Birthday eve

On Michael's birthday eve, our house is calm with the kids in bed early and Ryan and I nestled in for a movie. It's been a busy weekend and frankly, we're all pooped. Sweet Elena is eager to help celebrate Michael's big day, but is clearly trying to hide some envy. She's working hard at it though and it just shows what a loving little heart she has.

Michael has truly mastered some of the words I've mentioned, favoring, 'no no' and 'uh-oh' all the days long. And in the last week, he's seemed to grow up so much, finally beginning some small steps around the furniture (not that we're in a hurry. The contrary.) and going from a squatting position to standing for very long periods of time. Big boy!

It's so hard to believe he's a year and equally as unbelievable that he's only been in our lives for a year. He's added so much. But for today, he's still only 11 months old. I'll remember this time for as long as I live. I love you sweet La and Michael, little lights in our lives.

Da' Kids

Oh, it feels like an eternity since I've had the time to really sit down and write about the kids. Michael is almost a year old and is 'talking' up a storm with a lot of nonsense and repetition. He's got "no, no" and "uh-oh" down and is waving bye-bye and hi with some prompting. He can also hold up his fingers to make a '1 and 2' and will sometimes repeat, 'TWO' with energy and a very high-pitched tone. He actually has a deep little voice, but can reach some crazy octaves. Last week, when I took him in for what turned out to be his third ear infection (ugh), he weighed in at 25.7 lbs., but in his defense, this was the one time they didn't make him undress and de-diaper, so I think the clothes and wet diaper had to add at least a half pound (if not more). We'll see for sure at his one-year well child appointment. He's nowhere close to walking and seems completely content moving on all fours at his own pace. He HAS started standing up by himself and has held it a little more than 60 seconds, so we think that's uber impressive. He remains a very happy and easy going kid who loves being held and close to Mommy. It's nice that he's taking the steps a little more slowly than his sister because he is indeed IT for us, so it's nice to enjoy his being a baby for longer. Oh and he also got his first professional haircut yesterday and was an angel, never crying and holding completely still in my hands for the cut. We think he looks like such a little boy now. Our sweet Michael.

Elena finished Preschool last week and is enrolled for Jr. Kindergarten at her school now (Elena is shown here singing to me at the Mother's Day show, that I can't believe I haven't mentioned. It was a very emotional, very sweet day for us that I'll remember forever). They announced this new class just a couple weeks ago and we are thrilled with the option. Truthfully, it would've saved some serious soul-searching had they told us earlier, but we're happy nonetheless. The plan, should all go well, is that she goes to Jr. K on the same schedule as the Kindergarten class, then goes to Kindergarten next year. It's seems like the perfect solution and I'm hoping all goes well. She's pictured below modeling her new clothes from our good friend, Joann's daughter. These are the nicest hand-me-downs to date (She now has Joe's, Sevens and True Religion... nicer denim than I own) and we LOVE hand-me-downs (Thanks, Missy...).

Loverly

Young, young love

Elena and her chum, Gavin are seen here at a field trip. These images capture their relationship well. They are constantly holding hands, 'getting married,' blowing kisses and of course, just generally playing together. They seem to have a lot in common and just love one another. Worried? Nah... It's downright sweet.

Water babies

56 hours

It's amazing what can be done in fewer than three days. No mountains were climbed, but many miles were logged for a lovely weekend to be spent in Disneyland with Grandma and Papa Grohs. We left Friday around noon and returned home yesterday around 7 p.m., having spent Saturday in Disneyland and California Adventure. An early arrival into the parks gave us a head start on the rides we were most eager to repeat. Elena was very happy to see her grandparents and revisit the place she most adores. Every ride was, "let's do it again" and often times, we did. We covered a lot of territory in a short time and enjoyed a nice visit, complete with Mickey Mouse candy for the ride home.

Once again, our travelers were excellent with lots of sleeping, very little complaining, some laughs and learning along the way. It's fun to point out the sights to Elena now, showing her birds nests on bridges, where/how the water runs from Northern California to Southern California, etc. We're hoping to book a camping trip soon and are very much looking forward to our Aptos house in September with some of the best friends. We may not have the fanciest travels, but we enjoy them to the fullest.

The Princess and the Pea

Elena still naps almost every day and on the days we are forced to skip naps, it is very obvious. She still really needs that rest. She has also suffered from night terrors for quite some time, but we've had some very bad ones in the last couple weeks. The doctor says there isn't much we can do about it and offers the same advice/suggestions we already know - that this is just a transition between something-something and REM, that it's common and she'll probably be a sleep walker. We just talk her down (because she's not awake, but almost in possessed trance), try to make sure she isn't overly tired and that she has plenty of exercise - all things we think we do pretty well anyway. The night terrors are very hard on us, but she never even remembers them.

Elena has also been sleeping in her own room more often (graduating from her usual midnight trek to the air mattress next to our bed) and last night, she slept the entire night in her room. As soon as we get that down, we'll tackle the sleep time potty issues, but for now, we're proud and hopeful the sleeping trend is improving. I hate to say it, but I have always liked her being so close to us in the night and kind of hate to see it end. Both Ryan and I love having the kids in the bed, but we know it can create a lot of arguments later if we give in too often. Some of my favorite nights though, are the ones where all four of us are nestled together, waking with beautiful child morning breath, elbows in the face and crack of dawn nudges and smiles.

Mischievous Michael

Our little buddy is into everything these days and is making his way to those things faster each day. Nothing is safe from his hands and nothing is off limits (according to him). And if you take something away from him... watch out. Grunts and screeches galore will make it clear he's not happy with you or your rude interference. Elena still absolutely caters to him, but is sensing that this 'growing up thing' = more interest in her toys. Although she really shares well, we've let her know it's ok to put her 'special things' away so Michael can't get them. We think she needs to know that she can still have her own things.

Michael's still such a cuddle bug though. We've been really lucky to have such cuddly children. The other night I got home uncharacteristically late and asked Ryan about the evening (what time the kids went to bed, etc.). It wasn't till almost a minute later when he said, "Michael's over there," that I looked to find the little troublemaker peeking over the black coffee table, grinning at me, then moving toward me for a full three-minute hug. And all the while, he smiled.

(Our puppy dog, Michael)