Happy Birthday, Norah!

Wow, our sweet Norah is 5!

Here are just a few pictures from her birthday evening. We picked up carry out for dinner. She requested Petrol (for the fries), but that didn't work so we picked up from somewhere else. She still got her burger and fries.

She opened gifts - a few from us and others from grandma and grandpa. We're saving some for her party on Sunday, including Mimi and Papa's since they will be here. 

They love their new matching shirts from grandma and grandpa. In fact, they requested to sleep in them tonight! 

Macy didn't seem to mind that most of the gifts were for Norah. On the way home she announced that her birthday was in four minutes. When Norah tried to argue with her she announced it was in TWO minutes (that'll teach her). That was first thing she told Seth when he came home as well. 

She already made a new bracelet - another gift from grandma and grandpa. She very willingly let Macy make one, too. 

Norah's teacher made her this hat. She got to wear it when they sang happy birthday (while she sat in the special birthday chair) and had cupcakes. She was so sweet to save the last cupcake for her sister, and took it to the YMCA after-school care. When I picked her up she was out on the playground, and the first thing she told Macy was that she saved the cupcake for her. We got back into the cafeteria only to find that the cupcake was gone. Someone must have found the delicious treat!

Mimi and Papa come in on Thursday to stay with the girls when Seth and I head to Baton Rouge for a wedding. They will get in on her party on Sunday as well. Rainbow time!

Birthday Party Fun!

We took the easy way out this year and had an intimate birthday party for Macy with Aunt Li, Uncle Scott, TJ, Luka and Mikayla. That's it. And it was a lot of fun! We set up our baby pool in the backyard under a tent and despite the small size for all 5 (especially the older ones), the cousins had a great time going from the swings to the pool to the slide to the pool and back to the swings. 

We had grilled chicken with coleslaw and corn on the cob. After dinner Macy opened presents, we sang happy birthday and had homemade cupcakes and ice cream. 

Seth took Macy to the doctor last week for her two-year check up. All is well and there are no concerns. Seth pointed out how much the statements in the Emotional and Social Development sections of the paperwork described Macy: 

- Wants own way ("My do it, my do it")
- May assert self by saying "no"
- Likes to imitate others (especially big sis)
- Does not share
- Claims everything is "mine" (Her typical response when anyone says hi to her is to pat me or Seth and say, "My mommy," or "My daddy."

We have noticed her that her verbal skills are quickly developing. Today I pointed out a sticker on her shorts and she very clearly said, "Stuck on my body." It's funny though, because two minutes later she rattled off a bunch of words in what appeared to be some sort of sentence structure, but I had no idea what she said. 

As I have stated before, she's not a small child:

Height: 35.75" (91st percentile)
Weight: 31lb, 3.5oz (91st percentile) (At least she is in proportion!)
Head circumference: 18.9

Her BMI is a bit higher than it was at 18 months, but the pediatrician didn't flag it this time. We probably should have asked, but didn't. We weren't all that concerned the last time, and I doubt we would be this time, either. We know she has a pretty healthy, well-rounded diet that does not include an excess amount of saturated fats. I'm okay with it. 

Overall Macy remains a super happy, very sweet child. This picture pretty much says it all! We love you, Macy! Happy Birthday!

Macy's TWO!

Dear Macy,
You turned 2 years old today!

After you went to bed last night Norah, Daddy and I hung streamers from your bedroom doorway and put balloons on your chair. We greeted you this morning by singing Happy Birthday. Toward the end you wanted us to stop, but it didn't take long for you to get into the spirit by wearing the "Party Girl" headband. We sent you to school with mini cupcakes for your class and your teachers said your friends sang Happy Birthday before eating them. You wore the "Party Girl" headband for the small celebration and kept it on for outside play. 

Tonight we got carry out from El Rey - something that has become a bit of a family birthday tradition. After dinner we put two candles in another mini cupcake, sang again, and all enjoyed cupcakes and ice cream together. We will have an intimate party for you this Saturday with your cousins, Aunt Li, and Uncle Scott. 

Macy Girl - You. Light. Up. The. Room. Any room. EVERY room that you enter. People often say, "She's SO happy! You almost always have a smile on your face, and if you don't it doesn't take long for it to come. One of my favorite things every day is when I walk into your classroom and I see your face light up. I have to brace myself as you come barreling toward me with outstretched arms. As you approach me, huge cheesy grin on your face, you say, "Mommyyyyyyy!" and tilt your head back and to the side in anticipation of our hug. 

