Vivian Learning To Ride A Bike

On New Years Eve, Vivian decided she wanted to learn to ride her bike without training wheels.  I think since Joanna got a new bike, she wanted to make her bike more special.

After a little talk, she was ready to learn.  At first, Daddy took the peddles off to make it like a balance bike so she could get a feel.  Her legs were a tad short and was making it uncomfortable for her.  I said, 'let's do it the old fashion way with me holding the bike then letting go."  

She did great and would peddle by herself until she realized I wasn't holding her.  She took one hard fall then wanted knee pads.  Off to the store I went.  

She was still hesitant to ride in the street so we took her to the backyard where she felt more comfortable.  After getting a feel and riding long stretches, she was feeling more confident.

I ran to the store and when I got home, she was riding her bike!  It was something amazing to see.  What a huge milestone that is!

Big Girl Bed

Two weeks ago, Vivian put up a good fight going into her crib at bedtime.  She did not want us to leave and jumped out of her crib chasing after us.  

B took her to the couch trying to get her to fall asleep, but wasn't having any part of that.  So, for the first time in her life, she slept with me.  It took singing and tickling to get her to sleep by 9:15pm.  Mind you, we started bath at 6pm since she didn't have much of a nap that day.

After that night, I vowed to never let her sleep with me again.  Child was all over the place.  I got zero sleep. Also, kid still woke up for the day at 5:20am.  Crazy thing was, she acted as if the night before never happened.  She didn't even remember what she did.  Well, I will never forget! 

The next night we tried again with the crib.  She had a good nap and thought maybe she would go to bed more easily.  Wrong.  Same battle.

Soooo, we blew up the air mattress and already turned her door knob around to lock her in her room and called it a night.  She was all excited about sleeping in a 'big bed'.  When we left, she if course ran to the door crying/screaming "last one!"  She lasted about 5 minutes before crawling into bed and going to sleep.  She slept until 6am the next morning! 

Vivian had to sleep on the air mattress until her queen size mattress arrived.  I ordered her an adorable quilt set that's fitting for a toddler.  It was actually difficult finding toddler appropriate bedding for a queen size without paying an arm and a leg.  I am very happy with the purchase.

I have a pool noodle tucked under the fitted sheet on the open side of the bed so she doesn't fall out.  This kid doesn't stay under the bedding, but flips and flops all over the bed.  Crazy.

Tonight will be night 3 in her forever-in-our-house-bed.  She's done great with bedtime.  We sing our songs and gives kisses and out the door we go. Bedtime doesn't take an hour now.

Now, with saying that, she does wake up for the day between 4:30-5am.  She's always been an early riser, but she was contained in her crib.  For two weeks now, minus the first night she slept in the 'big bed,' she has been screaming for me as soon as she wakes.  She runs to the door calling for me.  For a while, I ran upstairs quickly so she wouldn't wake Joanna up.  We now  have a Time To Wake Clock which lights up green when its time to call for mommy.  Of course, she's 2.5 years old and doesn't understand the concept right now.  She still calls for me, but its not constant screaming. I'm hoping it catches on that she sees I'm not coming in to get her until the light goes off.  Right now I have it set for 5:30am, which means she's been standing at the door for an hour or less.  

As far as Joanna, I have her box fan, a smaller fan and a box fan between their rooms to buffer the sounds.  She has been waking up and not going back to sleep until I get Vivian, but hopefully soon enough her sleep won't be disturbed.

Parenting certainly has its challenges.  For whatever reason, no one tells you the obstacles you will encounter.  You only hear stories of people saying, "oh I just put them to bed and they sleep all night until I get them."  

Anyway, Vivian decided it was time to be out of her crib and sleep in a 'big girl' bed.  Easier process when they decide and not you.  If only we can successfully get out of dispers!  Someday :)

2 Year Old Pre-School

Milestone Thursday sassafras, you are a pre-schooler!!!  How is this even possible?  It seems like just yesterday we brought you home from the hospital and now you are going to school.  

You woke bright and early this morning.  4:40 am.  You even fell asleep at 7:30 last night.  I was hoping you would sleep until 5:30, but no such luck.

We did our standard morning routine of hanging on the couch while I ate my oatmeal and drank my coffee while you watched tv and played with 'Peppa.'  You wanted your breakfast a little earlier than normal, around 5:30.  You ate an entire bowl of maple & brown sugar oatmeal and a glass of orange juice.

You played the morning away until we left for school at 8:50 am.  All morning I talked about school, saying your teachers names (Mrs. Martha and Mrs. Kristy), talking about the friends you will make, playing, learning and snack time.  You were excited!  Not going to lie, I was nervous for you.  I thought major water works were going to happen.

We got to school and  you saw all the other children going in and you said, "School!"  As soon as we walked into your classroom, you dropped your lunch box and ran straight to the play kitchen.  While you played, I spoke with your teachers and put your things in your cubbie.  You didn't even acknowledge your mommy.  I went over to you, gave you a kiss and said 'bye' and out the door I went.  No tears.  No calling for me. Nothing.  

As I drove past your window I could see your little pigtails with your hands in the air playing away.  Made mommy's heart so happy.  

As soon as 12 pm rolled around, I walked in your classroom and you were sitting on your chair at the table with your lunch box waiting.  You had the biggest smile on your face when you saw me and said, "Mommy!!!"  Your teacher said you did great!  She also mentioned you were a great sharer.  You made mommy so proud.  You even colored a picture of an apple. 

What a great first day you had sweet angel.  I hope tomorrow will be as great!!! So so proud of you sweet girl.

