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Sunday, August 20, 2017

Vivian age 4, Joanna age 2

Vivian:




Age: 4

Stats:  31.8 lbs, 39" tall.  Wears 4Ts, but can still wear 3Ts.  Shoe size toddler 9.

Sleep:  Usually wakes around 6am but I don't go in her room until her 'OK' to wake goes off at 6:30.  There are random mornings she'll sleep until around 7am.  I think those mornings she wakes sometime during the night for a bit and goes back to sleep.  Bedtime she goes up at 7:30pm with BK and always falls asleep during her bedtime story around 7:45pm, but sometimes as late as 8pm.  No nap unless sick.  

Sleep Talk:  She's becoming a sleep talker like her mama.  I've watched her on the monitor sitting up in bed talking or shouting in the middle if the night.  She's walked out of her bed confused a couple of times.  We still have her door lock reversed because I don't want her walking down our stairs during the night, especially if she's sleep walking. 

Eat:  We have days where she eats really well.  Oatmeal, turkey bacon, lots of fruit (apples, strawberries, blueberries, smoothies), veggies (cucumber, carrots, green beans, broccoli) , ham rolls, chicken, steak, lasagna, cheeseburger.  Then other days all she wants are yogurt pops, goldfish, fruit snacks, ice cream, cereal bar, fruit loops.  Good thing she takes a multi-vitamin!

Personality:  Loves to make new friends...always finding a new friend to play with.  A great listener and follows directions really well with other adults.  With Mom, she's 'okay'.  Very independent.  Wants to do everything herself with no help.  If you try to help her, she gets very upset...best to stand back and watch.  Enthusiastic over everything. If you ask her if she wants to do something, doesn't matter what it is, she thinks it's the greatest idea ever.  She makes sounds if she wants someone to watch her (her version of a cough, cough, watch me) without asking them to watch.  She likes having all eyes on her.

Favorite TV Shows: My Little Pony, Sunny Day and Team Umizoomie.

Loves:  Hugs and kisses, tickles, dressing-up, her 'Peppa' aka Kindle, playing games, chase, jumping, gymnastics, cutting/glueing/drawing, imaginary play, singing, performing, baking (she's pretty good at cracking eggs), pretending she's a stranger riding through the neighborhood and ringing our doorbell telling us she stopped because she loves our beautiful house, playing jokes, the beach and playground.











Dislikes:  When JoJo touches something she's playing with or making, having help (seriously wants to do everything all by herself), talking when she doesn't want you to talk, annoying her which I do often.

Vivian, you are growing into a beautiful young lady.  You have the heart of gold!  Not only being beautiful and the absolute sweetest, you are hilarious.  Always making us laugh.  You are definitely a little comedian.  I love your zest for life and seeing enjoyment in everything.  Gosh, I love you more than you can ever imagine sweet darling!!!

  ----------------------------------
Joanna, oh Joanna.




Age: 2

Stats:  Around 22 lbs, not sure how tall you are???  Sorry babe!  Tops, bottoms, dresses 18m-2T, although you can still wear 12 month bottoms. Shoe size 4-5.  Diaper size 4.

Sleep:  Wake around 7am, nap 1-3/3:30, bedtime you are in your crib by 7:30pm (we go up at 7pm to read and play a bit) but you aren't asleep until 8-8:30pm.  I still sing, 'Silent Night', 'Jesus Loves Ms', 'You Are My Sunshine', and 'Bingo' with you singing along with me.  

Eat:  Like Vivian, you have days you eat great and other days you only want 'naak' food.  You aren't a big milk drinker, only will take a few sips here and there.  

Personality:  Like Viv, you are very independent!  Having two very independent girls is exhausting.  When things aren't going your way or if I have to tell you 'no', you hit or push to get your frustration out.  Then you'll layout on the ground crying.  Minus that, you are hilarious!  You make the CUTEST  facial expressions.  You also have the cutest walk.  I can't help to watch that cute swaying booty!  If you get a 'boo-boo', you have to show us how it happened and always need a kiss.



Favorite TV Shows: Teletubbies, Mutt & Stuff and the Wiggles.



Speech:  You are starting to talk more.  I know it will start snowballing once school starts. 

Loves:  Vivian (monkey see, monkey do), baby dolls, puppies, boys (you are boy obsessed!!  Always talking about them and asking if a boy will be wherever we are going), running around naked (which means peeing on the floor all the time), making us laugh, sliding, climbing, jumping, playing chase, dancing, taking Vivian's things, playing outside.




Love this even though it's blurry.  Child is fearless!


Carrying that bowling ball like it weighed nothing.



Dislikes:  Mommy putting you in your car seat.  It's a battle anytime we go anywhere.  I often have to bribe with M&Ms but if it becomes a daily, M&Ms will not work and I have to restrain you.  Not fun!  Teeth brushing, getting dressed, hearing the word 'no', Mommy helping you, having to leave somewhere fun, having to share with anyone, especially with Vivian.