There is a lightness about you that is hard to explain. Sometimes it is more obvious, like when you walk around the house singing to yourself, bobbing your head back and forth, swinging your arms around. But other times it's just the way you contently go about doing every day mundane activities, like eating or playing with your baby dolls. 

Of course it's not all roses. You can be persistent and impatient when you want something. We are working with you on simply asking for "more water please" instead of whining "water, water, water" over and over again. 

When you are not listening we threaten a timeout. Threatening alone often works, but you have definitely made it to your fair share of time outs. 

While your vocabulary seems to be exploding you aren't always able to annunciate well enough for your Daddy and me to understand. After repeating the same sound several times as we try to guess what you are saying you usually just say, "Nooo, Mommy" with a smile on your face and move on to something else.

Some other tidbits about you at two:

- You don't like to share, especially with your sister. "My tya, my tya, my tya!" (My turn.)

- You have recently started insisting on doing things yourself, like crawling into your chair and carseat. It is painful to watch and takes forever, but we know we have to let you do it. 

- You are terrified of bugs.

- You are an excellent self entertainer.

- You laugh hard and straight from the belly when we tickle you and kiss your neck. It is such an awesome sound.

- You have a really pathetic sad face: 

- You have been calling yourself "Na na" for a long time, but recently started saying something very close to "Macy." You still call Norah "Ra Ra" and I have no intentions of trying to correct that anytime soon. 

- You like to do everything your sister does. You imitate her silliness at the table, repeat things she says (even when you have no idea what they mean) and follow her around a lot. You also insist on wearing a headband everyday, just like your big sister. Norah genuinely enjoys being with you and keeps a watchful eye on you. 

- You still seem to be huge a tad bit on the large side, though we have not been to the doctor for your 2-year appointment yet. You wear mostly 2T clothes, although some are too small. We pass leggings between you and Norah (who still has a few pairs of 18 month shorts that she wears under dresses) and some dresses are interchangeable too. 

- You continue to enjoy mealtime. When we tell you it is time to eat it is almost scary how quickly you drop whatever you are doing to run/waddle to your chair shouting, "I eat! I eat! I eat!" 

- You go to bed at 7PM, and usually peacefully. We brush your teeth, read stories and sing the "Moon" song. You have recently started singing along with us, but are often giggling at yourself so much that you can't get the sounds out. You usually wake up between 6:30 and 7AM. 


Mace, it is such a joy to watch you grow up and become independent in small, toddler-like ways. I can't imagine what life would be like without your sweet face and gigantic smile. 

Remember...Mommy will always love you.

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet Macy girl! 

Macy - 18 Months

Dear Macy Girl,
I intended to write this at your year and a half mark, but somehow we are already 2 months past that point. 

If I had to choose one word to sum up your personality at this stage it would be HAPPY. 

Often when people spend just a little time with you, they comment on how smiley you are. You are so content "hanging out' around the house. Your nap often overlaps with Norah's a bit, but even once you are up your daddy and I can count on doing our own thing around the house while you keep yourself busy. You often spend your time doing the following things:

- Reading books - you hold them up and nod your head for emphasis while you "read." When you are done you say, "Ah gaaa" (all done). 

- Playing with baby dolls - putting them in and out of the stroller, taking them on walks around the house, laying them down on the floor to take a nap while you pat and "shush" them, and just walking around hugging them. 

- Buckling all of the buckles in both booster chairs and baby doll strollers. You haven't yet mastered unbuckling, but you have learned to say "Heppa" (help please) instead of simply fussing when you want them undone.

- Tinkering around in the playroom - getting in and out of the chairs, moving baby dolls and teddy bears around, putting leis on and off, etc. 

Your daddy and I often comment to each other about how long you have been occupying yourself, but we're not always sure exactly what you have been doing. 

You started calling Norah "Rara" several months ago, and in some ways it will be sad when you learn how to pronounce it correctly. When you first see Norah after she wakes up from her nap you lovingly say, "Raraaaaaaa!" while patting and rubbing her back as she tries to completely wake up. When we get you out of bed in the morning, the first thing you often ask is, "Rara?" When we tell you she is sleeping you say, "ssssssssss, sssssss" (shhhhh).  

One of our only struggles with you is your wake-up time, which has been between 5:15 and 5:45 about 75% of the time for the past 4 months (or more). At one point we moved your bedtime back from 6:30 to 7PM, and while it seemed to work for several nights you soon reverted back. We never go in to get you before 6 or 6:15 so that we don't encourage the habit, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. You simply seem ready for the day. You and Norah both have white noise machines in your room, but daddy and I just got one for our room as well and used it last night (this morning) for the first time. We won't sleep with it on all night, but as soon as we hear you before 6AM we'll turn it on. This morning daddy slapped it on at 5:45, and the next thing I knew we woke up at 6:45 to the sound of your cries. Our white noise machine was accidentally set to automatically go off, so we have no idea whether you were crying that entire hour, or had just started up again (and frankly don't care!). 

