Potty Training and Nursery Rhymes

This week we've been wearing "big girl panties" and so we've been staying close to home! Its been going great so far... just one accident (and as all you Elmo's Potty Time viewers know "Accidents Happen, that's what they say, accidents happen and that's ok") Sara loves her big girl panties and has also told me that "babies cry, not the big girl." That really hasn't stopped her from crying though. She can throw a fit with the best of them. But, when she does she says "I go cry in the other room." So at least she is crying in another room.

On Monday, I had my volunteer shift at Kidspace. Afterwards, Sara wanted me to watch her "build a house" (or as I like to call it "drag these blocks around and roll all over them so that the germs are completely covering me")

From Jan 2009

From Jan 2009

On Tuesday, we hung around the house all day. Sara stayed with a babysitter while Mike and I took a tour of the hospital and met all the doctors that are on call with mine. It was nice (once we figured out where we were supposed to go!) Why do they make hospitals so confusing? Sara loved having a babysitter and it was nice she didn't have to put Sara to bed or anything! Later that night, she colored on her big pad of paper! Thanks Parrain!

From Jan 2009

From Jan 2009

She is starting to tell us her drawings are things (like Caillou or Dora) But they really just look like scribbles. For example, this is Mickey Mouse (but I didn't need to tell you that, right?):

From Jan 2009

I guess that's how they learn!

On Wednesday, it snowed all morning and then rained all afternoon. (I am SO over winter, but unfortunately, I don't think that means winter is over. Too bad.) Since my level of self confidence is greatly diminished when it comes to driving in said conditions, Sara and I didn't leave the house until Daddy came home and took us to get Dora panties (I promised Sara them when she wore her big girl panties all day!)

Here she is sneaking a cookie and going in circles (maybe to burn off the cookie's calories?)

From Jan 2009

Later on, Sara put her babies to bed in our bed and wanted to read to them. Since she reads Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever and Goodnight Moon every night, that is what she read. She has memorized a lot of these and so she can "read" them.

From Jan 2009

If you want to see more of Sara reading (I know not everyone does!) click here and here. Hope your week is going well!!! We love you!

This weekend

We shopped until we dropped! Just kidding, but we did shop a lot... we figured since it was nice weather (the last few weekends have been rather snowy) we should run some errands.  We got just about everything we need for the new baby... Hurray! (can you say nesting?) He is doing well... I am 33 weeks and so far it seems everything is great :)  Oh yeah, Sara also had her swim lessons... she is a fish!  I wonder where she gets that? 

At the mall, a toy store was closing, and we got a great deal on some dress up shoes... I know, we swore we'd avoid the whole "princess" mentality, but what can I say, she loves it! 

From Jan 2009

I got to try them on too (they didn't really fit...)

From Jan 2009

And so did the toys:

From Jan 2009

Sara also got some library books on Friday, and she loves to read them with Daddy (or Mommy or a stranger off the street who will read to her...)

From Jan 2009

And she still loves her box!  You'll be happy to know that Daddy cut her a little opening so that its easier to get in and out.

From Jan 2009

Here is a video of Sara laying around:

 

Since Sara had a good day with the potty training today, she got this cookie. Daddy had gotten it for her earlier and had left it in the car. Apparently, the cold made it a little difficult to eat.

Boxes

Are SO much fun!!

From Jan 2009

From Jan 2009

Strange Things

Being born and raised in the deep South, Mike and I have seen some things that we find rather strange. I suppose if you were from the North, these things wouldn't be so odd. How about giant piles of snow in parking lots (with a buggy on top): strange or not? I mean, I guess they have to put in somewhere, right?

From Jan 2009

From Jan 2009

And lots and lots of snow on our street:

From Jan 2009

Today I took Sara sledding and she said she was so happy, but when I tried to get her to say it on tape, this is what I got (she looks happy to me)




When I say we went sledding, what I mean is that I pulled her around the soccer fields in the sled. I cannot begin to fit my huge belly in that little sled to go down the hill! Sara just loves to be in the sled, so she doesn't really care!

