Tiedeman kiddo updates

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We celebrated a weekend early with the Tiedeman clan and went to George to have an early meal with Phil's family. Olivia loved seeing Grandma and Grandpa and her cousins. She loves playing with Declan! Ethan was a camp-champ for the road trip (and so was Olivia)! We left Woodbury on Friday around 5pm, then stopped in Owatonna for dinner. Then finished the trip and made it George around 10:15pm. Olivia was so excited that she didn't sleep during the drive and kept saying 'I see Grandma's house!' (even though we had just left our house) :) The rest of Phil's family got to George on Saturday afternoon and then we had a big meal Saturday evening. We left Sunday morning to drive to Brookings, so we could say hello to the BSC family and introduce Ethan to everyone. It was so wonderful to see the athletes and their parents! Sadly, we had to head back to Woodbury after a quick visit. 

The next week, my dad flew in to meet Ethan and have some Poppi cuddle time with the kids. I quickly put him to work and he was a rock star with cooking dinner and entertaining Olivia and holding Ethan while I got things done around the house. For Thanksgiving, we drove to St. Cloud to have a meal with a few of the Chmielewski relatives. Once again, Olivia was so excited and talked the whole way up there and didn't nap. But, she zonked out within 5 minutes of getting in the car when we headed back home :)
Ethan is growing and is slowly phasing out of that newborn phase. Don't get me wrong, I know he's still a newborn, but it's fun to see him start to change physically and start to become more alert. However, those alert times can stop occurring from 10pm-1am. I took him to the doctor today, as he's been extra fussy the past few days and I wanted to get things checked out. He currently weighs 10 pounds 13 ounces! So, no problems with gaining weight! He is dealing with some reflux issues, so we are trying to figure out the best ways to keep him comfortable. At a 7 weeks old, here are a few tidbits about him:
Wearing size 1 diapers
Starting to wear 3 month clothes
Eating 3-5 ounces every 2-4 hours
Sleeping 2-4 hours at a time (although he did almost 6 hours the night he turned 6 weeks old!)
Starting to smile and coo, as well as track
Has great head and neck control
Likes to grunt and make noises while he sleeps/when he's starting to wake up  

Olivia is a great big sister! She like helping in any way possible (even if help isn't needed at that moment). We are currently going through the potty training phase and it is a very slow process. She was doing great with things when my mom was here for Ethan's birth. But then she regressed (which I heard would happen), so we took things back to square one and moved slowly. So now she's getting back on the train and I'm hoping things will really click by the end of the year. 

The kiddos and I are heading on an adventure this afternoon, as we fly to Colorado! Phil wasn't able to take time off of work, so it's just me and the two minions for the flight- yikes! We fly out this afternoon and will return on Wednesday, so just a quick visit with my family. Prayers and good wishes are greatly appreciated (as I was the silly one that booked a flight during Olivia's nap time... not my greatest mommy move, but hopefully her excitement of being on a plan will overshadow any crankiness)!  

Ethan's arrival!

Seriously, where does the time go?!? I am sitting here, staring at a 3 week old and sitting next to his big sister (who magically grew up and got 'so big' overnight!)  and I just wonder where the time has gone. Everyone tells me that kids grow up quickly and I am only beginning to understand that. 
So, the biggest change in our lives is that we are now a family of 4! Ethan Nicholas Tiedeman was born on October 16 and his labor and delivery was very far from his sister's delivery (which is a good thing). I am so thankful that things went better this time around, even though I did have a few bad patches along the way.
Ethan's arrival begins like this... on the 13th, I had my 39 week doctor's appointment. At that visit, my blood pressure was pretty high. I had been testing my BP at home and had some elevated results as well, so the fact that things were staying pretty elevated was a little concerning. Then I was pretty uncomfortable with having a consistent headache and starting to get swollen. So, the doctor agreed that we should move forward with an induction. I was scheduled to call the hospital on Thursday (the 15th) morning and discuss a time to come in. 

Providing support right before I started to push!

Thursday morning at 5:30am, I called and was told that they were full and I needed to call back at 9. Phil stayed home from work that morning, so we had a lazy morning and then I called back. Was told there still was no room, so Phil went to work and my mom, Olivia and I proceeded with our day. Called again at noon and was again told they didn't have room, so it continued to be a wait game. Later in the afternoon, the nurse that I was talking with at the hospital called and discussed the situation with me and said that she wasn't getting in touch with my doctor, after multiple phone calls, so she felt bad for having me just hang out. I was finally able to touch base with my doctor and after some discussion, I asked to switch hospitals and deliver at the hospital in Woodbury. Woodbury was able to get me in that evening, so Phil and I had dinner with my mom and Olivia and then we set off for the hospital around 7:30!

