Schoolhouse Rocks!

Belle
It's been so hot lately that I've been spending a lot of time indoors. Needless to say, I'm feeling a little cooped up. I've been itching to get out so much that today I asked if we could go see Elmo! Daddy laughed at me. So I asked if we could go to church. Of course, we missed church this morning because Lilly and me are sick. Actually Mommy is too. We're pretty sure we got a disease (virus) from the swimming pool last week. It's called hand,foot and mouth disease. We all have snotty noses, sore throats and blisters in our mouth. And we're tired! So we've been hanging out all weekend. One thing I like to do when I hang out is watch videos. One of my favorites is Conjunction Junction, Junction, Junction on Schoolhouse Rocks! I also like Lolly, Lolly Lolly's. It's fun to sing along too. Mommy says I should enjoy my time at home because before too long I start pre-school. Two mornings a week, I'll be attending Growing Place at Christ Church on Quarrier Street. It's a lot of change so Daddy is taking me to orientation this week so I can see my classroom and meet my teacher.

Belle well-visit update: She weighs 30 lbs. 2 oz. and is 37 1/2 inches tall.

Lilly
Boy, being sick is for the birds. I can't breath out of my nose, which makes it difficult to eat, sleep, or well, do anything. It's been a rough couple of days with this virus. Daddy has been nice enough to keep me company at night when I can't sleep and I'm just out of sorts.
I'm still having fun playing with Belle, though. Yesterday, we were playing in her room with our Noah the Arc animals and she pulled out her Playschool doctor's set. So I decided I wanted to play with that too. But she didn't want me to play with it so she took all the instruments and ran to the other side of the room. Now that I've mastered crawling on my knees I was on her like a fly on honey in no time. She seems to get annoyed with me a lot and sometimes she tells me to "Go in the other room." But Mommy tells her to be nice and share so I got to play doctor afterall.

Lilly well-visit update: 19 lbs. 2 oz. 29 1/2 inches long. Still only two bottom teeth.

Standing strong

It's nothing for me to pull myself up to a standing position now. I can scoot/crawl along the floor at a pretty quick speed when I have a purpose and destination, like trying to catch Mommy as she heads out the door in the mornings. It won't be long before I'm able to stand without holding on to furniture and then walking and keeping up with Belle (my ultimate goal.) Belle and I are having such a good time these days. I love to laugh at her and watch movies. I especially like to flap my arms to the music. Sometimes, though, Belle still gets annoyed with me and tells me no or "Go in the other room." It's nice when she bursts into my room in the mornings to greet me or when she hands me puffs at dinner because Daddy doesn't get them to me fast enough. We're playing together pretty well. We have the occasional fight over a favorite toy or book and sometimes it ends badly (like pages ripped out of books). For the most part, though, Belle and I are becoming best friends.

Hot days

Boy has it been hot outside! It's frustrating for me because Granny, Daddy and Mommy won't let me go outside to play. I keep hearing them talk about a heat index and say it's dangerous. All I know is it's sunny and there are things to do outside. Mommy took us on walks in the evenings early in the week, but even then it was pretty warm outside. We had to drink a lot of water when we came inside. I'm pretty frustrated just hanging out inside all day, every day. So to change things up a bit, Mommy took us to Granny's on Thursday to play there. We spent a good bit of time at Granny & Pawpaw's last weekend since Granddaddy was in from Florida for a visit. When we visit Granny and Pawpaw, I like to play in the windowsill.

ABC's

Mice, bats and bears, oh my!

Belle

We just returned from a week-long vacation with Grandma & Grandpa Bott and Aunt Sara. We had a wonderful time at Watoga State Park. I enjoyed the many animals we saw -- some more closely than Mommy would have liked. A field mouse visited our kitchen in the rustic cabin every night; a small black bear walked behind our cabin one afternoon and Grandma discovered a bat flying around in the living room one night during the end of our week. (She had to sleep with the light on so it would buzz around all night!) We had many great adventures including swimming in Watoga's chilly pool. I didn't mind after a while. I enjoyed swimming with my new life vest that Grandpa bought for me. I had a great time getting wet all week -- including playing in the river at Cass Scenic Railroad. With Mommy's help, I also caught six fish on our last night in the park. We fished for bluegills on the backside of the lake, which was very near our cabin. On the way back to the cabin (we decided to leave early since we had already embarassed Grandpa, Aunt Sara and Daddy with our fine fishing skills!), we saw three deer! We had a such a great time that I've been telling everyone about all the animals since we returned!

