Tuesday, January 1, 2013

21 Months

Last Friday, our little Bug turned 21 months. I feel like a lot has happened, so here we go.

Blair now has 3 of her 4 "i" teeth and we are glad about that (they are not particularly fun teeth to cut)! She is now wearing size 6 diapers (and 2T/3T pull-ups - more about that later!) and size 3T and 4T clothes. She still seems to be getting longer and thinning out. In Stride Rite, her new shoe size is an 8M! Busy, growing girl.

Blair's hair is really getting longer, and curlier! It is still a soft shade of brown (the exact shade of Travis') and her eyes are blue-gray.

As far as eating goes, not much new to report. I continue to try and find new, interesting (or super basic) foods that she will eat. Today, I witnessed her ingest macaroni and cheese. It was a happy day. I started to give her those PediaSure "Sidekicks" which is basically a shake with fiber and protein to help supplement her nutrient intake. I didn't feel that she needed the kind to gain weight, but thought some extra vitamins wouldn't hurt.

Recently, Blair showed us that she can count to 10. Sometimes she goes past 10, but the numbers start to get transposed and repetitive after about 12 or 13. She is really silly when she sings songs - since she cannot speak and enunciate as quickly as those of us that have been speaking forever, she sings the parts she can belt out long notes for (the musical numbers in The Muppets are particularly good for this). Blair has her Mommy and Daddy's love for music and her delight for cutting a rug and being silly is something both Trav and I deeply appreciate. We love her silliness and dance parties are a frequent occurrence in the Wright home.

In addition to loving on her babies, Blair also enjoys: reading bible stories (most notably the stories about Noah and the Ark and Jonah and the big fish), playing with her pretend kitchen / food, stickers, play-doh, riding in her wagon (or going on a walk), watching The Muppets and Finding Nemo, doing puzzles and having dance parties. It is never dull in our home!

Over the past 2 months, I have kept an eye on Blair, watching for cues as to when she would be interested in beginning potty training. I had bought Blair one of those little Fisher Price potties that sit on the ground, play songs, light up - the whole nine. We practiced sitting down and getting comfortable with the idea. No pressure. In the last week (while being off from work), Blair had begun telling me more and more frequently that her diaper was wet, or when she needed to be changed. Because she seemed so aware of the process, I was puzzled as to why she wouldn't use her potty. Then, the other day, I sat her on the regular toilet with a small potty seat (that sits on top of the seat) and she used the potty. No joke, like it was nothing. And in case you didn't see my other post from this day - she did BOTH. Over the past few days, she uses the potty (although doesn't always keep a dry pull-up) but she is getting more comfortable and familiar. I bought her some "big girl" panties, but her interest in those is pretty non-existent, so we'll deal with those later. For now, I am just trying to keep the whole process the same (sit, wipe, flush, wash hands, get a treat) and consistent and very positive. Her positive reinforcement is 4 mini M&Ms. And it works!

Here are some sweet pictures of my skinny-mini!

 
Little Bit's hair is now long enough for pigtails. I am in heaven.


Princess B with her Belle doll
 
 
Christmas toes! First time to get her toes painted! :)


Hanging out with Walter

 
Working on her "Grinch" float


Lunch date with Hudson
 
 
Showing me her new Big Bird!

 
Getting some help from Daddy
 
Blair has been so much fun to watch grow and become her own person. She is such a sweet little girl and is so smart and intuitive. We are insanely in love with this little person! 
 
 

Happy New Years! 2013

Another year come and gone. So much has changed for us / our family this year.
We've been through some struggles and some triumphs, been separated by half the world, and grown deeper in love.
 
2012 was a year of revelations for me. I've learned a lot this year, a lot about myself and a lot about others. I'm ready to put this book away and start a new, fresh chapter.
 
2013. Bring it.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

For Blair's memory book

Pottied in the "big" girl potty (both. Like it was nothing.).

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Some horsey love

We celebrated Christmas with Gramma Ancy and Granpa Robert today. Blair LOVES Hank (Nancy's horse) and had a blast feeding him today!!















Saturday, December 22, 2012

New tricycle!

Gammy and GranDad got Blair a big girl tricycle! How big does she look????





























