7/30/08 - Amanda's Walking!

I can’t believe it!  Yesterday she pushed herself up to a stand and took four wobbly steps.  If she keeps up at this pace, she’ll be chasing after Eva by this time next month.  Wow! 

Play & Sing

Amanda likes anything with buttons, like the phone or the remote control.  She knows what they’re for, too, which is even cuter.  She’ll put the phone to her ear and babble, or point the remote at the TV.  We have an old remote control (that doesn’t work) that we let her play with, plus a Sesame Street toy version that makes beeping noises.  Our cordless phone conked out recently, so that’s also been converted into a toy, just like our old digital camera that died.  She loves it when she feels like she’s playing with the real thing.

 

Eva has become our little songbird, and sings constantly wherever she goes.  Her song list varies, but it’s mostly the “Veggie Tales” theme song, “The Wheels On The Bus”, “Jesus Loves The Little Children”, “If You’re Happy And You Know It”, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”, “Elmo’s World”, and “Jesus Loves Me”.    She’ll belt out in the car, in the grocery cart, at the dinner table, out in public, wherever and whenever she feels like it.  Sometimes she plays along on her toy guitar or piano.   Once when we were singing worship songs at a small group picnic, there was a lull in the singing and Eva decided to pipe in with “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”.  She didn’t know it was a worship time, she just knew we were singing, and wanted to join in.  It was really cute! 

On The Job

Dave’s work has been crazy lately.  It’s good, because he’s getting a lot of move-ins and his building is almost full.  But it’s also hectic, because he’s putting in a lot of 12-hour days, and even when he’s home or out with the family, his cell phone is ringing.  He’s got a couple of employees that are giving him headaches, too, so I gave him a present.  What do you think?

 

Cool Down

It’s been pretty cool this week, in the 50’s at night, and never getting warmer than the low 70’s.  It feels more like April than July.  I don’t mind, except that I have to dig out warmer clothes for the chilly mornings, and then change the girls once it finally warms up in the afternoons.  Soon we’ll be enjoying the sunny Southern California weather again, if only for a week!  We’re really looking forward to this trip!  J 

By The Pen

I’ve been writing a lot of articles for eHow lately.  It’s my latest obsession.  So far I’ve made $20.  My mom says my work is worth more than that, but I don’t mind.  I love writing, so getting paid, even a little bit, is just icing on the cake.  I get a percentage every time someone clicks on an ad in one of my articles, so as long as they’re relevant and people continue to find and read them, they’ll be earning money.  Writing is therapeutic for me, and actually generating income with it is addicting.  Once I get an idea and start writing, it’s easy to lose track of time.  I can sit down to write a few notes, and before I know it, it’s midnight! 

1/27/08 - First Birthday

Amanda is now a one-year-old!  I can hardly believe it!  Her birthday was on Thursday, but Daddy had to fly out to Nashville for work the day before, so we had a quiet day at home, making a trip to the grocery store, having macaroni and cheese for lunch, and playing in the backyard.   I had made cupcakes for our weekly play date on Tuesday, so I put a candle in one and gave it to Amanda for her first birthday dessert.   She was fascinated by it and kept trying to reach for the flame, and cried when I blew it out.  Then I gave her a taste of icing, and she was occupied trying to pull the cupcake apart and eat it.  Eva was fascinated by the candle, and put it in her own cupcake, before deciding to taste it.  She had a mouthful of pink and white wax before I caught on.  I thought 3-year-olds were supposed to be past the “put everything in my mouth” stage! 

Grandparents Visit

Grandma and Grandpa came up on Friday with Aunt Barocha and Uncle Caleb to help Amanda celebrate her first birthday.   Dave was able to catch an early flight home and make it back late Friday night, which was a nice surprise.  Most of the family had never been to Multnomah Falls, so we took a drive out there on Saturday morning.  While the girls were napping I decorated the kitchen with “1st Birthday Princess” décor, and then we had a little family celebration.  Amanda cried again the moment we blew out the candle, and got to smear herself with icing for a second time.  She’s my little prissy girl (which is why the princess theme is so appropriate), and started fussing when the cake crumbled apart and started sticking to her hands. 

