Sibling Love

They were watching a movie together as I checked my e-mail.

Picture Update

she loves to talk on the phone (or at least pretend to)

A New Friend

While K was playing outside, he found one of the hundreds of lizards that live right outside our doors. He asked me to catch it. I did. It peed on me. That's the first time I've ever been peed on by a lizard, but I'm sure it won't be the last.

L didn't seem to mind the lizard. She actually tried to pet it and give it a kiss.

Despite his asking to keep the lizard, we let him go so he could go back home.

Laughter.. Good for the Soul

This girl love to laugh and Courtney is really good at making her laugh. L laughs at anything that is not "normal" and cracks up when people jump or fall.

L is walking

Although she took her first step on April 7, a little over a month ago, she's walking consistently now. So, now when her brother is eating a popsicle and she wants it, she can walk to him... ;-)

I wasn't able to get a long video because our camera full.... I have a lot of catching up and blogging to do...

L's 1st Bike Ride

M took L on her first bike ride the other day. She seemed to like it. Now that it's getting nicer outside, K and Courtney have been biking around the neighborhood almost everyday. Sometimes, we all able to go as a family.

Happy Birthday Baby L!!!

It was on this day last year that I got to hold my baby girl for the very first time. She was supposed to be an April Fool's baby, but the joke was on me because I still had to be induced 2 days later. She has truly been a blessing and I wouldn't trade a single sleepless night for anything. Here are some pictures of her from the past year. If you look closely, you'll notice she's a lot happier when she's not confined or being held... ;-)

April 3, 2008 - 7 a.m.

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TODAY!!!

ONE YEAR

Baby L Adventures

I don't know how she does it, but she's figuring out so many different things every day. As I was checking my e-mail in the living room the other day, I heard silverware clinking in the kitchen. I knew K wasn't in the kitchen because he was beside me, so a little panic struck. I knew she wasn't into the knives, because I keep them too high for K to reach, much less Baby L. As soon as I walked into the kitchen, this is what I saw... she had opened the dishwasher by herself and was trying to unload the dishwasher. I'm curious to see if she is going to be a helper like her brother or be complete opposite and be an undoer. I, of course, will encourage the helping.... ;-)

Gettn' Dirty

K, who has become very adventurous and loves to be outdoors, was a very cautious baby and didn't like to get dirty. Just recently he started walking outside barefoot. Baby L on the other hand, already enjoys getting dirty/muddy and I caught her sneaking out of the house the other day... and she's not even 1 yet.

Baby L Laughing

Courtney, Baby L, and I were at the store the other day when I needed something off the top shelf. Since I was too short to reach it, Courtney tried to jump up and get it for me... Here's a video of what baby L thought of it.... I was laughing so hard that I was crying and my stomach was hurting.

Kids & Chores

I truly believe that children, toddlers, and even babies are smarter than we give them credit for or even think they are. K has such a wonderful servant spirit, that I can help but pray he doesn't lose it as he gets older.

Since he's been able to walk, we've taught him and encouraged him to pick up after himself and help others. Even though he's not yet 4, when he's done with his meal, it's his responsibility to put his plate and silverware in the dishwasher. He even gets his own drinks if there is a cup available. He helps with the laundry by putting the clothes in the washer or dryer and he learned how to fold washcloths and socks when he was 2. He has vacuumed my bedroom, swept my kitchen, and would help mop if I would let him, but I think he would have too much fun playing in the water. Just the other day, when I came back inside from taking the trash out, he had already put a new trash bag in the trash can for me. I didn't even have to ask or mention it. I never once taught him or showed him, but he's always watching. I don't say this to brag because trust me, he doesn't help every time with everything, but I can start to see baby L pick up on some of the same behaviors - yes, even at 10.5 months.

Today, while her and K were taking a bath, K started wiping the water off the tub and she got a washcloth and started imitating him. It was so cute. Here's a video of her helping me with her laundry. I'm teaching her young... :-) Now if I could just get her to stop turning red & screaming at me when she wants my attention...

Baby L

Baby L had her first piece of ice today. I actually gave it to her as a joke to see what she would do since she doesn't like cold things at all. She won't even drink her milk at room temperature because it has to be very warm. Needless to say, she liked it a whole lot more than I expected. She was so cute that I had to take a picture!

Here's a picture of her on Valentine's Day! She's growing up so quick... She's cruising very well and is very vocal about the things she does not like.

Baby Sign

Baby L started waving bye-bye a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't until today that I realized she can sign milk. They're so similar that I didn't realize that she was actually doing two different things. Poor baby, there's no telling how many times she might have been asking for milk and I just kept saying' "bye-bye". :-)

We taught K a few baby signs and now we're actually learning how to communicate with sign language. I'm not as consistent as I would like to be, but when we're in a store and I sign something to him, he understands what I am telling him without having to say a word. It's especially nice if he wonders off a little ways and I want him to do something, I don't have to yell or run to catch up with him, but can just sign to him.

It's nice to be able to communicate with my 10 month old and actually understand and know what she wants without either one of us getting frustrated trying to guess.

Baby L update

Baby L turned 10 months and got tired of waiting for me to get her walker ready, so she created her own.

Baby L sleeping

Baby L has a new preference. She has to sleep with a pillow. Last night she screamed until M put a pillow in her bed. As soon as he put the pillow in her crib, she fell asleep and slept all night. Here's a picture of her sleeping on a pillow on the living room floor. She fell asleep watching Finding Nemo. Since she doesn't feel well, we are trying to make sure she gets plenty of sleep. Unfortunately, at that age, you can't make them sleep, but can only lay them down and wait to see what happens.

Baby L driving

Baby L wanted in on the driving action. She was really trying to shift the gears. The girl loves to be where the action is.

9 months

Baby L turned 9 months today. Girl is so much busier than K was at this age. She's into everything and is already starting to cruise. I have been blessed with another happy baby that knows exactly what she wants and is learning how to communicate it very quickly.