Sunday, May 12, 2013

She's On The Move!

Still reeling from her new-found ability to sit unassisted for longer than a few seconds, Ophelia has been perfecting a new skill...

CRAWLING!

I can hardly believe baby guurl is on the move!

She had been getting around in circles pretty well for the past few weeks but I noticed this week that rather than crying when she couldn't reach something she wanted, she seemed to be moving herself around to get things! I have been watching with fascination as she's been figuring out this crawling thing.

I started placing things she liked just a little bit out of her reach and watching her inch forward to get them. A few days ago, I put her down and went to another room briefly. When I came back, she was on the other side of the living room!

 She's working on a pseudo commando crawl, pulling herself with her arms, while at the same time, pushing with her toes. It's pretty awesome to watch. I haven't taken any pictures yet but will hopefully get on it soon.

I can tell she is rapidly gaining strength. Seems like it won't be long until she's pulling herself up on things and walking around them.Yikes! Baby guuurl is growing up so quickly.




Saturday, May 11, 2013

Our Family In Krakow

Last month was had the opportunity to spend a week in Krakow, Poland, with Darren's parents. It was a beautiful city with a tragic history. 

We ate lots of typical food and learned about the culture and history through doing walking tours and daytrips to Auschwitz and the Salt Mines. One of our favourite things to do, though, was to spend time in the main square. Sebby found "Goliath's head" and had a ball playing in it! We didn't see even one playground in the city but it didn't matter. He would probably have happily played there all day every day if we'd have been up for it! 

Ophelia missed sleeping in her cot but still enjoyed her time in Poland as well. She found being in the carrier all day a bit challenging but her smiles brightened people's days wherever we went!



Here's a picture of all four of us taken near "Goliath's head"!
 
When we go back to Canada, we'll miss being able to hop on a plane for another European adventure at every opportunity (holiday!).

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Our Imaginative Two Year Old

 Sebby is growing up so fast. We can't believe he's already almost two and a half.

He's becoming so imaginative and has a great time making up new games to play. I left out an empty box this afternoon and he put it on his head and said he was a robot. He pretends that he's swimming in the sea under the covers in his bed. He sits under the table and pretends it's a boat. But his favourite things to imagine these days are giants and dragons!

A few months ago, a friend posted a chart that shared some hints on how to discipline less by understanding your children's behaviour. For Sebby's personality type, it suggested making sure he had physical outlets, fun and adventure in his life. 

When we were on holiday in France over Easter, Darren had the idea that Sebby would enjoy our vacation more if we made each day into an imaginary adventure. 

It worked! 
(Thank you Child Whisperer!)


We started listening for bells (because that means that the giants are waking up) and looking for clock towers (because that is where giants live). It was a great strategy that kept Sebby excited and happy while at the same time allowed us to see the things that we wanted to see (churches, Roman ruins...all places where giants could be hanging out!).

 
In Krakow, we found Goliath's head!!!




Now that we're home, he still loves looking for dragons, giants, trolls and other imaginary creatures! He runs down the street shouting, "Goliath, are you in there?" and he looks for swords (sticks) that he can fight giants with. He would rather run than go on his scooter now because that way he can have a sword in hand.
 
He's gotten his face painted twice now and finds the whole process very amusing. He can't stop looking at himself in the mirror! 

Most recently he was a tiger. So cute!


He still loves to read.

The Jesus Storybook Bible (especially David and Goliath!) and 
The Land Long Ago (about a dragon!) are his current favourites. He and Daddy can spend a whole hour in his room reading books.

Daddy taught him a rhyme about tying shoelaces and he's eager to learn, although he still needs help. He can put his wellies on by himself, though!



Lately, every day has been filled with fun and imagination. I love standing in the doorway of his room and watching him play. Sometimes he sings to himself, which is more talk singing at this point but it is pretty adorable. 

Of course, sometimes there are tears, like when he trips because he's running so fast or when he's having a hard time sharing toys with a friend, but he's generally a very pleasant little guy. 

Having a two year old sure is a lot of fun!


Baby Guuurl


It’s been fun to watch Ophelia grow as she begins interacting more and more with the world around her. At 7 months, she loves putting things into her mouth and is growing in her accuracy in doing so. She grabs at whatever is in sight and definitely recognizes the sight of food, which she is always excited about. She kicks her feet and makes noise when she really wants of likes something. For example, when she sees me filling up the bathtub or holding food or in church when the music starts playing.



Lately, she's been enjoying spending more time with Daddy. She even enjoys when he lifts her in the air now...as long as he doesn't toss her up! 




She is a great eater and it’s been fun having her join us for meals. I often give her food off my plate unless it’s too hard (she only has two bottom teeth) or too spicy. Some of her favourite things to eat are pears, apples, mangoes, avocados, carrots, grapes and courgette.

She is quite vocal and often chats happily in conversation with us. She perks up when she hears music and loves when anyone is singing.


 

She does well playing by herself on the floor, reaching for things and rolling over to get them. She isn’t crawling yet, just shouting or crying for help when a toy gets pushed out of her reach.

She also has a keen interest in whatever her big brother is doing, she finds him pretty interesting! She wants to read (or eat!) all the books he reads, play with all the toys he plays with an check out all the clothes he wears (her fave is his starry rain coat!). She also likes when his friends come over to play because they also give her hugs and kisses.


Sebby calls her “baby guurl” or “pretty girl” or sometimes by her name, “Ophelia” and he likes interpreting for us what she’s saying. He will yell “it’s OK baby guuurl” from the other room when he hears her crying and is usually happy to help pass toys to her when I’m busy. He likes to help change her nappies and help pick her up after her naps. His job is turning off the white noise maker and he gets upset if I do it before makes it into the room.
They sometimes play together on the floor while I'm cooking or getting ready in the mornings.



He is a typical older brother though, too. Now that Ophelia is old enough to touch his things, he doesn't like it. He sometimes quickly snatches them away from her. Or if he sees her doing something that “isn’t allowed”, he’s very quick to tell her no. 

 

But he’s protective of her when others are around and rushes in to give her more hugs the minute someone else wants a little cuddle from her. 


 We love our baby guurl!