We can't think of anything to do differently, since getting you to bed later than 7PM is a struggle - whenever that happens you seem to be overtired and having a hard time settling down. We chalk your early wake-up time up to being a phase and cross our fingers it doesn't last much longer.

No matter how hard it is to wake up to your cries every morning I look forward to getting you out of bed. You always wrap your arms around my neck and lay your head on my shoulder, eager to cuddle for a while before we start our day.

Your daddy and I joke that you are the most polite 1 1/2 year old. We rarely have to remind you to say thank you when we hand you something. The other day at breakfast Norah got your milk for you and you said, "Ta-too Rara" (Thank you, Norah). 

You continue to be a good eater, to say the least. No matter where you are in the house when we call for you to come sit in your chair you come running and squealing with joy. You eat everything but anything that is green on your plate. When you ask for more we insist that you finish whatever is left on your plate. You typically protest by crying and pushing your dishes away, but as soon as we bust out the washcloth to wash your hands and face you quickly pull your dishes closer while saying, "MY!" (mine). Down the greens go and you are asking for more. 

The red flags from the pediatrician at your 12-month check up were gone at your 18-month visit. Your stats:

Height: 34" (92nd percentile)
Weight: 27 lb, 8 oz (82nd percentile)

I guess this is why you are in 24 month and 2T clothes!

You and Norah usually play really well together. When mommy and daddy are getting ready in the morning you like to play "pillows," which is using our big pillows as napping mats. You move them around the room, read books, and pretend sleep on them. Norah leads, and you usually willingly follow. We all know immediately when you don't want to do something Norah requests...

...and she usually does a good job of working with you to figure it out. 

The two of you also like to push baby dolls around in the strollers (much peace has been found in our house since we got a second one for Christmas), ride around on your "cars," read books, and play in your tunnel. 

You are starting to learn how to count, and it often involves pointing your finger. Your sister hasn't been in a lot of timeouts lately, but on a few occasions recently when I have started counting for her I say "one" and you follow with "two." 

I often ask you, "Macy, do you know that mama loves you?" and you nod your head with a big smile on your face. I follow it up with, "Do you know daddy loves you," and "Do you know Rara loves you?" and each time your head bobs affirmatively. This has become a daily exercise. 

Your favorite songs are "Twinkle, Twinkle," Wheels on the Bus," and "Moon, Moon, Moon." It was a few months ago that we were first able to recognize that you were singing "Twinkle, Twinkle." Norah and I often sing it, allowing you to sing the last word of every line. Whenever anyone mentions the word sing we hear, "Up-a-ba-ba...." 

Macy Girl, you light up a room with your smile. You are SO cuddly, often giving out hugs and (open-mouth) kisses. You and your sister adore each other, which absolutely warms my heart. While you are expressing your opinion more and more you remain a sweetheart through and through. 

Mama loves you very much!

Party Pics

We had a gorgeous day for Norah's birthday, and thank goodness for that since we had it at our neighborhood park. It worked out great - the park served as built-in entertainment for the wide age range that we had in attendance. 

Thanks to our friends and family for helping to make Norah's 4th birthday special!

Norah - Birthday Note

Dear Sweet Norah,
You are growing up so fast! Sometimes I just watch you, amazed at the grown up things you are doing. 

Daddy and I got you a little purple and pink shopping cart for your birthday. We knew you would like it because you love playing in your kitchen and pretending to go to the store. We were also hoping it would minimize the fights you and Macy frequently have over the baby stroller. So far it was just been one more thing to fight over, but we were right that you do love it. (You carefully parked it under the desk one night so Macy wouldn't get it. The next morning you and Daddy came out from brushing your teeth to find Macy down on all fours, crawling under the desk to try to get it out.)

The cart came with play food. You like to "set up" a store by putting all of the food items around the speakers and TV stand. Then you go shopping, carefully deciding what to purchase. You pull your cart around to the coffee table for either me or Daddy to check you out.

"Beep beep!" We scan each item. As we do that you pretend to get a card out of your pocket and swipe it in the machine. Daddy started asking you whether it was debit or credit. One time when we were in reverse roles you asked me whether it was "Debbie" or credit. I looked at Daddy as if to say, "Did I hear her right?" He smiled, nodded, and said, "Yeah, she paid with Debbie earlier." 

