January 31, 2013
Happy Birthday (Still!) to Jill
Earlier this week, Jill received special mail from California. It was a birthday card/coloring from Tony’s cousin, Sara, and her children. Yes, it was belated but that didn’t matter one bit. She threw her arms up in the air and yelled, “A birthday card for me! It’s my birthday, Mumma!” And so we celebrated again.
Thank you for extending the excitement a little bit longer, Sara, Derek, Drew, Em and Lilly!
Saving for the Perfect Pink Dress
We’ve tried stickers, candy corn, presents and praise. All we really needed was the ceramic pink and yellow piggy bank from Auntie Kathleen. Last night after Jill went to the bathroom on the potty and asked for a second piece of cake (this was almost 8pm mind you), I scoured the room for other prize-like objects. “Great job, Jilly! You get a BIG hug from Mommy!” doesn’t work anymore. This kid lives in a commercially-aware world. She knows a girl can get more for her positive potty behaviors than a lame hug and kiss on the cheek from Mom.
“How about coins for your piggy bank?!” I asked with all sorts of exaggerated excitement. “YES!!!!!!” Jill screamed. I think we found our sticker chart.
Fast forward to this morning: Jill is standing on her stool, looking in the mirror and successfully avoiding the Dora toothbrush. Here comes the bribery. “How about Mom gives you a coin for your piggy bank after you brush your teeth?” Mouth drops open.
“We can ask Dadda for 20 coins and we can go and buy a pretty pink dress today,” Jill said. Now I know you’ve found our candy jar. I politely explain that saving for a dress takes time, a number of trips to the potty and many nights and mornings of tooth-brushing.
Jill continues her fussing while we sit on my bed and attempt to brush her hair.
1. Spray detangler.
2. Offer money.
The bird’s nest is combed.
Correction: Saving for a pretty pink dress takes time, a number of trips to the potty and many nights and mornings of tooth- AND hair-brushing.
Something tells me that this piggy bank may be life-altering, and I hope it’s the truth!
“How about coins for your piggy bank?!” I asked with all sorts of exaggerated excitement. “YES!!!!!!” Jill screamed. I think we found our sticker chart.
Fast forward to this morning: Jill is standing on her stool, looking in the mirror and successfully avoiding the Dora toothbrush. Here comes the bribery. “How about Mom gives you a coin for your piggy bank after you brush your teeth?” Mouth drops open.
“We can ask Dadda for 20 coins and we can go and buy a pretty pink dress today,” Jill said. Now I know you’ve found our candy jar. I politely explain that saving for a dress takes time, a number of trips to the potty and many nights and mornings of tooth-brushing.
Jill continues her fussing while we sit on my bed and attempt to brush her hair.
1. Spray detangler.
2. Offer money.
The bird’s nest is combed.
Correction: Saving for a pretty pink dress takes time, a number of trips to the potty and many nights and mornings of tooth- AND hair-brushing.
Something tells me that this piggy bank may be life-altering, and I hope it’s the truth!
January 30, 2013
Dressed to the Nines
Let's drag Rachael into the mix.
Poor dog! She's such a good sport.
And the post popular picture was taken with Tony's phone
and saved in Instagram.
January 25, 2013
Welcome Elizabeth
I have a feeling Jill and Elizabeth will give Patrick and Thomas a run for their money in a few years!
She's perfect.
Now let's hope she's a better sleeper than her big brothers were!
WELCOME TO THE WORLD
#ToBeAKidAgain
Life has been hectic and I haven't been good about keeping up with Jill's blog. My apologies! Here's what we've been up to:
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The girls have a ton of fun when they get together. They dragged each other around in the sled, dodged the train in the basement and jumped on Cadence's bed. Shhh, don't tell Tim!
Ashley and Chris came over late afternoon & watched the girls chase each other in circles. I wonder if they will decide to wait to start a family. My parents used to say my babysitting jobs were the best form of birth control!
Hand-me-down dress up clothes from Karen
"Mermaid Jilly"
Snow = sleigh rides at day care
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The following day was Princess & Prince Day!
(not that we need a special day to pretend our daughter is a princess)
(not that we need a special day to pretend our daughter is a princess)
Tony and I went to our first-ever Patriots game on Sunday, Jan. 13 vs. the Texans. Thank you, Tyla & my Mom for watching Jill!
Jill's been enjoying swim lessons with her buddy, Cole, on Saturday mornings despite the not-so-warm water temps.
After last week's lesson, we headed out to Webster to visit Tim, Hesper, Cadence & Addison.
Did I mention they played dress up?
getting them to look at the same time and smile has become quite the task
Ashley and Chris came over late afternoon & watched the girls chase each other in circles. I wonder if they will decide to wait to start a family. My parents used to say my babysitting jobs were the best form of birth control!
January 9, 2013
Preschool Adventures
Jill and I headed to Roger Williams Zoo yesterday for the Preschool Adventures program about giraffes, one of Jill’s favorites. Jill walked confidently into the classroom for the first time and approached the Tupperware container filled with plastic animals. She was one of the youngest in the group of 8-10 kids but you wouldn’t really know it. As “Miss Jen” started the class, Jill stayed extra close to me, sitting in my lap even though she had her own piece of carpet in front of mine. Jill listened intently and raised her hand to answer questions. For the most part she just repeated whatever answer was just called out, but still, she participated. She walked to the front of the classroom twice; once to place a felt wild dog on the board designed as a savanna and a second time to show where a giraffe may live among the other animals.
