Daphne | 14 Months

Better late than never.  Someone's been a bit under the weather this week.

Holiday Fun 2013

Click here for some photos from this holiday season.  

Happy Holidays all!! 

Gingerbread Fun with Friends

Evelina had been requesting that a few of her pre-school BFFs come over for a playdate.  I came across a cute gingerbread playdate idea on Pinterest and when I found a gingerbread village at Michael's I thought it would be perfect for them.  It was such a fun little day to plan for her and her friends.  They all had such a great time decorating their gingerbread houses and men, decorating their gingerbread chains and eating gingerbread shaped sandwiches.  Of course, my favorite part of the playdate was watching Evelina and her friends interact.  She can be so shy around others, but not these little girls she sees everyday.  They were so cute!!

Almost Walking

This little (big) one is almost walking.  Taking random steps every now and them into our arms.  It is exciting to see how she has progressed.  Let's hope her little feet and big belly don't cause her delay.

Daphne | 13 Months!!

Simply Hideous | Fall 2013 School Photos

It’s that time of year again, school picture time….and WOW was this session a doozy.  I couldn’t even bring myself to purchase digital files for posterity’s sake this time around.  

My thoughts: 

• Are Clix photographers actually trained?  I think I could do a better job.
• Why on earth was a brown background chosen?  It looks like the girls are in front of a big BM. We were told ahead of time that it was to be brown, hence the girls outfit choices.  You'd think they'd choose something a little more neutral so kids could wear holiday outfits. 
• What was wrong with the teacher who had the responsibility of getting Daphne dressed (we didn’t get her dressed in case she had to eat before being photographed)?  She looks like a complete slob with a third eye who hasn't slept for days.  Seriously, are you kidding me with that headband placement?
• If you can’t get Daphne to smile in a photo, you clearly have no talent and no personality (see 1st bullet).
• Thank GOD photographers like the Heidi Hope team exist in the world today so we can actually have beautiful images like these.  
• On a positive note, we are proud of Evelina for fighting her stranger anxiety and actually cracking a smile.  Progress!!  

This is actually a sweet photo but try not to cut off the head next time Clix.

YAY Evelina for smiling, but maybe someone could have wiped the snot from Daphne's nose?? 

 

This is just so bad...there is really nothing else for me to say about it.

Past school photos: 

Spring 2013
Fall 2012 (with a retrospective)

Daphne's 1st Birthday

A beautiful day(s) for a beautiful baby girl surrounded by a loving family.  Couldn't ask for anything better to celebrate ONE!!

Click HERE to see some photos from Daphne's birthday and her 1st birthday party.

Daphne | 12 Month Stats

Daphne was a ham at her 12 month visit last week.  She charmed the pants of her doctor and the intern.  Her smile is contagious.  The only thing she was unhappy about was receiving shots...no fun.  

12 Month Stats:

Weight:  23lbs 10oz (93rd %ile)
Length:  30.5" (90th %ile)
Head Size:  18.25" (85th %ile)

Daphne | 12 Months!!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, DAPHNE!!!  

Dare-devil Outtake 

Apple Picking at Tougas Family Farm

We decided to take advantage of a beautiful day, keep the girls out of school and head apple picking...minus the weekend crowds.

Even with only 2 teeth, Daphne loved her apple and could be heard sucking the juice of it.  Yum!!

Click HERE if you want to see some more photos.

Monthly Shots Side by Side

It is fun to see how Evelina and Daphne have changed month to month.  They are both so different from each other, although in a couple of the months, they looked so much alike (month 6 and 9) despite the hair difference.  Even though Evelina was so much smaller than Daphne, you can't really tell by the photos.  In fact, in some of them, Evelina actually looks bigger and taller.  Either way, they are both adorable. 

Daphne | 11 Months!!

1 more month until 1.  Where does the time go? 

1st Day of School 2013

Our sweet Evelina has difficulty coping with transition.  The first day in her new preschool 4s class was a little rocky (even after weeks of preparation).  It was heartbreaking leaving her screaming and crying with her new teachers.  She was weepy throughout the day and kept asking for Mama or Papa (insert sad face here). We are over a week in and we have good mornings and bad mornings.  Can you blame a little girl for wanting to be with her family and not having us head off to work?? 

Evelina through the years

A trip down memory lane, Evelina's Toddler One and Toddler Two posts.  I never did take a picture of her first day in Preschool 3s in April 2013.  

Daphne wouldn't sit still for a photo.  I initially had her on the stairs but she fell off and hit her forehead on the floor.  Mama-of-the-year right here I tell ya.  She was okay after some TLC.  She had a wonderful day at school in her new classroom and was very loving and smiley with her new teachers.  I would expect nothing less of Daphne...at this age anyway.  

Walking Practice

Someone has been enjoying "walking" the past few days.  It's hard work!!

