Climbing Out!

Well, we have reached a milestone that none of us were ready for.... Bella can now climb out of her crib. We aren't real sure how to handle the situation because if we go ahead and convert to a toddler bed I'm afraid she would never sleep because she would be allowed to come and go freely. And if I leave it as a crib I'm afraid she is going to hurt herself when she jumps down. So, at this point we have pillows all along the floor and the beanbag chair as well, so that if she does jump out at least she isn't going to get hurt. I could leave the siderail down so that she doesn't have as far to go but again, I don't want to encourage the behavior! I just wasn't ready for this predicament- I had no idea it would come so early! But, I should have known that was inevitable with Bella in the house.

Other than that they are doing wonderfully. They are talking more and more and say some of the cutest stuff. In addition to the words from my last post they are also saying, "no, no" and "close" (usually because they have a cabinet or something else open that they know they are not allowed to be in). "Uh-oh" is a favorite, as well as "nana" for banana. They say "cracker" when they want a Ritz cracker and "night-night" when its bedtime or naptime and Emma will even say "hoo-hoo" for "What does a monkey say?"

Emma is getting better at puzzles too. She can correctly complete both her animal puzzle and her color/shape puzzle. It's really fun sitting with her and handing her each piece as she decides where it should go. Then she will turn it around and around trying to make it fit until finally she figures out which way it goes.

And Bella is the queen of organization! She is constantly wanting to put things away and LOVES taking stuff to the trash. You have to watch her sometimes because you don't always want things thrown away that she decides to toss! But it is proving very helpful- she will bring me a diaper when I change them or get a sippy cup for Emma or pick up toys and put them in the toy box. She loves making you happy & she is always VERY proud of herself when she doesn something she deems "good." She will clap her little hands and smile the biggest smile she can fit on her face. She loves Emma so much- not that that is a new thing, but she loves tending to Emma and bringing her books or juice or anything else that might make her happy when she is crying. And she is very loving to John & I. She always wants kisses when Dad leaves for work and she gives lots of kisses and hugs throughout the day. The way she asks for them is so cute- she sticks out her bottom lip and tilts her head and makes the "mwah" sound until you kiss her.

All in all things are going well. They are active and rambunctious and talkative and don't eat near enough but they are happy and I guess at this point that is all we are striving for!

Jumping Joey's

As you all know my little monkeys LOOOOOOVE this place. But Bella impressed me yesterday when we went to meet some friends up there. She is truly part monkey.... and too smart for her own good! But hey- on the bright side it saved me a trip up the ladder!

Enjoy!

Christmas 2008

I know, it's been forever since I've updated everyone! I'm so SORRY!!!

The girls are doing great- they are saying a few words now which is really cool. And just yesterday we taught Emma to say "meow" when she is asked "What does a kitty say?" She says it very clearly- she forms EACH letter with her mouth and exaggerates each sound, it's really cute. She says "milk" when its time for her milk at night, she says "mama" sometimes but she does know who I am now so that's a plus! And of course she still says "dada" and "kitty."

Bella says "night night," and sometimes "cracker" and "mama". But she always says her usual "kitty" and "dada."

They can also give high-fives, kisses and hugs (which they call "love"). They love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, and Tigger & Pooh. And all they LIKE to eat is bananas and grapes. But we are getting them to branch out some. Emma tried a fish stick tonight and Bella had green pepper. Other than that we mostly stick to grilled cheese, french fries, chicken nuggets and Ritz Chips!

Recently Emma, Bella, and my crazy self went to Texas to visit some new family members. My brother had his twins on December 8th and we got to be there for every new second. It was quite difficult traveling with the girls by myself but it was worth every minute. The girls were a handful on the plane and Bella's ears hurt but as long as they could see something cool out the window they were entertained! The new babies are wonderful and healthy and just beautiful! So we are excited to have another boy cousin, Mason and another girl cousin, Avery!

For Christmas this year we went to Michigan and it was so much fun. There was so much snow the girls had no idea what to think. Bella's adventurous side came out and she was more curious about it than anything. But Emma was her usual scared self and didn't want anything to do with the snow unless you were holding her. Given our experience this summer with the beach we expected this from them... but we were pleasantly surprised at Bella! She is definitely a Tropilo and took to the cold right away.

And the girls got a lot of cool stuff for Christmas of course. They got the Rose Petal Cottage and crayons and Mega Blocks and clothes and bowling animals but anyone who knows Bella knows her affinity for homemade potholders or her "rags" so here is the video of her opening the motherload. She was so excited! G-mama must have been knitting for 2 months to have this many ready on Christmas morning!!