Welcome Ethan!

I was admitted at 1 cm dilated and then they started the cervadil around 8:30pm. It was a poor night of sleep for both of us (thankfully I was able to get a sleeping pill to help me, but Phil had to fend for himself). The cervadil was to be in for 12 hours and then they would check me in the morning and start the pitocin. When I was checked at 9am, I was only at 2cm, so the pitocin party began! Phil and I began our walk around the floor to hopefully get things moving. My mom got to the hospital around 10 or 11am, so the three of us continued the wait game. At 11am, I was at 3cm and 70% effaced. I was getting pretty uncomfortable, so I tried the birthing ball and taking a bath. At 1pm, I was 4cm and 90% and really uncomfortable, so I asked for the epidural. At 1:45pm, the epidural was in place. Unfortunately, I could still feel contractions on my left side, but it did make things more comfortable. The epidural must have been the magic touch because by 3pm, I was at 8cm and 90% and then by 3:45, I was complete and feeling pressure and ready to start pushing! I started pushing a little after 4pm and then Ethan arrived at 4:22pm!

Ethan weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces and was 19 and 3/4 inches long. Phil was able to cut the cord and Ethan and I got to do skin-to-skin contact right away. It was such a different experience having Ethan with me, and not being rushed away to the NICU. Things were so peaceful and it was such a joyous experience.

Meeting her little brother

We had a few choices of what we wanted to name him, but wanted to sleep on things to make sure. We decided on Ethan, as it was a name that we both liked. And Nicholas is after my Grandpa Nick (my mom's dad). We told everyone his name the next morning and then got the birth certificate filled out and completed all other necessities before being discharged around 2pm on Sunday the 18th! 

Happy Big Sister

Ethan was discharged at 7 pounds 1 ounce, but is a camp-champ with eating and quickly got back to birth weight. At his first pediatrician appointment at 5 days old, he was back up to 7 pounds 8 ounces! At his 2 week appointment, he weighed in at 8 pounds 4 ounces and yesterday, he was rocking 8 pounds 13 ounces! He sleeps very well and is a content little boy. He is up every 2 to 2.5 hours during the night, but goes back to sleep fairly quickly after feeding. This week, he is starting to get more alert and has streaks where he's awake for 45-60 minutes. It's been fun to see him look around and see his gorgeous eyes. He makes adorable little grunts when he's starting to wake up, as well as when he's eating. And he is so strong already with his neck and head control! We are so in love with him and are so happy to be a family of 4.  

It's Getting Real

I get that I'm 38 weeks pregnant. I get that I've had time to think about the changes that will occur to our family once this little guy comes. I get that I've knows about this adorable human being for the past 33 weeks, and that should be ample time to have a plan. But the truth is, I'm unprepared. I have no idea how this little life will greatly affect our family. I still think that we are missing some great and mighty baby item with our little prep that we've done. But then I remember, all this baby needs is milk, love, diapers and wipes, a few outfits, some blankets,  car seat and the rest are just minor details (yes, I say that now, but when it's 2am and I'm exhausted and he's crying, I'd believe that a blanket could be a lifesaving item). 
As you all know, we moved almost 2 months ago. We went from a 3 bed, 2 bath house with plenty of room to a 2 bed, 1.5 bath town home that leaves us begging for space. So when people ask if we have the nursery set up, I just chuckle. Because honestly, this baby is going to be lucky to be sleeping in a bassinet thing. Yes, he will start out in our room and then (depending on how long we're in this town home), he will move in with Olivia (also depending on his sleep habits... if he's anything like his sister and he doesn't sleep through the night until 16 months, then we may reconsider some things). And no, we don't have a theme for his room- he's lucky that he's getting more than a dresser drawer to sleep in at this point. When we moved, I had mom guilt about that minor detail. I felt like this little guy deserved to come home to a painted and decorated bedroom, just like Olivia did. But then I realize, this is a temporary situation. He is going to be a baby. This will be something that he will never remember. So why do I think I need to go above and beyond to do something that truly doesn't matter?
So for now, I'll think about the things that do matter (remember, I am a 38 week, hormonal preggo woman). I worry about my time with Olivia. I worry about how it will change and that she won't get the 1:1 attention that she's received these past few weeks. I worry about going out in public and doing the typical activities, like grocery shopping and going to doctor's appointments. I worry about how I'm going to handle a toddler and a car seat with an infant strapped in while I try and cross the icy road (because, as much as we don't want to talk about it, winter is coming. And thanks to living up north, I know this inevitably means snow at some point). I worry that I'll forget the stroller when we go somewhere and I'll have to drag that ungoshly heavy car seat through the mall.
But then I remember that Olivia is a wonderful, smiling, loving little girl. I mean, Phil and I had to have done something right with her, right?!? We were clueless then and we're clueless now. But, we have a toddler that's proof that we are on the right track. Yes, there are still days when she has meltdowns or tantrums and Phil and I just look at each other and shrug. But then she has days when she will run and hug you for no reason. Or say something so out of the ordinary that it's the cutest thing and you can only laugh. I also have to remember that for about 3 years of my life, I was the only child. And I feel like I have a great relationship with my brother. So, I couldn't have hated him that much, right?  So, instead of focusing on Olivia, we now get to see Olivia continue to develop, but now with a new companion. I'm sure in about a year or two, I will be in awe of the destruction that an infant and a toddler can do to the house. But maybe I'll also be in awe of the bond that they will share. 
I have no idea what the future has in store. At this point, this little guy doesn't even have a name, so I think that needs to be step one. But I do know that as unprepared as I feel with things, there is a plan for us. It may be a plan full of ups and downs and side-to-sides. But it will be our plan. So, until this little guy decides to make his move, maybe I'll make one last plan of luxury and schedule that pedicure and hair cut...

