By Janet, on August 14th, 2011
The girls are at that amazing age where they WANT to help. So often they’ll come to me arm stretched out towards me and say “Help? Help?” I’m trying to encourage that behavior! If I’ve been to the grocery store, I’ll let them put the groceries in the fridge (which means everything is on the bottom shelf) and I’ll let them hand items to me (one by one) to put in the cabinet. Or I’ll give them each an empty milk jug and we’ll walk outside and I’ll lift them up so they can put it in the recycling. I kneel on the floor and help them measure and pour and stir so we can make ice cream. I’ll hold them up and let them help me mash the potatoes for dinner. They help put the megablocks away in the box. (Of course it’s pretty tempting to then upend that full box of blocks again!) In the bath they each want a washcloth so they can wash themselves. They hand me clean laundry to fold (and it often has to be folded more than once) and then want to help put it away in the drawers. Pretty much every chore now takes longer than it used to — but it’s way more fun. Gotta take advantage of this eagerness to help while it’s there!
I had trouble finding “helping” pictures so here are some of my favorites from July that I hadn’t got around to posting yet.
Let me help you!
Cool water on a hot summer day
Water! Water! Water!
Down? Down? Down?
Monkey Girl
Exploring the back yard
They love manipulating their world
Simple joys
I found a stick!
In!
There!
By Janet, on August 4th, 2011
My Dad and Linda were able to visit for a few days in July. What fun it was to once again reacquaint the girls with some of their grandparents! It took a little while for the girls to warm up, but by the end of the visit they were giving hugs night-night and playing happily with Grandpa and Grandma. One day we spent some time at the park where the girls tried out their new bikes and also demonstrated their climbing prowess. I’m slowly becoming more confident of the girls’ climbing skills. They’re pretty adept – at least as long as they’re paying attention to what they’re doing. Of course, they are just barely two so they do tend to get districted. That’s what makes me nervous.
We’ve been playing Peek-A-Boo with the girls since long before they were able to really participate. But Grandpa and Grandma put a couple of new spins on the game that the girls have enjoyed. Dad picked up a plastic ring toy, looked through it, and said “I see you.” The girls wanted to see him use the other eye. Then of course they both wanted a turn. I’m not sure if they know that “I see you” is a three word sentence instead of a multi-syllable word, but it sure sounds cute when they say it. Now they’re looking through all kinds of things and saying “I see you” – the holes in the laundry basket, the shade awning supports at the park.
Later in the visit the girls noticed Linda’s wedding ring. She turned the diamond to the inside and asked “Where did it go?” The girls long ago mastered the concept of object permanence and had no trouble finding the ring. They wanted to play more, so they would reach out and turn the the diamond inside and ask “er go?” with a little shrug of the shoulders. Too cute! They’ve continued to enjoy this game. And I like playing with them, each time discussing the significance and symbolism of the ring Dan gave me. It can’t be too soon to begin instilling those lessons.
Snuggled up with Grandpa & Grandma to watch Sesame Street
Vroom! Vroom!
Too busy to sit still for a silly ol' photo.
Three generations.
Doing a craft with Grandma.
Giggly girl!
Grandma & Carolyn
Proud Grandpa!
By Janet, on July 30th, 2011
- Me with Grandma & Grandpa – September 2007
My maternal grandma passed away in May at the age of 89 1/2. She had lived in a nursing home for the past year as a result of Alzheimer’s. My last opportunity to visit her was in November 2010. It was a hard trip — I had to travel alone and spend my first nights away from my girls since they came home from the hospital, and Grandma wasn’t the same as I remembered her from years past — but I’m glad I was able to go.
By the time of my visit, the disease had already taken a significant toll. She was pretty much non-responsive and it was hard to know how much she was aware of what was going on around her. But one afternoon the visiting family got to reminiscing about days long gone and distant family members from generations older than me. It was interesting to listen to the stories from the past. Apparently Grandma must have thought so too because at one point she laughed out loud! Granted, she wasn’t really making a laughing sound, but the body language was all laughter. I’m glad I got to see that fleeting glimpse of amusement. When it was time for the final good-bye, I gave her a hug and told her I loved her. She returned the embrace and we just sat like that for some time — I didn’t want to leave that moment.
