Growing like a weed

Maddie is growing so fast. In the fall I hit her size 8 and they are l fitting too snug now. Not only is her footing, but it's getting wider too. Thankfully her brothers Tony Lamas are the perfect fit. Love hand me downs!

P. S. Here is a picture if Maddie in her crib with all her buddies.

First day of MDO 2012

So it was the first day of school and the kids were all smiles this morning. Max couldn't get out of the door fast enough. Maddie just tagged along really. They were both really excited about their new backpacks. My sweet friend Andrea monogrammed them for the kids so that was extra special. I was a bundle of nerves because I had a feeling Maddie would have a hard time today. We loaded up in the Expedition and drove to school and kids watched Little Einsteins on the way.  Once they got unloaded Max said bye, Maddie had no idea what was happening but she went along with it and didn't even look back. All is well....?? I thought so.

Right before pick up Maddie's teacher called to let me know she had had a rough day, crying off and on throughout the day. It started when she wanted to sit by Max in his class line in the morning. She doesn't like to hear the word no, so I assume that set her off. Ms. Letty said sometimes she did not and throwing tantrums. She was so tired during lunch she almost fell asleep at the table. She was not happy when they changed her diaper either. They finally found her pacifier after she cried during nap time. My heart sunk when I got off the phone, I may have even cried. I felt terrible. Needless to say I was ready to pick her up. When I saw her, she looked okay, pacifier in her mouth. 

After we headed to Menchie's for a frozen yogurt treat. I know it will get better, but I am not looking forward to the in between phase. I know she is in good hands because they were Max's teachers. :( Lord give me strength. By the way, "Max had a great day, he was happy all day" - teacher note :) 1/2 isn't that bad I guess.

Totally 2!

It's hard for me to even get started talking about Maddie because she is literally all over the place. We refer to her as the instigator because she typically starts all  screaming, wrestling, and dangerous games. She loves playing with her brother and he does too, but sometimes he gets annoyed. She has just discovered dressing up. She's not into dresses, but she loves bracelets, hats, crowns, shoes and bangs. What a diva!! She likes to collect her treasures in her purses or bags. In the mornings she likes to take our her paci and give it to they bunny she sleeps with and then covers the bunny up. She tells the bunny "night, night". When she is tired or relaxed she loves to twirl her hair. The cutest is when she is with her daddy and they cuddle and he twirls one side and she twirls another. Priceless!

Maddie is very musical and memorizing songs easily. She often sings different songs, i.e., twinkle  twinkle little star, ring around the rosy, ABC's, I like to Move it, Ai se eu te pego, cowboy cumbia to name a few. :) She is potty training, and she's doing pretty well. We are still using pull ups and she tells me about 50% of the time. If she's having fun she won't go potty, but she's been a good sport. She is starting MDO next week, which I'm excited and nervous about. She still LOVES her paci, but we are trying to cut back. She loves to scream! Sometimes its funny, other times annoying, but SO Maddie.

Speaking so much!! Maddie says:

Sanga sanga li - When one of the kids has a booboo, I say the old Spanish song "Sana, sana". Maddie loves to touch my freckles, then she gets this concerned look on her face and rubs my face saying "sanga sanga li" MOST PRECIOUS THING EVER!!

When reading her bedtime story, if there is an animal on he page. She likes to get possessive of her pacifier or her bunny. "No tiger, it's my bunny not yours"
"Take a bite Max, you can do it" - trying to deflect attention away from herself at lunch

"Be nice Max, I sad" - This is her pleading with Max when they aren't being nice. It goes both ways

"I big gurl" - After going potty and wanting to act "big"

"Get outta here right now" - when she is "going" potty or just wants to be alone.

I don't know

I can do it

Help me

She enjoyed watching fish at a baby shower. We practiced saying "Hola pececitos"

Such a big girl in her car seat that she has almost outgrown

She loves accessorizing!

I caught a "terrible two" tantrum on camera. Sad moment, but I couldn't resist.

Aprés tantrum, she fell asleep waiting on lunch. Tired girl!

Max at 3.5

"Mom, that's enough!"

This is what my big boy tells me sometimes if I want to give him hugs and kisses. It's so funny to hear him say it and it does kind of make me happy, yet sad to think he is growing up. I guess because he is my oldest I think he is such a big boy. He is so smart and communicates well. He speaks in complete sentences and is practicing his Spanish more and more. He understands some simple instructions in Spanish too. I'm working on it. He has trouble always counting to ten with no mistakes, but when he is really focused, rather when I'm not asking he can do it. Same thing with colors, he can usually pick the right color when asked, but he has trouble recalling the name. He can write an M and recognizes his name. He prefers to be called Maxwell. He likes to shake her hand and say his version of "Hi, I'm Shawn Terral, nice to meet you." Poor guy might get confused with all these names!

He is long and lean. HE is really getting too big for a few things. I pulled out the johnny jump up for a friend and he wanted to try it. He looked so silly, but I let him have some fun. He loves talking about his muscles and he is excited that one day he'll be big and strong "like my daddy". :) He is still a pretty picky eater. He loves chicken, tilapia, mac n cheese, sandwiches, chips, apples, carrots & hummus, celery and chocolate kisses. He'll eat the tops off broccoli, but that's about it. I keep explaining how all the veggies will make him stronger, hope it gets easier!

He cut his own bangs!! I was right there too!! I was putting on my makeup in front of my mirror and he was next to me. He grabbed the scissors and went to town. By the time I looked up it was too late. He was pretty proud! Still looks cute though.

