love hamburgers?", I asked, trying to encourage her to take another bite.
"Mmmm-hmmm, Mama. I sure do love... KETCHUP!"
Oh, well. At least she's trying new things, right? There's no way to find what you like unless you first give it a try. Like V-8. Anna now absolutely adores V-8. She drinks an 8-oz can of the stuff a day, loves it to pieces, asks for it before asking for cookies or chocolate milk.
So, since a can of V-8 adds up to about 1 serving of vegetables, that means she's getting about... umm, let's see, do the math... yup, 1 serving of vegetables a day! Hey, I'll take what I can get.
We leave for our first family vacation on Friday, we're heading out to Chicago for 10 days to visit family and friends. Wish us luck! Two airplane rides and several nights in the hotel with one room for the four of us are scary prospects for me, but I'm trying to remain hopeful and positive that it'll all work out grandly.
Denial is, after all, the first step to sanity.
CRAWLING. As in, moving about of her own free will to explore as yet unplundered areas of the house. As in, being in one place when you look and then, two minutes later, being in a completely different place.
With someone's shoe in her hand.
And her mouth.
As in, nothing will ever be the same!
Still, as disturbing as her newly developed freedom is for me, it's very exciting and cute for her. She's just so pleased with herself, she's practically giddy every time she gets those slippery little fingers on something new.
Like another shoe.
Also new in this household, Anna is branching out. She's actually deigning to eat, or at least try to eat, what Kurt and I have for dinner. Tonight for instance, she announced that she loved hamburgers. Then she had a fingerful of ketchup and changed her tune.
"Anna, don't you just love hamburgers?", I asked, trying to encourage her to take another bite.
"Mmmm-hmmm, Mama. I sure do love... KETCHUP!"
Oh, well. At least she's trying new things, right? There's no way to find what you like unless you first give it a try. Like V-8. Anna now absolutely adores V-8. She drinks an 8-oz can of the stuff a day, loves it to pieces, asks for it before asking for cookies or chocolate milk.
So, since a can of V-8 adds up to about 1 serving of vegetables, that means she's getting about... umm, let's see, do the math... yup, 1 serving of vegetables a day! Hey, I'll take what I can get.
We leave for our first family vacation on Friday, we're heading out to Chicago for 10 days to visit family and friends. Wish us luck! Two airplane rides and several nights in the hotel with one room for the four of us are scary prospects for me, but I'm trying to remain hopeful and positive that it'll all work out grandly.
Denial is, after all, the first step to sanity.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Pictures and The Pirate
http://picasaweb.google.com/schwartzmeg/2007_08_23
Here's some pictures and a short video of Silvia doing her pirate impersonation. Enjoy!
Here's some pictures and a short video of Silvia doing her pirate impersonation. Enjoy!
Then... and Now
The expression remains the same. "Your constant picture-taking has grown tiresome, Mother."
A Retrospective
Anna, at about 6 months. She couldn't sit up yet and had very little hair. The other thing I notice is that Silvia has already outgrown the clothes that Anna is wearing in this picture. And in this picture, the clothes were new and a little too big.
It's funny looking at her, though, because I can see in that little face the big-nearly-three-year-old that she has become.
Sisters
I was just reading through the old blog posts from when Anna was Silvia's age. It's amazing the differences, both between the two of them and also in me.
Even at 6 months, it was clear that Anna was developing at a different rate, though at the time it didn't stand out as much as it does now when compared to Silvia's standard milestone achievements. But while she wasn't as physical as Silvia is now, Anna was definitely a more interactive and reactive baby. A lot of her personality developed in response to the acute frustrations she dealt with physically as she battled her weak muscles and coordination to do that things that her mind wanted to do. Because she couldn't engage people as much physically, she was found other ways, usually noisy ways, of getting attention.
Silvia is happy. She's just a happy little kid. She plays, she gurgles, she grins, she putters, she smiles, she eats things (anything she can get her hands on). She's about to start crawling, she pulls hair and likes to chew on her toes. It's all very cute and sweet and normal. Anna was much more involved with me, needed the attention and responses, was very loud, both in her happiness and her displeasure.
Part of the difference, too, is that I have relaxed. I'm not acutely in tune to ever sound, movement and facial expression Silvia makes. I couldn't tell you which toy she last put in her mouth. I'm definitely not in tears on the nights that she has to cry herself to sleep for a few minutes after I put her down. I'm not indifferent to her, it's not that; it's just that I know, I KNOW, that she's okay, I'm okay, we're all okay and this is kind of the easy part. I let moments coast when they need to. It's the self-confidence of the second child, I suppose.
