Famous Last Words

Matthew (while crying): I'm not tired. 

Seconds later...

And then Bean looks over, laughs and...

Persistence

Note to self: help Thea channel her persistence in healthy and positive ways. 

Today, within two hours, Thea rid herself of diapers and jumped out of the crib. 

Let's start with the first one. Thea can now pull her pants off and take her diaper off. Having her stay in diapers is not just a matter of getting it on her and then the battle is over. And let me just say I am alllll about her getting going on potty training except we move in 10 days. Nonetheless, this afternoon I went with it. Till she peed on the couch. Then she knew the game was over and the diaper was back on. 

Number 2. She was hysterically crying*  during her bath and while being dressed for bed. When offered snuggle time and a book or go straight to bed, Thea threw herself to the ground tantrum-style. So to bed she went. And then within 30 seconds she had jumped the crib. 

*Something about only taking a 45 min nap and having a cold

This is for Daddy

If you're not an art history major, I'll interpret. 

Matthew drew a rainbow and wrote his name in yellow on the left. He decorated it with stickers. And he loves recycling so he used the sticky part that surrounds the stickers too. 

Doctor's Table

This is what happens when you are left in a doctor's office for a half hour with two toddlers:

Vacation Post, One Month Late

In mid-March, I took my first vacation since last July.  I'm a true American hero.

We had a terrific family week, at least until 3:00 AM Thursday morning, when it turned into family stomach flu week.  But even that was as good as it can be when everyone has varying degrees of stomach flu.

The highlight of the week was spending two days in Wisconsin Dells, at the Wilderness Resort water park.  We went for one day last year and decided to stretch it to two days this year.  In spite of the fact that the customer service is abysmal and the park is roughly the size of Nebraska, which shouldn't have been a problem given our passion for walking miles on end with a person who has 4 inch legs, we had a great time.  There is something about watching Bean's face light up while repeatedly going down the kiddie slide, or walking in the pool for 45 minutes next to Matthew as he doggy paddles back and forth in a life jacket saying "Just keep swimmin'" over and over again, that makes you ok with the fact that the woman at the front desk was unable to answer any of your questions and talked to you like you are a 6-year old.

The highlight of the drive was Matthew showing a true inclination for future leadership.  After asking me to read he and his sister a story, he decided he was thirsty.  So he threw his milk cup.  At the back of my head.  It fortunately flew over my skull, slammed into the dashboard, and gently nestled in my lap.

"Matthew!  Why did you do that?"

"I'm thirsty."

"Then you need to ask nicely.  That could have hurt me."

"Please may I have milk."

**I fill his milk and give it to him**

"NOW READ!"

You're welcome, Matthew.

The Baby on the Bus Goes...

Tickle Time with Daddy

Needless to say, she didn't go to bed until 8:45. Something about wanting to "PLAY! PLAY!"

Two Year Stats for Beanie Bean

Height: 32 3/4in (25-50%ile)

Weight: 25lbs, 12oz (25-50%ile)

Head: 49 3/4in (90-95%ile) 

Our petite lady is hanging out in the 25th percentile. The doctor said, no concerns about her head size/shape any longer, "she just has a big head."  

Thea still has some fluid in her right ear (post her ear infection) which will hopefully clear up soon. I learned today that if infections/fluid in the ear is not treated properly, it can lead to hearing and speech problems. He said that there was no need to follow up unless she starts to have symptoms of another ear infection. 

Thea cried hard throughout her exam (per usual) and promptly stopped crying when the doctor left the room. When she exited the exam room she saw him walking back towards her and immediately burst back into tears. Aww Bean. 

After our check-up we had a fun morning at a local farm and playground. I brought food for a picnic which both kids wanted to dig into at 10:20am. There are no clouds in the sky and it's in the upper 70's so it's perfect. For Matthew though, it's hot. He was getting warm and in formed me it was time to go. I guess it is good we don't live in Hawaii where it's warm and sunny all the time. 

Parent Quotes

Scene: Daddy and Matthew are sitting next to each other in a booth at a restaurant with a lot of TVs. 

Daddy: Matthew, if you want me to look at a TV, just tell me. You don't need to grab my throat. 

Thea's Second Birthday

A photo storybook of our wonderful Thea Bean's second birthday:

 

A new PINK bike from Mommy and Daddy to start the day!



When asked what to get Thea for her birthday, Matthew chose Band-Aids.  He knows his sister well.



Thea's first dress-up outfit came from Grammy and Papa.  Meet Doc McStuffins.

Doc giving her first toy a check-up.

Thea's birthday party was at one of her favorite parks.

Making matching funny faces

Thea telling Uncle Johnny she didn't need help with riding her bike.

"Happy Birthday to YOU"

Thea asked for her picture to be taken one more time before going to bed.  Here, she can be seen riding Floppy and thinking it is so silly.



This day has been absolutely wonderful. The weather was perfect and we thoroughly enjoyed a family day of playtime. We love our sweet, smiley, playful little girl.

God is so Good, Thea

Last night, when Thea picked out a book for story time before bed, she came running to me with the Bible in hand, proclaiming with great joy, "God book!"

While snuggling in her room, I asked her what song she wanted to sing. "God is so good!" 

God is so good

God is so good

God is so good, he's so good to me

Just before laying her down I whispered to her, "Thea, I really, really love you. And so does God."

Not coincidentally, the devotional I read last night (that I don't always read), spoke about God's faithfulness to Abraham. It emphasized that it's not always easy to remember this; it took 25 years between the promise of a child to Abraham and the birth of Issac. On the Eve of Thea's second birthday, my frequent prayer for her is being brought top of mind - that no matter how bright and joyful, or dark and hard, that she remembers God is faithful and He really really loves her and that with that, she remain strong in her faith and joy and loving of the Lord.