Zoo

This weekend we went to the zoo with our very very good friends who also have a daughter Jilli's age. This was the first time we had ever been as a family of four, though we did go last February (when I was 18 months pregnant and thought labor was imminent after walking the incredibly hilly trails). In February when we asked Jilli what her favorite part of the zoo was she told us it was the zebra bus. Not the elephants or the otters or the snakes or anything, you know, animal-like, the zebra bus that we waited and waited to pick us up so the aforementioned labor would at least wait til we got home (it did, Rory was a week late.)

We opted to rent a double stroller so the big girls could ride in between mountainous hikes to the exhibits. The double stroller was the hit this time. The girls would hop out to see the animals and then race back to the stroller. Not surprisingly the zebra bus also rated highly as did snack time.

Luckily they helped us navigate. (I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the map, I'M THE MAP).

Rory hung out with some slower animals.

I don't really think its a great idea for the lions to be so thin that you can see their ribs, but hey, I still didn't stop my monkey from swinging.

The Rory Report- 7 months

Rory,
This is your first fall, little bear, and we are wasting no time introducing you to cool weather and pumpkins.

I wondered if I would have a crawler on my hands by now. You can cross a room in the blink of an eye on your tummy, and you can get up on your hands and knees, you just haven't put the two together yet. You rock back and forth like a mad woman but when you try to propel yourself forward you end up on your belly. You can sit up well on your own now too and that makes for fun pictures.

We snapped these today at our pumpkin carving extravaganza and I am so glad we got them. I guess we have less time to take thousands of shots than we did with your sister and I am often left thinking that we didn't capture you very well. But the ones here, this is you right now Rorybear, all sweet smiles and laughs.

You love to be thrown in the air. A few weeks ago you had your six month check up and you weighed 17 pounds 5 ounces. You are an excellent upper body workout when I throw and catch you a dozen times.

You have finally taken to eating with some excitement. This evening I was feeding you and Erin remarked on how loud you are. You were loving your apricots and telling me all about it. You also love to blow raspberries while eating, mostly when you have a mouth full of green beans or some other food I don't really want to wear. The first time you did it I used my best I-am-being-serious-voice and told you no. You thought I was hilarious.

You make me smile every day, Rory. I love you,

Mommy

Jilli Report - 35 months

Jilli,

I can not count how many people have warned me of 3. Apparently, the terrible twos are nothing compared to the (terrifying? tricky? troublesome?) threes. I don't think two has been terrible. It has been full of laughter and fun. Three might be more troublesome, but I think the reward will be greater. I think this because (maybe) we have glimpsed three over the past few weeks. You have been contrary and argumentative and trying at times. One day this past week I battled with you for two hours to get you to take a nap. You finally did but I don't think it was worth it. You woke up out of sorts and upset and it took another few hours to make you right again. But you did pop back to right...and the times when you are right so outnumber the trying spots. You played outside and ate dinner and took a bath and sweetly went to bed.


The trade off for your challenging moments are the times when you play perfectly with Rory, or the night where you hopped up at Moe's and danced to Pretty Woman, or the times that you make up words (churk?) and talk in 50 word sentences without stopping for a breath.

You told us stories this month. You told Daddy you were going to get a boat and paddle across the lake at your school to see Mr. Chris (who works with Daddy). The boat was green and you were going to live on it. You like to switch up the family roles. Sometimes you are the mommy and I am the daddy and when I ask you who Daddy is you say, "He's Jeff."



Halloween is next week and you can't wait. I mistakenly started talking to you about Halloween in mid-September and we rushed out to buy you a 'hostume' as soon as they were in the stores. You honed in on a (slightly obnoxious) pink unicorn. We brought her home and you have been planning to ride your unicorn ever since. Until this week. This week you decided you wanted to be a witch. I think I have convinced you to be a witch riding a unicorn, but we'll see. Today you and I went to the store and spent about $5 on materials and made you an awesome witch's hat. You helped put the stickers on and tonight after you went to bed I sewed you a cape. I can't wait to see you try it on. I was rehearsing your Halloween routine the other night. I asked you what you say when someone opens their door. "Trick or Treat!" That's right! Then, what? "Thank you" Then you asked me if we were going to see the rabbit. The rabbit? "You know, the rabbit that gives you candy." I explained that rabbit comes at Easter.


Life is extreme with you right now. You are energetic and exhausting at the same time. Salty and sweet. Hilarious and exasperating. I wouldn't trade any of it. Its all you.