But at the same time, there's things I wish hadn't gone by so fast. Silvia used to just fall asleep in my arms every time I nursed her. It was only a few months ago, but it feels like years. I'd look down at her little limp hands, her lips still pursed and suckling on air, her full tummy a bump under her clothing. I'd lay her down and she'd just relax into the blanket or chair, settled and calm.
I never got to lay Anna down when she was that age. I had the luxury, and sometimes the curse, of just holding her for hours until she woke up. I'd nurse her and she'd relax against my arms, but I knew that there was an innate tension to her, that she would wake in a moment if I set her down. So we'd sit there, snuggled in together, for her nap. Sometimes I'd read or watch TV or sleep, but many times I'd just hold her, watching her stillness.
At 7 months, Anna was still having trouble trying to sit up and had not started rolling around yet. She spent a lot of time tumbling around the floor, squirming, reaching, laying on her belly and just struggling to get to anything. Those moments where she'd sleep in my arms were really the only times I'd get to see her totally at peace, her face and body relaxed, her mouth open and her fingers stretched wide.
Silvia is old enough now, at nearly 7 months, that she nurses and watches the whole world at the same time. She looks around, checks out what Anna is doing, and finishes up as quickly as possible. And then she's off to the next thing. The sleeping baby of spring has been replaced with the enthusiastic and active baby of fall. She's raring to go and has the strength to do it. Anna was raring to go, too, but it took her longer to build up those muscles.
And now they are both, in their own way, hitting new milestones, new achievements. And I suppose that I am, too.
Even at 6 months, it was clear that Anna was developing at a different rate, though at the time it didn't stand out as much as it does now when compared to Silvia's standard milestone achievements. But while she wasn't as physical as Silvia is now, Anna was definitely a more interactive and reactive baby. A lot of her personality developed in response to the acute frustrations she dealt with physically as she battled her weak muscles and coordination to do that things that her mind wanted to do. Because she couldn't engage people as much physically, she was found other ways, usually noisy ways, of getting attention.
Silvia is happy. She's just a happy little kid. She plays, she gurgles, she grins, she putters, she smiles, she eats things (anything she can get her hands on). She's about to start crawling, she pulls hair and likes to chew on her toes. It's all very cute and sweet and normal. Anna was much more involved with me, needed the attention and responses, was very loud, both in her happiness and her displeasure.
Part of the difference, too, is that I have relaxed. I'm not acutely in tune to ever sound, movement and facial expression Silvia makes. I couldn't tell you which toy she last put in her mouth. I'm definitely not in tears on the nights that she has to cry herself to sleep for a few minutes after I put her down. I'm not indifferent to her, it's not that; it's just that I know, I KNOW, that she's okay, I'm okay, we're all okay and this is kind of the easy part. I let moments coast when they need to. It's the self-confidence of the second child, I suppose.
But at the same time, there's things I wish hadn't gone by so fast. Silvia used to just fall asleep in my arms every time I nursed her. It was only a few months ago, but it feels like years. I'd look down at her little limp hands, her lips still pursed and suckling on air, her full tummy a bump under her clothing. I'd lay her down and she'd just relax into the blanket or chair, settled and calm.
I never got to lay Anna down when she was that age. I had the luxury, and sometimes the curse, of just holding her for hours until she woke up. I'd nurse her and she'd relax against my arms, but I knew that there was an innate tension to her, that she would wake in a moment if I set her down. So we'd sit there, snuggled in together, for her nap. Sometimes I'd read or watch TV or sleep, but many times I'd just hold her, watching her stillness.
At 7 months, Anna was still having trouble trying to sit up and had not started rolling around yet. She spent a lot of time tumbling around the floor, squirming, reaching, laying on her belly and just struggling to get to anything. Those moments where she'd sleep in my arms were really the only times I'd get to see her totally at peace, her face and body relaxed, her mouth open and her fingers stretched wide.
Silvia is old enough now, at nearly 7 months, that she nurses and watches the whole world at the same time. She looks around, checks out what Anna is doing, and finishes up as quickly as possible. And then she's off to the next thing. The sleeping baby of spring has been replaced with the enthusiastic and active baby of fall. She's raring to go and has the strength to do it. Anna was raring to go, too, but it took her longer to build up those muscles.
And now they are both, in their own way, hitting new milestones, new achievements. And I suppose that I am, too.
Da-Da-Da-DA
I put in the hours, I spend the time, but for some reason my girls have chosen "Dadda" as their first words.
