Moving Right Along

TEN
I wasn't expecting much during this ten month photo shoot, so I came prepared.  I knew the sticker would not work and gave myself a big pat on the back for thinking of the chalk board.  I got a few good pictures, but she ultimately ate the sticker and licked the chalk off the board in a span of about five minutes.  The only situation where she will consistently give the camera a good laugh is touching her big brother's head.  Apparently, he and his head is and are hilarious.  Maybe next month I'll paint a big '11' on his head...or get a sign that doesn't stick, crinkle or smudge.

There haven't been too many earth shattering changes this month but she continues to grow, babbles as if she is having a conversation, and stands longer, has tried to take an unaided step on occasion and gets into things more and more.  Cabinet locks may still be in our future.

OUR YACKER
Her interactions with everyone have grown a lot this month.  She is very proud of herself when she knows you understand what she wants.  She loves to wave at any occasion, clap her hands and play hide-n-seek/chase.  She loves to laugh at her brothers whenever they are around.  She has two personal comedians at her beck and call at all times.

She can say Da Da and Dadi very well, Baby O's name pretty well, and I am referred to as Na Na when she really needs something.  If I'm right there, a loud cry seems to suffice and she gets what she needs pretty quickly.

Here she is talking to Big Bro number one while he finishes dinner.  Does anyone else's three year old take an hour and a half to finish dinner?  Everyone else was ready for bed.  Including me.  I like to think she was telling him to hurry up.

Big Bro number two loves to entertain her while I'm preparing her bath.  She is one happy camper when he helps out and he is the only member of the household she will give endless kisses to.  It's hit or miss with everyone else.

SLEEP
In one month, she (or should I say 'I'?) has made huge strides.  She is finally sleeping through the night. And just the technical sleeping through the night (which is six hours), she is sleeping 10-12 hours without a feeding.  I took our pediatrician's advice, turned off the baby monitor and stopped going in every time she made a noise.  It wasn't as easy as it sounds-there were nights where I slept on the couch because I was waiting outside her door in case she didn't go back to sleep, and there were some nights where I had to take some steps backward to wake her up to feed her because I was in some pain (the plight of a nursing mom)-but we made it!  And it is so nice to be able to sleep again.

This next month is a big one-she will have both of her brothers home all day and I am preparing our summer schedule.  Hopefully we can have a smooth transition and fit nap times in with our bucket list of things to do. I have a feeling we will see some major 'steps' this next month.

Three Years Later: Celebration

May 10th, 2010-Mother's Day-we stepped off the plane, drove home and became a family.  It's hard to believe it's only been three years.  It's hard to imagine life without my children, the joy, the noise, the laughter and the chaos. If you had asked me back then to look into my crystal ball and look to see what the next few years had in store for us, I would not have believed you.

We celebrated in style on our first anniversary.  Where is year two?  I most certainly regret not recording our second anniversary, but there really wasn't much.  Besides having just moved into a new house, commuting an hour each way for Boy O to finish Kindergarten, I was seven months pregnant and my moods were the opposite of celebratory.  Enough said.  I do remember some tidbits....we did let the kids each pick out a lobster from the live tank at H.E.B.  They loved it and still request lobster on special occasions to this day.  So, not a total wash but it didn't seem to have the same zeal as the year before.

It's been a crazy year adding Miss Sassy Pants to the family, so I thought we needed to take a little more time celebrate year three (although I think we all missed the lobster).  I'm sure the kids would be up for an overnight stay somewhere fun, but Daddy O and I aren't at that point yet and are saving all our energy for an upcoming road trip this summer.

Finding an event or place to visit that a seven year old, three year old and a nine month old could enjoy turned out to be quite a task.  I wanted a place that everyone could participate and not just sit in the stroller or be to small for rides.  So we chose to drive a few minutes South to a place that each of our kids could enjoy.  A fun family park designed for people of all abilities.  When I mean all abilities, I mean kids of all ages and/or special needs.  It was truly awesome.  Rides, activities, playgrounds-Boy O and Baby O ran around like crazy kids, never stopping once.  And because everything was designed for everyone, Newbie O's stroller was welcome everywhere and she could even ride the rides.  No waiting on the sidelines here!

The first photo opportunity as we walked into the park.

Newbie O's first ride on the carousel.  Excited, but looking for her big brothers.

Playgrounds aplenty for all abilities, including Daddy O-minus one hand because he's holding his beloved Mountain Dew.  If you know him well, you might be laughing...

Newbie O didn't require much to make her smile.  Just being able to explore her surroundings and feel like one of the big kids was enough.

Ahoy matey!

This is Boy O trying to be a weatherman.  I'm not sure if this would be a good career choice as he was trying to point to Texas.

Family O riding the train.  Good times had by all!

Swinging is by far one of her favorite activities.

 And one more ride on the carousel before we leave.  Both boys had to take turns to ride on the giant eagle.

Three years and three kids...wow.  I'm working on something slightly more meaningful and introspective than that as well as updating our sidebar pictures, but for now, that about sums it up.  Three years-Wow.