I love you,

Mommy

Jumping for Joy

This video thing is addictive. Here is a brief shot of our happy little bear. I love love love her giggling and squeals. If you listen carefully you can hear Jilli laughing in the background.

Friday Night

Rory is an early to bed gal. Facing an evening without her sweet smile we sighed sadly and then broke out the dance party jive.

Part 1 documents Jilli's Wheels on the Bus skills, if for no other reason than to remind myself that when she could say only a few words she would hum along with the song and finish each line with a strong "Town!" That still has some resonance here. Part 2 showcases both Jilli's conducting prowess and some crazy new dance moves. Part 3 is notable for its Hop on Pop finish...

And yes, her pants are on inside out and backwards.

Beach Trip

All hail the three day weekend enjoyed by only federal employees and those who work at non-profits with generous holiday schedules. Columbus Day Weekend afforded us the chance to load up the car and travel to the beach. It is almost 3 hours from here, so its not a day trip to sneeze at. But it was most definitely worth it. We told Jilli we were going Saturday evening and she was beside herself. "I will build a sandcastle and the ocean will knock it down and I will put my toes in the water and we will pick up seashells!" (all one sentence, no stops for breathing.) We went with our wonderful wonderful friends (the ones that camped with us!) and we all arrived around 11. The wind was intense. I was worried it would be too much for the girls. But both Jilli and Hazel played and played in the sand. It was cool and gray and the water was raucous but Jilli ventured down a few times with Jeff or I and got her toes (and most everything under her chin) wet. She built sandcastles and picked up sea shells. Josh did an excellent job flying a yellow kite until an errant gale force wind blew it all the way down the beach. We all chuckled a bit seeing the handle bop down the beach....

Rory looked and listened. She loved putting her hands in the sand and raking it all towards her. She got one handful in her mouth before I caught her and was none to happy when I tried to get the sand out. I think the wind did agitate her a bit. She was tired by the time we left the beach and fell asleep quickly in the car.

We got takeout from a restaurant Jeff and I discovered in our pre-kids days and went to the local park where we watched a dog frisbee competition and played on the playground. Rory went in the baby swing for the very first time! She loved it.

We didn't head home until after 3, tired and sandy but with the peaceful feeling of a day well spent.

Jilli, Jilli, Quite Contrary

Almost every conversation with Jilli involves an argument these days. There are some that end in time outs and tears but others that are just silly. I was nursing Rory before bed and I could hear Jilli and Jeff debating the merits of the darkness outside. "Its NOT dark outside." (from Jilli, about 100 times). Jeff insisted it is, but I think Jilli may have won.

Maybe she is on track to follow in my lawyerly footsteps? She may have to refine her cross-examination techniques but she can wear me down these days. "Really, your shoes are on the right feet? Fine."

Just now Jilli came to tell me goodnight. I told her I had a great day with her and how much fun we are going to have on our trip to the beach tomorrow. Her response? "No, Its NOT going to be fun." Sigh.

I know this is a normal part of development. I know she will have a great day tomorrow, just like she did today. I know this phase will pass just as all the others have. In the meantime, maybe I should work on my trial skills with her. She's as tough a witness as I've ever had.

(This 2 year old would strike fear in the most hardened of trial lawyers....no?)

Pause

Its a little quieter and calmer around here lately. At some point a few weekends ago Jeff and I both looked at each other with a wearied sigh and vowed to stay at home more. And we have. We have ventured out for (another) birthday party (this one complete with a drum circle and African drums!) and work and school and errands. But we have also attempted to be at least a tad more homebound. It feels nice.

Rorybear responded to our embrace of home with her own desire to move forward. This weekend she mastered the commando crawl and a perfect hands and knees stance. She has not figured out how to move forward yet (on her knees) but it is coming, and soon.

Jilli has been alternately angry and hilarious, loving and rebellious, dependent and independent in the way that only almost 3 year olds can be. In what will be the first of many smarter-than-her-parents moments last week she described Ms. Kelly's music time. "She brought a bag of toys." Oh? What kind of toys? "A burweh" What? "You know, a borllr" Hmmm, what did it look like? "A DONKEY!" Right....Ms. Kelly also teaches Spanish and brought a burro....we need to catch up our romance languages pronto.

On my way home I saw the first sign of my favorite outdoor fall activity. A french fry trailer sat abandoned on the side of the highway. It took some measure of self restraint not to pull over and start frying up some potatoes, but I continued on. For another week or so we'll hang out here.