Independence

Our newest challenge, it seems, is trying to get Grace dressed. She has partially figured out how to do this herself, so is not at all interested in letting someone else do it for her. Yesterday morning, as I was folding clothes, I found her with a pair of undergarments around her neck, socks on her hands, and a pair of pants pulled up her arms. Hilarious yes, but not so much when I told her it was time to take them all off. The first time she got a pair of pants on (correctly, that is, on her legs), I was so excited for her,and she was so proud. Here is a video of her attempts prior to the success that night:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Missbutterfly710#p/u/4/h88lXE_CWb0

Toddlerdom sure has its ups and downs. I have learned there is no such thing as a task done quickly. Grace insists on taking her time to accomplish many things on her own. It's a battle that I choose not to fight most often, because I want her to be independent and do things on her own. Sometimes it would be nice to quickly put our shoes and jackets on and get out the door, but there really is no lesson in that. Watching her learn that she really can be successful at many things on her own is much more important and entertaining!

Some of grace's current favorite independent activities include:
Putting clothes on
Taking clothes off
Finding and watching podcasts on her "bipa" (ipod)
Walking up and down stairs
Putting dishes away (tupperware is her job!)
Putting things/toys away

Birds and Beasts

Monday was Grace's last day of the Bird session at Little Gym. She has graduated to a Beast, and her new classes will start next Wednesday. We first went to Little Gym when Grace was about 6 months old for a trial class. It seemed like fun, and a great opportunity for socialization. But, I just felt she was still so little and really wouldn't get as much out of the classes than if we waited awhile. As she got older, we realized what an incredibly limber, flexible and potentially athletic little build she has. I decided to revisit Little Gym and see how she responded, and she loved it. So, here we are at the end of our first semester. Grace can now confidently walk across a low beam unassisted, do front and back rolls with some assistance, walk the high beam with some assistance (though she doesn't want it!), swing from the bars, climb up and down stairs unaided, jump on the bouncing boards, walk sideways and backwards, stand on a low bar while holding on to the high bar on the uneven bars, and much much more. She especially loves the activities that involve heights, which is great for building her confidence and problem-solving skills. She likes to maneuver through obstacle courses, especially when there are spaces between mats and she has to figure out the best way to get through or over the gaps. It is so fun to watch her thought processing and all of her many successes! Grace loves her teacher Miss Shannon and also enjoys circle time. She also has a couple friends that she tends to be more friendly with than others, and she adores singing the goodbye birdies song at the end of every class then getting stamps on her hands and feet. She will have to learn a new beast song next week, for sure! Here are some pictures from her final day as a bird.

Marathons and Musicals

It's Sunday night, I'm parked solo on the couch with Grace asleep. I figured it is the perfect time to check in.

Kevin is in California, and I am so excited to report that he finished his first marathon today! What a huge accomplishment, I am so proud of him. He has been so dedicated to his training schedule, and that alone is something to celebrate. What a lot of hard work and dedication he has put in over the last few months! I was bummed not to be there to cheer for and congratulate him in person, but still so excited for him. We have already registered for the Disney races in September - he will be running the half marathon, and I will be doing the 5k (I figure that is a feasible goal 6 months after having a baby.....probably could be a little more ambitious and shoot for the half, but it just sounds like a bit much....of course I say that now with a big ol' belly and absolutely no energy! We'll see.) It will be Baby's first trip to Disneyland, and our first adventure traveling that far as a family of 4!

Grace and I have had a fun girls weekend. Yesterday morning we met Katie and Keza at the Tacoma Philharmonic Concert for Kids. It was a blast, and I am looking forward to going back. The girls had such a fun time! Then we had naps and spent the afternoon playing, eating together and getting ready for bed together. Those girls are so hilarious, it has been fun to watch them together since Day 1. In fact, I remember Katie all cuddled up on the couch with Grace just days before Keza was born. I like to think the girls were bonding even then :)
Looking forward to a busy week - Little Gym, separate lunch dates with both Great Grandmas, hair appointment, MOPS, volunteering at Great Grandma June's, Kidsquest Museum with Grace's buddy Ryder (and my dear buddy Melissa), and a doctor appointment. Sometime in there I'd like to try to catch my breath!!