As we “made observations” about the giraffe, Jill interrupted Miss Jen and every other kid patiently waiting with their hand raised to yell out, “My Daddy’s tall and has a super long neck!” hahaha Classic.
Moments later she whispered that it was time to go potty. Impressive, Jill. So we snuck to the back of the classroom. Apparently there was no need to sneak because as Jill left the bathroom she yelled, “I went potty!!” so the whole room would know anyway. At least she’s confident. Hahaha another classic from yesterday’s trip to the zoo.
After the program, we met Jess and Guy and Liz and Lily by the kangaroos. Jill was so excited to see her buddies! I didn’t tell her ahead of time so it was quite the surprise. She took off with Lily’s stroller. Thankfully Lily was not inside. The kids enjoyed seeing the camels, bears and cranes but the real excitement was for the playground. Jill couldn’t stop squealing, yelling and jumping up and down. After 3 hours at the zoo, I was sure Jill would pass out on the car ride home. She stuffed her face with almost every snack I packed – pasta, grapes, goldfish and peanut butter crackers all washed down with a juice box. And didn’t pass out. She inhaled her new favorite snack – a vanilla yogurt cup with multi-colored mini M&Ms – when we got home and didn’t pass out. She didn’t nap at all. After 3 hours at the zoo. Are you kidding me? One unsuccessful hour later, I gave up putting her down for a nap and we went to the playground. It was a great way to spend a vacation day, even without the nap!
As we “made observations” about the giraffe, Jill interrupted Miss Jen and every other kid patiently waiting with their hand raised to yell out, “My Daddy’s tall and has a super long neck!” hahaha Classic.
Moments later she whispered that it was time to go potty. Impressive, Jill. So we snuck to the back of the classroom. Apparently there was no need to sneak because as Jill left the bathroom she yelled, “I went potty!!” so the whole room would know anyway. At least she’s confident. Hahaha another classic from yesterday’s trip to the zoo.
After the program, we met Jess and Guy and Liz and Lily by the kangaroos. Jill was so excited to see her buddies! I didn’t tell her ahead of time so it was quite the surprise. She took off with Lily’s stroller. Thankfully Lily was not inside. The kids enjoyed seeing the camels, bears and cranes but the real excitement was for the playground. Jill couldn’t stop squealing, yelling and jumping up and down. After 3 hours at the zoo, I was sure Jill would pass out on the car ride home. She stuffed her face with almost every snack I packed – pasta, grapes, goldfish and peanut butter crackers all washed down with a juice box. And didn’t pass out. She inhaled her new favorite snack – a vanilla yogurt cup with multi-colored mini M&Ms – when we got home and didn’t pass out. She didn’t nap at all. After 3 hours at the zoo. Are you kidding me? One unsuccessful hour later, I gave up putting her down for a nap and we went to the playground. It was a great way to spend a vacation day, even without the nap!
#countryliving
The Things That Come Out of Her Mouth
Kids say some funny things. I noticed it firsthand a few months ago when we were hanging out with Tim, Hesper, Cadence and Addison. Cadence is one of Jill’s best buddies. She’s a little bit older and can be quite the chatterbox. Well Jill’s there now. She speaks in paragraphs. She tells stories. She makes up songs while she dances. She head bangs to Metallica. Wait, that has nothing to do with this post.
She wants to read new books. Of course she has her favorites. I have a feeling she’s going to be mad at the end of 4 weeks when we have to return our library books! One favorite, a Dora book about a mermaid named Mariana, starts off with Dora and her friend, Boots, cleaning up the beach. There’s a juice box and a food wrapper on the ground. “Do you see more trash?” I asked Jill. She pointed to the crushed soda cans in the beach grass and yelled, “Beer cans!” Oh dear.
Kids say funny things about potty training, bath time and their private parts. They even come up with funny phrases to comment on the weather. This morning’s sky was filled with heavy fog. I told Jill we should leave a few minutes early in case we got stuck behind slow drivers, cautious due to the weather. “It’s kinda froggy out today,” she said. Hahahah classic.
She wants to read new books. Of course she has her favorites. I have a feeling she’s going to be mad at the end of 4 weeks when we have to return our library books! One favorite, a Dora book about a mermaid named Mariana, starts off with Dora and her friend, Boots, cleaning up the beach. There’s a juice box and a food wrapper on the ground. “Do you see more trash?” I asked Jill. She pointed to the crushed soda cans in the beach grass and yelled, “Beer cans!” Oh dear.
Kids say funny things about potty training, bath time and their private parts. They even come up with funny phrases to comment on the weather. This morning’s sky was filled with heavy fog. I told Jill we should leave a few minutes early in case we got stuck behind slow drivers, cautious due to the weather. “It’s kinda froggy out today,” she said. Hahahah classic.
January 2, 2013
Visits With Friends and First Time Sledding
Jill and her best bud
just watching the Pats' game at Cole's house
and stealing Guy's goggles during a visit there with Dad
thrilled at the dusting of snow and smiling at Popa to show it
She loved it! She screamed the whole way down!
check me out, Mom
sledding solo
Exploring the Library
Jill and I explored the Berkley Library over break. She loved the train set and coloring table. We left with 4 books and 2 movies then headed to Gram Furze's to exchange Christmas gifts.
Gram's backyard visitor
NYE
Ringing - or sledding - in the new year
Happy 2013!
Jill had a blast
and tired herself out enough to enjoy a cookie with Lily
and Guy
my Mom and I celebrating NYE at Scott and Jess's house
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