Never Underestimate the Power of a Good Book

From today's Daily Report:

"...Little and The Prince hung out on the edge of Baby Cake's pallet and looked at books. Pretty soon, apparently bored with her toys and tempted by both her friends and their quality literature Baby Cakes CRAWLED OFF THE PALLET and traded her toys for the books! That’s my girl! Never underestimate the power of a good book. It was Good Night Gorilla that first tempted her, then Eating through the Alphabet."

So much for my powers of estimation. In my April 15th post I guessed her "Crawl Date" would be May 15th. She didn't "crawl pretty" today, but she was up on her knees, belly off the floor - and within about 4 "crawling mini-sessions" she was off the pallet, book in hand.

Maybe May 15th will be her Release into General Population at Marty's.

You know Spring has sprung when...

...we get to have lunch alfresco at Marty's!

So lunch was exactly "picnic perfect" it was more of a winter dish. That's only because my husband was whining that while I make it this dish for my Day Care Kids, he certainly has never been served my Sausage Green Bean Skillet (an 8 on the FLGS). So I thought we should have it one more time until we file away this recipe for our Spring/Summer session.

Today was not only our first alfresco lunch of 2009 but it was a very important milestone in culinary development for Baby Cakes. Today was her first time to enjoy Big Kid Green Beans! If her flailing little feet were any indicator, she really, really loved them!

Does this face say "Yummy" or what?

Too Stinking Cute - she is.

The Princess Has Arrived...

The Princess arrived March 23, 2009 at 9:33am. She weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 20 inches long. She has lots of dark hair and although you can not see this in the above picture hiding within those sweet full cheeks of her's are the most adorable dimples she shares when she smiles.

I've visited twice so far. My first visit was a short one; I took The Prince home one afternoon and held the new baby while everyone had dinner - of course, I was so excited to see her that I totally forgot to take my camera.

Girl4 and I went over yesterday under the guise of letting Mom & Dad go out for a little "alone time" to lunch. Well, anyone who knows me knows that the REAL REASON for me offering to come over was so that I could spend more time snuggling this little darling. I also thought it may be good for The Prince to have me on his turf taking care of his sister - ease into that Sharing Marty Thing.

Girl4 helped me too - she played with The Prince and helped keep him occupied while I held The Princess. We all four hung out in his room for awhile - The Princess and I in the rocking chair, as he and Girl3 played with his toys. It was nap time and he was tired, so we tucked him in and headed to the living room.

The Princess and I snuggled, there were more than a few diaper changes, and we shared her first bottle feeding experience together too. She is quite good at snuggling, pooping, and eating. Girl4 "read" a few stories to The Princess. Pretty soon, Mom & Dad returned to the Castle and we left to spend some Mom & Daughter Time of our own before Girl3 returned home from school.

Thanks to the "D Family" for letting me come over and get in a little Prince & Princess Time, but most especially for letting me be a part of your babies lives - I love you all.

Trouble!

This picture says "trouble" to me! These two buds are ready for action, any time, any day - bring it on! But really, they are both soft-hearted, full of hugs and kisses boys. Really quick because my house is swirling around me right now.

"The Princess" arrived on 3/23/09. She is absolutely beautiful. I'll have to get a picture to post. She has tons of dark hair and is still very sleepy. I'm hoping I will be called upon for a Mommy & Daddy lunch date some Friday (or maybe a short Date Night).

"The Prince" is adjusting quite well to his new role as Big Brother. He beams when we talk of her. His words are coming in too - although he is the best non-verbal communicator I've ever known. He has turned into quite a climber too. My little Fruitarian (his Mommy's word).

"Smiley" is still smiling, and he is talking more and more every week. He is starting to stick up for himself more (he used to be such a push over). He still has the softest baby lips, and loves to give you a kiss right out of the blue. I just melt when he reaches for my hand so that we can walk together down the hall for a diaper change - he is too sweet. My little Meat & Bread Man.

"Little" is can carry on a small conversation now. She has been doing great with Potty Training. She is coming along nicely with scissors & puzzles too (just 2-years-old, so ahead of the curve). I asked her yesterday (?) if she wanted to go to the potty, she replied: "No, I'm just fine." Today I was complimenting her beautiful pink tennis shoes - a huge improvement over her flip flops (that flopped outside) of yesterday. I said "I just love your shoes - these will be great for playing outside!" She beamed up at me and said "Just like my Daddy's shoes!". Somehow, I just don't see her Codes Enforcement Officer Daddy running around JOCO in pink shoes - I could be wrong - but I don't think so. ; )

"Sweetie Pie" is OUT OF HER SHELL. My goodness, she is singing, talking, playing, smiling, just all kinds of things in the past month. Amazing! She is cruising around, occasionally poking somebody. She loves Baby Cakes. She is very concerned and supervises all bottles and diapering activities. She also loves my little dog - my "Who-Who" in her words. She surprises me everyday with something she says, sings, or does. I love to see children grow - but if she doesn't slow down, she may be in 1st Grade before the end of Summer.

"Baby Cakes" is just too stinking cute. I am officially estimating her Crawling Feature will be fully installed and operating by May 15th. Let's see how close on that I am. This baby personifies "Bouncy Baby Girl". She bounces more than any baby I have ever seen - it is hilarious! I am going to try and buy one of those stationary bouncy seats in the next couple of weeks (it's the next big item to add to my day care stuff). I will post a blog video of her bouncing so you can see what I mean.

"Sunshine" sadly is no longer with us! We miss her terribly. She is staying home with Mom, and visiting her Omi a couple days a week with her Big Sister when Mom needs to be in the office. We really miss her sassy sweetness, hopefully she will be by to visit us soon. : (

"New Baby with No Blog Name Yet". I need to meet her in person first, get to know her, before I can come up with a Blog Name. She will be starting with us mid-August and hopefully coming every so often for a visit before then. I have a feeling she is going to be another great baby. Her Mommy teaches at Girl3's school.

NAFCC Accreditation. I'm still working on my on-line course. I have a few more weeks on that - I think it is supposed to be over mid-May. I'm running a week ahead on that schedule - I usually get in a few hours a week just during naps (that is why my blog has been so neglected).

General Stuff: Added tons of new books, dramatic play area items, Circle Room activities, seeded our Okra for the garden, and just today introduced a new inside Play Tunnel! And found out this past month that my kids love Salmon Patties (go figure)!

Bye-bye for now! Thanks for checking in with us. I will try to do better. Now back to the swirling home around me!!!