Monday, August 18, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
"Let it Go..."
21 Months
School started again this week for Taylor and me--and Atley is not too fond of the new schedule! We have tried to be creative each morning when we leave to prevent the neighborhood from waking up from her screams for Mommy and Daddy! Poor thing--what can I say?! We're pretty fun people to be around all day, every day ;) Atley does love her time with Mila, though, and I think in a couple days she'll forget we're even gone!
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| Moving day wore us ALL out! |
Stats:
34 inches and 23 pounds. Atley has really become a bit of a picky eater this month. She has stopped sitting in her booster chair or high chair because our space is so limited (buuuut this might change again since she doesn't sit for long!). A couple weeks ago she would sit down, take one look at the food and say, "No." And then be done. For a couple meals we catered to her. Silly parents. It didn't take us too long to figure out we need to play hardball and only offer the one item, no bargaining, etc. So now, when Atley says "Done," we remind her it's her only food until the next snack (or breakfast). She repeats this and gets down. After 2 nights of going to bed without dinner, someone suddenly started eating their dinner--no questions, and no begging her to eat "just one more bite"! ;) Atley is still very tall and we are often asked if she is going to school this year--people are shocked to find out she is only 1 still! Just recently we had a friend offer to pass us some shoes from her 3/4 year old daughter. She asked what size Atley was and when I told her she wore an 8, we realized this wouldn't work because she was going to pass us 7's! OH dear.
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| Spending one last bonding session with the neighbor's statue rabbit before our move! |
Favorite Words and Other Milestones:
Atley's been so very chatty lately. It's been getting funnier, too! She was drinking her milk the other day and stopped, touched her lip and said, "Moustache!" I found her on her Ipod the other day (an old one we put in her room as a noise maker for bedtime) and asked her what she was doing. "Texting Caleb!" (WHat?!?!) She has started to love starting conversations with "Sometimes.." and "Actually.." but then trails off to baby mumble. When Skyping with her NaiNai the other morning we asked her to come chat and she said she was busy "emailing!" (I suppose we're a technology based family...). Atley has started taking off her own shoes and putting them away, climbing into her chair for dinner, and she climbs stairs independently (YEAH!). Atley can officially sing the alphabet and has gotten really good at matching letters to their traced shape (while trying to say the sound--though more often then not, every letter is "B!"). She's still obsessed with 'Frozen' and started to say, "I'm scared!" during thunder storms and when stuck on the staircase--but we found out it is from the movie! Just this month she began saying, "I love you!" It's beyond sweet.
Favorite Foods:
With Atley starting to get choosier with food, we never know what she will pick each day. Sometimes, just the fact that Mommy is eating something makes her want to try it (she was disappointed with my grapefruit juice and choice of pickles). A few of the favorites this month have been noodles (she still loves beef satay noodles for breakfast), eggs, eggs, and eggs (which she used to hate!), egg and jelly sandwich, and chocolate milk. Atley still asks daily for ice cream, M & M's and chocolate because she thinks it's funny when we reply, "No way!" But I do believe she also has a hopeful spirit--and sometimes, she gets rewarded for this! Seeing the surprise on her face when we've said, "Ok, let's get ice cream!" is priceless!
Favorite Activities:
Our new house came with a new 'toy' for Atley; keys! Our last place was a key pad so she never got to play with these fun things! Although we've been locked out a couple times due to poor planning and forgetfulness of needing keys, she has begun to play a game she calls, "Knock, Knock." It's simple if you'd like to stop by. She holds the keys, knocks on the door, we answer it, she comes in, closes it and repeats. Simple pleasures! Atley still loves to listen to her favorite songs (two from Frozen and Sesame Street) and is so cute as she 'swirls the ice storm' (waves her arms around in the air) in "Let it Go." She's begun to become very interested in a few different phone apps--one in particular where she can drag letters into words and they make fun sounds as they move around the screen. I'm very impressed with how quickly she recognizes the letter shapes now! We took Atley to the local mall that features a "Snoopy's World" playground. She has been very attached to Mommy's old Linus baby and was ecstatic to give the big baby Linus a hug at the playground!