 

First Step

Amanda is our little climber now.  She has figured out how to climb into Eva’s monkey camp chair, though she can’t get out of it.  Same goes for the little Fisher Price Corn Popper Ride-On.  She can climb on and Eva loves to push her around, but she can’t manage to get off without falling flat on her face.   She’s fascinated by Eva’s toddler bed, and likes to climb in, play with the blankets and drink from Eva’s sippy cup.  Then she gets stranded and cries for one of us to come get her.   The other day she climbed in while Eva was napping, sat on her legs, tried to give her a kiss and wake her up to play.  I came in just in time to keep her from waking Eva up.   She broke into an ornery grin the minute she saw me in the doorway, so I scooped her up and ran out the door as she giggled hysterically. 

 

Amanda is starting to “cruise” now, putting one foot in front of the other while holding on to things for support.  Just today, she figured out how to take steps while pushing Eva on the ride-on, though she’s still pretty wobbly.  She’s been able to push herself up to a stand for quite awhile, but today she tried to take a step for the first time.  She lost her balance, her knees buckled, and she crumpled onto the carpet, but she made a step!  Eva started walking around 14 months, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Amanda’s eagerness to keep up with big sister didn’t motivate her a little sooner. 

"Sour Ice Cream"

Eva likes to do things just like Mommy, and Amanda likes to do things just like big sister.  Yesterday I gave Amanda small pieces of chicken and banana to feed herself in the high chair, while Eva and I enjoyed enchiladas.  Amanda noticed our food was different and started fussing for a bite of it.  I fed it to her myself (I wasn’t about to let her get red sauce all over), and she really liked it, getting upset whenever I stopped feeding her long enough to take a bite for myself.

 

About halfway through lunch, Eva started asking for ice cream.  “No,” I said, “you have to wait until after lunch”.  But she pointed to my plate and insisted, “ice cream!”  I finally figured out she was talking about my sour cream.  I hadn’t given her any because I didn’t think she’d like it.  “It’s not ice cream, it’s sour cream,” I explained as I served her a scoop.  She ate a whole spoonful by itself, smiled and said, “I like sour ice cream!”  J   It took me a few tries until she finally understood it was called “sour cream”.  But it didn’t last long.  As soon as Dave came home and I laughingly told him the story, she was back to chanting, “I like sour ice cream!” 

Helpful Big Sister

Since Amanda is a year old now, we turned her car seat to face forward.  She really seems to enjoy the new view.  In the car seat or my arms, Amanda can sleep for an hour or more.  But once I lay her in the crib, I’m lucky if she stays asleep for more than 10 minutes during the day.  At night she might sleep in the crib for an hour or two, especially if she’s exhausted from naps cut short.  Amanda is starting to transition to taking only one nap after lunch, and another quick one in the evening around 6.  We put Eva to bed around 9pm, and then Amanda usually follows within an hour.    

 

When Eva goes down for her afternoon nap, I usually sit down on the couch and try to nurse Amanda to sleep around the same time.  When she’s in a deep enough sleep, I bring her into the bedroom and lay her down in the crib.  If Eva happens to still be awake when I come in, she starts whispering loudly, “Shhh!  Amanda sleeping!”   It’s cute how she thinks she’s being observant and helpful, but her loud “shhhh!” is enough to wake Amanda back up.  Sometimes I try putting a finger to my lips, but she seems to take that as confirmation and encouragement to keep repeating herself.  Other times I’ll cover her mouth, but the minute I take my hand away, she affirms it again, “Shhh!  Amanda sleeping!”

