EVB: 3 Years + 4 Months Old!

Our little blonde-haired lady had another great month! Ellen has been lots of fun lately (no surprise there) and continues to have the biggest personality in the house. EVB is growing like a weed and looking more and more like a big kid ... She's gaining lots of independence in terms of personal-care tasks and can now be trusted to use the bathroom/wash her hands and brush her teeth on her own, and she is making progress when it comes to getting dressed by herself. (She does great with underwear and pants, but still needs help with most shirts and socks.) Ellen started a gym games class at the YMCA where she gets to run around with other kids her age and learn about teamwork and following directions, and have lots of fun. I think this will be perfect for our crazy girl who has endless amounts of energy and has been cooped up inside most of the winter!

A few funny Ellenisms as of late:

• "In a minute" or "pretty soon I will" is how Ellen responds just about every time we ask her to do something ... Girl likes to march to the beat of her own drum on her own schedule!
• Ellen's imagination is through the roof lately; she and her make-believe friends are always going on "ventures" to magical places.

 Miss "I don't want my picture taken" Ellen ...

Ellen's playdough snowman. (Mom assisted a bit.) Ellen helped me make this playdough, so she was extra proud of her creation.

JEB: 11 Months Old!

Seriously?! June will be a whole year old in just one month?! So crazy ... Little Red has had a big month. In addition to finally getting her first teeth, here are some highlights:

• June seems to understand A LOT. She knows what "no" means and likes to test us by doing exactly what we ask her not to do (e.g., dropping food/cups off of her highchair tray). June will also shake her head "no" while doing something she knows she shouldn't do, which is pretty darn cute.
• JEB has finally ditched the army crawl and now just crawls normally, up on all fours.
• June continues to be a great eater. Current faves are toast, peas, mac & cheese and avocado.
• June still does not like to drink milk from any source other than Mom ...
• Little peanut is starting to get the hang of sleeping through the night after a few tough "cry it out" sessions now that we are in our own house and no longer sharing walls. 
• June perfected the traditional clapping of the hands on Valentine's Day. This is her favorite new trick and she like to clap for herself whenever she accomplishes anything. She's even modified the traditional clap: if she's walking with her walking toys, she will stop, keep one hand on the handle and then pat her free hand on her tummy to give herself applause. Smart girl!
• Our little lady now removes her paci on command (or sometimes before we can even ask her to) when we go to get her from her crib.
• June loves to bounce/jump in her crib or while standing on someone's lap.
• JEB is showing greater interest in books. Her favorite is "I Love You Through and Through" ... She giggles out loud when we read it to her.
• Junie can also give kisses by either leaning her head in to your face or by coming at you with a big, open mouth!

June is nursing four times a day, still eating three regular meals, taking two naps, going to bed around 7 p.m. (and waking for the day around 7 a.m.), wearing size 3 diapers and size 6-12 months clothes. (I think we'll break out some bigger size clothes in the next few weeks.) And, of course, June continues to be enthralled with her big sister and seems to think Ellen is the funniest person in the world (which is pretty accurate).

June has teeth (FINALLY)!

It took 10.5 months, but June's first teeth finally popped through on Feb. 1. Our Little Ginger is now proudly sporting two tiny chompers in the center of her lower gum. :)