Super Girl

Fiona's imagination is keeping us in stitches these days (when it isn't making us want to tear our hair out).  Last week she decided that she was super girl.  She demanded that I find her a cape and then spent the rest of the day flying around the house and telling us that she was super fast and super strong.

Here's a picture of her showing her Daddy how she is super strong.



Happy Birthday to my big 2 Year Old!

Dear Fiona,

Another year has flown by.  You are such a big girl these days.  I still remember how tiny you were just 2 years ago. 

We've both learned and grown a lot since this picture of us.  You have taught me as much as I have taught you.  I've learned more patience.  I've learned that if something small is missing the first place to check is the VCR.  I've learned all the words to lots of Wiggles and VeggieTales songs.  I've learned that naps are wonderful and should not be taken for granted.

You have had a busy year learning all kinds of new things too.  You love to dance, run, jump, climb, throw, kick, or do anything physically active.  You especially love to sing and we have used that to teach you lots of new words.  You have well over 100 signs, but are still catching up with your speaking.  Ring-around-the-rosy and the "apple song" are your favorites and we sing them hundreds of times every day. 

You also really love to read books.  Mommy is very grateful for your love of reading because it is the only time of the day when you will sit still for 5 minutes.  Your favorite book for the last few months has been Giraffes Can't Dance. 

On top of all your learning and growing this year, you became a big sister.  You are such a great big sister!  You are very gentle with your "Issy".  You like to give her hugs and kisses and show her toys.  If Callie cries you bring her blanket or pacifier to her.  We had a few bumpy days, but you have adapted to our new normal wonderfully.

You are my silly girl.  I love your sense of humor and you love making us laugh.  You keep us giggling.  You also keep us on our toes.  Mommy is always Fiona-proofing.  Everytime I find something that works to keep you out of unsafe things, you find a way to undo it. 

You love to dress up these days.  Most days you insist on wearing your "kirs" and "i's" (skirts and tights) or pretty "ows" (bows).  Such a girly girl sometimes.

Fiona, this year has been so much fun and you are such a blessing to your Daddy and Mommy.  We love you very much and are excited to see how much you learn and grow in the next year.

Wordless Wednesday: Daddy's Hat and Baby Smiles

I Have a Night Owl

I have always been more of a morning person.  For the most part, I don't mind getting up in the morning.  In fact, I feel pretty darn lazy if I stay in bed much past 9.  Before I had kids, I would stay up late and still get up early.  Since Fiona was born, I turn into a pumpkin much earlier.  I would much rather go to bed early and get up early.  Nathan is the complete opposite.  He HATES getting up in the morning and would stay up until the wee hours of the morning and sleep all day if he could.

Thankfully, Fiona takes after me for the most part.  She's always been happiest in the morning and needs to get to bed pretty early.  It worked well, since we would get up in the morning together.

Calina is a whole different story.  This sweet baby girl ...

is a total night owl.  Just like her Daddy. 

If only her Daddy could nurse her then all would be well in our house.  Mommy and Fiona could go to bed and Daddy and Callie could stay up all night.  I shouldn't really complain, because it has been nice because after Fiona goes to bed, Callie and I get alone time, and before Callie gets up in the morning Fiona and I get alone time.  However, going to bed late and getting up early is seriously cutting into my sleep time.  Thank goodness Callie sleeps well once she goes to bed and they can usually both be convinced to nap at the same time or Mommy would not be coherent.

Wordless Wednesday

Just a few of my favorites from our photo shoot with Kim Dusek.

I Love This Stage

I really do love the stage that Fiona is in.  She is so much fun (when she isn't throwing an ear drum shattering temper tantrum).

Today she got her purse out, packed up some toys and of course her pink cell phone.  Then she waved bye-bye to me, blew me kisses, and marched off behind the recliner.

She just cracks me up with the new things she does everyday :)

Baby Dolls

The other day my Mom was cleaning out closets and found my old special doll.  It was a cabbage patch doll named Anna Hazel.  I was really excited that she found her, because Fiona has been really into baby dolls lately and I thought she might enjoy playing with her.  After a trip through the washing machine, I gave Fi the doll.

She was pretty excited about a new baby doll.

She pretty much carried her around all day long.

There was lots of baby kissing and rocking.

She took good care of her baby feeding it and giving her drinks.

Until the very end of the day, when she accidently dropped the doll in the entryway.  Then Fiona realized what a satisfying noise the doll's head made on the tile.  She spent the remaining 20 minutes before bed repeatedly pounding the doll's head on the entryway floor.  Now, the baby dolls is used to hit hard things and hear what noise it makes.  Hmmm, guess we won't be letting her go unsupervised around her little sister when she's born.

Better Late Than Never

I know, I know, I'm majorly behind on blogging about the holidays.  At least I'm getting around to it now.  The week of Christmas we drove out to Fort Collins, CO to visit family.  We stayed at my grandparents' house and had a great time hanging out with everyone.  Fiona loved being the center of attention for a whole week.

Fiona and her GG (Great Grandma)

Aynsleigh and Fiona are cousins and they are only about 4 months apart, but at opposite ends of the height chart.  Aynsleigh thought it was great to give Fiona hugs, but Fi was a bit wary.  I suppose it would be kind of frightening to see someone more than a head taller than you trying to hug you around the neck.

My Mom made Fiona a cute Christmas dress and hat.  Somehow I did not manage to get a very good picture of her entire ensemble.  I'll have to see if I can get one from someone else.  My cousin, Amanda, brought her dog over on Christmas Eve.  Fiona was very excited to see a doggie.  She missed her puppies while we were in Colorado.

Unwrapping presents Christmas Eve

Directing traffic

Even more presents to open on Christmas morning.  Fiona got a Little People Farm and she has played with the animals nonstop since.

Reading her new book with Grandpa Tim.

Cute Christmas clothes

Great Grandpa Chuck, Aynsleigh, and Fiona

It was so nice to see all of our family out in Colorado.  We miss everybody out there.  However, Fiona didn't sleep much at all while we were there.  She was surprisingly in a pretty good mood during the days, but didn't let Nathan and I get much sleep at night.  So, we were glad to be back home in our own beds where she sleeps most nights.

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Kisses