 

If Amanda wakes up, I’ll usually just leave her in the crib as long as she’s not crying.  It’s a nice little bonding time for the girls.  They “talk” to one another, repeating one another’s baby talk or trying to out-shriek each other.  Sometimes Eva will throw toys or a sippy cup in the crib to keep Amanda occupied, or “read” her a board book (by reciting it from memory).  She likes to blow raspberries on Amanda’s arm or leg, which little sister thinks is hilarious. 

Young At Heart

An adorable series of photos when Amanda was 5 months old.

7/19/08 - Busy Summer

This has been a very busy few weeks.  Dave has had to work late several times, putting in at least 12 hours.  In his off time, he tries to catch stages of the Tour De France, his favorite sporting event of the whole year.  

 

On weekends, we try to get out and see whatever event is happening in the surrounding communities.  Last Saturday we went to the Troutdale Bite & Bluegrass Festival, but there weren’t very many people or vendors.  Other than the bands playing, it was pretty quiet.  The next day we took the kids to the Sandy Mountain Festival, which was much better.  It reminded me of a cross between a fair and an arts festival.  It was arranged at a shady park with winding trails, so all the vendors’ booths were hidden among the trees.  As you followed the path, you’d find another one appear to your left or right, selling jewelry or woodwork or pies. 

 

Today we went to see the parade at the Troutdale Summerfest.  All the local business turned out, marching or riding in decorated cars, throwing candy to all the kids as they went by.  There were motorcycle cops and fire engines testing their sirens, and a pirate who fired off a loud shot from his pistol, which Eva found rather nerve-wracking.  She’d cling tightly to Dave until we could distract her with another sight, like the clown or a classic car. 

 

Weekday Fun

On Monday I took the girls to the zoo as guests of my friend Kathleen.  We pushed our strollers through the exhibits, and stopped at a petting zoo where Eva got to pet a rabbit and a duck.  Later we had a picnic on the grass, and Amanda was determined to try the popcorn.  She managed to stuff a couple small pieces in her mouth, and really enjoyed them.  Only “big people” food for her now! 

 

On Wednesdays, my friend Rocio regularly invites all the moms to join her at the library for their kid’s event (this week it was a pirate band), and then picnic on the grass across from East Hill, which is within walking distance.  The church is hosting a weekly “Summer Splash” now, so they’re setting up wading pools and water slides while we’re eating lunch.  Of course the kids love that, and can’t help sticking their hands in and splashing each other.

 

Self Serve

Eva loves spaghetti and tuna fish sandwiches.  She’ll eat an entire avocado if you’ll let her, and enjoys green grapes and bananas.   One of her favorite jokes is to hold a banana up to her ear and then say, “Banana, not a phone!  That’s silly!”   I keep assorted snacks on a low shelf where she can reach them, so it’s not unusual for her to bring me a box of goldfish or graham crackers, or a packet of fruit snacks for me to open for her. 

 

Amanda has enjoyed cheerios for awhile, but now that she’s more skilled (and insistent) on feeding herself, she’ll eat pretty much anything she can grasp.  Crackers are a big hit, and so are small pieces of fruit, meat or veggies.  She doesn’t care for rice or potatoes, but that might change as she learns to manage them. 

Little One

Amanda just cut another top tooth, and is cutting two molars right now.  They are really giving her a hard time.  She’s cranky and sensitive, and having trouble sleeping.  She starts crying the minute her Tylenol wears off.  She wants to nurse constantly, but seems more interested in teething on me than actually eating (ouch!).  One-year molars are such a bear!  I hope these break through before our trip, so she can be more comfortable and in a better mood. 

 

Amanda has grown so quickly, but she is still a baby in so many ways.  She still co-sleeps with us regularly, which is longer than Eva did.  Even though she loves solid food, she still wants to nurse several times a day and once or twice at night.   In fact, she nurses so frequently that I haven’t gotten my period back yet (with Eva, it was back by 6 months).   Dave once suggested that weaning her might help her to let go of me, but I think it would backfire.  She’s just much more sensitive and requires more attention.   Whenever I try to get some space and push her away, she can sense it and clings all the more tightly (literally and figuratively).  Even though Amanda is definitely more “High Needs”, I try to make sure I give Eva just as much attention.  I don’t want them to feel like they have to compete for attention.