Silvia started with the "d-d-d-d-d-d-d" this week and a few days ago just opened out with the full Dadda. She even says it FOR Kurt, as if she actually knows what it means, so I guess it counts as a real word. I sit there, smiling, and say, "Come on, sweetie, say "mama", can you say, "Ma-Ma"?.
And she sits there, smiling, pats my cheek with a drooly hand and says...
"Dadda!"
If anyone is keeping score, that's Daddy, 2 points, Mommy, zip.
Silvia started with the "d-d-d-d-d-d-d" this week and a few days ago just opened out with the full Dadda. She even says it FOR Kurt, as if she actually knows what it means, so I guess it counts as a real word. I sit there, smiling, and say, "Come on, sweetie, say "mama", can you say, "Ma-Ma"?.
And she sits there, smiling, pats my cheek with a drooly hand and says...
"Dadda!"
If anyone is keeping score, that's Daddy, 2 points, Mommy, zip.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
"Gaaaaden Shoes"
Anna has two pairs of Crocs; one yellow pair that lives at Grandma's house, and one purple pair that my mom got for her to wear everywhere else. She calls them her "Gaa-den Shoes". At Grandma's, she wears the garden shoes out in the yard and on the deck to water the flowers and study the tomatoes. At our house... she wears the garden shoes everywhere. She wears them in bed when she can't get a hold of her rainboots.
In addition to this shoe fetish, Anna is also going through a coat obsession. It's 80 degrees or more outside on average, but every day she says, "Oh, Mama, I'm so COLD. Brrrr! I want my coat. I want my sweater. I want my snow hat!"
Last night, when I left for my weekly coffee date with my girlfriends, the only way I could get Anna to let me leave without crying was to bundle her into her winter coat and zip it up tight. Over her pajamas. She then settled happily into the couch next to Kurt, ready to watch Nova before bed.
With her purple Gaa-den Shoes on as the finishing touch.
In addition to this shoe fetish, Anna is also going through a coat obsession. It's 80 degrees or more outside on average, but every day she says, "Oh, Mama, I'm so COLD. Brrrr! I want my coat. I want my sweater. I want my snow hat!"
Last night, when I left for my weekly coffee date with my girlfriends, the only way I could get Anna to let me leave without crying was to bundle her into her winter coat and zip it up tight. Over her pajamas. She then settled happily into the couch next to Kurt, ready to watch Nova before bed.
With her purple Gaa-den Shoes on as the finishing touch.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Boots
For the past few weeks, every time I go in to get Anna in the morning, she's laying in her little bed, with the covers pulled up to her chin. When she sees me, she smiles, sits up, and the swings her little feet down onto the floor.
She's wearing shoes. Usually her Crocs.
This morning, I walk in, and she greets me with, "Mama! I look BEAUTIFUL!"
She is wearing several plastic bracelets, has big barettes tangled into her hair, has 4 strands of plastic beads around her neck, hands covered in plastic rings... and her rainboots on.
Her large, plastic, pink and flowery rainboots. In bed.
Every night after Kurt puts her to bed, she gets back up, puts on whatever shoes she can find, and the crawls back under the covers.
She's a true shoe lover already!
She's wearing shoes. Usually her Crocs.
This morning, I walk in, and she greets me with, "Mama! I look BEAUTIFUL!"
She is wearing several plastic bracelets, has big barettes tangled into her hair, has 4 strands of plastic beads around her neck, hands covered in plastic rings... and her rainboots on.
Her large, plastic, pink and flowery rainboots. In bed.
Every night after Kurt puts her to bed, she gets back up, puts on whatever shoes she can find, and the crawls back under the covers.
She's a true shoe lover already!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Silvia
It's been awhile since I did an update on the littlest member of the family, so here you go. We had Silvia's 6 month check-up last week and she is weighing in now at 15 pounds, 3 ounces. She's hale and hearty, and very healthy girl, and also a very HAPPY girl.
That's one of her biggest charms, the enormous smile she doles out all day long, for all occasions. Mid-smile, these days, you can see the barest little glint where her first tooth has broken through on the bottom. I'm very nervous about that sharp little protrusion, but so far I have not been bitten. Let's hope my luck holds out!
Silvia is hitting a lot of developmental markers right now. There's her first tooth, sitting up on her own (very strongly), and now she's almost ready to crawl. In the past week she's gone from simply doing push-ups to taking a full hands-and-knees crawling position and rocking back and forth. As of this morning, she only seems to be able to backwards and in circles, rotating on her belly, but I'm certain that wobbly crawling is in her immediate future.
