Urbana Regional Library

Over the last two weeks we have gotten to know the Urbana Regional Library very well.
And by very well I mean 2 hrs a day well.

It was a lot of work for Mom. Chasing two little ones around.

And she was not as happy as she looks most days.

Bella has been obsessed with the library; puzzles, computers, light table toys, puppets, story times, tablets, trains, blocks, books galore, not to mention friends to accompany all.

Sydney has loved napping and exploring as well, getting in on a little of the fun (we even were there for baby play day).

But the whole reason we have been spending so much time at the library is for CONNOR.
He got into a 10 Day PRE-K STEM LAB put on by Hood College and Urbana Library a free program for preschoolers.
He has loved it and while we wait for Connor everyday, Bella and Sydney and I wait at the library (and Nana and Joseph accompany us too most times).

To be honest I was a little worried how he would do every day for the two hours it is about the longest period of time he has been in a pre-k not to mention he has never done something everyday. And day 3 he did grumble a bit about going but when I reminded him he goes to school and Dad goes to work and he has to to tell Dad about his day and Dad can tell him about his, he perked up for the most part (he loves being like Daddy).

First Day,

Third Day not excited...

Okay maybe a little excited!

In class they had free play, story time, an experiment each day that they planned and executed with a team and by themselves, and then they had a closing music time.

Connor loved the experiments and made toothpick/marshmallow houses (like the 3 little pigs), Flubber, balloon rockets, leprechaun traps, static electricity with balloons and more.

Balloon Rocket Demonstration

They used Connor's rocket, he was SO proud.

On the very last day at the end of class they had a huge picture show we watched about all the days of STEM LAB.

Yep the kid sticking his tongue out, yep that's mine.

It took a heck of a lot to get this picture. Connor despised the lab coats and after the 3rd day never wore them again. They had a very ITCHY tag.

Connor was Awarded for his Love for Books in the STEM Library and for using his Excellent Fine Motor Skills when using Scientific Tools.
We are so proud of our little engineer!

After we watched the picture show they then had stations set up so that the kids could take the parents around and do all the experiments with them. 

Connor wanted none of that, he could barely sit through the picture show and hated standing for pictures, he was all smiles though feeding off all the excitement. But at the experiment showing part he pronounced "This is the last day. I'm done. Let's GO!"

So we went. I was disappointed I didn't get to see all the projects but it wouldn't have been much fun having a grouchy guide, so home we went.  

10 Months

Can you see my teeth poking through?

UPDATE
In terms of growth Sydney has always been true to her age and size. So she is growing into 12 month sizes quickly. I attempt bows with her only a couple times a week, mainly Sunday, and it is usually hit and miss. I am not as good about getting her used to them as I was with Bella. But for the most part if I can get her distracted enough after I put one on she forgets its there. Victory! Her daily routine is still much the same with her nap and bedtime at 8 and bottles throughout the day, with solids mixing in more and more. And in terms of solids she got TOOTH #1 (Mar 12th) AND TOOTH #2 (Mar 24th) this month, bottom front teeth came in alongside fevers and tantrums. She is just starting to truly figure out the sippy to wash some of those solids down, it used to just be a toy it seemed, now shes getting it down slowly but surely. Sydney depending on her mood is getting better at diaper changes, not SO wiggly (she is still in the size 3). She goes to sleep in her pack'n play still... I suck at giving in to her aversions to the crib. But hey she sleeps like a champ! Sydney is getting more mischievous, enjoying discovering opening drawers and cabinets and pulling out everything on shelves. And when it gets to be 7ish and she starts to really lose all patience she throws teeny tantrums with a funny little forward head bang/butt and when she gets really worked up (only about twice) she will throw her head backwards and bang her feet on the ground. It kind of is one of Shea and I's favorite things, even if it is the beginning of the outburst stage. WALKING is Sydney's newest development. She crawls quick as lightening still but her walking is constant now and crawling is just to get to a good launch point. I mean seriously she is brave and strong and confident (a little too much so). Thank you to all the hard pointy corners of TV stands, desks, cabinets, tables, doors, and walls; for all catching her fall and leaving her with battle bruises to share with her peers. She is seriously SO TOUGH! I mean cry for half a second, get a quick cuddle and cured!

