At bedtime

I was tucking the kids in bed.

Amelia always gives great big hugs. During her giant bear hug, she whispered in my ear:

"Mom? I love you more than my pet triceratops. (Big sigh) I sure do."

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10 months old

Gemma is 10 months old today! 

Isn't she adorable?  We could just eat her up in all her chubby cheeked, dimpled arm glory.  She is a tiny tornado and creates a chaos I forgot existed.  This morning, I was running around getting ready for work and she toddled into my bathroom carrying 1 slipper from William's room, a box of raisins from the kitchen and a single sock.  Because...you know....she needed them.  She would not be parted from her precious treasures without much wailing.  So, I keep finding her treasurers where she leaves them around the house.  Which is alternately hilarious and maddening.  Finding a Little People toy in the shower?  Hilarious.  Not being able to located William's school shoes?  Maddening.

Sleep: She is sleeping through the night more consistently now.  Or I am more tired and don't hear her cry.  She still wakes up every other night at 4 am.  Just to keep me on my toes.

Eating: We are trying to work away from baby food, but Gemma isn't on board yet.  She loves the purees and will eat just about ANYTHING.  She loves squash, sweet potatoes, peas, beans, bananas, peaches, pears, apples, yogurt and ice cream.  She really isn't interested in the finger foods so much unless it is a cookie.  She mostly just sits in her chair and squawks from the time she sees her food until it is in her mouth.  Then she shuts her mouth to swallow and then begins squawking again until you give her another bite.  Demanding child.

Clothes: I am very sad because I am afraid most of our 12-18 month clothing is going to be pack away as they have been outgrown.  Gemma is wearing almost entirely 18-24 month clothes (sniff, sniff).  She continues to fit well into the medium sized fuzzibunz dipes and size 3 paper diapers (4 overnight).

Walking: Walking is now her preferred mode of transportation.  Preferably with several pointy objects in her hands.  She can walk 15-20 steps at a time and has been attempting to run (away from me, AWESOME) this week.  I am thankful that when she attempts a run, she falls quickly so I am able to catch up with her easily.  She does still crawl at lightening speed, but prefers walking ehenever possible.

Talking: No real changes her.  She waves hello and goodbye as the mood suits her.  She babbles frequently, although she really only says "Mama"  and "hi" that I can remember at this moment.

She adores her siblings (and they adore her too, most of the time).  She will figure out where they are playing and park her little body right up against the door so the minute they leave a room, she can gain access in.

FOUR

HOURS OLD!

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

Amelia is FOUR!  We have had a crazy week!  The kids and I were on spring break on opposite weeks.  We split the difference and took a few days to drive to visit the Minnesota family.  So it happened that we were gone over Amelia's birthday and Easter.  Sadly, we had to drive home on Easter, so we didn't celebrate as I would have liked.  For example, we had PBJ sandwiches in the car and for Easter dinner - Wendy's.  Yes, friends, my children had some of their first fast food in honor of the Easter holiday.  And in honor of the fact it took us a long time to get packed up which forced us to purchase dinner on the road.  I strongly prefer not to eat two meals in the car.

Anyhow, I'm feeling badly about not putting down my memories about Amelia's birthday one week later. 

The highlights:

Amelia got up Saturday morning and said "My hair is longer, I am taller and I am FOUR!"  Such a silly girl!

Grandpa stayed up late and made a very special birthday breakfast: home made caramel rolls....delicious!

The cinnamon/caramel goodness...mmmm....

 Amelia requested molasses cake - a family favorite and helped Grandma make the cake on the morning of her birthday.  I was in and out of the kitchen during cake prep and Amelia was chattering away.  

Amelia LOVED getting to be the only helper in the kitchen during the cake making.  She just ate up the personal attention and talked poor Grandma's ear off.

Amelia and the finished product

Blowing out her candles...William is trying hard to use self control and NOT blow out the candles.

Her hands down favorite gift?  A real china tea party set in a gorgeous basket.  Even William couldn't wait to get his hands on the little delicate cups.

To cap off the day, we colored Easter eggs.  Because we are crazy and nothing says Happy Birthday like hard boiled eggs.