Here she is testing the snow in the yard (or something)

Snowy Days!

We must have brought all that wintery weather in Cleveland back with us!! It started snowing last night and hasn't stopped yet! Last night, we went and got some pizza. Sara loved playing with the pizza dough

From Jan 2009

And simultaneously drinking milk and water (yum!)

From Jan 2009

This morning church was cancelled, but swim lessons weren't! So while it snowed outside, Sara and Daddy worked on swimming. Sara loves the water and picked up right where she left off last summer! I am still learning my new camera, but here is a video of her jumping in the water. It isn't very good... sorry :) I'll do better next time, promise!

From Jan 2009

After Daddy and Sara got dried off, we headed to the grocery store and I couldn't pass up this photo op:

From Jan 2009

And later on, Bitty Baby enjoyed some (warm) tea:

From Jan 2009

We are looking forward to relaxing the rest of the weekend! Hope y'all enjoy the long weekend :)

Cleveland!!

On Wednesday, Sara and I flew to Cleveland to visit Ms. Jill, Mr. Rick, and Julie! It was so nice to see them! We picked a great time to visit... I don't think it got warmer than about 7 degrees the whole time we were there. But we managed to stay warm and cozy!

Julie and Sara played well together... they are both learning to share! Julie did a great job of sharing all her neat toys with Sara! Since it was snowing when we got there, we headed home and relaxed a little!
From Cleveland Jan 2009

Later on, Julie and Sara took a bath with ALL of Julie's bath toys! They sure enjoyed it!!

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

On Thursday, Sara began her day by eating a giant chocolate muffin... the girl is a chocolate freak!

From Cleveland Jan 2009

Then Julie gave Sara a make over! Aren't they so cute with their matching outfits?

From Cleveland Jan 2009

After everyone was ready, we headed to the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center to check out the animals and go to the planetarium for Twinkle Tots. Here is Sara in a log:

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

They are looking for "Nemo" fish

From Cleveland Jan 2009

I personally HATE snakes, but Sara must feel differently!

From Cleveland Jan 2009

Then it was time for Twinkle Tots. I was worried that Sara would be afraid of the dark, but she loved it! It was a really neat program!

From Cleveland Jan 2009

Of course, they needed some water before we left.

From Cleveland Jan 2009

After a nap, we headed to a Gymboree class. Sara had a BLAST!! They played with the parachute, popped bubbles, and shook maracas!

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

On the way home, we stopped at Target (because that is what Jill and I do: go to Target!) and we tested out the big cart!

From Cleveland Jan 2009

After bathtime, Julie shared her fun towels with Sara and they had a ton of fun being a hippo and rabbit (which goes "hippity-hop" according to Sara!) Here is a video of them being silly!

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

After they were all riled up, Mr. Rick worked on calming down two toddlers! He did a great job!

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

On Friday, we headed to the mall. I thought it should be worth noting that the thermometer in the car said it was -7!!! Sara and Julie had fun riding the cars and the train (they rode all by themselves!) while Jill and I had fun finding all kinds of sales! We got Sara and Julie and their baby brothers some really cute clothes (because you know, they don't have enough...)

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

On Saturday, the girls watched some more Dora, played a little more with the dolls, and Sara and I headed home to Boston. Thanks so much Pages! We had a wonderful time and we miss you so much!!! We can't wait to see you soon :)

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

From Cleveland Jan 2009

Ms. Jill, Julie, Sara and I with 2 baby boys :)

From Cleveland Jan 2009

Kidspace!

Yesterday we spent the better part of the afternoon at Kidspace.  Sara loves the dollhouses and pushing little people around in the Barbie car.

From Jan 2009

And she discovered the princess clothes (as well as the shoes) You can't really tell from this picture, but she was so proud to have the princess dress (and the shoes)! 

From Jan 2009