It's a little strange to see Silvia practicing all these gross motor developmental skills totally by the book. I keep having to remind myself that she's not a Super-Baby, she's just normal. But compared to Anna's developmental progress, it seems impossible that a 6 month old tiny baby could be sitting up, much less crawling. Actually, Anna is just now at nearly 3 perfecting her crawling skills.
She's been crawling around, slowly, on the floor as an example for Silvia. Silvia absolutely adores her big sister, focuses on her her with delight whenever she is nearby. In the car, a place that used to be awful because of Silvia's screaming, there is now laughter and giggling all the time. Anna entertains the baby, performing antics to Silvia's appreciative gurgling and cheers.
The noises that girl can make are hilarious. She woke Kurt and I this morning after I brought her to our bed by... growling. Loudly. And often. She's a very growly person.
But in a cute way.
That's one of her biggest charms, the enormous smile she doles out all day long, for all occasions. Mid-smile, these days, you can see the barest little glint where her first tooth has broken through on the bottom. I'm very nervous about that sharp little protrusion, but so far I have not been bitten. Let's hope my luck holds out!
Silvia is hitting a lot of developmental markers right now. There's her first tooth, sitting up on her own (very strongly), and now she's almost ready to crawl. In the past week she's gone from simply doing push-ups to taking a full hands-and-knees crawling position and rocking back and forth. As of this morning, she only seems to be able to backwards and in circles, rotating on her belly, but I'm certain that wobbly crawling is in her immediate future.
It's a little strange to see Silvia practicing all these gross motor developmental skills totally by the book. I keep having to remind myself that she's not a Super-Baby, she's just normal. But compared to Anna's developmental progress, it seems impossible that a 6 month old tiny baby could be sitting up, much less crawling. Actually, Anna is just now at nearly 3 perfecting her crawling skills.
She's been crawling around, slowly, on the floor as an example for Silvia. Silvia absolutely adores her big sister, focuses on her her with delight whenever she is nearby. In the car, a place that used to be awful because of Silvia's screaming, there is now laughter and giggling all the time. Anna entertains the baby, performing antics to Silvia's appreciative gurgling and cheers.
The noises that girl can make are hilarious. She woke Kurt and I this morning after I brought her to our bed by... growling. Loudly. And often. She's a very growly person.
But in a cute way.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Joey and Couscous
No, that's not just a bizarre recipe, it's the two newest things in Anna's life right now.
First and foremost, there's Joey. Until today, all of Anna's names for her toys mirrored what they were, i.e., Teddy is a teddy bear, Bunny is a rabbit, Duckie is a duck.
But today, Joey was born. Joey is an old beat up toy rabbit of mine that our old basset hound, Samantha, once got a hold of, (much to Joey's sorrow). A neat row of stitches where Joey's paw used to be is a testament to my mother's sewing talents and sympathetic heart.
Joey used to just be Bunny, one of three or four bunnies in Anna's toy arsenal. Then out of the blue today, Anna said, "Look Mama! It's JOEY!" She laughed hysterically and spent the evening bouncing Joey around, reading him stories and giving him her milk. He is, at this moment, cuddled up in bed with her. Her gift of a real name has also marked this scruffy old bunny as her favorite toy of the hour.
Then there's couscous. As you may know, Anna is NOT renowned for trying new things. She eats the toddler staples and not much else. If it's green, it's automatically suspect. But tonight... she decided, out of nowhere, to eat couscous! Kurt made a delicious dinner of cedar plank salmon and curry couscous, and Anna asked to try the "pink fish". We gave her a little bowl with a bite of salmon and a scoop of the couscous. She totally ignored the fish, even though it was pink, and went nuts with the "yellow rice", as she called it, eating bite after bite after bite.
So there you have it. Anna the explorer!
First and foremost, there's Joey. Until today, all of Anna's names for her toys mirrored what they were, i.e., Teddy is a teddy bear, Bunny is a rabbit, Duckie is a duck.
But today, Joey was born. Joey is an old beat up toy rabbit of mine that our old basset hound, Samantha, once got a hold of, (much to Joey's sorrow). A neat row of stitches where Joey's paw used to be is a testament to my mother's sewing talents and sympathetic heart.
Joey used to just be Bunny, one of three or four bunnies in Anna's toy arsenal. Then out of the blue today, Anna said, "Look Mama! It's JOEY!" She laughed hysterically and spent the evening bouncing Joey around, reading him stories and giving him her milk. He is, at this moment, cuddled up in bed with her. Her gift of a real name has also marked this scruffy old bunny as her favorite toy of the hour.
