Swimming graduation

Piper graduated her first 'semester' of swim lessons!

 

That bookmark thingie is her record of all the new 'skills' she learned in class.  Nice work, Piper!

Dear Teagan: Take two

 Dear Teagan,

How is it possible that my sweet, *little* baby girl is already two years old?  My oh my how you've grown this year.  You've changed from a baby into a toddler, and what a wonderful toddler you are!

You are definitely developing a willful side.  I'm not surprised - look at the house you're growing up in!  You don't have much of a choice, being surrounded by Piper and me.  But it's neat to see you stand up for yourself and what you want.

You're still twirling knots in your hair when you're tired or a little bit uncertain or stressed.  Occasionally you'll even play with the other kids' hair at daycare.  You're in the Ones with Michelle and Jessi, and you're just as attached to Michelle as ever.  You even cry when she leaves for the end of her shift in the afternoon.  But you two have a special bond and she loves you right back.  I'm trying to keep you in her room for as long as I can, and she's helping me to keep you there too.  You're coming out of your shell and showing so much personality.  You're a little bit mischievous, but the teachers have a hard time not laughing when you're misbehaving because you're so cute.

One of your favorite demands is being held during dinner prep time.  My left arm is getting so strong!  If I don't carry you on my hip while I make dinner, you lie down on the floor and wail and kick your arms and legs and basically look really like you're losing it altogether.  So of course I pick you up.  It's another time for us to cuddle and I never pass that up :)  I think you need that physical closeness after a long day at school.   

You love to sing and to dance.  You actually have some really good dance moves. You're great at truly shaking your hips.  And you have some nice rhythm.  Whenever there is music on or in the background, you get your moves going.  If music comes on while we're watching something on tv, you hop up and dance.

You're talking a TON, and you have excellent comprehension and speak some long sentences.  You love to use little phrases, like "I don't know...."  You also love to mimic Barbie (from Life in the Dreamhouse) saying "Hi, I'm Barbie, what's up?" (feminist around the globe die a little every time a kid still in diapers utters those words).  It's fun to her your language develop.  When you do you a phrase for a the first time, I'm surprised by how well you use it in the correct context.  You must really be listening and watching what's happening around you.

What I think of most when I think of you is just how incredibly loving you are.  You are so sweet, and kind, and always ready to show love and affection.  I love our cuddle time, and we cuddle a lot.  The word that comes to mind when I think of you is 'precious'.  I think you're the walking definition of 'precious' - that word was meant for you.

We are so proud of the little tike you're becoming and we love and cherish you!  You're an angel gift.

Love,
Mom and Dad

Dinner cutie

No reason to pout here!

Pouty? Not for long!

Say Cheese!

We finally ventured to Chuckee Cheese! Piper got to hang out with her bestie Brady - a friend back from her old daycare days at Connie's.  These two have known each other since Piper was 4 months and Brady was a year and a half old!  Their friendship is very sweet - Brady is so kind and thoughtful toward Piper.  He's very aware of any assistance she might need in order to 'keep up' with him, and always slows down to help her stay caught up :)  They don't see each other all that often, but always fall back into their rhythm within seconds of being together.

Teagan was, in general, over stimulated and traumatized by the giant mouse.  He tried to give her a high five.  What was he thinking?  She kept a wary eye watchful for him all night.

 

Hi Gwamma!

On Thursday the girls called Grandma Sue while she was in the hospital.  It was a bit chaotic on our end because Dan was working late, and because... well... the girls rarely have a phone conversation that doesn't get chaotic at some point.  So, Grandma Sue this is for you - thought you might like to see what it looks like on this end of the phone line :)