Second Son in Orange and Blue

The pictures are from November 6th. I couldn't help sharing them even if they are a little out of date.

Go Illini!

New Clothes

The girls received matching outfits from Gram and Papa, so we decided a picture was in order.

After Her Grandfather's Heart

Kansas Dad: She's a silly girl. They asked her what color she was and she said, "I'm pink with purple polka dots."

First Daughter: No, I'm not! I'm only just orange and blue.

Reading Together

I just love pictures of the kids reading together.

I took this yesterday morning. I did manage to change First Daughter into a dress for church, but I failed to realize First Son's shirt was on backwards until we were settling in our pews (early for the 10:30 am mass that's starting next week so only a bit late for the 10 am mass this week).

Getting Into Her Work

Riding High

Swing Time

We finally have a few pictures of First Daughter enjoying her birthday present.


This is the more common view. She's either staring at the ground, mesmerized by the swinging motion and the grassland passing beneath her or falling asleep.


Does it count as daily exercise if the kids are in the swings and we're doing all the work of pushing? I have to come up with some running games I can play with Second Daughter in the carrier. (Suggestions welcome.)

First Daughter has some great fashion sense there, doesn't she? The problem is, she loves that 'lini dress, so she wears it just about whenever it's clean. Then, before we go outside, she rushes in to grab whatever pants she first touches, which are almost all pink. So, orange and blue and pink she is!

First Daughter's Two Year Well-Child Visit

Kansas Dad returned to the PA's office today, this time with all three kids in tow for First Daughter's two year check-up. She is also growing as she should be, though not quite as chubberrific as Second Daughter. (I suppose that's to be expected as they move from baby to toddler, but it's still a little sad for Mama.)

Weight: 28 pounds
Height: 34 inches

She loved watching her blood get scraped from her finger into the vial for the lead test. That's certainly not something she gets from her Papa. (Her love of all her "lini" clothes must be from him, though.)

First Daughter is also perfecting her climbing and leaping skills. She can now get into her crib with the side down by launching herself over the rail. Kansas Dad and I don't doubt her ability to get in and out at her pleasure even with the side up, but we're trying to keep her in the dark about that as long as possible. Losing containment for First Daughter promises to bring more challenges.

Storytime

Requisite Illini Picture

First Daughter and Her Papa

A New Rival

One of Grammy's dear friends sweetly bought a new backpack for First Son (which he calls a "packpack"). She's a big Alabama fan and thought we needed some Crimson to go with our Illini and Michigan gear.

Please note, First Son dresses himself in the mornings. He added this hat to complete the ensemble before heading to the zoo.

Swapping Swords

My parents had to leave right after Kansas Dad got home from the doctor's office. They're both planning to come back (for varying lengths of time) when baby arrives, so we'll see them again soon. First Son insisted on a sword fight with his Papa before they headed out.

Always Dress Appropriately When Going to the Zoo

Organizational Skills

The kids pulled out all their videos this afternoon -- everything from the top shelf of the cabinet. While First Daughter slept, First Son took on the task of picking everything up. A boy after my own heart, he insisted all the videos face the same way.

Recitation

From First Daughter's current favorite book, Moo Baa La La La:

The Good Kind of Quiet

The kids left the table after supper and headed off to play. A little while later I thought to myself, it's a little quiet back there, so I snuck back to see what was going on.


First Son was "reading" to First Daughter. She'd laugh every time he did even when I could tell she didn't understand the joke. (First Son has his own jokes with this book.)

Planting Is for the Kids

Kansas Dad let First Son and First Daughter play with a bag of old potting soil. They were in heaven.


We even let First Son plant some chives. Sadly, First Daughter tore them out about 30 seconds later and threw them (crumpled) into the grass. So then First Son planted a weed. He was just as happy.

Home Haircut

Kansas Dad and I cut First Son's hair tonight. We had to bribe him with ice cream to keep him in the chair (and coax him back each of the three times he decided he was all done and ran away), but overall I think it was a success. No one was hurt. There were no actual tears or tantrums. We saved some money and we learned a little bit. (Next time we'll keep it a little longer.)

First Daughter insisted in being in the picture, too.