We also got you a scooter and you were very excited to try it out right away. 

You recently switched schools and especially considering your reserved nature we felt like you did pretty well with the transition. You had trouble the first few weeks when we dropped you off, but were your typical chipper self when we picked you up. Your teachers always said you had good days. 

One day on the way to school, about two or three weeks after the change, you said, "Daddy, it's not fair to have to go to a new school. I still do really love Miss Peaches and Miss T." Then she looked at Macy and said, "Right Macy? It's not fair, is it? Don't you really still love Miss Tanya and Miss Wanda?" It tore me up when Daddy relayed the conversation, but I felt a lot better when I picked you up that same day and you wanted to give your teacher a hug goodbye. 

You also started having night terrors the the first day at your new school. You had them every night for two weeks, and while they have continued they occur much less frequently. You never remembered anything in the morning. Your sleep seems to be a bit disrupted overall right now. You often call out for us at least once in the middle of the night and have decided that you want to sleep with a night light. We're convinced the night terrors are related to the school change, but we're not sure about the other sleep issues. 

The past year has brought significant change for you as your sister has gone from a baby to a little person that you can both play and fight with. The fights are typically over toys, but you also get offended and sad when Macy pushes you away or won't let you give her a hug. Generally the two of you really enjoy playing together. 

Some of your favorite activities include coloring, pretend play, puzzles (we have a 100-piece Hello Kitty puzzle that you do with ease), reading and playing at the park. You are playing your second season of soccer, and I am your coach. You always look forward to going to both practice and games, and manage to find a way to work through the pack and get to the ball when you decide that is what you want to do. 

You continue to be very expressive, with words, facial expressions and body language. You give great hugs and still like to include kisses and zerberts as part of the good bye and good night routines. 

But it's not all rosy. You definitely have your moments. Daddy and I are convinced these moments are related to lack of sleep, which is why we continue to make naps and bedtimes a priority. 

Norah Sweets, it is a joy to watch you grow and develop. Like I always remind you, you must never forget that Mommy and Daddy love you very much.
Mommy

Happy 4th Birthday, Norah!

Our little Norah turned 4 yesterday. Just a few pictures for now, but more to come later...

Macy - Official One Year Stats

The only question I really had for the pediatrician at our (late) one year appointment for Macy last week was whether we should have any concerns about her eating too much. Deep down I knew there wasn't anything to be worried about, but I just had to ask. My gut was right - all is well. Even though she sometimes eats as much as I do (not an exaggeration) it is okay as long as she is getting a good variety of nutritious foods.

As an example, I sometimes make eggs for Norah, Macy and me for breakfast. I use three full eggs and three egg whites, and include spinach and deli turkey. Norah might eat her third on a good day, but I usually end up with less than a third to make sure Macy has enough. In addition to the egg we always have fruit as well.

Another meal we have been able to measure is sweet potato quesadillas. Today for lunch Macy had a full quesadilla (1 tortilla folded in half with the sweet potato filling), a 1/2 cup of avocado and some banana, and acted like she was ready for more. As usual, we decided it was enough and called her done.

One of the reasons the pediatrician wasn't at all concerned was her stats:

Weight: 20 lb, 7 oz (27th percentile)
Height: 29.75" (54th percentile)
Head: 17.1" (52nd percentile)

Clearly there is nothing to be concerned about regarding her weight. I'm thinking she just has Seth's metabolism (lucky girl).

Anyway, everything else checked out just fine at her appointment, so the three of us headed out for lunch. It is such a treat for Norah to eat at a "chips" restaurant (Mexican), and we had a great time.

I'm still trying to find a balance between spending time with the girls and being productive on my Fridays off. If I have Macy at home I am so limited with what I can get done since I have to work around two naps. Yesterday I just kept Norah (Seth took Macy in to school) and we had a great day. We went to the Y so I could run, met up with Connor to play at a park, had lunch out (yes, again), got groceries, and went swimming. It was really fun. But we also missed Macy. In fact, half way through our day we almost went to get her, but at the last minute decided to finish our special day together.

We've been slacking on pictures lately, but here are a few. In the second one you can see her two bottom teeth. She has 5 for sure (two on bottom and three on top), and I haven't looked recently to see whether #6 is making its way down yet.

Check out her hands in the picture below: I was snapping above Seth's head to try to get her to look at the camera, and she was trying to imitate me. 

In this picture Norah wanted to sit right next to Macy for their snack, which thrilled Macy as well. 

We're enjoying a relaxing weekend with not too much going on. We were able to spend a good amount of time today painting, coloring, doing puzzles and wrestling. Tomorrow should be more of the same.