Then there's couscous. As you may know, Anna is NOT renowned for trying new things. She eats the toddler staples and not much else. If it's green, it's automatically suspect. But tonight... she decided, out of nowhere, to eat couscous! Kurt made a delicious dinner of cedar plank salmon and curry couscous, and Anna asked to try the "pink fish". We gave her a little bowl with a bite of salmon and a scoop of the couscous. She totally ignored the fish, even though it was pink, and went nuts with the "yellow rice", as she called it, eating bite after bite after bite.
So there you have it. Anna the explorer!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Monday, August 06, 2007
Pictures
Blogger has a new feature where all the pictures I've uploaded to the blog are listed in a web album, it's great. I've also uploaded photos from when Kurt's sister and dad visited last month.
http://picasaweb.google.com/schwartzmeg
http://picasaweb.google.com/schwartzmeg
Anna Takes a Tumble
My heart just STOPPED for about 5 solid seconds.
Anna was going up the stairs to the playroom, just a short flight of 6 steps. I was sitting on the living room floor with Silvia. I look up just as she steps... BACKWARDS.
Into thin air.
Poor kid! She went head over heels down the stairs, caught her lip on the edge of the last step, ending up in a pile at the bottom. She's been running around in just her panties all morning, so it was even more pathetic looking; a tumbled up jumble of arms and elbows and knees and messy curly brown hair.
Then the screaming started. There was blood everywhere from her lip. I finally got her calmed down, the lip puffed up and stopped bleeding, nothing broken, just a scare.
Anna looks up at me from the couch where she's cuddling her juice and snuggled in a big blanket.
"Anna fell down the stairs. ALL the stairs." Big brown, watery eyes focused on me.
"I know, sweetie. That was very scary, but you're okay."
She nods her head very seriously.
"Wanna go to the playroom. Not gonna fall down the stairs, no. Anna will be VERY careful."
We go up to the playroom, past the scene of the accident.
At the top of the stairs, she stops, looks down, and says, "Hey! Mama! Anna rolled over and over! Over and OVER, Mama!" And laughs hysterically over her fat lip and runs off.
As if it were fun! Sheesh. I think I just sprouted my first gray hair.
Anna was going up the stairs to the playroom, just a short flight of 6 steps. I was sitting on the living room floor with Silvia. I look up just as she steps... BACKWARDS.
Into thin air.
Poor kid! She went head over heels down the stairs, caught her lip on the edge of the last step, ending up in a pile at the bottom. She's been running around in just her panties all morning, so it was even more pathetic looking; a tumbled up jumble of arms and elbows and knees and messy curly brown hair.
Then the screaming started. There was blood everywhere from her lip. I finally got her calmed down, the lip puffed up and stopped bleeding, nothing broken, just a scare.
Anna looks up at me from the couch where she's cuddling her juice and snuggled in a big blanket.
"Anna fell down the stairs. ALL the stairs." Big brown, watery eyes focused on me.
"I know, sweetie. That was very scary, but you're okay."
She nods her head very seriously.
"Wanna go to the playroom. Not gonna fall down the stairs, no. Anna will be VERY careful."
We go up to the playroom, past the scene of the accident.
At the top of the stairs, she stops, looks down, and says, "Hey! Mama! Anna rolled over and over! Over and OVER, Mama!" And laughs hysterically over her fat lip and runs off.
As if it were fun! Sheesh. I think I just sprouted my first gray hair.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
A Very Merry Half-Birthday
To YOU, Silvia!
Six months old today, can you believe it? I can't. This has been, without a doubt, the most difficult 6 months of my life. Fortunately, it's also been the most rewarding. Adjusting to a second child and all that came with her, Anna's terrible two's, post-partum depression knocking me for a totally unexpected loop; it's all been a struggle.
But the pay-off? Huge. Kurt and I are champions of communication and teamwork, we lean on each other and and in doing so, hold the other one up. Anna has blossomed this summer, really blossomed, and absolutely adores her baby sister. I've had to learn how to breathe and prioritize and sleep and relax. (And then relax some more, you know, just for kicks. With a little bit of extra breathing on the side.)
And Silvia, oh, little Silvia! She's a real, honest-to-goodness baby now. She sits up on her own, she's starting to eat solids for real now, she talks and gurgles and makes pirate sounds for her own entertainment, ("ARGHHHH!"). She's still incredibly smile-y, just the happiest little blue-eyed girl there ever was. She dotes on her big sister, follows Anna's movements around the room as though hypnotized. At night, she's sleeping better, waking up 2 times on average, though sometimes 3 or 4 on a random bad night.