He is a great friend, he loves playing with friends at playdates and the gym. I've noticed him playing "kung fu" or "tag" with bigger boys and he can definitely hold his own. Kinda makes me proud, kinda makes me worry. I don't want him to get hurt, so I try to discourage it. He still has a hard time wanting to share, but I know he understands. He usually listens and makes the good choice. Him and his sister usually get into it pretty good when they fight over a toy.

Still loves his cars!

Maddie is 24 months

Maddie at one month

Maddie at 24 months

So my sweet girl turned two. Her big day was soured by the fact that she and Max got hand foot & mouth disease. Don't be alarmed, apparently its a quite common virus in kids. They have red sores around their mouth, hands and feet. This on top of some teething has made my sweet baby girl whiny, dramatic and sad. :( But I want to focus on how much she has grown and what an awesome little girl she is!

First of all she is big!! She weighs 31 lbs (91%) and she is 36.5 inches long (98%). As always Dr. Nguyen was impressed with her growth. She wears 2t and 7.5 shoe size. She is bigger than just about every other 2 year old. She has always been a great eater, but she has become more picky. She does love strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, broccoli, green beans and carrots. Of course she loves Chick Fil A, ice cream and candy. And she is not allergic to peanuts or has never had a bad reaction to it. (Getting Max re-tested at 4) I have been a bad mom and usually give in to sweets, but that's about to stop. These kids are running all over me!! She's always been a pretty good sleeper, but she's had some difficulty in the last week. I think she is getting to that point where she doesn't want to miss out on fun after she goes to bed.

And boy do these kids have fun! Max and Maddie are great playmates, they are usually rough with each other, but they make up quickly. They play pretend, Maddie likes to be the princess and Max is either the king or the dragon. Funny kids. Maddie loves to sing still. Her favorites are twinkle, twinkle little star, ABCs, ring around the Rosey, Elmo's World, maybe a little LMFAO and and anything from the movie Rio. She is really physical. She loves to run, jump, climb and explore. She loves to talk, alot of the time I hear her jabbering while she plays. I love how she say "Matts" for Max(and he calls her "Mayi"). She loves to say "I don't like it" or yucky while scrunching her nose if she doesn't like something. Prime example from tonight. "I don't like it night night." Great! She counts to 10, knows some colors and works the iPad better than most adults. She's such a sweet girl and loves to snuggle. She is still really attached to her pacifier. I'm a little worried and anxious about her starting MDO in the Fall, but I know she'll love it and will learn so much. I cannot believe 2 years have passed since she came into this world and we couldn't be happier. Love you Mayi!!

Sad Maddie

She was super excited!!

She wanted to eat all the sprinkles, kept calling them chocolate chips :)

Yes, she did!

CtR End of Year Program

Last night Max's school had their end of year program and we were so excited to see Max at school with his friends. We we dressed up for church, dropped in off in his class, then waited for them to make their entrance. Maddie did not want to sit still, but I didn't expect anything else (she actually didn't even want to wear her dress --kept saying "don't wike it!") The 4 year old class had their graduation, then they sang songs with the other students. Max was front in center when it was his turn singing "This Little Light of Mine" So sweet! He did a great job and looked so cute. When we came up to picture he kept waving and smiling. I love seeing him with his friends. He is so sweet and wants to tell them hello and play, but he is a little shy sometimes. After the program he joined us and we had cookies and lemonade in the courtyard. It was a great night, and yes I did get a little teary-eyed! To top it off his teachers sent his pre-school portfolio home. It was great to look back at how much he's grown and the fun he has had with new friends. We are looking forward to doing the same with Maddie next year. Shawn took a video also, I'll try to post that later too.

September 2011

May 2012

20 Months

So I took the kids to the daycare at the gym and they asked me how old Maddie was. I had to think, since I've been saying 18 months for a while. That means less than 4 months until the big 2, crazy! Well here are some pictures of my little busy bee. Last night we were reading a book before bed and she was adamant that she wanted a new book. So I let her pick one and she picked her favorite monkey book. She went right to sleep --thank God she is such a great sleeper. She loves to repeat, mimic and talk to get her point across. She even says some phrases : I want that, Max crying, all done, I'm sorry, down, bath, yogurt, chicken, apple, milk, cookie, candy, shoe, teeth, Tyson, dog, cow, bunny, kitty, bike, color, water, bath, etc. She doesn't like wearing pony tails or bows much, but she doesn't mind necklaces, bracelets, sunglasses or hats. She loves to put on a hat and say "Hee-Haw". She is very independent and stubborn. She likes to try new things even if mommy isn't ready for it. She loves to pick her foods and has become a pickier eater lately. If she sees candy and doesn't get it, she goes ballistic, literally. She can throw one heck of a tantrum!! Lucky for her the cuteness and sweetness overshadows the bad. Maddie is such a blessing and we are so thankful to have her in our lives.

I love to accessorize!

I love to run and play!

I love queso

I love hats!

I love to play!

I love chapstick!

8 months!

You would think that being a staying at home would make me a better blogger, but no. My life isn't structured anymore. That's why this post is a little late. My baby is 8 months now!!! Some of the things he is doing:

• wearing size 3 diapers
• feeding himself finger foods
• drinks from a sippy cup
  
• fast crawler
  
• crusing along his toys and furniture - occasional falls or even almost falls scare him
• separation anxiety, although I think he has always had this!
• his hair is getting thicker on top. It has a reddish tint in the sun
• super sensitive skin, mosquito bites well up really bad
  
• lovin' his pacifier still
• drinking about 4 bottles a day
• loves Tyson, always follows and giggles with him
• tries to eat dog food
• plays with doggy door
• enjoys being in his walker
• enjoyed his first visit to a park