Favorite Things:
Atley carries all 3 baby dolls everywhere these days and they are typically swaddled in a blanket. She also requests them for bedtime and naptime. She is such a nurturer and loves to bounce and 'shhhsh' them and pat their backs (after she purposefully throws them on the ground...hmm). Atley has become much more interested in books with story lines this month--we have read "Princess and the Pea," and "Three Billy Goats Gruff" multiple times each day. She loves sound effects and anything with different voices. We paid Atley for her first chores this week (randomly) because she followed directions and took her dishes to the sink and put her books away in her room. We were trying to find ways to give her some coins for her wallet and this worked! She loves to bring her wallet with us on errands and usually finds some stickers to buy. She talks often about buying a 'Bertie the Bus' from Thomas the Train--hopefully we will come across one soon!
Least Favorite Things:
Some days I feel like we are in full tantrum mode. Toddlers are so confusing! What seems like a good night of rest can start off as a very rough day with crying, tears and the need to be held often. But, we're surviving, one nap at a time. Atley still does not like when Mom is busy in the kitchen or not paying full attention to her. She still asks to be carried all the time and prefers it's Mom and not Dad. With Baby Eagle slowing me down these past couple months, this has been challenging. We're working on coaching her through these moments and hoping she will be more comfortable walking or riding in stroller by the time February rolls around! We have been having a tricky times Skyping with family lately because Atley insists on holding the iPad and gets very fussy when she doesn't get to. We take turns and allow her to do this some of the time--we apologize if you're staring at the ceiling! The heat has been unbearable and Atley, as well as the rest of us, is not a fan. We cannot wait until fall!
Random Unforgettables:
Atley loves to do a naked run while waiting for the bathtub to fill.
The way she looks up at us and quietly says, "Hello, Mama (Daddy)," and leans in to 'peck' kiss our arms.
Her sweet giggles as she is getting sleepy and playing the 'throw bunny on the ground' game--so genuine and endearing to see her smiles!
How she sings along to her bedtime songs--such a sweet, sweet, sound to my ears!
The way she likes to wear a hat like Daddy.
How she lists off all her friends names (that happen to be boys only) and is so thoughtful to remember them all.
Lovebirds Corner:
Yes, that's right! Our family is growing! We are so excited for the announcement of Baby Eagle this month and are looking forward to 2015. Originally, we were expecting the last day of February (so in my mind, March!) but after our appointment this week, it appears the baby is on the big side (top of the charts!). I have another appointment this week and they will redo the measurements to see if the due date should adjust. Maybe we will truly have a February babe! I am starting to feel much better--and literally, 2 days before returning to work. God's grace and timing--yet again! So far, this pregnancy has felt milder (and definitely faster!) although it's hard to compare since I worked through the 1st trimester last time. Since I had the opportunity to nap this time around, I took it! I still had evening nausea if I didn't eat--and it wasn't just small amounts. I was VERY hungry. I also did not have has many food reservations as with Atley--chicken has been ok and I loved everything salty and vinegary---I've even wanted to pour salt in my mouth! Taylor has been such a support system for me this summer--always taking Atley, getting up earlier to work on homework so he would be free later, running errands for groceries in the horrible heat. Incredible! I am so thankful for him and love walking through life with him. We are back at work now and students come this week. I am looking forward to my last year at ICS (hello, stay at home mom!--well, work at home mom!) and should be able to finish most of my time up before maternity leave-although depending on Eagle's timing, I might return for a couple weeks in June. Atley mentions that she will be 'going to school when the baby comes' so we think she understands a little--although she will not be starting school--ha! We're so thankful for all our friends and family here and there--we love sharing good news with you and are thankful for your celebrations with us! Much love from HK!
 |
| Jumping steps with Daddy! |
With Atley starting to get choosier with food, we never know what she will pick each day. Sometimes, just the fact that Mommy is eating something makes her want to try it (she was disappointed with my grapefruit juice and choice of pickles). A few of the favorites this month have been noodles (she still loves beef satay noodles for breakfast), eggs, eggs, and eggs (which she used to hate!), egg and jelly sandwich, and chocolate milk. Atley still asks daily for ice cream, M & M's and chocolate because she thinks it's funny when we reply, "No way!" But I do believe she also has a hopeful spirit--and sometimes, she gets rewarded for this! Seeing the surprise on her face when we've said, "Ok, let's get ice cream!" is priceless!