OOXX

First Haircut

Today was a big milestone for Vivian and I, first haircut : (  It really was much needed...the front of her hair reached down to her lips.  She did an awesome job!  I thought for sure she would freak out since she's scared of strangers, but that wasn't the case.  B plopped her in the chair, got her smock on and sat perfectly still.  I guess it helped the had Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on.  It was the sweetest thing watching her being a big girl.  Melted my heart.  We saved the first hair that was cut for her baby book. I will be making the longer drive to Ribbet Salon for future haircuts.

   

Standing Up

We spent the majority of the day in the kitchen yesterday.  Just call me Betty Crocker!  I made a 15 bean soup for lunch, brownies for Brian and prepared chicken parmesan  to just toss in the oven for dinner.  I also dusted and cleaned as well :)  Busy Tuesday!

Vivian, you were all over the place in the kitchen.  You kept getting into Brody's water bowl so I distracted her with the jar of macaroni for a bit.  You emptied that jar completely and I had macaroni all over the floor.  You had a good time!  After the macaroni, you wanted back at the water bowl so I needed another distraction.  

Onto the Tupperware cabinet we went!  You love pulling out the lids and containers.

 

I kept glancing back and forth to make sure you weren't going to bang your head on something. Wouldn't be the first time, ha!  You were having a grand ole time and then decided to go further inside the cabinet to grab something that was further back.

I continued to watch and take a few pics.  Then this started to happen!

Holy cow, you are going to stand!!

It was absolutely AMAZING to watch!!!  Moments like these are why I am SO happy to be a stay at home mom. I am able to witness all your milestones.

Side note: you also pulled yourself up using the dresser knobs in the bedroom later that evening. You are growing up way too fast little girl :(  Mommy is SO proud of you...keep up the great work!

9 Months Old

Happy 9 months baby girl!!  You are turning into one special little girl...not that you weren't already.

You weigh 16 lbs 3 ounces and 26.25 inches long at your 9 month well check.

You are keeping Mommy on her toes and giving her a workout.  You are full blown crawling!  You started about 2 weeks ago.  At first, you would get onto your hands and knees then fall down onto your tummy.  We did that for about a week.  Then you slow started to figure out how to move your hands and knees.  After Memom left, you started 'officially' crawling.  You are none stop!  Mommy has to move the coffee table to give you more room to roam in the living room.

You just discovered Brody's food/water bowl and the electrical outlets.  We put outlet covers on just yesterday.

You love to be thrown into the air.  It makes you so happy...puts the biggest smile on your face.  I definitely need to capture a picture!

You love solids.  You are eating like a champ!  You really love yogurt, mango, sweet potatoes and butternut squash.  You are not loving your bottle of Mommy's milk anymore. You will only drink a few ounces and then you are done.  It has been a constant battle for a while now.  Especially at your 12:30pm feeding.  You flop around like a fish out of water.

You love to listen to tv shows intro's.  Especially 'The Golden Girls.'  It stops you dead in your tracks when it comes on.  Mommy has to play it in the car when you get fussy in your carseat.  It stops the crying immediately.  Mommy is happen to listen to it 20 minutes straight if that makes you happy.

You don't like for anybody else to hold you that you don't know.  It takes a while for you to warm up.

You HATE having your nails trimmed.  Mommy has tried during your naps, but you wake.  So, we wrestle together on getting them trimmed.  

You LOVE to pull Mommy's hair. I'm surprised you haven't pulled my scalp off yet!  You have one tight grip!!

You LOVE LOVE LOVE Star from the 'Good Night Show' on Sprout.  We can't lay on the bed anymore.  As soon as he comes on you want to stand at the television and touch him on the screen.

You are obsessed with touching all the pictures hanging on the walls.  Thank you Memom for teaching her that!

You still love your baths, but hate getting ready for bed.  You are all over the bed when Mommy lotions you up and attempt to put your diaper on and jammies.  

When you take your afternoon nap, you don't wake up peacefully.  You cry and you are extremely fussy...takes a little while to calm you down.  However, if you nap with me or wake up when I'm right there (if I let you nap on the couch) you are happy.

You are definitely cooler than Mommy.  I hope to grow up to be as rad as you!

 I love the little girl you are becoming.  You have so much personality already.  You are already very strong will and let us know quickly if you aren't happy.  You certainly have your sweet moments.  I love that you crawl to Mommy and Daddy when you want to be held by us.  Melts my heart.  

I can't believe in 3 short months you will be turning 1 year old.  So hard to believe!!!  You are so AMAZING and know that Mommy and Daddy love you to the moon and back!  

Mom's Milestone

Today I finally bit the bullet and left Vivian in the church nursery.  We haven't attended church since the end of October and knew it was time to get back in the swing of things.  

When we got there, one little boy was being dropped off at the same time. I'm guessing he was 1.  Vivian just looked around taking everything in as usual.  The little boy started playing with a few toys so I sat Vivian on the floor to let her play.  The young girl volunteering was on the floor as well.  Vivian didn't fuss...just watched.  I think we are good to go!

B and I headed to the sanctuary.  They did give us a pager just in case they needed us.  Comforting to have and no, they did not have to page us.

I managed to focus on the sermon and my mind wasn't constantly on Vivian.  Good sign.  After service was over we made our way back to the nursery.

Vivian was sitting in the young girls lap and there were a few more kids.  When Vivian saw us she started to cry a little.  We were told she did well and the only thing that happened was that one of the kids took her little card that she was playing with and Vivian got really mad.  Vivian was holding this little card when we walked into the nursery.  Crossing fingers we aren't going to have a "No, that's mine" little girl.  Simply another reason why she needs to be around other children. 

I'm glad we both survived because I am ready to get back into going to church.  Happy Sunday!!!