The good and bad of comparisons

34 weeks with Baby Boy

34 weeks with Olivia

A bit of reality hit me today. It's been looming over my head for a few weeks, but this morning, it struck me full force. At this point in my pregnancy with Olivia, at almost this exact time of the evening, I got a call from the hospital in Sioux Falls. The doctor told me that I needed to make my way to the labor and delivery floor so they could discuss the next steps of my pregnancy. I don't remember the exact conversation or what I said back to her. I just remember sitting on the stairs and crying and Phil asking me what was going on. Then it was a blur of packing things for me and for him (as we hadn't done our hospital bags yet) and grabbing some things for our little girl (in our naïve minds, we just assumed that she would be coming home with us right away). So tomorrow, when I hit 34 weeks and 5 days, I will be at the same point in my pregnancy when I delivered Olivia. That is a scary fact to think about.
I've compared a lot of things with the pregnancies. I've compared weight gains, cravings, documentation (pictures, journals, etc), and prepping. Given our circumstances right now, I knew things would be a bit different. But, I never thought that I would have this much anxiety, sadness, joy, and a mix of other emotions at this point. I am anxious because I don't know what comes after this. I am sad because I feel like I haven't enjoyed the past few weeks of the pregnancy, because I've been watching my BP and monitoring other symptoms, thinking about that a delivery could come this week. And I'm full of happiness and joy because I know I'll make it past this mark. And that means that we hopefully won't have another stint of visits to the NICU. I even told Phil that I'm celebrating with a cake on Saturday, since that means I made it past 'the mark' :)
Maybe I'm emotional today because I had a rough OB appointment. Nothing major happened, but I just don't feel a connection with my new doctor. My doctor in Sioux Falls was wonderful. She was caring and compassionate and just made anyone feel comfortable in any situation. Even if she was running behind, I felt like she wanted to make a connection with you at every appointment. It seemed like she was truly interested in hearing what you had to say and how you were really feeling. Today was my second visit with my new OB and it's just not the same. The first appointment, I waited 45 minutes in the waiting room and another 10 minutes in the exam room before the doctor came in. Today's appointment was 75 minutes in the waiting room and another 15 minutes in the exam room. Top that wait with a toddler companion (at lunch time) and I am shocked that my BP was pretty decent. The appointment itself was 5 minutes max. It was a quick chat about how I'm feeling, a tummy check, listening to the heart beat and away he went. I know it's partially my fault for not speaking up and asking more questions, but it just seemed like he looked at Olivia and figured, oh she has a toddler, so she's been through this before (even though I had all my records mailed to this new practice). After tomorrow, this whole pregnancy thing is new territory. And it makes me scared and anxious. I feel like this is a first pregnancy for me and I have no idea what to expect. I'm sure that moms of 10 kids feel like this with each of their pregnancies, because as we know, no two labor and deliveries are the same. But, for me, this is my concern and these are my fears. I don't want to be compared to anyone else. I want this pregnancy to be my own and I want it to feel special. Yes, I realize that I've just stated that I've compared this pregnancy to Olivia's. But I know it's not the same. Nothing about these pregnancies are the same. I'm in a different state and a different house with a different doctor and a different prognosis. I should be ecstatic that I'm being treated like a 'normal' pregnancy this time around. But instead, I feel like a ticking time bomb. It makes me nervous to not have a doctor's appointment every day to check on things. But, that's not normal and no woman should have to go through that. I should be happy that I get to come back in two weeks, instead of two days. I should be doing cartwheels because my BP is in normal range and I have no liver pain. I guess I'm so scared because this time, I might actually get to have control over things. I might get to have a birth plan that will happen. I might get to have that 'is it time to go to the hospital?' emotion that so many other women feel. And I might (crossing fingers, saying lots of prayers) actually get to bring this healthy little guy home with us when I get discharged after delivery.
So, life right now is full of emotions. Thankfully, I have wonderful and encouraging support of family and close friends and of course from Phil and Olivia. And as hard as it is going to be, I need to breathe and just let the course of this pregnancy unfold. After tomorrow, there will be no more comparisons of what was. There will only be the positive outlook of what will be.