And she's so different from Anna! She's very, very strong, spends her days rolling onto her belly and inch-worming her way across the floor. I know that I'm going to blink and then she'll suddenly be crawling. She walks, when you hold her, she walks all over, thinks it's hysterical. She still won't really take a bottle and is nursing about every hour to hour and half during the day, which gets a bit exhausting for me. I'm hopeful, though, that the solids she's now taking will help her to ease off a bit and start to give me a break on that front.
It has not been an easy six months, no. But from where I sit now, balanced and happy and confident, I can say that even though it was an incredibly difficult transition for all of us, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Silvia is so worth it and has completed our little family in the most perfect way.
Anna sums it up the best, every morning. "Mama, shall we go downstairs and find My Silvia?"
It's the only way to start the day.
Friday, July 20, 2007
It's been awhile
In fact, it's been so long since I posted that my news may seem shocking. Anna leaves for college this fall, she's heading up to CU Boulder and Silvia has just gotten her letter of acceptance to Oxford on full scholarship for the following year! Can't believe how fast they grew up, can you?
Okay, just kidding. They're not that old yet, but it does seem as if the time is just flying by. Anna is now very close to being potty-trained. She still is having accidents at naptime, but during the day is very consistent about staying clean and dry and also wakes up dry most mornings. I'm super proud of her, I really thought it was going to be harder than this. The first two weeks or so were very stressful, but she's doing great now!
She's the most amazing little kid, in my totally biased opinion. She can read through a book once with me and then have it memorized; we just need to turn to any page and she makes the visual association and can recite the story for that page. It's really funny, too, because she puts her favorite books to music in the car, singing the words to herself from memory.
Silvia is now 5 and a half months, which is really hard for me to accept. I keep thinking she's just a tiny baby, but really she's well on her way now to toddler-hood and little kid-ness. She can sit up by herself now, though she's still a bit wobbly. She rolls around in her crib and has started sleeping on her tummy about half the time at night. She's also getting much more vocal. Just this week she started babbling and talking all the time while she plays, it's adorable. And loud. Hehee.
She's sleeping pretty well most nights, goes to bed about 7, wakes up at about 3, then comes to bed with me at about 5 or 6 until we get up. She's doing better in the car around town, though the crying fits are still bad for longer trips. And she's still the absolute smilingest baby there ever was.
Kurt's dad and sister visited this week with Monica's son, Ryan, who is 19 months. He's ADORABLE, totally delicious, as Mo would say. SO CUTE. And Anna loved him. Because we show her pictures all the time of our relatives who live farther away, she responded to them all immediately with recognition and excitement. She and Ryan spent the week chasing each other around the house and getting into everything, it was hilarious. I have a few good pictures, the kids were just amazing together.
They left yesterday and this morning and we were very sorry to see them go. It was just such a nice visit, lots of family time and watching the kids play together and enjoy their Opa. We'll get to see everyone again when we head to Chicago in late September, I can't wait!
And that's all for now. I'll post pictures from the visit as soon as I get a chance.
Okay, just kidding. They're not that old yet, but it does seem as if the time is just flying by. Anna is now very close to being potty-trained. She still is having accidents at naptime, but during the day is very consistent about staying clean and dry and also wakes up dry most mornings. I'm super proud of her, I really thought it was going to be harder than this. The first two weeks or so were very stressful, but she's doing great now!
She's the most amazing little kid, in my totally biased opinion. She can read through a book once with me and then have it memorized; we just need to turn to any page and she makes the visual association and can recite the story for that page. It's really funny, too, because she puts her favorite books to music in the car, singing the words to herself from memory.
Silvia is now 5 and a half months, which is really hard for me to accept. I keep thinking she's just a tiny baby, but really she's well on her way now to toddler-hood and little kid-ness. She can sit up by herself now, though she's still a bit wobbly. She rolls around in her crib and has started sleeping on her tummy about half the time at night. She's also getting much more vocal. Just this week she started babbling and talking all the time while she plays, it's adorable. And loud. Hehee.
She's sleeping pretty well most nights, goes to bed about 7, wakes up at about 3, then comes to bed with me at about 5 or 6 until we get up. She's doing better in the car around town, though the crying fits are still bad for longer trips. And she's still the absolute smilingest baby there ever was.
Kurt's dad and sister visited this week with Monica's son, Ryan, who is 19 months. He's ADORABLE, totally delicious, as Mo would say. SO CUTE. And Anna loved him. Because we show her pictures all the time of our relatives who live farther away, she responded to them all immediately with recognition and excitement. She and Ryan spent the week chasing each other around the house and getting into everything, it was hilarious. I have a few good pictures, the kids were just amazing together.