Baseball

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve got a little T-ball stand in the back yard, and Eva loves to line it up and smack a toy baseball across the field (or a couple feet).  Amanda alternates between playing cheering section, clapping and squealing in approval, or outfielder, crawling after the ball and bringing it back.  Last week she figured out how to put the ball on top of the stand, and then crawled over to pick up the bat and try it for herself.  She actually managed to knock the ball while propped up on her knees, which I thought was a very athletic feat.  She can’t even walk yet, but she can play T-ball.  Go, Amanda! 

Amanda's First Birthday

 Amanda will be turning 1 in less than a week, and I’m still at a loss of how to celebrate it.  Dave has to fly out of town for work, so he won’t even be here.  I can’t let Dave miss Amanda’s first birthday party, so I have to find another time.   I thought about driving down to my parents’ for a little family celebration that weekend, but that won’t work.  Dave will be arriving home too late to start a 4-hour drive, and leaving the next day would give us barely one night before having to turn around and come home.  Besides, my family just bought a 5-acre place, and is in the middle of moving in to the new house.  It would be difficult for them to make the trip our way right now, too. 

 

I’d say put it off until the following weekend, but then we’re flying out to San Diego.  We could do it when we get back, but then it’s two or three weeks after the fact.  My Dad is right in saying, “She’s only one. She won’t know the difference.”  (Guys are so practical that way.)  But I know the difference.  With Eva, I had a party with friends and family, decorations and food trays.  She even had her own little cake to dig into and smear icing everywhere.  I always promised myself I would do the same for any other children we had.  I hate the thought of Amanda’s first birthday going by virtually unnoticed, until we can “get around to it”.  Does that make me ridiculously particular? 

7/16/08 - No More Baby Food

Amanda has suddenly decided that she only wants to eat “big people” food.  If you try to feed her a spoonful out of the baby food jar, she turns away emphatically.  She’s very aggressive about grabbing my food or plate, and even tries picking up a spoon or fork to eat with, though she can’t do much more than push the food around with it.  It’s a new skill, and very messy when it’s all over. She could make a meal out of all the soggy cheerios that stick to her dress.

 

Mine!

When I start cooking dinner in the evenings, Eva likes to go out to her playhouse and pretend she’s making dinner, too.  “Careful, Amanda!” she cautions, “Very hot!”, as she balances a plastic mound of peas on a toy spatula, and carefully deposits it into the mail slot.  But lately, Eva has decided that the playhouse is hers, and gets territorial when Amanda tries to join in.  “No, Amanda, MINE!” has become a frequent refrain.  “Mine isn’t in your vocabulary”, Dave tells her.  Too late!  It’s amazing the power of one little word.  You shout it out, and all of a sudden you’ve established ownership, territory, a line in the sand: “MINE!”  It’s a behavior that we don’t tolerate, so lately Eva has spent her fair share of time in the time-out chair, and frequently lost toys that she refuses to share.  She has a few toys and activities that aren’t safe for babies, so I try to bring those out for her whenever Amanda is asleep.  She enjoys having a few special toys that only she can play with, though she doesn’t like putting them away when Amanda wakes up.

A Bowl Of Cherries

We’re really enjoying the summer weather, being able to wear shorts, leave the windows open and let fresh breezes blow through the house.  The yard is by far the best part, from running around in the sprinklers, to having a swing set, to growing our own vegetable garden.  Already we’ve enjoyed our own homegrown lettuce and radishes.  Dave got himself a chainsaw to trim the branches off our cherry tree, and discovered several ripe berries (they’re “pie cherries”, too tart to eat without lots of sugar).  None of this would have been affordable for us back in San Diego.  For the first time, I can say I really feel at home here.  What a difference a year makes!