Life in the crazy house

Loving life with this precious girl

Tomorrow is August. Like the, we're almost done with summer, time for school prep, the year is more than half-way over month. Hopefully everyone else is feeling the rush of things. Or maybe it's just us and our life in the crazy house.


27 weeks on July 20

To begin, we have a toddler. That means that days are full of 'I want this, just kidding, I want that' moments, run and catch me, play with me, laugh with me, and the ever-present 'I have this much energy, why don't you?!?' moments. Then toss in a few 'melt-my-heart' moments, and you have a glimpse of life in our house. Oh yes, then add in the second child pregnancy. The ever-present mommy guilt of not capturing every moment and being in a peaceful and glowing state throughout the course of the pregnancy. I look at everything I did with Olivia's pregnancy, from the blog and personal journal to the pictures and scrapbook pages. Then I look at this little guy's pregnancy. Don't get me wrong- we are elated to have a second child. But, I have documented a handful of pictures and scribbled a few pages of notes regarding how I'm feeling and what I'm doing. That's it. I figure that since he's a boy, he won't really be interested in knowing these details, right?!? But, there will be one major change between Olivia's maternity leave and this guy's maternity leave. I will actually have one. With Olivia, I gave birth on a Monday, and emailed practices for the swim club 24 hours later. I went back to school 2 weeks later. And I started teaching, coaching and running the swim lesson program about 4-5 weeks later. Things were a bit crazy, but I had awesome help from a lot of caring and wonderful people. This time around, I'll be home with this little guy and his big sister for at least 6 weeks, if not longer. But Katie, you have a swim lesson program and coaching and teaching to take care of, right? Oh yes, as if life with a toddler and 28 week uterus baby wasn't enough, we have decided to move! Phil accepted a job as airport manager at Fleming Field in South Saint Paul, so we are heading to MN in 2 weeks. Yikes!

Last day of vacation in Cancun

Things went from 50mph to 100 mph in a blink of an eye. Phil had his second round interview on the Monday before we left for Mexico and we were notified of the job offer on Tuesday afternoon. We left for Mexico on Wednesday, talked A LOT on Thursday and Friday and then made the decision to relocate. It was an emotional week after vacation, as we began telling our co-workers and friends around town. Then, it was reality time with discussions with our realtor, prepping the house, researching rental houses in the new area and finding a new OB for me and baby boy. Thankfully, so many things have worked in our favor and right now, with 2 weeks before moving day, we have a rental townhome, an appt with an OB, insurance coverage during the transition, storage for our extra items (as the new townhome is a bit smaller than our current place) and help for the moving days.
It still doesn't seem real. I keep thinking that I am just on a break from coaching (which the club actually is, as the long-course season ended last weekend) and from teaching (which technically isn't going on, since it's just summer courses, which I don't teach). But, the 'for sale' sign in the front yard and the amazing cleanliness of our house tells a different story. I knew that Brookings wouldn't be our forever home. But, I just assumed that it would be our home for a little longer. I know this new chapter will be full of different emotions, but I know it's a move in the right direction. Now, we just have to pray that this little guy stays in for a few more months and then we can transition from a 'moving life' to a 'new family of 4 life.'