They left yesterday and this morning and we were very sorry to see them go. It was just such a nice visit, lots of family time and watching the kids play together and enjoy their Opa. We'll get to see everyone again when we head to Chicago in late September, I can't wait!
And that's all for now. I'll post pictures from the visit as soon as I get a chance.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
nap time, quality time
I'm really starting to enjoy nap times now that I have two kids. Not because I get to nap, oh no, but because it gives me time alone with one daughter or the other. Silvia is an excellent napper and during her morning snooze, Anna and I get to bond. We read stories and color and play chase and jump around and have tickle-fights, just the two of us. It's a chance for me to re-connect with her and remind her that, while the baby is cute, she's still my sweetie, too.
In the afternoons, Anna often goes down for a nap a little before Silvia, or Silvia wakes up before Anna. During this time I get to spend one-on-one baby time. We explore new territories, like toes, practice peek-a-boo and singing and talking and rolling. It's personal baby time that is so precious to me. When Anna was this age, every day all day was all about her growth and development. But because my focus is split, it seems even more exciting when I have those brief moments alone with my new baby girl to see what she's learning and discovering right now.
Nap time in our house is special mom-daughter time... now if only I could squeeze in an actual nap for me, too, then it'd be perfect!
In the afternoons, Anna often goes down for a nap a little before Silvia, or Silvia wakes up before Anna. During this time I get to spend one-on-one baby time. We explore new territories, like toes, practice peek-a-boo and singing and talking and rolling. It's personal baby time that is so precious to me. When Anna was this age, every day all day was all about her growth and development. But because my focus is split, it seems even more exciting when I have those brief moments alone with my new baby girl to see what she's learning and discovering right now.
Nap time in our house is special mom-daughter time... now if only I could squeeze in an actual nap for me, too, then it'd be perfect!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Anna Bunny
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Proof that A/C works
She fell asleep by herself in the playroom, which used to be the hottest room in the house, capable of melting unsuspecting infants into puddles.
Books and cold air
Silvia, like many before her in our family, is now a tremendous fan of "Rain Makes Applesauce". I read it to her before bed and, just for fun, during the day. The nonsense verse always makes her giggle. Of course, it helps that she's the super-smiliest baby ever, but still, I think she has special affection for this story.
Today I got her a Bumbo seat from a friend who's kids had outgrown it. It's amazing! She can't quite sit up by herself, she's always falling over, but with this she can sit up, look around and be highly entertained by Anna's antics while still working on her balance in a safe place. She's comfortable sitting for up to 10 minutes or so before she gets bored, but I tell you what, 10 minutes of happy-baby-who-doesn't-need-to-be-held, that's a really GREAT 10 minutes for me! Silvia's really going through a mommy thing right now, and I end up wearing her or holding her on my hip most of the day, so having a happy place to put her is a real treat for me.
She'll probably hate it tomorrow, but for today... we all love it!
In other big Schwartz-er news... We now have Air Conditioning! Woohoo!! It's supposed to get up to 97 degrees today. At that temp last summer, (pregnant and sick and with a whiny 1 year old), I was in tears, hiding in the basement for a breath of cooler air or trooping over to mom's to soak up her A/C. Today, instead, we've been playing and dancing and both girls took long comfortable naps and everyone is HAPPY!
Thanks especially to my sweetie, he orchestrated the whole process.
Today I got her a Bumbo seat from a friend who's kids had outgrown it. It's amazing! She can't quite sit up by herself, she's always falling over, but with this she can sit up, look around and be highly entertained by Anna's antics while still working on her balance in a safe place. She's comfortable sitting for up to 10 minutes or so before she gets bored, but I tell you what, 10 minutes of happy-baby-who-doesn't-need-to-be-held, that's a really GREAT 10 minutes for me! Silvia's really going through a mommy thing right now, and I end up wearing her or holding her on my hip most of the day, so having a happy place to put her is a real treat for me.
She'll probably hate it tomorrow, but for today... we all love it!
In other big Schwartz-er news... We now have Air Conditioning! Woohoo!! It's supposed to get up to 97 degrees today. At that temp last summer, (pregnant and sick and with a whiny 1 year old), I was in tears, hiding in the basement for a breath of cooler air or trooping over to mom's to soak up her A/C. Today, instead, we've been playing and dancing and both girls took long comfortable naps and everyone is HAPPY!