 

A year ago, Dave was newly unemployed, I was enormously pregnant in the sweltering summer heat, and Amanda’s surprise arrival was just a week away.  We really had no idea what God had in store for us.  Applying to a position here in Oregon was the job hunt equivalent of throwing darts at a map, wondering which one would stick.   We knew practically nothing about this area, except what Dave had managed to see in a quick trip for his interview.   We left California with a toddler, 7-week-old baby, and a lot of unknowns. 

 

If this had been a real crapshoot, I’d say we’ve been incredibly lucky.  But I know God answered our prayers and paved the way for us, and we couldn’t have done better if we arranged it ourselves.  This is a great place to raise a family.  15 minutes one direction, and you’re in the big city.  15 minutes in the other, and you’re enjoying rivers, forests and farmland.  Everything we need is so close, I can go a month without getting on the freeway.  Still, it’s never boring.  There’s always someplace to go, something to do, someone to visit.  It’s the perfect small town feel, but with big metro benefits. 

 

Our new church family has been a big part of making our transition so easy.  They welcomed us as if we’d been here for years, which was very refreshing.   Our small group is full of young families, with kids around the same age.  Even though it’s officially on hiatus for the summer (no childcare available), we still meet up on Sunday evenings for a potluck picnic in the field next to the church.  The kids run around playing, while the adults share and worship.  There are several couples that Dave and I have really hit it off with, and it’s nice to have made good friends so quickly (usually it’s easy for just the wives or just the husbands to get along, but to find so many couples that you BOTH enjoy hanging out with, is truly amazing)!  I miss friends and family from California, but I can honestly say I’ve never felt lonely here. 

For All Moms - This Is HILARIOUS!

Momsense by Anita Renfroe

1/10/08 - New Glasses!

Eva got new glasses!  After wearing the same frames since she was 6 months old, it was finally time for a new set.  They’re flexible plastic, and the joints snap together with no screws (nothing to choke on).  Instead of a strap to go behind her head, there are longer loops which go behind her ears.  Aren’t they adorable?  Although they’re still bifocals, they’re actually a weaker prescription, which is good news, because it means her eyes are getting stronger! 

 

Library Fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our local library has a summer program for kids, with a different guest entertainer every Wednesday morning.  I’ve been hearing friends talk about it for a while, so I decided to carpool yesterday with my neighbor Terra and her kids.  They got to try the computer program that reads to them, and Eva enjoyed “The Cat In The Hat”.   Then they had a lady who played kids songs on guitar and harmonica.  She taught them rhythm with rattles, shakers and percussion instruments for every child (over 50!).  Eva had fun singing and dancing, and even Amanda couldn’t resist shaking a toy banana full of percussion beads, or a set of jingle bells. 

 

Sisters

Eva and Amanda have their own special relationship.  They love to wrestle, pull hair, and “hug” until someone cries “uncle” (OK, they just cry…but you get the point).  Eva has figured out pretty quickly that if they’re playing together and Amanda starts crying, I’m going to investigate.  I’ve heard her whisper, “Shush, shush, Amanda! Don’t cry!” after taking a toy away or pushing her. 

 

Last night took the cake, though.  They were playing in the living room while I was washing dishes in the kitchen, and I heard Eva say, “No, Amanda!”, then a thump (she pushed Amanda over, and her head hit the carpet).  I yelled, “Eva, don’t push Amanda!”, and started to dry my hands.  By the time I got into the living room, Eva was lying on top of her sister, with Amanda’s face mashed into the carpet, trying to stifle her crying.  I gotta hand it to her – that was very clever, and incredibly mean!  You can’t tell me we’re all born innocent, and have to learn all these mercenary behaviors.  They’re built in!  If I didn’t think so before, I’m now convinced that we’re all born selfish, taking care of #1, and we have to be taught otherwise.