Rio wave (sort of)

Rio, 

This video was taken right after you learned to wave, except you were getting so excited, that your wave turned into a a series of silly claps.  You have since mastered the clap and the wave.

Rio Update: 11 months

Dear Rio,

Today you turned 11 months old!  Only one more month until the big 0-1.  You have learned so much in just the last month.  Your crawling is speedy and you are now cruising along furniture.  You have developed a love for books.  Sometimes I get nervous when you are being too quiet only to find you on the floor flipping through a pile of books.  You understand so many words now.  Some of the words that I know you understand are: mommy, daddy, Lily, balloon, ball, up, down, go, airplane, bye bye.  You say these words: Mama, Scah (Scout), go, dowm (down).  You babble and play with sounds all the time.  After watching Mommy blow bubbles you started to blow too!  You can clap your hands and wave.  You eat like a toddler.  You will no longer accept baby food (purees) unless it's applesauce or some fruit.  You are happiest when eating off my plate.  Other than baby food we haven't found anything you won't eat.  You like salmon, chicken, peas, pickles, oranges, pasta, tomatoes, lentils, beans, bread, every fruit, and really just anything we give you which is amazing since you still only have TWO bottom teeth.  I am surprised that it's taking so long for the rest of your teeth to get here but you manage very well.  

You love your sister.  She doesn't always like it when you play with her toys but you two are starting to learn to work it out.  Sometimes she will push you away and you will try to bite her.  You may be smaller right now but you know how to put your foot down.  You and your sister have been playing together more.  Lily LOVES to make you laugh and she's getting pretty good at it.  Last night we enjoyed watching you climb all over your sister making her giggle.  You get into giggle fits with Lily in the car. The greatest sound in the world is the two of you laughing together.  Your smiley face is contagious.  We love you so much.

Love, 

Mama

Turtle

Pictures from the weekend

Rio's Baptism

Dear Rio,

It took 10 months but we finally had you baptized.  We were thankful that Grandma Mandy and Uncle Cristoph could be there.  I was dreading having to entertain you and your sister during the hour long mass but you both did amazing.  You didn't cry at all when Father John held and baptized you.  All the children in the congregation were called to circle around the baptismal font to watch.  It was very sweet and a wonderful day.  After mass, we had a reception at our house.  Aunt Heidi, Uncle Steven, Audrey, Jack, Jacqueline, and Mateo were all there to celebrate.  You might not have noticed that everyone was there for you since you slept through most of it.  We are proud to welcome you to the Catholic community. May God always shine his light on you!!

Love, 

Mama

Lily's 3rd Birthday Party

Dear Lily,

As per your request, the theme of your 3rd birthday party was princesses.  You had a princess cake and we played princess games.  We had a good time (except for the pinata freak out).  Here is Audrey making Rio crack up while playing with balloons.   

You wanted to open your presents first.  This seemed like an okay idea, but I now realize why they are traditionally opened at the end of the party.  You can't stop to play with your new toys if you open them first.  All your friends helped you open them.

Grandma Mandy brought you some amazing (and many many handmade) gifts.  She brought you a butterfly in a jar that looked so real that everyone was surprised to learn it wasn't.

She gave you a special tiara that was hers when she was fifteen.  She even made this box for storing it.  Grandma Mandy spent countless hours building you a baby bed and sewing blankets and pillows for your baby dolls.  

We played pin the crown on the princess and a Princess and the Pea game.  You had to find which pillow the "pea" was hidden under.  

Then there was the pinata.  You were very excited for your first pinata.  But then you freaked out.  It took us a few days to understand the cause of the freak out.  It turns out you wanted to hold the bat backwards.  You kept saying you didn't want to hold it like that but I had a hard time understanding what was going on.  In the end, you missed most of the pinata action this year.   Maybe next year it will be better.  

You recovered well and was enthusiastic about that princess cake.  Who wouldn't be right?

It was a nice party.  Happy Birthday my big girl.

Love you oodles,

Mommy

Lily's first trip to the dentist

Lily,

You had your first trip to the dentist a few weeks ago. We know you really well.  Therefore we knew it was best for everyone if you were very prepared for what was about to happen at your dentist appointment.  You did FANTASTIC!  Could not have done any better.  You followed the dentist's directions and did everything they asked.  I was a very proud Momma!