Yogurt!

Livvy eats yogurt with everything she's got.

Wearing Everything

Sometimes you have to fight with the kids to get them to put on their coats, and other times you can't stop them from putting everything on. Ella and Olive took the layered look to a new level.

Afternoon With Izak

We had the privilege of spending the afternoon with Izak. We went for a walk and rode the tricycle.
And later we played in the bath.

"I'm Good"

Olivia has taken after her Mama by answering offers of various things with "No, I'm good." Example: "Olivia, would you like a bite of Beans and Rice?" Walking away, "No, I'm good." So very casually dismissive. "Livvy, you want to take a bath?" "No, I'm good.

Pretend

The pretend games have started in earnest. Livvy likes to play pretend lots of stuff. In the past she used to pretend to be asleep, but didn't really understand that it was pretend. Now she plays all sorts of games:
  • She pretends to dip chips in salsa.
  • She pretends to pick up food of off the floor and eat it (causing us to run over and try to figure out what she's eating).
  • She pretends to change my diaper.
  • She pretends to go to work.
  • And many, many more.

The Many Faces of Olive

In the span of 20 seconds, Livvy can make all sorts of faces.

All The Fishy Names

We bought some fish for Livvy's birthday this year. On the way home we worked on names with her. They are named: Roger, Clio and Starla. When we ask her to tell us the names of her fish, she says: "Roger and Clio and Roger." The I say, "And Starla" She says: "And Sar-lah." I say: "What are the names of your fish again?" "Roger and Clio and Roger." On a related naming front, we were drawing pictures of pumpkins. I asked her to give me names for each as I drew them. "What's this one named?" "Yeah." "What's it's name?" "Yeah." "Come on, give the pumpkin name." "Bah-Lu-Lah." You can repeat the above 21 times. She and I sure did.

Bursting with Songs

Olivia loves to sing and she has quite a songbook. Her favorites:
  • Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
  • Happy Birthday
  • The ABC's
  • There's a Little Wheel Turning in My Heart
  • Old King Cole
  • The Cat Song*
She busts out with a tune when on the phone, when trying to flirt with folks, driving in the car, or when she's absentmindedly playing (sometimes humming the tunes). Sometimes she goes for a solo approach, and other times she insists that you join in.There's almost always time for a family sing-song jamboree. * The tune is "Do you Hear What I Hear," but the lyrics are slightly different: "Do you smell what I smell? A Cat, A Cat, A Stinky Smelly Cat With Too Many Claws and Sharp Teeth With Too Many Claws and Sharp Teeth." Alternatively, we can also sing it this way: "Do you smell what I smell? A Cat, A Cat, Scratching in Her Box With Too Many Claws and Sharp Teeth With Too Many Claws and Sharp Teeth."

Olivia: 2-year Doctor's visit

We were over a month late for this, because momma forgot the original appointment earlier this month! Olivia had her first doctor's visit in nearly two years involving ZERO CRYING. She was apprehensive about the doctor, but smiled at him a couple of times. (Her dislike of unfamiliar males is finally starting to wane a bit.) We prepared extensively by talking about him all week long, and about stethoscopes, and practicing looking in each other's eyes, ears and mouths. She's still talking about Dr. Usem: "I see Dotta Ewe-sum!" Weight: 29 lbs Height: 36.75 inches