March 12

We have been staying busy this week with the normal things. Mike has been riding his bike like a fiend, I have been jogging, Jens has been drawing and swimming like a fish, and Sylvie has been cute-ing. Some art work by Jens:

This is him pushing Sylvie in a chair. I like how he gave Sylvie a little hairbow, and I am impressed he was able to draw her sitting down. I also like that he gave himself eyebrows--it definitely makes his drawing expressive.

The dragon he made for Chinese New Year

The farm he drew for Dad. It includes a barn, tractor, and myriad animals.

Jens has also been in swimming lessons this week, and he has suddenly figured things out. He is so proud of his efforts and it has been amazing to watch him submerge and kick and try things.

Lessons have been really great because they have been inside in a very shallow pool where Jens can touch, which has been great for his confidence.

Sylvie has been chattering and walking and running and climbing and eating and playing. It is amazing how big she looks sometimes. Something about the jeans makes her look extra tall.

This is her favorite way to be--blanket in tow, animal tucked under her arm.

Our Sylvie drama for the week was allergy testing. She was so good for the whole experience. We were in the doctor's office for 2 hours and she was happy as could be the whole time, even when she had itchy stuff on her back. The worst allergy that showed up was peanut, and apparently her reaction was quite large and extreme. Enough so that the doctor wrote us a prescription for an epi pen. The other two things that showed up were milk and soy, both at equal levels of irritation but not extreme, which explains why switching her to soy didn't help with her problems. The doctor asked us to go to the lab for a blood draw, and I decided to get it over with as quickly as possible and made an appointment for the same day. I was really glad I had an appointment when I got there. There were at least four people waiting and 3 or 4 more came in while we were waiting, and they called us back first. I will ALWAYS make an appointment! I felt a little guilty, like I was cutting in line, but oh well. I was dreading it, so I was glad to get it over with. Sylvie sat on my lap and one nurse held her arm while the other one drew blood. I think she filled 4 vials. It felt like it lasted forever, but Sylvie didn't cry even once. She just made a whimpering sound and looked sad. As soon as we got up to leave she was all smiles again. The nurses couldn't believe it, and I couldn't either. We will find out more about her allergies next week when the results come back.

We went from there to the park to play and she had a ball.

Today it is very rainy. On our way home from picking Jens up, we stopped to visit a friend who has puppies. I waited until they all had homes before visiting, and it is a good thing I did. They are adorable! I could have taken one home with me right then. Jens and Sylvie loved them, especially Jens. He really wanted one.

Now we are home and we are having a fire and Jens and Sarah are making more of those repellently colored sugar cookies.

Some Busy Kids

We have done swimming lessons this week, which Jens has LOVED. The lights finally came on, which was so fun to see. He kicks really hard and puts his face in. It is so great to see him getting comfortable in the water and feeling so excited about it. I am a little worried he might be TOO confident in his abilities.

We also went to the park yesterday, which Sylvie loves. She is getting so big and independent.

She also likes doing the swings and the little horse.

I love it

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/03/sneak-peek-fitzhugh-lyndsay-of-the-brooklyn-home-co.html

March 5

I've had a hard week this week--I'm not sure why, but I've been cranky so I don't have that much to say, except that I cleaned up a lot of disgusting messes I didn't make, washed a lot of laundry, vacuumed a lot, and I am grateful it is Friday and this week is over.

It wasn't all bad. Jens had some fun play dates and has been enjoying the great outdoors. He and his friends Sarah tried out some foul looking cookie dough called "Fun Doe."

It looks like playdoh, but it is sugar cookie dough. Jens loved it and especially loved eating his masterful creations. He also did playdoh, which is always popular, and requested that I take a picture of him with his snowman and snake.

His artistic side is continuing to manifest itself and he comes up with some pretty neat drawings and projects (some aren't so neat--I have scrubbed a lot of pen off of things this week).

Sylvie is speeding up. She no longer walks, she runs. I have been trying to practice words with her and realized today that she might be saying more than I think--I am not used to trying to decipher new words, I am used to Jens, who talks very plainly. She definitely said doggy today, and I think she tried eyes, chair, Sylvie (Sssss), dirt, and blanket. I need to start paying more attention!

She also learned a new trick this week.

She can now climb onto the couch, chairs, and from there to the table with ease. Nothing is safe! Do you like her outfit in that picture? It is the emergency onesie from the diaper bag, which I had to utilize at Trader Joes when she wet through all of her clothes and my shirt.

Sylvie was cleaning out my wallet for me. Judging from the expression on her face, she doesn't appreciate being interrupted for picture time.

Sylvie has also been loving the great outdoors. She feels big being allowed out with her big brother. Jens has been busy out back chasing ponies, finding gold, and catching and caring for worms. I predict that our carpet will never recover from all of the muddy, dirty footprints.

I had to give Sylvie a bath when I brought her in for nap time. She thoroughly enjoyed herself, though, so that is what really matters.

15 Months Old

Sylvie had her 15 month check up today. All is well. She is 29 lbs. 32.5 inches and in the 95% for both. She was very good during her exam and she was very brave for her shots, only crying for about 2 seconds. She is such a good-natured little person.

Jens, in contrast, was 32.5 inches tall (90%) and 27.3 lbs. (80%)

Dirt

Isn't that the cutest little hair? And legs? And jumper? (Thanks, Grammy--I think I am going to go get another one in the next size).

Rocking