After the cake baking session, I decided I need to do a better job of getting Amelia out on her own and started hatching a plan of a special girl trip when we get back home. I have some good ideas.

We had a LOT of family around to help us celebrate her big day.  Megan/Andrew and her family drove down for the day and Kaye/Scott joined us for cake as did Grandpa Heidt.  Amelia enjoyed the crowd and the limelight very much. 

Things Amelia loves:
Her siblings

Strawberries

Fingernail polish (although I am sad she no longer refers to it as fingerSnail polish)

Books

school/learning

Cutting

Coloring

Shopping

New clothes/shoes

Dresses

Things Amelia doesn't like:

Being told what to do

Not being treated as an equal with her brother

 Amelia is working very hard still to keep up with her brother.  She is frequently in over her head, but that doesn't slow her down.  It isn't uncommon for me to remind her that when William's pencil is HITTING HER IN THE NOSE, it means she is TOO CLOSE.  She loves to do "homework" and has learned all of William's sight words from this year (that William knew going in to kindergarten).  She loves being read to and reading herself.  She has really started to pick up on words and sounding things out in the last month.  

Amelia is still shy around people she doesn't know, but don't mistake her for a shrinking violet.  Her teachers have reported that she is very helpful, a great listener, and a good friend to everyone.  Unless of course you take her toy or don't play fair.  Then, you better look out because she will let you know.  And everyone else too.

Amelia continues to enjoy shopping (did I ever post the shopping with Grandpa video?).  This month we were at K0hls picking up a few summer items for the kids and Amelia finally got frustrated with me. 

Amelia: What are we LOOKING for?  This stuff is for babies!
Mama: I'm looking for something for Gemma.  Gemma is still kind of a baby.

Amelia: Huh.  For Gemma?

Mama: Yes.

Amelia: (Sigh) (Bigger sigh): Ok.  What are the numbers?

Mama: What?

Amelia: What will the numbers say?
Mama: Numbers don't say anything?  They don't have sounds?
Amelia: (Eye roll, big sigh) No mom.  What numbers does Gemma need on her shirt?

Mama: Aaaaaahhhh HA!  Gemma needs at 18-24 month size.

Amelia: Here.  Here.   Here.  Here.  Here. 

And she immediately produced 5 different options for Gemma in the correct size.  

Most of all, we are so proud of how hard Amelia works.  We love her laugh and beautiful smile.  She is so sweet and caring towards her brother and sister, which makes me so happy!  We love you Amelia Ann!

With boys and girls

The little ponies drive tanks. How else are they supposed to fight in the wars?

Baby#3, tooth # 6

Broke through yesterday? The day before? Such a bad parent!

Bottom right incisor? Is that even the right name for the tooth?

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William

My parents were in town recently and they brought the kids some t shorts from San Diego. William was so thrilled, he wore his to school the very next day.

When grandpa came upstairs (William had a very sweet note left on their pillow requesting a ride to school the next day), William couldn't wait to talk about it.

Mama: what should you say to grandpa about your new shirt?
William: oh yeah! Grandpa?!?
Grandpa: (sleepily rubs his eyes, long drive+late arrival+early school drop off= sleepy grandpa) hmmm...what William?
William: Thank you for bringing me a shirt from San Diego! But, I do have a question.
Grandpa: your welcome...wait, what?
William: see this picture on the front?
Grandpa: yes...
William: I'm just wondering. Is this a picture of a dolphin or a porpoise? They are almost the same, but are different. Do you know which one is on my shirt?
Grandpa: (deer, headlights, albeit a sleepy deer) ummmmm...... I'm pretty sure it is a dolphin.
William: really? Great! How can you tell? Is it the nose? Or the tail? Or the flippers? How do you know Grandpa?
Grandpa: they told me at the shirt store.
William: oh! Wow! Well, how do you...

Mama: OK!! Zip up that jacket and out the door you go! Wow! It is time to go!

Happy at Patrick's day!

Here is William with his leprechaun hat he made at school this week. I can't keep every paper and project, but I'm trying to get pictures of some of my favorite things.

Oh, and don't worry. I am saving a lot of papers in my new file system. I'll tell you about it another time, but it only holds papers that are letter sized, not the bigger stuff.