Joanna, you are so full of life!  You have the sweetest little face...I can't but help kiss on you constantly...and cutest little laugh.  I look at you and can't believe you are ours.  Even though you drive me bananas most days, you completed our family. Gosh, I sure do love you!  

Both of you!!! 



Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Chicago

A month after returning home from our Disney Cruise,
B and I took off to Chicago for our 11 year wedding anniversary and his work conference.  His conference was only a day but we spent a total of 6 days checking out all the sights.  We had a great time with just the two of us.  My Mom stayed home with the girls.  

This post will mostly be pictures.  To sum everything up, we stayed at the Virgin Hotel.  Great location!  Close to the metro and the Magnificent Mile.  For 2 nights for his conference, we stayed at The Ritz-Carlton.  We had a great view of the Navy Pier and the bed was insanely comfortable.  We ate a lot, walked a lot and saw just about everything.  




^^ Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza.  Soooo good!!!




^^ Lincoln Park Zoo



^^ Nookies






^^ My favorite place, Eataly.  When we were in NYC this past Christmas, I visited both locations.  The food is wonderful and love walking around looking at everything.


^^ The Second City.  We watched a hilarious improv show.





^^  Skydeck at Willis Tower.  We purchased our ticket at the counter.  The line was long but moved quickly.


^^ Snapped while riding the metro.



^^ Portillo's.  We visited the one across the street from the huge MacDonald's. 



^^ Architecture boat ride.  Very informative, highly recommend.


^^  The world's first Nutella Cafe.  They had only been open for 6 weeks when we visited.  Can't go wrong with Nutella!




^^  Exploring Millennium Park.


^^  We walked all the way to Buckingham Fountain from Millennium Park.


^^ Lake Michigan.


^^ We have a membership to our local aquarium that gives you free access to all aquariums and zoo's in the US.  We had to visit Shedd Aquarium.



^^  Walking from the aquarium to lunch.




^^ Devil Dawgs on S. State Street.








^^ Navy Pier.






^^  You can visit Wrigley Field if there's no game is scheduled for a group tour.  You have to purchase tickets in advance.  Very cool to see!




^^ The Ritz-Carlton.


^^ Walking the Magnificent Mile while B was at his conference.



^^ Shake Shack.  Another fave from our visit in NYC.





^^  Ahh...love this place so much!  Rosé sorbet!




^^  Fourth Presbyterian Church on the Magnificent Mile.  I stumbled across this church while walking.  Beautiful grounds and it is free!



^^  Last metro ride to the airport.

 

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Vivian age 4, Joanna age 2

Vivian:




Age: 4

Stats:  31.8 lbs, 39" tall.  Wears 4Ts, but can still wear 3Ts.  Shoe size toddler 9.

Sleep:  Usually wakes around 6am but I don't go in her room until her 'OK' to wake goes off at 6:30.  There are random mornings she'll sleep until around 7am.  I think those mornings she wakes sometime during the night for a bit and goes back to sleep.  Bedtime she goes up at 7:30pm with BK and always falls asleep during her bedtime story around 7:45pm, but sometimes as late as 8pm.  No nap unless sick.  

Sleep Talk:  She's becoming a sleep talker like her mama.  I've watched her on the monitor sitting up in bed talking or shouting in the middle if the night.  She's walked out of her bed confused a couple of times.  We still have her door lock reversed because I don't want her walking down our stairs during the night, especially if she's sleep walking. 

Eat:  We have days where she eats really well.  Oatmeal, turkey bacon, lots of fruit (apples, strawberries, blueberries, smoothies), veggies (cucumber, carrots, green beans, broccoli) , ham rolls, chicken, steak, lasagna, cheeseburger.  Then other days all she wants are yogurt pops, goldfish, fruit snacks, ice cream, cereal bar, fruit loops.  Good thing she takes a multi-vitamin!

Personality:  Loves to make new friends...always finding a new friend to play with.  A great listener and follows directions really well with other adults.  With Mom, she's 'okay'.  Very independent.  Wants to do everything herself with no help.  If you try to help her, she gets very upset...best to stand back and watch.  Enthusiastic over everything. If you ask her if she wants to do something, doesn't matter what it is, she thinks it's the greatest idea ever.  She makes sounds if she wants someone to watch her (her version of a cough, cough, watch me) without asking them to watch.  She likes having all eyes on her.

Favorite TV Shows: My Little Pony, Sunny Day and Team Umizoomie.

Loves:  Hugs and kisses, tickles, dressing-up, her 'Peppa' aka Kindle, playing games, chase, jumping, gymnastics, cutting/glueing/drawing, imaginary play, singing, performing, baking (she's pretty good at cracking eggs), pretending she's a stranger riding through the neighborhood and ringing our doorbell telling us she stopped because she loves our beautiful house, playing jokes, the beach and playground.











Dislikes:  When JoJo touches something she's playing with or making, having help (seriously wants to do everything all by herself), talking when she doesn't want you to talk, annoying her which I do often.

