A pleasant duet?

Vanessa and her cousin Audrey enjoyed performing together yesterday:

Spring Fever

We're definitely feeling the fever! Yesterday was perfect for cleaning out flower beds, and Vanessa was able to enjoy being outside. We were outside for almost two hours, and Vanessa would've stayed out but didn't really fight coming in. She actually got to a point where she insisted on taking off her jacket and was running around in short sleeves. She'd cover her arms every so often, forgetting we were watching, but remembering shortly after putting herself in a crossed-arm stance that we knew she was cold.

(Gardening is rewarding!--see before and after pictures below. :) And it's great exercise! I was able to do the front beds last week while Vanessa napped, which worked out well since the front isn't gated!)

This was actually taken near the end of our time outside. Vanessa likes to order us to sit down in that chair. She then taps the table in whatever beat:

She tried to help clean out the beds but thought it was pebble rock we were after. She apparently has an opinion on the pebble rock surrounding a stepping stone:

Vanessa enjoyed sitting in the swing, but had no interest in feeling the funny sensation you sometimes get in the pit of your stomach. Every so often she tenses up when swinging. It's interesting that it sometimes gets as intense as it seemingly does for her.

(Adam put the swings back out last Wednesday or Thursday. Vanessa noticed soon after her nap that day. She melted down when she learned that we couldn't go out right at that moment. It seemed like child abuse from the crying tantrum she threw. It was a good lesson in patience and extra incentive for us to keep her out as long as she wanted last night.)

Vanessa scored a climber from her greats Uncle Leonard and Aunt Tammy. It was very thoughtful of them to share! Vanessa's friend Daniel has one just like it and she loves to play on his with him. They're learning to take turns. So now Vanessa has her own that she'll need to learn to share:

Boisterous Brood

We were able to help out by having Vanessa's cousins Rachel, Joel and Luke over for the afternoon. I can't get over how well-behaved they were! Once again I asked their mom if she bribed them. She answered that she hadn't! So anyway, our day was extra exciting. Both girls enjoyed the extra company.

Vanessa just had to be on Rachel. Rachel giving up:

Luke and Vanessa watching Rachel play window games with her Uncle Adam:

Rachel addressing envelopes for a chance to win tickets for Thomas & Friends Live (I figured we had to try for the little ones!):

Joel practicing handwriting (And he's quite good at it!):

Rachel also did school work and made felt bunny puppets with Joel. Lilly slept a lot and Vanessa and Luke moved from thing to thing!

So . . .

*The title is dedicated to Grandma. ;->

Vanessa had an overnight at Grandma and Grandpa's a couple weeks ago. She apparently gave an exhausting performance . . . Vanessa has been waking in the middle of the night recently, as most her age might. She requires a little reassurance but usually goes back to sleep. Unfortunately Grandma and Grandpa were given a special treat by experiencing one of her first nights in this stage.

As Vanessa becomes more familiar with her environment and develops independence, she'll begin to understand her special connection to warm and loving grandparents. She's obviously very fond of them already. And how could she not be when her time with them is so fun and exciting?! They're great at letting Vanessa be the wild little person that she is!

Vanessa calls this picture "Meeeooowww . . .":

Grandma said that Vanessa had to wear Cousin Celia's Snoopy pants overtop her sleeper. Apparently the hat and jacket were nice accessories:

"Grandma and Grandpa, you are special.

Your love knows no bounds.

A room takes on a special warmth whenever you're around.

You think I'm cute and talented and maybe, even wise.

But I know that's because all grandparents see through loving eyes.

Every day with you is precious.

I'm so grateful for the time.

Of all the grandparents in the world

I'm thankful that you're mine. "

~Author Unknown

Spring Shoot

Today was a great day for pictures!

Amusement

Those who know me best know my passion for children and child development. Every child develops at their own unique pace. I sometimes imagine how different our future child or children might be from Vanessa (assuming we are to be blessed with more.) Perhaps the next will be laid back and content with just watching the world around him or her, and it will feel like it's taking forever for him/her to master new skills. Or perhaps the next will need tons and tons of cuddling and won't let us put him/her down for a second. Possibly the next will be very temperamental and sensitive, crying lots and lots. (I certainly hope not, but I'll appreciate any little person I get . . .)

Vanessa's extremely motivated to learn new things, and it's been hard to document everything due to the fast pace she moves. But never will I compare any others to her. Recognizing differences is one thing . . . I believe it's extremely important to allow the child to develop at their own pace. Even so, I can't help but be amazed at the things Vanessa does and how fast she's developing. (I can only imagine some people assume I drill her with flash cards or something :)

So here I go sharing more of her amusing antics again . . .

