Working Hard

This little one is working hard these days. She's turning developmental corners every day. She's saying more and more - her new favorite is "bear" - and is pretty much sorta kinda walking now. (Yes, a video is order. We'll post soon.)

I love seeing her feel so satisfied as she figures out how to do something new. Learning in action is so beautiful. I love it.

Three and a Half

If you live within a hundred mile radius of our little family, you've probably been informed, by the big kid herself, that Stella is now three and a half. Thank you very much. We celebrated Stella's half birthday this year with some sweet treats and a lovely run around in the chilly but clear outdoors (which has been rare these days since it's either been super soggy or super cold). Aside from enjoying her ice cream cone, Stella was just so proud to finally be three and a half. Because, ya know, half birthdays REALLY matter at this point. It's so great to watch her enjoy the growing process and feel proud of herself for mastering more and more in life. She's working really hard on her writing, is insatiably drawn to her little buddies and adores her family dearly.

And this little scene is Stella celebrating a random after-school day last week with her imaginary friend Charlotte (not to be confused with the very real and very cool live Charlotte). Stella is so in love with her friends, she asks to have play dates every day. And while we do manage to meet up with our buds a few times a week, I'm also very aware of my role as the Protector of Downtime (aka the Mama who says "no"). So on this day, Stella really wanted to have Charlotte come for a visit. And while it would have been lovely and I'm sure they would have had a blast, I could tell Stella needed time to just decompress after school and play quietly. Stella accepted this fate graciously, decided that an imaginary Charlotte would suit her just fine and proceed to create an elaborate imaginary world replete with cake baking, rain forest trekking, story reading and tea brewing for about two and a half hours.

Imaginary Charlotte can come over any time.

A Hoot

Oh my goodness, I love this kid.

Papa Love

One of my favorite moments of each day is watching both kids run around little crazy chickens when they hear Papa's car pull up to the house. Lucky girls. Lucky Papa.

Hydration As A Pastime

For the longest time, Phoebe has been struggling with her sippy cup. She just hasn't seemed to figure out that Mama helps her get that elusive gulp by tipping it up. Tonight, she got it. And man, did she go after it with gusto. I swear she tipped that cup up about fifty times during dinner. And the look of pride after each tip was hilarious. Hydration is now her favorite pastime.

Other developmental notes: Phoebe has started to use a fork; Mama loads, Phoebe shovels. She now says Mama, kitty, Hi, Baby and Hi Baby. And steps? We've seen some wobbly shuffles. I suspect she'll be walking in a matter of days... stay tuned.

Number Two is So Lucky

While awaiting Phoebe's birth, I remember feeling so worried about Stella's well-being and whether or not she would continue to feel the endless love we feel for her. And I remember also worrying that I would never be able to give to my second babe in the same way I gave to Stella in her first year.

Nearly a year into a family of four, I now realize that while my worrying may have served some logical purpose, it was pretty unnecessary. Stella is just fine and has adjusted to life as a big sister beautifully. And watching her give love so freely and genuinely leads me to believe we're still succeeding in setting that all important example of love at home. And Phoebe? Well, she's a hoot and seems to be coping as numero dos with great style and ease. She's always entertained by either Mama, Papa or Stella. She's pretty much the happiest baby I've ever encountered and is told so everywhere we go. And to be totally honest, I now think it's a gift that I'm not as solely focused on her like I was with Stella. There's a beauty and grace to letting go when you have more than one child. Don't get me wrong, I'm still spending countless hours on my hands and knees playing, rocking and loving. Safety systems are in check, and I still try my darnedest everyday to make sure she feels loved and cherished. But I'm also more willing to simply watch and observe, letting both girls do their thing. And if Phoebe's clothes are a bit more mismatched and messy than Stella's ever were, thank goodness. We've found that a happy baby is still happy whether their parents remember to use a bib or not.

Hot Tip: Forgotten a bib? Just adjust babe's onesie after messy meal and let her run.

Laura and Her Sausages

Little House fever has hit our home. While we haven't started the full version of Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic series, we regularly read the three to four year old picture book versions. Like I was as a little girl (and millions of others), Stella is obsessed with Laura Ingalls and her life in the woods. So here is Stella on a dark winter night acting out some Little House fantasy of her own. And to help you out a bit, Stella is, of course, Laura, the curtain rod she's holding is a harvesting tool, the basket is for gathering, Phoebe is her big sister Mary (not Baby Carrie) and they are harvesting carrots, beets, brocolli and sausage.

Yes. That's right. Sausage.

Apparently Laura had a healthy appetite. Who knew?

(And Tricia and Amy, here's one of the skirts I made Stella for Christmas. She loves them and has already requested several other items. Satisfied girl; satisfied Mama.)