Lilly

Whew! What an exhausting week. I didn't sleep very well, which is to say that no one slept very well last week -- since we were, afterall, staying in tight quarters. Belle sure did enjoy running around in the woods all week! She loved playing with the rocks and sticks and looking at all the animals. I, however, was less than impressed with the woods or with fishing. I didn't enjoy fishing at the lake on the first night so Grandma stayed home with me the second time everyone went fishing. What I did enjoy this week was riding on Daddy's back in this great new toy. I got so slap Daddy's head and had a great view of everyone. After the inital shock of the cold water in the pool, I also enjoyed swimming. The exciting news for me this week was I pulled myself up for the first time -- while playing in the living room of our cabin. Now I try every chance I get!

Sisterly love

Belle and I have been playing a lot more. She calls me her "little baby sister" now. While we're getting along pretty well, Belle isn't always very nice. She still doesn't share very well. Sometimes, when I'm playing with Elmo she comes up and takes him from me. All in all, though, we're becoming pretty good friends.

I'm learning more each day. Although I haven't mastered crawling, I am trying to pull myself up to a standing position. I just want to be able to keep up with Belle and play with all the cool stuff that she has. Mommy said we didn't have a box for me to play in (like Belle did when she was a baby) so we compromised and I got to hang out in the laundry basket. Daddy even pushed me around in it for a bit.

I'm getting so big and learning so much -- like learning to stand up -- that Daddy had to lower my crib to the lowest setting. Since they did that, I was able to reach the cord to the air conditioner, so Daddy had to move my bed. Then Mommy decided to take the bumper out too. It was all too much change for me. I was not happy with it and I let them know by crying for three hours Saturday night. Between me being upset and Belle having her issues, Daddy and Mommy only slept for a few hours Saturday. So Mommy decided to give me my bumper back and all is right with the world again!

Crawling

Learning to read (sort of)

I have a new favorite book, "Snug House, Bug House." I help Mommy read it, as you can see in the video.

Fun at FestivALL

Belle

Today, downtown Charleston turned into a work of art. Mommy and Daddy took us downtown to watch clowns and belly dancers. I jumped briefly on an inflatable obstacle course. I held onto my orange balloon for about 30 seconds before it floated away in the air, much to my dismay. It sure was fun. We enjoyed listening to a local band at Davis Park and I even danced some before I realized Daddy was filming me. We were in awe of the really tall man walking around. He was pretty funny.

To learn more about FestivALL ( and see an interactive map that Mommy's friend, M.K., designed) visit http://media.cnpapers.com/festivall/

Becoming friends

Belle

Lilly and I are quickly becoming friends. We laugh together. Sometimes I share toys with her. We swim together in our new swimming pool that Aunt KaKa gave us. And occasionally, I'll keep her company while she plays in her playpen. She sometimes gets upset that she's cooped up in the playpen and I can run around. I overheard Daddy telling her it was time to get mobile. It sure will be fun when we can chase each other around the house. For now, Granny helps Lilly chase after me.

Lilly

I had a break-through with Mommy and Daddy yesterday at dinner. They finally are starting to understand that I'm trying to communicate with them when I babble -- that I'm not just trying to overpower Belle's screams. Mommy realized I was signing "please" at dinner the other night -- trying to get Daddy to give me some more puffs. I kept signing and was rewarded each time with a delicious puff. I said delicious, because that's what Belle says when food is good. She says, "This pizza is delicious," or "This grape is delicious."

It's been so hot lately. We sure had fun playing in our new swimming pool. It's like a mini-water amusement park -- right in our back yard.

Hot days!

It's been so hot lately that Mommy and Daddy took us swimming on Friday. We visited the Wave Pool in Hurricane. It was so exciting to see this big area of water! I could hardly contain myself. I just jumped right in and headed full force into the water. Mommy tried to explain to me that the water gets deeper and would go over my head, but I didn't care. Water went into my mouth a few times, but it only distracted me shortly. Daddy stayed with me in the deep end for a while, while Mommy played with Lilly near the shallow end. I was not a happy camper when we had to leave because the pool was closing.

On Sunday, Mommy and Daddy tried to take us on a walk along the Boulevard, which one half is closed on Sundays for families to walk, ride bikes, etc. As soon as I saw the river, I was excited. I thought we were going swimming. I tried to head straight over the hill to the water, but Mommy wouldn't let me. So we came home and played in our water tower and Elmo sprinkler instead.

Our new swing set!

It took Grandpa, Daddy, Aunt Sara, Grandma and Pawpaw all helping (but mostly Grandpa and Daddy) and two days to assemble but we finally have a new swing set. (and of course, I had to get in the mix and help Grandpa too).) Mommy wasn't sure about getting a swing set for big kids, but I showed her I'm old enough to handle this fun toy. I easily climbed the rock wall and flew down the slide. Whee! It's so much fun. Aunt Sara pushed me on the glider. Tomorrow, we're adding a swing for Lilly. She had fun watching me play on it today!