Vivian, you are growing into a beautiful young lady.  You have the heart of gold!  Not only being beautiful and the absolute sweetest, you are hilarious.  Always making us laugh.  You are definitely a little comedian.  I love your zest for life and seeing enjoyment in everything.  Gosh, I love you more than you can ever imagine sweet darling!!!

  ----------------------------------
Joanna, oh Joanna.




Age: 2

Stats:  Around 22 lbs, not sure how tall you are???  Sorry babe!  Tops, bottoms, dresses 18m-2T, although you can still wear 12 month bottoms. Shoe size 4-5.  Diaper size 4.

Sleep:  Wake around 7am, nap 1-3/3:30, bedtime you are in your crib by 7:30pm (we go up at 7pm to read and play a bit) but you aren't asleep until 8-8:30pm.  I still sing, 'Silent Night', 'Jesus Loves Ms', 'You Are My Sunshine', and 'Bingo' with you singing along with me.  

Eat:  Like Vivian, you have days you eat great and other days you only want 'naak' food.  You aren't a big milk drinker, only will take a few sips here and there.  

Personality:  Like Viv, you are very independent!  Having two very independent girls is exhausting.  When things aren't going your way or if I have to tell you 'no', you hit or push to get your frustration out.  Then you'll layout on the ground crying.  Minus that, you are hilarious!  You make the CUTEST  facial expressions.  You also have the cutest walk.  I can't help to watch that cute swaying booty!  If you get a 'boo-boo', you have to show us how it happened and always need a kiss.



Favorite TV Shows: Teletubbies, Mutt & Stuff and the Wiggles.



Speech:  You are starting to talk more.  I know it will start snowballing once school starts. 

Loves:  Vivian (monkey see, monkey do), baby dolls, puppies, boys (you are boy obsessed!!  Always talking about them and asking if a boy will be wherever we are going), running around naked (which means peeing on the floor all the time), making us laugh, sliding, climbing, jumping, playing chase, dancing, taking Vivian's things, playing outside.




Love this even though it's blurry.  Child is fearless!


Carrying that bowling ball like it weighed nothing.



Dislikes:  Mommy putting you in your car seat.  It's a battle anytime we go anywhere.  I often have to bribe with M&Ms but if it becomes a daily, M&Ms will not work and I have to restrain you.  Not fun!  Teeth brushing, getting dressed, hearing the word 'no', Mommy helping you, having to leave somewhere fun, having to share with anyone, especially with Vivian.

Joanna, you are so full of life!  You have the sweetest little face...I can't but help kiss on you constantly...and cutest little laugh.  I look at you and can't believe you are ours.  Even though you drive me bananas most days, you completed our family. Gosh, I sure do love you!  

Both of you!!! 



Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Chicago

A month after returning home from our Disney Cruise,
B and I took off to Chicago for our 11 year wedding anniversary and his work conference.  His conference was only a day but we spent a total of 6 days checking out all the sights.  We had a great time with just the two of us.  My Mom stayed home with the girls.  

This post will mostly be pictures.  To sum everything up, we stayed at the Virgin Hotel.  Great location!  Close to the metro and the Magnificent Mile.  For 2 nights for his conference, we stayed at The Ritz-Carlton.  We had a great view of the Navy Pier and the bed was insanely comfortable.  We ate a lot, walked a lot and saw just about everything.  




^^ Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza.  Soooo good!!!




^^ Lincoln Park Zoo



^^ Nookies






^^ My favorite place, Eataly.  When we were in NYC this past Christmas, I visited both locations.  The food is wonderful and love walking around looking at everything.


^^ The Second City.  We watched a hilarious improv show.





^^  Skydeck at Willis Tower.  We purchased our ticket at the counter.  The line was long but moved quickly.


^^ Snapped while riding the metro.



^^ Portillo's.  We visited the one across the street from the huge MacDonald's. 



^^ Architecture boat ride.  Very informative, highly recommend.


^^  The world's first Nutella Cafe.  They had only been open for 6 weeks when we visited.  Can't go wrong with Nutella!




^^  Exploring Millennium Park.


^^  We walked all the way to Buckingham Fountain from Millennium Park.


^^ Lake Michigan.


^^ We have a membership to our local aquarium that gives you free access to all aquariums and zoo's in the US.  We had to visit Shedd Aquarium.



^^  Walking from the aquarium to lunch.




^^ Devil Dawgs on S. State Street.








^^ Navy Pier.






^^  You can visit Wrigley Field if there's no game is scheduled for a group tour.  You have to purchase tickets in advance.  Very cool to see!




^^ The Ritz-Carlton.


^^ Walking the Magnificent Mile while B was at his conference.



^^ Shake Shack.  Another fave from our visit in NYC.





^^  Ahh...love this place so much!  Rosé sorbet!




^^  Fourth Presbyterian Church on the Magnificent Mile.  I stumbled across this church while walking.  Beautiful grounds and it is free!



^^  Last metro ride to the airport.