Kids and Canines: 365 days of playing, growing, and learning: February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Day 60- Happy Leap Day

It's 9:30- both babies are asleep, the laundry is done, the dishes are done, the house is picked up. I feel really accomplished today. We had a fun day together and this evening was the smoothest night routine that we've done yet. I hope we get it down pat before I have to go back to work. Jackson is starting to understand clean up and will help me put his toys and books away at the end of the night. He really enjoyed breakfast this morning and drank the syrup right out of his dipping cup lol. He asked to have Vivienne sit with him on the couch today and has started to say "mmmmmmm good" whenever he likes something. I love that he's getting so much better at communicating. Vivienne is having more and more alert time, which is nice to see. She hung out in the bouncy seat while Jackson and I played for 15 minutes today. I've found now that when I see her tired signs I can put her in the moby and she'll take a great nap while I get things done. This is a big difference from Jackson who I had to nurse to sleep. I'm hoping this means she'll transition to naps on her own more easily than he did.
We didn't have the beautiful weather I hoped for, but we enjoyed watching and listening to the rain and thunderstorms all day. We all stayed in our PJs until after lunch and enjoyed the spring like weather. I was planning on doing some leap day activities today, but just never found any ones that Jackson would enjoy so we made play doh instead- he picked out the color, red like "la la" (Elmo). I'm hoping to get some things from school tomorrow so we can celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday on Friday.

Yes- all that shine is syrup

You want my last bite of waffle mama?

Sleeping in the moby

I let her head bust out since Jackson was sleeping and we were relaxing

Looking out the window from her Joe Dog pillow

most patient dog ever

He carried that ball around and chased it for over an hour today

What are you talking about?

Jackson's version of hugs

Jackson's version of kisses

He wanted to share his green smoothie with her, mama had to intervene

He was learning spanish and calling her nana (hermana)- one smart kid!

He cleared out the toy box because the two chairs we have for him weren't good enough-- at least he helped me pick up!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Day 59- Mama's Girl

After a long day of needing me, Vivienne is sleeping so I'm going to take advantage and head to bed. Jackson went to Brenda's and then Vivienne joined him at four so I could go to school and do Zumba. They were both on excellent behavior. Since Vivienne was so clingy today I didn't get a whole lot done that I had planned, but it can wait. We had a nice day cuddling together. I hope tomorrow is as nice as today was so that we can get outside and enjoy it!

Cuddle time with Mama

Jackson coming to see his sister

Trying to dump her out of the bathtub so that he could have his bath. He kept saying move, move and trying to take his clothes off lol

Monday, February 27, 2012

Day 58- Adventures

We had a very long day today, but it was full of fun things. Jackson loved the waiting room at the new Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh- the place is gorgeous and exactly how I would picture a hospital for kids to be. The staff were all super friendly and Jackson should be all healed when we go back on June 12th! After we left Pittsburgh, we headed to Cabelas and Jackson loved checking out all the animals and fish. Vivienne slept happily in the Moby the whole 2 1/2 hours Russell kept us there. Now he's set for fly fishing and Jackson got his animal fix until it's warm enough to go to places with living animals :) We're finally home and settled and looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow.

Playing with the train at Children's

Talk about an awesome waiting room :)

Helping me push the cart around

Woah- check out the deer

They're everywhere mama

Bernie scratches his ear like that :)

Bears say "roar"

Looking in the water with Dada

Beating on Dad instead of saying cheese

It's a Jackson size car

Trying to hide his true nature from us (not the creature to his right)

Evil baby hanging with the honey badger

He loved the fish tunnel

"reading" about the fish

Being nice to his sister

Learning about the fish from Dada

Awake time with Vivienne

Checking out the living room

Day 57- Family Fun

After a late start, we made it to Pittsburgh around 4:30. We were able to visit with my cousins and the kids had a great time playing with them and getting lots of attention. Vivienne was extra fussy and spent a lot of time in the Moby. I didn't want to break down the pack n play since it's Vivienne's nap and changing station here at home so we tried Jackson out on a big boy bed and he did awesome. We didn't get many pictures because we were having fun visiting, but I did get one of each kid :)

Happily snoozin' with mama

He looks so tiny in the big bed!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Day 56- Snow

From 62 degrees and sunny to snow and the teens in less than 24 hours. So we stayed inside today and started packing for our trip to Pittsburgh tomorrow. I was super busy with laundry, dishes, and packing that we didn't get many pictures. Jackson slept in until 10:30 this morning, but Russell was the only one who got to sleep in. I was up with Vivienne from 6:00 until 10:00, but I did get a little bit of a nap before she was up again and I had to give in to housework. There won't be a post tomorrow, but I'll have 2 Monday night. We get to visit with family and get a little shopping done tomorrow- so we're excited!