Well That Went Awful

After arriving at the park and unbuckling Matthew, I heard a young girl screaming.  My first thought was "I'm at the park, that's totally normal."  But as a listened more closely, it wasn't that type of scream.  As I stepped away from the car, I noticed a four year old on a bike...and her pregnant mother running after her.  I quickly offered help, which the mother declined.  I was hesitating to accept her refusal for help as I heard her daughter yelling "I don't know how to stop," but I was unsure of what to do - lock my kids in the car and run after her daughter?  And then I hopped in the car, told Matthew to hold on, and followed the girl.  Thankfully, a teenager had come to help and the girl was unharmed.  Phew.  We drove back to the car and I opened the door to the back seat to find Matthew sitting behind Thea's car seat holding on to her car seat's sun shield.

Now time for fun after a LOOOOONNNG morning!

Until Matthew fell through a netting at the park.  I was there to catch so no harm done, except that I scratched his neck, causing him to bleed.  No tears but sheesh!

And to end our forty minutes of great fun, Thea out of nowhere bumped her chin on a bridge.  Since she bit her lip she was bleeding and got her first fat lip.

Yep.  It's time to leave.

And She's Walking

After at least a month of squealing every time her hands would be held, thus allowing her the opportunity to walk...Thea took her first steps on May 12th.  She walked to me and was so proud of herself.  Just yesterday, she really started walking!  Here she is (so happy):

Not that this relates at all, but here is a video of Thea on a slide that she and Matthew went on just 15 times each last Friday.

Since we're just posting videos of Thea here at random, here are she and Mike playing peek-a-boo:

Only One More Day of School

Last January when my mom asked me if I was going to enroll Matthew in a two year old preschool program, my thought was "What? People do that?" I had no idea. But I looked into it and agreed that it would be great for Matthew. He would only be able to start once he turned two in October so this was going to be an extra year of school. I thought he would love the social aspect of it and if he learned anything, great.

Matthew's First School Picture

I am beyond grateful that Matthew was in school this year and had such phenomenal teachers. His growth blows my mind and I know they had something to do with it (vs just normal development or me teaching him). He can sing the alphabet (which he often does to himself before his nap - amazing) and recognize his letters (answering where is the letter p?). His social skills have greatly improved: understanding sharing, asking to use a toy, playing with (vs side by side) other kids and imaginary play. He is more expressive today, sharing that he is excited or frustrated.  He can rote count to 11, skip 12 and then add 13 and he is starting to count objects as they exist ("I have 3 books").  Matthew's teachers have not only guided his social and educational learning, but they have taught us with weekly newsletters with tips on how to further educate our children on things like sharing and shapes.  Matthew's class was for 2 years olds and he will be repeating it next year, with the same beloved teachers, since he was not yet 2 before September 1st.  And as I think about this last day, wow, does time fly.  I truly grieve the quick passage of these wonderful times.  

Matthew's Anatomy Lesson

Two nights ago, upon being asked a question, Matthew calmly looked me in the eye, pulled up his shirt, stuck his finger in his belly button, and said "right here, Daddy."

It was incredibly cute.  It was also incredibly wrong, because he had been asked, "where's your butthole, Matthew?"

Never fret; upon being corrected, Matthew quickly learned, and can now repeat on command, where his butthole is and that poop comes out of it.  Or, if you forget to command it, he can tell you on his own.  Like he did the next morning.  Immediately after waking up.  Because Mommy and Daddy gotta know that "butt comes out poop."

Thea is 1ish

Thea turned one. Almost a month ago. Here were her stats at her one year appointment:

Weight: 17lbs, 14.8oz (5-10th %ile)

Height: 28in (10-25th %ile)

Head: 47cm (90-95th %ile)

So what we learned was that Thea is a live bobble head doll with 87% of her body weight being held in her head. Oh, and that she's perfectly healthy. 

We were confronted with having to decide whether to give her a Hep A vaccine at this appointment or her next one. The girl did receive 2 shots on her birthday. Happy birthday to you. 

A week prior to her first birthday, we had a family party. She had a lot more fun here than at the doctor. 

Thea is one so she is very good at sharing new toys

Thea singing along to her birthday tune

Since turning one, I have been weaning Thea. Last weekend, she developed a virus so the weaning process was slowed just a touch. Today was our first day with no breastfeeding. And in fact, it is my first day in 3 1/2 years without being pregnant, breastfeeding or both. In a way it is freeing, but it has been a day with waves of grief. Nonetheless, I found (today at an indoor toddler park ) and do find great joy in seeing her grow and develop. She is SO happy exploring and playing. 

Thea is deeply loved and is described best with the word "sweet". She is cuter to us everyday. Thea is content, always with a ready smile, social (in a soft way) and loves when she is playing or cuddling with (read: she smothers them with hugs and kisses) stuffed animal. I am so very eager to see these next months unfold.