That's some good chin

When I get around Mommy, I just can't resist. I love the taste of her chin. We had a busy weekend around here. Lots of folks visiting us.... Belle had a party. I got a present from Aunt KaKa too, though. We each got a stuffed kitty. Grandma says those are the best pets because they're easy to take care of. In Belle's entry you can learn more about our weekend and her(our) new toy.

It's Nemo('s cousin)

I turned 2 today. To celebrate my special day, Mommy and Daddy gave me a special friend -- Nemo. It's not exactly Nemo, but he is orange and white. I was so excited to see my new fish friend that I squealed and shook with joy! He has a special glass home and lives on the mantle in the living room now. I tried to play with him, but Mommy kept telling me, "don't touch." She said I could hurt him if I tried to grab him. So once a day I'll get to help feed him.

I'm 2!

I turn two today. Mommy said she's can't believe how big I'm getting. Each day is a new adventure. Today, we went to Granny's house to hang out. I realized it shortly after we reached Institute and started asking for Granny. And then Mommy told me we were going to see Granny. So I replied, "Okay, we'll go see Granny." Later, I told Granny I didn't like pears. Besides my conversation skills, here are some other skills I'm working on. (Note from Mommy: Belle knows the "northern version" of Pattycake that ends with "roll it, pat it, mark it with a B for Belle and me."

Growing up

Lilly

I'm not too fond of this getting older stufff. I mean Mommy and Daddy seem to really be pushing for me to "grow up." I had an accident in the bumbo chair so now I have to sit in the high chair. I really don't like it and I let them know about it. One thing I do like about growing up and getting bigger -- I finally get to turn my seat around in the car too. Now I can see all the things that Belle sees when we travel in the car. I was happy as a jaybird on the way home from Granny and Pawpaw's Saturday.

Belle

Lilly and I are both growing up -- too fast Mommy says. I'll turn 2 on Thursday. They keep telling me I'm going to have a birthday party. I'm not sure what that means but we're working on saying "Happy Birthday" and "I'm two." One other task Mommy and Daddy are trying to train me in is going to the potty. They say I understand just fine how it works I just need to go. I know you go "pee-pee and poo-poo" or "wee-wee and woo-woo" on the potty. I'll even sit and read a book on the potty, but I just don't feel like using the potty yet.

One area that Lilly and I are both struggling is in sharing toys. She wants to play with all of my toys now. And I don't like her to play with them. I often get in trouble for taking them away. Yesterday, though, we did share a bit and colored in my new Dora coloring book together.

First surgery

It isn't the most flattering picture, but we wanted everyone to see the results of my first surgery today. Mommy said I was a brave girl. It sure was a long wait to see the doctor. I waited for nearly 4 hours. I couldn't eat or drink and I was getting upset about it. Then Mommy took me back to a bright room with a bunch of nurses. They had already asked me if I like bubblegum, cherry or strawberry for the scent of my mask. I chose strawberry because I really like them. Even that wasn't enough to keep me calm though. I cried and it took longer for the medicine to put me under. Dr. Taraji said I had "pimple" on all four lids. He had to clean them all out. They water a lot now. He also told Mommy and Daddy that I have to go back to the dermatologist to figure out what's causing these pimples so they don't come back or I could have to have this surgery again. We definitely don't want to do that!

High Maintenance

We're not spoiled. We're just high maintenance. That's us -- HMGs (high maintenance girls). Granny found us these matching cute onesies. We're doing pretty well. My eyes (Belle) are still giving me trouble. I have to have surgery on Tuesday to alleviate the swelling on my eyelid. Mommy said she's upset that they will have to put me to sleep, but she wants my eyes to get better. This has gone on for too long, she says.

Lilly sits up well now and laughs a lot. She likes to grab at me. I don't like her to touch me. I only give her a kiss goodnight and say, "night, night, lilly." We're looking forward to playing this weekend -- since Mommy and Daddy both have the day off on Monday now. Yeah!

First movie

Belle

Today was an exciting day. I saw my first movie in a theater. Mommy and Daddy took a chance and let me go see Shrek the Third. We ate popcorn and Raisinettes and drank some Icee, which I got on my shirt. I was so excited when the kitty came on the screen that I yelled Meoow for the whole audience to hear. It was pretty neat, but after about an hour I wanted to run up to the front of the theater. So we didn't get to see the ending. Daddy says we'll have to wait for it to come out on video.

Sitting on my own!

Finally! I can sit on my own for a good 30 seconds at a time. I do better, however, when I'm distracted by a toy or watching Belle get into trouble. I still would prefer to be cuddled or just hang out on the floor where I can roll around easily or learn how to crawl.

We had such a nice visit with Grandma Bott last weekend. It was pretty outside so she took us for a wagon ride. Since it was so sunny, Mommy made me wear this hat so I wouldn't get sunburned. I didn't care to wear it, but every time I took it off she just put it right back on my head.