Thursday, December 20, 2012

10!

Blair counted to 10 ALL BY HERSELF tonight!!

Princess Blair

Blair received an adorable Belle doll (from Disney's Beauty and the Beast) and matching dress from Uncle Mark and Aunt Sara. Blair loved it and we couldn't open the package fast enough! She loves her babies and loves to dress up!












Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Santa 2012.

Despite constantly pointing out Santa (both prior and post Santa visit), Blair was not a fan. Which led to an impromptu Mom & B picture. Better luck next year!



Saturday, December 8, 2012

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Thanksgiving and a 20 month Bug

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had – with so much to be grateful for! Things weren’t the same this year without my Dad, but I am glad that we got to do a Thanksgiving with him before he left the States.

This year, we celebrated on Thursday with Travis’ mother and family in Hempstead.  We arrived as the Texans were going into OT (their second in about 4 days) and the last minute touches were put on the Thanksgiving lunch. Blair did awesome. She ate up the attention, didn’t throw any fits and got to meet Gramma Ancy’s new horse, Hank. Hank loved Blair and she was fearless feeding him hay. She is an animal lover – through and through – just like her Aunt Loren.  She ran and played and loved on her family. Such a sweet, sweet girl. To our surprise, she stayed awake the whole way home, then after her milk and stories – she crashed!
Friday was spent at Travis’ Dad’s house. We had a wonderful late breakfast and spent the afternoon napping (me and Blair!), swinging, watching football and visiting. It was cozy and wonderful!
To finish out the family celebrating, we had my family over on Saturday. We did a more non-traditional Thanksgiving with pizza and wings – but had a great time (and missed Conner and my Dad!). Uncle Chris got a big kick out of watching the busy girls run around and act so “big.”
We are so unbelievably thankful for all of the blessings in our life – and those to come.
So, 20 months. Life with a 20 month old is hysterical / tiring / goofy / fun. That little bear wears me out – but she is so much fun. Watching her little personality develop is so interesting. She is so feisty – but undeniably sweet. She is going through this stage where she grabs and hugs the back of your legs / knees. It is that much sweeter when she is saying, “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!” My life = complete.

We recently bought Blair a little person table. She had begun to really dislike her high chair and since she sits a little table (to eat) at school, I figured it was time. She usually has Walter or a baby sitting in the other seat. The first night we got the table, she ate her whole dinner at the table. It’s been a week and she hasn’t sat through a complete meal since. If I can just keep her off of the top of the table and from standing on chairs, I think we’ll figure the rest out.
Her favorite things to do these days are to cook in her kitchen (FOOD!), watch the Mummets, brush her teeth, receive a sticker (or multiple if you are handing them out), read books (still working books other than picture / sight words), play outside (see: swing) and go on walks, going “bye-bye” (as long as the trip isn’t too far), any kind of sensory play, playing with Raleigh and attempting to catch Kingsley.
She heavily dislikes bedtime (I think her school buds can sympathize), being redirected, her high chair, and of course being told no. This is usually meant with a mischievious grin and another attempt.
We are still struggling with eating (or there lack of). Everything is hit or miss and what may be her favorite one week – is refused the next. Her teacher says that she eats most of the school’s lunches, which I think I can solely thank her classmates. At least she still drinks whole milk. I think that helps keep a little weight on her. She does like applesauce / pureed fruit pouches, Greek yogurt, crackers, pancakes and chicken nuggets.
I have to apologize for my lack of taking pictures. It seems the only ones I get these days are of the quick, iphone variety – but I have to remind myself: I am MAKING memories – and that is important part. Being 100% present & in the moment is more important than getting that perfect shot.
I read the most HONEST blog today about a mother and her  the truth about motherhood. I have felt her pain, cried her tears, laughed and celebrated with joy - the small “wins” in life. It is the best job in the whole world and one that will bring you to your knees more than you ever expected. Now if Obama could just get Mothers on the payroll…
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Our tree is up and decorated, most of the gifts purchased (still waiting to be wrapped) and it is 80°. Ahhhh, only in Houston!



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Pictures!

Just some pictures of Blair!

Excited to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family!