Mini-vacation at the lake this week

The pregnancy is going okay. Currently, I am 28 weeks and 4 days. I still don't have weird cravings. I like to eat (what else is new) and as of now, I still enjoy meat (brats and cheeseburgers) and carbs (bread and crackers). And chips. I love crunchy things. And a new phase that I'm going through is citrus (like lemon and lime flavors- not the actual fruits). I do love certain smells though... our house smells like Gain, since I was able to find plug-ins that smell like Gain (so if you don't like that smell, don't come tour our house)! Laundry that smells good makes me want to continue to sniff that item, so if your clothes smell yummy, I'll be hanging around you! We obviously have done nothing to prep a nursery, since little guy will not have a room in this house and he will sleep with us in the new house. We also haven't gone out and bought tons of boy clothes, since again, we will have to get those items to the new house. We did make sure to dig out the baby items and put them in our pile to go to the new house, instead of storage. Physically, I feel a little exhausted, but I assume that's from having a toddler and prepping for the move. My heartburn is in full-force, but there aren't any other major physical symptoms. I'm going to the OB every 2 weeks and will soon begin to go every week. I have an ultrasound and my final appt with my doctor in SF a week from Tuesday, and then I'm in the hands of the new OB!
We are loving life in the crazy lane :) 
 

Now that we're half-way through the year...

Let's do a quick update, shall we?!?

So much has gone on in our little household and I'm not even sure where to begin.

Painting at her birthday party

After the last entry, we celebrated Olivia's second birthday. We had a party at the Children's Museum with some friends and family members. My mom was able to visit for the week, so for Olivia's actual birthday, we had a quiet celebration at home with the 4 of us. About a month ago, Olivia also graduated to a 'big girl' bed! We took the side off of her crib, so she's sleeping in a transitional crib/toddler bed. And we are slowly introducing the idea of potty-training... we'll really focus on that in late-July, after we are done with our vacations and travel. She's growing up and is such a little girl. She's learning new words every day and picking up on so many new concepts. She likes to pick out her own clothes in the morning, pick which bowl/plate and spoon/fork she wants for meals. She is definitely not afraid to say 'no' when she doesn't like something. Her favorite things to do right now are: color, stickers, paint, puzzles, play with Little People toys, have Phil or I build a 'tunnel' (a blanket over the couch and ottoman) and go through it, play with bubble outside, go to the playground, ride in her mini coupe car and be a 'helper' with chores (we're hoping that one lasts awhile and she continues to like doing things around the house)!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

I taught two classes at SDSU for the spring semester, so mid-January-early May contained lesson planning, grading, reading and prepping for class. I'm not teaching any classes this summer, but I will teach two classes in the fall. So, after the hecticness of summer swim season, I will quickly shift gears and get going on those items. Swimming is entering the crazy zone! We officially kick off the summer meet season next weekend with our home meet! Then it's 6 more weekends of meets and then we're done. It will pass by in a blink. Especially now that I've taken on the role of head coach for the summer. The previous head coach is no longer with the team, so as of last week, I became the interim head coach for this season. It's a role that I used to do, so it's taking some time to brush off some dust, but I'm getting back into the groove of things. It's pretty overwhelming right now, but it's nothing that the other coach and I can't handle. Then lessons are also in full swing and we are half-way through our first session. I'll have three total sessions this summer, so that is also keeping me busy. Oh, and did I mention that I'm 20 weeks pregnant?!?


She loves her stuffed animals and dolls!

Yes, the biggest news in our little family is that we are expecting another kiddo! Our little boy is due October 19, so I'm hoping and praying for a full-term, healthy, wonderful baby. There is less than a 20% chance that I'll have the same problems that I did with Olivia, but my OB is monitoring me and I'm on a medication that will hopefully prevent high blood pressure this time around. So far, I'm feeling good, but this week was the first time that things started to get a little uncomfortable (the full belly feeling, lower back pain, heartburn). The first trimester went well with very few symptoms. I did get to experience my first weird craving around 7 or 8 weeks, which was a pickle slice and string cheese together. I had a few weeks of pickle love, but that has died down. And I also wanted butter... all the time. I had a lot of buttered toast, buttered popcorn and buttered noodles during the first trimester.


Almost 21 weeks!

The second trimester is moving along well. We had the 20 week ultrasound last week and found out that we are having a boy! The baby's measurements are looking great and my doc is happy with my progress of things. I will see her again in 2 weeks for another ultrasound and physical check before we leave for Mexico with my family (but no Olivia)! I haven't had any weird cravings, but it seems like once I get a food idea in my head, I have to have it. If someone talks about pizza and that sounds good at that moment, that is the only thing that I can think about until I'm able to eat it. Right now, my favorite foods are anything cheese, chips, and watermelon. So, nothing out of the ordinary for the moment.


