May, June, and July 2009

To be sure, late spring and early summer had their fair share of ups and downs. On the up side, we had a lot of visitors: my dad, my mom and stepdad, and M’s parents and grandmother. The kids got smarter and smarter and funnier and more independent. Rebecca gave up her pacifier with almost zero drama. We had playdates with friends and fun in the sun.

We also had what felt like six straight weeks of 63 degrees and raining. Major cabin fever in the middle of June and early July. Limited options for outings since everything was mobbed. Stir-crazy and cranky toddlers. It certainly wasn’t the easiest phase we’ve had to deal with.

Year Two had a lot of ups and downs. Yes, the challenges have been substantial and exhausting. But the flip side of it is that they are so much more fun and interactive and clever and interesting. Maddening, too, but also so much fun. What a year.

I’m telling you, Spring could not come soon enough. Unfortunately, it also brought a really rough developmental patch and a few more viruses, for good measure.  Ah well, at least it was warm enough to go outside some of the time.

March 2009

March was ups and downs. Lots of illnesses, snow and rain keeping us indoors, general toddler (and mommy) crankiness. We tried to make the most of it, but didn’t always succeed. Blech. But it also included some big milestones: first (real) haircuts, saying goodbye to high chairs, and a much-needed return to the playground.

February was not pretty. The most notable feature was a positively hellacious trip to Florida in which both kids got ear infections and were generally sick and ill-tempered the whole time. Blech.  Yet somehow, in the midst of all that, I got bit by the baby bug and started to contemplate child no. 3.  (Still under discussion, no decisions made.)  On the plus side, we started our new gymnastics class and it even got warm enough to melt some of the snow. Ah, 18 months, I don’t really miss you.

The new year brought cold, cold weather and more snow. A first trip to the Aquarium. A new music class. An ill-fated Inaugural adventure (just me). A dislike of barrettes (Rebecca). Lots more words (Daniel). And the end of our slow transition to a single nap.

December 2008

Most of December was spent in Chicago, where my family took care of us after I had foot surgery.  It was lovely to see everyone and we had much fun at the holidays, but it certainly wore on us to be away from home for so long.  Though the kids did make a new best friend in my mom’s dog, Beau (Bo-Bo! Bo-Bo!).  Once Christmas was over and my foot was healed enough to wear a normal shoe again, we were glad to get home.

November 2008

Weather turned colder. Kiddos got more fun and more trying. Bumps and bruises all around, temper tantrums galore.  Adorable antics, new words. Playing and giggling together.  Oh, and Daniel got his first haircut, and I turned 30.

We went through a cranky phase at 14 months, as is to be expected.  Words and signs attempting to sprout, walking but not quite steady, and general toddler developmental stuff.  Daniel joined the club of new walkers, though it took him a little longer to make that shift from a step here and there to full-time walking.  But we had good fun outside, a great visit from my dad & stepmom, and, of course, their first Halloween costumes.

September was another big leap into toddlerhood.  We went cold turkey on the switch from bottles to sippy cups, we started new bigger-kid classes and activities, began the transition from two naps to one, and Rebecca went from zero to walking in about three days.

August 2008

The standout memory of last August was our trip to Virginia with good friends.  Rental house on the beach, yes please!  We even got to meet the most-awesome Cheryl and her kids.

Kiddos were active and funny, but not yet walking and talking.  We made the switch off of formula, and were on the final days of bottles.  Babies, no longer!  Man, it simultaneously feels like it was yesterday, and it was a million years ago. Time is a funny thing, isn’t it?