Thanks especially to my sweetie, he orchestrated the whole process.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Oh, the times they are a-changin'
Anna is growing up so quickly into a full-force-maelstrom of a little girl. This weekend she got her very first skinned-knee, and shook it off almost as quickly as it happened. Every now and then she comes up to Kurt and me and asks us to kiss her "boo-boos", but other than that she seems completely undisturbed by them. As I got her up this morning, this was the inventory: one skinned knee (red and scabbed), one skinned wrist (also scabby), and a newly acquired cut on the TOP of her foot, near the toes, no idea how that happened.
Silvia's moving right along, too. She now can roll forward and back, and is trying as hard as she can to sit up. If you lay her flat, she starts doing crunches, just struggling to sit herself up.
Kurt had a great Father's Day weekend. He spend Saturday waxing the Boxster for SEVEN HOURS. Hey, it was his choice, and he's thrilled to bits that it's all shiny and slick looking, so that's what counts. Sunday we all drove up to Rampart Reservoir and had a picnic and hung out by the water for awhile. After we got back, Anna napped for about an hour and then we headed out again to our favorite pizza place, which happens to be right around the corner from our favorite ice cream shop. So convenient!
All in all, it was a lovely weekend, very happy and relaxing for all involved. That in itself is odd, usually we've got at least one unhappy camper for at least a part of the time, but this weekend was special, indeed, with smiles and cheers all around.
What could possibly be in-store next?
Silvia's moving right along, too. She now can roll forward and back, and is trying as hard as she can to sit up. If you lay her flat, she starts doing crunches, just struggling to sit herself up.
Kurt had a great Father's Day weekend. He spend Saturday waxing the Boxster for SEVEN HOURS. Hey, it was his choice, and he's thrilled to bits that it's all shiny and slick looking, so that's what counts. Sunday we all drove up to Rampart Reservoir and had a picnic and hung out by the water for awhile. After we got back, Anna napped for about an hour and then we headed out again to our favorite pizza place, which happens to be right around the corner from our favorite ice cream shop. So convenient!
All in all, it was a lovely weekend, very happy and relaxing for all involved. That in itself is odd, usually we've got at least one unhappy camper for at least a part of the time, but this weekend was special, indeed, with smiles and cheers all around.
What could possibly be in-store next?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tinkles and Hoots
Potty training has begun in earnest in the Schwartz household. So far, Anna just LOVES to sit on her little potty and read, read, read. And then read some more. And maybe read a little bit after that.
As for actually pottying, that's a different story. But, this morning, I'm happy to announce that Anna produced the smallest and tiniest little tinkle for the potty and was quite proud of herself. Actually, she didn't really seem to care, but since Mommy made such a big deal, she did a happy dance for my benefit. Let's hope she keeps it up!
Silvia, too, is growing up in leaps and bounds. She is starting to sleep really well again, which is a relief. After I posted that she had slept through the night all those weeks ago, she laughed in my face and started waking up every two to three hours. I will not make the mistake to brag about her sleeping habits again, but instead only say that last night was very nice and restful.
She's also exploring her vocal range. Instead of just little coos and gurgles, she now hoots, hiccups and calls out. It's cute!
I finally got myself organized this weekend and scheduled her christening at our church. We were lucky with Anna's christening to be able to have both her godparents, Val and Lisa, there for the ceremony. Our luck seems to be holding strong, because it looks like both Silvia's godparents will be able to attend next month, too! My brother John and Kurt's sister Monica will be standing up for her.
That's all for now. Wish me luck with the potty-training!
As for actually pottying, that's a different story. But, this morning, I'm happy to announce that Anna produced the smallest and tiniest little tinkle for the potty and was quite proud of herself. Actually, she didn't really seem to care, but since Mommy made such a big deal, she did a happy dance for my benefit. Let's hope she keeps it up!
Silvia, too, is growing up in leaps and bounds. She is starting to sleep really well again, which is a relief. After I posted that she had slept through the night all those weeks ago, she laughed in my face and started waking up every two to three hours. I will not make the mistake to brag about her sleeping habits again, but instead only say that last night was very nice and restful.
She's also exploring her vocal range. Instead of just little coos and gurgles, she now hoots, hiccups and calls out. It's cute!
I finally got myself organized this weekend and scheduled her christening at our church. We were lucky with Anna's christening to be able to have both her godparents, Val and Lisa, there for the ceremony. Our luck seems to be holding strong, because it looks like both Silvia's godparents will be able to attend next month, too! My brother John and Kurt's sister Monica will be standing up for her.
That's all for now. Wish me luck with the potty-training!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
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