 

LIKES
WALKING. I mean obviously she is in LOVE with her newest steps into the moving world.
HAIR. Pulling at her own strange short locks or trying relentlessly to grasp sisters and Mommy's.
CLAPPING! Quite possibly the sweetest and funnest thing she does. Usually she does it when Mommy sings "Clap Clap your hands, clap your hands together". But very occasionally she does it when she is excited. Honestly her clapping has just barely begun, pretty much at the end of month 10.
HEAD BANGING. Randomly I'll catch Sydney just sitting by the wall or door doing her head banging thing. She doesn't do it hard and it makes her giggle, especially when brother and sister see and want to join her, because she is being so silly.
BABY. She is enamored with Bella's baby dolls. Bella has a hard time sharing sometimes (even though she rarely has interest in them until Sydney does) so I think we know what one birthday gift will be.
THE BATHROOM. I don't know what the allure is but seriously every time the bathroom is open she makes a mad dash to scoot inside as quick as she can. It is extremely frustrating for her to have her mad dash attempts end in the door being slammed right before her eyes every time.
DRAWSTRINGS. She is loving chewing on Mommy's hoodie strings and anything alike. Obviously electronic cords are off limits but they still put a dazzle on her face and enjoys racing for them.
TOWERS. Only so she can knock them down, as quick as you can build them.
NAKED. That is right Sydney loves to be naked. When she is dressed in just a diaper after bath or between clothing changes she loves to slap her belly and poke her belly button.
STAIRS. Umm yes not my favorite love. She can now go up them expertly and down them fairly well with only one big fall (no injury no cries... daredevil child ... eek), that had her steering away from them for not even half a second.
PAPER. She does her best to try and get in a few bites a day, even with Mommy's constant eye she manages her daily dose.

DISLIKES
HATES BATHS. Poor girl she just stands up and whines and cries till I quickly soap and wash her so she can get out. It doesn't matter if she is alone or with sister she hates baths.
VACUUM.
BEING TAKEN FROM MOMMY BY ANYONE BUT DADDY!

FAVORITES
PEEK-A-BOO. One of her favorite games and one that always earns smiles and giggles, from pretty much anyone.
BABYDOLL. Her kisses for baby or squeezes for baby or her carrying around baby it is all just plain sweetness.
KISSES. Daddy takes full credit for his kiss giving little girl. And I won't lie it is about the sweetest thing ever. Even if they are open mouthed ones half the time.
BABBLES. I mean who can deny the cuteness of hearing a little baby babble on and on. I wish she did it more it is probably my most FAVORITE thing!
LAYING DOWN. I love when she lays her head down on the steps or floor, or rug. It doesn't always mean shes tired, sometimes she does it and just waits for someone to come lay by her so she can jump up and crawl away, trying to encourage a game of chase? Possibly.
UH OH. Mommy gets credit! It's random utterance is related to no event in particular other then the fact that she says it.
GROWLING. Daddy's Credit! Daddy and her growl back and forth all the time and now she growls and still grunts more than anything else.

Her Favored Thumb.

SIBLINGS
She is so active like her brother she loves moving and go, go, going. Connor's antics are her favorite. It drives Mom CRAZY! Connor darting across the room jumping over her, or racing across the room to stop millimeters from her face, or jumping from the stairs she's on, the list goes on and on. No matter the recklessness it sends Sydney into a fit of giggles, and the madder Mom is the more intense her giggles get. Oh boy, these two are going to be trouble. I rarely ever have to say "To Rough Connor", because Sydney is rough herself and pushes him away if he gets too much and when she does fall or bump in play she gets right back up unless there is no one around.

Seriously Bella is so gentle and is amazing with her. I can ask Bella to "Babysit" Sydney in her room while I put in a load of wash and Bella plays with her and keeps her happy and never opens the door in case Sydney escapes (she even holds her bladder if need be). Bella also loves "spotting" Sydney while she climbs steps. She puts her hand on her bum and follows her up, saying "good one, not too fast, good girl". I am in love with these girls! But they have their moments, if Bella is doing her quite corner thing Sydney likes to bug her when she is bored. Pulling hair and all. Bella is getting used to it though and is kinder and quicker to just smile and leave, rather than getting upset. Bella does get jealous now and then, which is wonderful progress from her daily jealous-ness.

And this is her I am done face.

Obsessed

Lately someone is obsessed with stairs, thumb sucking, trash cans, and following Mommy everywhere until she winds up falling asleep moments before Mommy's able to pick her up.

Heater Hogger

Connor has a new nickname, can you guess what it is?

Heater Hogger

The heater is so popular. And Connor always lingers nearby it, ready to grab it in case anyone else is wanting to move it. So we commonly call him heater hogger.

Even Bella and Sydney fight over the heater.

And yes even Sydney has figured out how to use it.

Now that it is warming up I think our home will be a little less contentious now that the heater can be put away :)

St. Patricks Day

I wanted to go all out for St. Patrick's Day, I just love the holiday.
I didn't really go all out but we did ...
   watch a few cartoon leprechaun episodes via youtube.
   dress in green.
   share leprechaun juice (green milk)

   AND when Daddy came home we went on our own simple treasure hunt for leprechaun GOLD!