I was amazed the other day when Vanessa walked up to me in the kitchen and said "Y?" Then she walked over to the fridge and picked out the Y from the magnetic letter collection. How did she know that? -- my first thought. My second thought was – She enjoys letters. Then I proudly shared what I witnessed with Adam. He replied "Yeah, I know."

Yesterday she named numbers that I punched into the microwave. She even wanted to help. It seems 7 is her favorite number. She initiated the same activity today. And then she asked for the big display calculator and pointed at 7 again. We went on to name other various numbers and really enjoyed pushing the buttons.

Vanessa also loves to point to letters and have you name them. She points randomly sometimes, and other times she points to them in order or the same one over and over. She was extra tired this evening, showing signs of confusion (half awake), and started pointing to a few letters on my shirt that resembled numbers. She made connections that made complete sense. For instance, she pointed to a capital B and asked"8?" She pointed to an s and asked "5?" And then she made the obvious connection between a zero and o. What fun!

We also played a game of match the lid to the pot:

Comfy Zone

Now and then when I go to get Vanessa after napping, she prefers to just hang in the crib and ask me to bring her things to play with. If Lilly is asleep, I can usually oblige. On this particular day I walked into the room and Vanessa was already pointing down to the floor and looked up at me while saying "Baby?" I asked, "Would you like baby?" Of course she exclaimed "Yes!" So I hand her the baby doll and then she proceeds to request other things like her necklace. I was able to sit on the floor to watch her play. (Probably should've been doing laundry, but I was too interested in watching her -- laundry will still be there . . .)

Electrified!

You want what?

So it's funny that Vanessa is making this face since it's the expression I was making throughout breakfast this morning (aside from the puckered lips that were acting as a dam to all the food in her mouth.) Vanessa insisted on eating goldfish crackers with her cereal and banana. At times she had a bite of each in her mouth all at the same time. Yuck. But for a picky eater, she was happy!

A porcelain doll . . .

. . . extra emotionally fragile at times:

(Lilly touched her hat. I'm sure one day she'll appreciate us posting this picture.)

Luke turns 2!

So not only did we celebrate the arrival of Tucker yesterday, we also celebrated our nephew Luke turning two!

As you can tell -- March is a pretty busy month for us!

Luke's birthday is March 3. We celebrated in Elmo style yesterday and it was a perfect day. (The cake even had Mr. Noodle on it!) Luke was very excited about opening gifts and riding his new Radio Flyer tricycle given to him by his maternal grandparents. He was fun to watch! Easy for me (Vicky) to say since he's a strong-willed boy who loves to give his parents a run for their money. Lord bless his parents . . . But Luke's attributes are awesome and he's so very blessed with good parents, a wonderful big sister, a great big brother and another little brother or sister on the way.

Luke was very kind to share so many of his things with Vanessa.

Isn't he a cutie?!

We love you Luke! You're a terrific little guy!

Stolen Picture of Tucker

Some have seen this photo via his parents and grandparents, but even so, I'm sure others are curious . . .

Tucker Betz

Tucker Betz

It is our pleasure to introduce our newest little nephew -- Thomas Everett Betz -- nicknamed Tucker! Okay, so our camera didn't cooperate when trying to take a full face shot, so we'll have to share one of those at a later time. (I know! Can you believe that?! What a tease this post is, huh?!) Tucker arrived around a 11 o'clock this morning and now shares his birthday with his mom Jenni and sister Celia. Nature ran its course that way!

So until we get a better picture to share, here are a couple cute pictures of Uncle Adam meeting the little guy, and Vanessa warming up to him, with the help of Grandma, by sharing a couple kisses.

Mom Jenni is doing well and looks great! Dad Andy is grinning from ear to ear!

Tucker has dark hair and dark eyes. He'll be quite the catch, I'm sure.

Sometimes I just like to be naked!

I most definitely have to put on clothes to even consider going on a bear hunt . . .

[This picture is a few weeks old . . . maybe a month or so (okay, so I'm behind!) . . . you can see how much her hair has grown in the last week or so. I think like physical growth spurts, Vanessa tends to go thru spurts of growing hair.]

"Night, night?"

Celia's 2nd Birthday

Vanessa's cousin Celia turns two this Saturday. Since Celia's new little brother or sister is due any day now, we celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa's this last Sunday. Celia delighted in the balloons hanging from the chandelier. And she seemed to enjoy our singing of Happy Birthday, which is good since we didn't practice our parts beforehand. :)

We're extremely thankful for Celia and we appreciate all that she offers in joy and love. She's a bundle of sweetness. And it's fitting that her birthday is in March since her beauty is a taste of springtime. She warms our hearts.

Happy birthday, Celia! We love you!!