Grandma lived in Wichita, Kansas which meant opportunities to visit were somewhat rare. I remember from my childhood that our family vacations usually consisted of road trips to the midwest (Mom’s family was in Wichita, KS; Dad’s was in Carmi, IL). My sister and I would chase lightning bugs around the yard.
Grandma was a great baker and candy maker and there were always lots of special sugary treats — assorted cookies, muddy roads, peppernuts, sugar glazed pecans, fudge — and loaves of homemade bread. She enjoyed crafts too and I remember several sweaters she knitted for me and quilts she made for me. She was also known to crochet, paint landscapes, and other crafts. One of the most important lessons I remember learning from her is that you take a recipe or a pattern and go from it. The recipe/pattern is just a starting point. Use your own ideas and turn it into something special. Of course, I also learned that if you asked Grandma for a recipe you couldn’t just copy down what was in the recipe book. You had to talk to her about it because the written recipe was just the first version and it was usually helpful to know how she was currently making that delightful treat you wanted to imitate. I look forward to sharing my joy of crafts and baking with my girls in the coming years. And I may have to mix up a batch of Muddy Roads in Grandma’s memory.
Goodbye Grandma. I love you.
Me and Grandma - November 2010
By Janet, on July 25th, 2011
Almost from the time they were born, the girls had to learn about taking turns and sharing. It’s been a necessity of life around our house. When one girl is getting a fresh diaper, the other is just going to have to wait a minute. Or when they both want to ride the same scooter somebody is going to have to go second. I’m pleased to say that they’re learning these lessons. Certainly there is sometimes grabbing and fussing when one girl wants to play with what Sister already has. But more and more frequently she’ll ask “Trade?” and offer something in exchange for the desired object. And the trade is usually agreed to sooner or later. Maybe it’s just me wearing my “Mom” hat, but I think these girls are definitely ahead of the curve when it comes to playing together. It’s hard to capture a picture of trading. But here are some recent favorites of the girls sharing. If you’ve read the other posts, you may have seen all these pics before but they’re still cute and in theme with this post so sit back and smile with me.
See, if you open it up there's Kix inside.
Tea party time.
What's in here?
Hold it steady while I pour.
Wanna smell?
Here - you forgot your sunglasses.
By Janet, on July 22nd, 2011
The girls’ vocabulary continues to expand and they’re learning new words daily. Their proficiency at communicating is also improving and they’ve come to the point where they realize when you don’t understand. When one of the girls names an object, Mommy or Daddy is expected to repeat it — perhaps just to ensure that we’ve understood, or perhaps to verify we’re paying attention. Their vocabulary has expanded beyond naming objects to include verbs such as walk, sit, run, and trade. One of their most frequently used words is currently “car.” Do you have any idea how many cars there are in the Bay Area? It’s rather comical when we go someplace because the girls will point out EVERY car they see. They will point and say “car car car” with increasing urgency and insistence until I repeat “car” back to them.
Another favorite is “bike.” A couple weeks ago we went to Graeagle for a week long vacation with Dan’s family. This was the longest car trip in quite a while and they gleefully pointed out every bicycle and motorcycle between here and there repeating “bike bike bike” over and over again. I considered getting tricycles for the girls’ second birthday. Then I was introduced to Balance Bikes. There are several different manufactures, but a balance bike is essentially a miniature toddler-sized bicycle with one significant difference — there are no pedals. Kids straddle the bike and use their feet to propel themselves along. They begin by walking along slowly, but they move faster and faster until they’re running and gliding along as their coordination and balance improve. The idea is for kids to learn how to balance and steer a bicycle without the use of training wheels. I was pretty intrigued. When I learned that their cousin has a balance bike we made arrangements for him to demonstrate for the girls. They were enchanted. So instead of trikes, the girls now have balance bikes.
And they like hats, so the helmets were pretty exciting gifts too.
OooOOOooh, this will totally match my all outfits!
Groovy new hats
After unwrapping the bikes, the girls quickly hopped on and began motoring through the house.
Daddy, there's not really enough room in here for me to properly enjoy this...
Then we were off to the park where they had room to roam.
Carolyn
Elizabeth
Wait -- where are you going?
It’ll be a while before the girls are ready to move up to full fledged pedal bicycles. In the meantime they’re enjoying themselves immensely.
Recent Comments