marked improvement

Tyler has been displaying the typical terrible-threes behavior (those who say terrible twos are misinformed or liars!) but recently his actions have been VERY trying for us and Ms. Debbie. So we strategized new approaches and also put him on a very short leash so to speak. It seems to be working: he was more than good late last week and has kept up the marked improvement for the most part.

Since then we also got him a responsibility chart where he can earn stars for accomplishing tasks or desired behaviors and can earn a reward of his choosing. He loves it and begged me all morning to hang it up in his room. So far so good!

teething again possible?

Little Miss Jenna is drooling like crazy all of a sudden. MORE teeth?

and she is off!

Jenna now waves off any attempts to hold her hand as she walks. (sniffle) And now she runs away from you giggling all the way, a behavior I like even less. She thinks this game is hilarious, but mommy and daddy know better and have already pulled her back from the street once. I have near heart failure just thinking about it.

Apparently she comes by it honestly because I've been told a certain other cute strawberry blondie did the same as a child. ;-)

hat style

After a week of wearing his new Navy hat, Tyler explored some more options.

 

15-month checkup

Jenna had her checkup this morning and all is well. She has exceeded all milestones and seems to be on a consistent growth curve:

Jenna's stats are:
Weight: 23 pounds, 12 ounces (50-75th percentile)
Height: 31.75 inches (75-90th percentile)
Head circumference: 18.5 inches (75-90th percentile)

first skinned knee

Jenna has started to walk with the family rather than ride in her stroller as we walk Daisy. She moves at a fast click and on this particular night she stumbled and scraped her knee. Didn't phase her much as she picked herself back up and continued on.

navy hat

Tyler LOVES his new Navy hat from Oma!

 

go girl go!

Jenna's mobility only gets better and faster!

 

 

 

fort fun

What do you do with the leftover boxes and protective covers from dining room chair deliveries? Well, you make a fort of course! So much fun!

 

we love our cereal

oma

As Oma left we asked Jenna to say Bye Bye Oma. Wow, did it sound right on. New word?

hero

Tyler told Alex, "Daddy, you are my hero!" Touching, right? Then he followed it with, "And Mom, you are my super villain!"

howard county fair

What a great day! We started off learning about and petting farm animals and then headed to the carnival-style rides. A pony ride and tractor try out later and Tyler had packed his day with about all the fun he could stand!

That is Tyler and Mommy in the front of the helicopter!

naughty squirrel

Asked Tyler where he heard a specific bad phrase and he blamed "the squirrel." Good cover.

baby doll buddy

Jenna doesn't go far without her new baby doll in tow! Not even to the kitchen table.

baby doll

Jenna got her first baby doll and she loves her! We're still working on baby care etiquette -- not covering the baby's face with her blanket! :)

 

phantom village

In lieu of Tyler's favorite train track setup, he started building with the track pieces and adding in his extensive collection of cars and trucks. I asked him what it was called and without hesitation he said, "my phantom village." This kid has creativity!

cape cod -- at the cottage

The weather was SO pleasant at the beginning and end of the week, but there were a few really warm days in between since the cottage has no AC. Jenna slept in just her diaper a few nights, but still had the energy to play peekaboo with Daddy.

 

 

 

wish upon a star

Tyler just wished upon a star for our truck to turn into a big rig tomorrow.

cape cod -- on the shore

 

 

 

provincetown, massachusetts

Tyler and his cousin, Andrew, had a great time as we toured the city.

centerville, massachusetts

Through the Krisko connections, we were able to stay at a picturesque cottage in Cape Cod for a week of beach fun. Oma visited for the first few days. Lots of long walks where Tyler picked flowers to bring home to me.

danvers, massachusetts

The cousins