Olivia's going to have a brother!

Olivia understands that there is a baby in mommy's belly, but doesn't grasp the concept that the baby is going to come out and be a real baby to hold. She loves passing the baby room at daycare and looking at the babies and saying what each baby is doing, but when I tell her that her baby brother will be in that room in a few months, she says 'no' and either points to my belly or dismisses the thought. The other day, my mom sent a care package for Olivia with a few summer items, but she also included two outfits for the baby. Olivia went through her items (she loves to look at clothes and say 'oh, cute!' or 'that's pretty') and then when Phil pointed out that the two smaller outfits were for her brother, she immediately responded with, 'no, that's Livi's! My clothes.' So, that whole sharing thing will be a new adventure...

I'll continue to update with progress notes for the next 19 weeks or so. And then hopefully we'll be able to report on a healthy, smooth labor and delivery as well as a healthy and strong little baby! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Happy New Year!

I figure since I'm writing in January, I can still wish everyone a wonderful start to 2015! As with everyone else, things have been flying by this month. November came and went, then it was December and Christmas preparations, my birthday, Christmas celebrations, travel and them boom! Here is 2015!

21 month chair picture

December was wonderful! We had a few days of cruddy weather, but overall, nothing too major. Phil continued being busy at the airport, I was busy with swimming and teaching, and Olivia was busy growing and growing! Phil and I started documenting how many words she was saying (that were truly recognizable; we didn't include the ones that we understood, but no one else did). It was amazing, because I thought she only knew a few words, but when we tallied the list before Christmas, she had clearly stated between 30 and 40 words and a handful of phrases. Her favorite things to say are 'where'd it go,' 'it's hot' (while trying to blow on whatever food is in front of her.. even if it is cereal), and the ever wonderful 'let it go.' Seriously, I think there's something in that movie that makes kids addicted to it! My dad bought her the Frozen soundtrack for Christmas and you'd better believe we listened to it at least four or five times every single day. Olivia would point to the CD player and continuously say 'let it go' until we started the songs. Thankfully, that trend has slowed down and we are able to listen to her other CD's.

These pictures are not getting any easier, so I'll take what I can get!

We spent a few days in CO with my family and it was a busy, but wonderful trip. Highlights include watching Tom referee the Avs game, going out after the game with Tom and Brooke and some of their friends, going on the Santa Train, catching up with friends, celebrating Christmas with family, and watching Olivia get really excited to open up presents and then decide she is done after two presents.
January was off to a bit of a rocky start, as the weather wasn't very nice to us. The week that the kids went back to school was supposed to be a typical Monday-Friday 8a-3p school week. What it ended up being was an early release on Monday, full day Tuesday, cancelled Wednesday, early release on Thursday and full day on Friday. So, that was a weird week for me, since I don't have practice if school is cancelled or if there is an early release. But that meant that Olivia and I got to spend more time at home!

After the children's service

Just in the past few weeks, something just clicked and all of a sudden, she isn't a little girl anymore. It seems like she went from knowing about 35 words last month and now she's doubled that. She is also understanding requests to bring her plate to the sink, put her clothes in her hamper, help pick up toys, pick out her shoes to wear and a lot of other items. She loves helping with things around the house (if I'm dusting, she has to dust as well. If one of us is vacuuming, she has to get her toy vacuum and help as well) and enjoys getting to stir the spoon in the bowl if we are making something. Most days, chores take a little longer and when we cook, some of it ends up out of the bowl. But, I keep telling myself that I will long for these days in a few years. She's also starting to understand emotions and if I start to fake cry or say that I'm sad, she will bring me her blanket or give me a hug. Her favorite activity is still running around the kitchen, but she still stays busy with play dough, stickers, coloring, puzzles, blocks, having a picnic/tea party and playing with her Little People princess castle. It blows my mind that she will be two in less than a month.

Seeing the live nativity at church

Some random notes (more for me to remember in a few years :)): At her doctor's appointment earlier this week, she weighed in at 24.6 pounds. She is still comfortable in 18 month clothes, but we have started wearing some 24 month clothes. She typically sleeps from 8/8:30-7:30/8ish. And the biggest item on our agenda is that she is finally stopping her bottle this weekend. I know, we are behind on this item. But it was something we never really thought about. She takes about 3oz of milk at night and then we brush her teeth and she goes to bed. But, it's been in our routine for so long and while we would talk about it, we just never took a step forward in getting rid of the bottles. So, here's hoping to a happy weekend and peaceful night time routines!