1st Ballet Class

Evelina's first ballet class was yesterday.  We have been prepping her for weeks.  Driving by the dance studio everyday, reading ballet related books, talking about ballet and the new little friends she would meet, trying on ballet shoes and leotards, even attending an open house so she could see where her dance class would take place and meet her teachers.

I knew this class would be difficult for her since we couldn't be in the room with her.  We told her we would be watching her through the viewing window and that it would be so much fun.  As much as she wanted to participate, it was just too scary for her.  She spent the majority of the class looking at the other little girls through the viewing window.  Poor thing.  We eventually got her to sit inside the door, but that's as far as we got.  Maybe next week that will be her starting point.  Fingers crossed.

She did happen to be the cutest little ballerina in her leotard and skirt though.

Daphne | 10 Months!!

Happy Double Digits, Daphne!!! 

A serious one this month

Strrretch....

Photos | Evelina Turns 3

I'm definitely not the best at taking, downloading and editing photos lately.  I finally sifted through some photos from Evelina's 3rd birthday.  Yes, yes...I know it was over 2 months ago, but I'm certain there are a few people who read the blog that would like to see them so here they are. 

One observation, both Evelina and Daphne have more hair now.  Ha!! 

July 4th and Ogunquit

If you'd like to check out some photos from July 4th weekend and our vacation in Ogunquit, click here.  

The weather turned sour while we were in Maine so we didn't get much beach time in. Even so, Evelina had a wonderful time at the zoo and the beach, as well as spending lots of time with Grandpa.  Daphne is smiley where ever we go...with the exception of sleeping in a room that isn't her own!!  

Just for Fun | Evelina "Monthly" Photo

After I took Daphne's 9 month photo today, Evelina wanted to partake in the fun as well. Wow!! What a difference a year (plus a month) makes!!  When I was getting ready to take the photo Evelina asked, "Where's my sticker?!".  Too cute :-) 

9 Months Then and Now

9 month well-baby visits for both Evelina and Daphne.  One thing they have in common?  They both loved the paper on the exam room table.  

Daphne | 9 Months!!

9 Month Stats: 

Weight: 21lbs 1oz (88th %ile) - Yowsa!!  Daphne gained 5lbs since her 6 month visit...someone is clearly enjoying her solids and she has the baby chubb to prove it.  Lina was about 17lbs at her 9 month visit...our little string bean. 
 
Length: 28.5" (82nd %ile) 
 
Head Size: 18" (92nd %ile)

This Is It!!!

Miss Daphne will consume her last bottle of mother's milk this week.  Man it is nice to be released from the pump once again.  Daphne was a little bit better in the nursing department than Evelina was, but still not efficient enough for it to be her primary mode of nourishment.  Luckily, I had a good supply again this time around and the thought of pumping wasn't as daunting as it was the first time.  Although, it was equally annoying and time consuming.  

Up until a few months ago, I used the Baby Connect app to track Daphne's feedings, diapers, pumping sessions and sleep.  It was super useful in determining schedules, how much I was pumping vs. how much she was eating, how much she was sleeping each day, etc.  What can I say, I'm a little obsessed when it comes to documenting activities and analyzing baby-related data.  The app also tallies totals by day, week and month. After my last pumping session, it was astounding to see how much I actually pumped. 

Total # of pumping sessions since 10/18/2013:  970
Total amount pumped since 10/18/2013: 7002 ounces or 54.7 gallons!!!  

The most I ever pumped was 6 times/day. The most I pumped at one session was 10oz.  My highest producing month was January, with 1192oz pumped.  

And to think, Daphne has consumed almost every last drop...well, except for all of which she spit up.  She is lucky to have such a dedicated mom ;-)   

I wish the app would tally how much time I actually spent pumping, now THAT is something I'd be interested to see.

Evelina | 3 Year Stats

Yesterday Evelina had her 3 year well-child visit.  She is well and we are thankful for that.  She is such a tall string bean, but nothing her pediatrician is worried about.  Her stranger/new situation anxiety was out in full force and she wouldn't even stand on the scale by herself.  I had to be weighed with her. Of course, after the appointment, she turns to me and says, "Mama, that wasn't so bad!!"  I told her it wouldn't be about 100 times since no shots were involved, but she had to figure it out for herself.  

Evelina's Stats...
 
Weight: 28.5lbs (28th %ile) - I accidentally deleted her 24 months stats post so I don't have it to compare too, but I believe she was around 25lbs last year.  At this rate, Daphne may weigh more then her by the time she is 2.  

Length: 39" (80th %ile)

Head Circumference: No longer taken      

Next appointment is at 4 years old.  There will be shots.  I'm not looking forward to that experience and I know for a fact that Evelina isn't either.  

Daphne | 8 Months!!