Where did March go?

Oops! March sort of whizzed by without many blogs from this household. Not that there weren't memorable things, but we've been enjoying the intermittent sunny spring days, walking, spending time playing on the porch and outside (especially the kids). They've been having fun throwing balls around and riding in the little plastic car, especially since they can do it all without coats on! (An unbelievable feeling for us after this winter!). They even got in the sandbox one day. Isaac really seems to enjoy being outside and is discovering a whole new world of mud and grass!



A fine time was had by all at Easter. Sofi got a brand new beautiful yellow Easter dress of which she was very proud and another headband which she is (reluctantly) learning to put on "from the front" so it actually holds hair back instead of putting it on from the back where it pushes all the hair forward into her face. She made us all Easter Bunny Salads as part of our dinner using a half pear for the the bunny and cottage cheese for the cotton tail. I did notice that you have to be very careful in the placement of the almond half ears and clove eyes, or you end up with what looks like Easter mice instead of Easter bunnies.

Isaac was all spiffed up as well thanks to Grandma D. Although, by the end of the day he resembled a miniature partier that stayed too long at some wedding reception with his overall rumpled look: onesie undershirt hanging out of his pants, pants hanging quite low, dress shirt sleeves rolled up and sweater vest a bit stained, staggering around giggling.

I think that at this point, for Sofi, Easter is really just another excuse to get more candy either with or without our permission. Out of the blue she asked me the other night, "So, Mom, when you were a little girl my age did you sneak candy in the morning before YOUR mom and dad were awake?" Hmmm.... why do you ask my love? Tempted to give her a "holier than thou" answer and take advantage of the perfect guilt opportunity, I decided to take the honest approach. I told her that I really didn't remember, but we rarely had candy around our house and if there was some there for Easter I probably did try to sneak some. I think it best that she realize at an early age that no one is perfect. But I hope she didn't interpret that as permission! One thing I have to give her, at least she's being quiet about it and letting us get some sleep!

She is trying every possible approach, from telling us the plan ("OK, so after we get home I get to have some candy") to cajoling us into it ("Hey I was thinking that it would be fun to watch a movie and then have some candy! Wouldn't that be fun?! Should we do that?"). One of the more entertaining was when she sidled up to us on the couch, laid her elbow on my belly with her face in her hand and said "So..... ya got any candy?" (actually she might have been asking for applesauce that time but it was equally funny). I was a little surprised she didn't add a "little lady" onto that request with a wink, like she was buttering up the bartender.



For our spring break we spent a few extra days up at Andy's parents house and visited the Minnesota Zoo, the Children's Museum, and friends in the Twin Cities. That was a lot of fun and the kids loved it although it did end up to be quite a bit of driving. I finished the book "eat, pray, love" by Elizabeth Gilbert which I would recommend highly (especially to all of my 30something friends). Andy and I also got to watch most of the movie "Six Degrees" (or something like that.... about global warming) and were blown away be the pivotal time we live in and desperately hope that 1) it's not too late to save the planet for our kids and 2) that a vast majority of people will make the neccesary changes in order to do so. We also listened to Barack Obama's "A More Perfect Union" speech and some of his autobiography in the car (when kids were asleep) and are becoming stronger supporters the more we get to know him and his leanings. The best part of the break however was spending time together and with friends both in the Twin Cities and LaCrosse. So nice and refreshing to take the time to laugh and comiserate over a bottle of wine.

Thank God (and the School District:-) for Spring Break!

March Madness

The photos above were taken in the afternoon on Wednesday, March 19th.
Note the grass and the lack of jackets, the eating of Popsicles.
The photos below were taken LESS THAN 24 HOURS LATER,
in the morning on Thursday, March 20th.



Personally, I've never been a fan of March. The kids loved it though!

The Favorite

For Sofia's birthday her cousins and Aunt Tami and Uncle Dave gave her inter-locking floor tiles, and on each tile is a number and a Disney princess. Needless to say, a big hit.

She often takes them out to play with (they make a good hop-scotch board), and so we are often putting them away as well. And I've noticed that every time we do so she always reserves one particular tile that displays one particular princess for the top of the pile. The other day when I without thinking tried to put this princess into the middle of the pile Sofia got mad at me.

Today I went into her room to discover one of these tiles on display on her dresser, next to the photo of her mother as a bride's maid in Susie's wedding. But it wasn't the same princess that always takes the top spot in the pile.

So while we were putting clothes away in her closet I just had to know. I asked her "What princess is your favorite?"

Without hesitation Sofi replied "Snow White", which is the one that always is reserved for the top of the pile (it was Cinderella on display in her room). But she immediately followed her answer with an unsolicited explanation, "...because she wears the most lipstick".

While I am a bit taken aback that Sofi is already paying attention to such things, I shouldn't be too surprised since this is the girl who constantly begging to wear some lip gloss we have squirreled away. And those ruby lips, even the Queen envied those!

Isaac's 15th Month

MILESTONES:

• First words (see below)

The following foods trump everything else right now:
Cottage cheese
Watermelon

Has started showing an allergic reaction to some food: it is either red peppers, dairy in general, buttermilk or cultured milk. Have a hard time believing it is dairy since he drinks three bottles of whole milk every day, but it does seem more and more like dairy of some sort is the culprit

Is signing "all done" and "bottle", and readily waves bye-bye. And has on two occasions approached his dad and pointed at his butt to let him know that his diaper was dirty---and he was telling the truth!

Along the topic of communication: Isaac now shows his dislike of anything that you do or try to give/feed him that he doesn't want by blowing raspberries at you.

Communication and his understanding of words has taken off. If I announce "Time to go!" he heads to the back door and sits down, waiting to have his coat put on. If I announce "Bath time!" he heads straight to the tub. Seems like you can ask him most any yes/no question and he is able to give an answer by nodding or shaking his head (thought I'm not certain we are always getting the correct answer, because may not be understanding the words... but he does understand he should answer with a nod or a shake of the head).

Also has started using two words in correct context. He has been using words for a while, but this is the first time he has started to use words in correct context and at the correct times, not simply for any and everything. Those words are "up", which he now uses when ever he wants to be picked up or helped up onto something, and "hat" which he uses when he sees my hat and wants to take it off my head.

Showing an increasing like/love of music... likes to bop his head and wave his hands when music is playing, especially when he is in his car seat and we are driving somewhere. Also likes to get up and dance to the theme songs of kids shows that Sofi watches. (After the theme song is over he could care less about the TV).

Showing an interest in books. Frequently this past month he has carried a book into the family room from his bedroom, pointing at it, and smiles happily when I sit him on my lap to read it.

Showing more interest in playing with toys... even seems to be making the "vroom-vroom" sound effect when playing with cars.

Climbing up and down stairs without a problem.

Mary's belief that Isaac is a "Daddy's boy" has gotten more backing this past month---several times Isaac has clung to his Dad or insisted on being with Dad even when Mom is more than willing and able to hold him and take care of him.

For more photos of Isaac, check out flicker.com

If you can think of anything else that Isaac has done/accomplished this past month, please feel free to add a comment below (for those of you who view this blog on the website)....