 |
| Bedtime snuggle with Sven and Bunny! |
Our new house came with a new 'toy' for Atley; keys! Our last place was a key pad so she never got to play with these fun things! Although we've been locked out a couple times due to poor planning and forgetfulness of needing keys, she has begun to play a game she calls, "Knock, Knock." It's simple if you'd like to stop by. She holds the keys, knocks on the door, we answer it, she comes in, closes it and repeats. Simple pleasures! Atley still loves to listen to her favorite songs (two from Frozen and Sesame Street) and is so cute as she 'swirls the ice storm' (waves her arms around in the air) in "Let it Go." She's begun to become very interested in a few different phone apps--one in particular where she can drag letters into words and they make fun sounds as they move around the screen. I'm very impressed with how quickly she recognizes the letter shapes now! We took Atley to the local mall that features a "Snoopy's World" playground. She has been very attached to Mommy's old Linus baby and was ecstatic to give the big baby Linus a hug at the playground!
 |
| Lovessss the cell phone! |
Favorite Things:
Atley carries all 3 baby dolls everywhere these days and they are typically swaddled in a blanket. She also requests them for bedtime and naptime. She is such a nurturer and loves to bounce and 'shhhsh' them and pat their backs (after she purposefully throws them on the ground...hmm). Atley has become much more interested in books with story lines this month--we have read "Princess and the Pea," and "Three Billy Goats Gruff" multiple times each day. She loves sound effects and anything with different voices. We paid Atley for her first chores this week (randomly) because she followed directions and took her dishes to the sink and put her books away in her room. We were trying to find ways to give her some coins for her wallet and this worked! She loves to bring her wallet with us on errands and usually finds some stickers to buy. She talks often about buying a 'Bertie the Bus' from Thomas the Train--hopefully we will come across one soon!
 |
| Tickling Opa--we miss them already! |
Some days I feel like we are in full tantrum mode. Toddlers are so confusing! What seems like a good night of rest can start off as a very rough day with crying, tears and the need to be held often. But, we're surviving, one nap at a time. Atley still does not like when Mom is busy in the kitchen or not paying full attention to her. She still asks to be carried all the time and prefers it's Mom and not Dad. With Baby Eagle slowing me down these past couple months, this has been challenging. We're working on coaching her through these moments and hoping she will be more comfortable walking or riding in stroller by the time February rolls around! We have been having a tricky times Skyping with family lately because Atley insists on holding the iPad and gets very fussy when she doesn't get to. We take turns and allow her to do this some of the time--we apologize if you're staring at the ceiling! The heat has been unbearable and Atley, as well as the rest of us, is not a fan. We cannot wait until fall!
 |
| Storytime with friends! |
Random Unforgettables:
Atley loves to do a naked run while waiting for the bathtub to fill.
The way she looks up at us and quietly says, "Hello, Mama (Daddy)," and leans in to 'peck' kiss our arms.
Her sweet giggles as she is getting sleepy and playing the 'throw bunny on the ground' game--so genuine and endearing to see her smiles!
How she sings along to her bedtime songs--such a sweet, sweet, sound to my ears!
The way she likes to wear a hat like Daddy.
How she lists off all her friends names (that happen to be boys only) and is so thoughtful to remember them all.
Lovebirds Corner:
Yes, that's right! Our family is growing! We are so excited for the announcement of Baby Eagle this month and are looking forward to 2015. Originally, we were expecting the last day of February (so in my mind, March!) but after our appointment this week, it appears the baby is on the big side (top of the charts!). I have another appointment this week and they will redo the measurements to see if the due date should adjust. Maybe we will truly have a February babe! I am starting to feel much better--and literally, 2 days before returning to work. God's grace and timing--yet again! So far, this pregnancy has felt milder (and definitely faster!) although it's hard to compare since I worked through the 1st trimester last time. Since I had the opportunity to nap this time around, I took it! I still had evening nausea if I didn't eat--and it wasn't just small amounts. I was VERY hungry. I also did not have has many food reservations as with Atley--chicken has been ok and I loved everything salty and vinegary---I've even wanted to pour salt in my mouth! Taylor has been such a support system for me this summer--always taking Atley, getting up earlier to work on homework so he would be free later, running errands for groceries in the horrible heat. Incredible! I am so thankful for him and love walking through life with him. We are back at work now and students come this week. I am looking forward to my last year at ICS (hello, stay at home mom!--well, work at home mom!) and should be able to finish most of my time up before maternity leave-although depending on Eagle's timing, I might return for a couple weeks in June. Atley mentions that she will be 'going to school when the baby comes' so we think she understands a little--although she will not be starting school--ha! We're so thankful for all our friends and family here and there--we love sharing good news with you and are thankful for your celebrations with us! Much love from HK!
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