Connor had a leprechaun come to his science class the next day (a free mini preschool for two weeks at the library) who played tricks on them and then they made leprechaun traps (although they didn't catch a leprechaun he left them some gold)!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Like a Girl

 

I hope my girls always remember... 

How beautiful it is to be a girl. 

How strong a girl can be; physically, mentally, and spiritually.

How we should never limit ourselves because of doubt.

How essential it is in the plan of happiness.

How the world can never dictate where or who we should be.

How we should own our gifts as a girl, and learn them expertly.

How we should stand up for ourselves and never submit.

How passionate girls are, and how passion fortifies our every foundation.

How proud we should be of our innate femininity. 

How we should use our compassion and love for others to uplift and support.

How happy I am that we are girls. 

How wonderful it is to be a girl and to do things ...

LIKE A GIRL!

Like a Girl Commercial by Always

"No woman is a more vibrant instrument in the hands of the Lord 

than a woman of God who is thrilled to be who she is." 

-Sheri Dew

First Steps

I  guess you could say we have a walker.
I mean to say she has taken steps before but nothing confident and consistent just a step here or there never more then three and never with a smile, more like a nervous grimace.
But now she has finally moved on to first steps happy and confident and getting better and better by the day.
So she is officially walking!
This was taken just a few days ago.

(Sorry for the angle )

Not a Baby?

"Mommy, Mommy, I wanna hold baby Sydney. I want to hold baby Sydney. I WANT TO!"

"Um she's not a baby...

I'm done."

I must say I was surprised when Bella asked to hold baby Sydney because she is a mover and a grabber and much, much bigger then a baby doll now.

And as you can tell Sydney didn't know quite what to think of being held.

And Bella well wasn't too happy that baby Sydney was too big to hold and rightfully declared, "she's not a baby".

It is true Bella unless Sydney is sleeping or eating she isn't much fun to hold. 

I guess it is about time to get rid of the baby Sydney nickname.

I Week Without The Thumb

In an outburst of frustration with constantly taking care of a blistered and bleeding thumb, and a whimpering and whining child, and a pinching habit that is directly related to thumb sucking. I decided to jump to the first thing that popped into my head one morning. Vinegar.

I explained then that just like babies use diapers, babies suck their thumb, and Bella is a big girl. Just like she is too big for diapers she is too big to suck her thumb. Big girls don't suck their thumb!

From then on every time she sucked her thumb I poured vinegar on BOTH thumbs. She screamed, she cried. I felt terrible and like a horrible, mean Mommy. And doubted whether this would do any good, or would be just some traumatic childhood memory she'd hate me for. 

I did make a decision that this was only for wake times, and not sleeping. Unconsciously thumb sucking was a whole different thing.

I made sure I cuddled her after the dreaded vinegar was put on, and we talked about why and how she was so big. I would distract her with something new to do; coloring, painting, chalk, play-doh, reading, dolls, anything to get her mind off the thumb and vinegar. Throughout the day if I saw her thumb getting close to her mouth I would remind her "You are a BIG GIRL NOW! Right?" 

It was rough. But by the next day there was a HUGE difference. 

Usually her thumb is in her mouth every time she sits or lays down, which for a "quieter" child like Bella is quite a lot. I talked about how awesome she was doing and how big she is. We told lots of people via phone and skype. She was happier smiling about her thumb if it got close. But I did use vinegar consistently, poured on a paper towel and wiped on her hand. She screamed and cried but it was much easier to distract her and talk to her and perk her up; partly because vinegar only needed to be used a few times. 

By day three she wasn't thumb sucking or pinching and I rarely had to remind her. We talked lots about a special prize if she could go a whole week without her thumb. She was so proud and so were we. We were all in shock that this had worked. 

And we were in even more shock that her thumb sucking during naps and bed took care of itself, in the next couple days.

I keep the big vinegar bottle out and every time she sees it she talks about what it is and how she's a big girl and DOES NOT suck her thumb. It has acted as a great visual reminder.

And she picked out "fluttershy" as her ONE WEEK WITHOUT THE THUMB prize.

During  week two she rarely, rarely ever even tried the thumb. I will admit she did it though, experimenting I assume. But I reminded her and YES I threatened vinegar!

I have tried so many things; gloves, tape, nail polish, positive enforcement, and "the only when you are in bed" method, but nothing has stuck. I know this is partly due to my inconsistency and our own interruptions of life. And I may be jinxing myself, like I did HERE, but I really, really think Bella is thumb free for the first time since she started, THUMB FREE!

Now it is weeks later and thumb sucking is officially that of the past.