July 2012

Reece and I surprised Aaron with a homemade cheesecake for his birthday.

 Make a wish!

We spent the 4th of July at the parade and then enjoyed a potluck dinner at our friends, Bryson and Muriel's home.

  

 

I'm not sure what was so scary at the parade!  I love how Elle is either reassuring Reece or holding onto him for support! 

Before bed fun!

Too much fun at the zoo!

This is the only picture that I have of Reece before his first dentist appointment.  He was such a good patient!  He was a good listener and did everything Dr.Edge asked him to do including allowing her to scrape, clean, and floss his teeth.  Dr. Edge said that his teeth were healthy, but to prepare for braces.

Swim lessons in the morning were cold! We switched to the afternoon to keep the kids in the pool longer.

 Elle loved her first lollipop with the ladies at Station Tavern.

Reece loved the petting zoo at our church festival.

ReecerBoy at 2 1/2

Reecer, at two-and-one-half...

You are TALKING up a STORM!  A few of your favorite phrases and questions are:
-Which way? You constantly ask this in the car.  We've started talking to you about directions (using right, left, and straight ahead) and you're really interested in how to get to friends houses, the zoo, and the park.
-Red is stop, Mom.  And green is go!  Yellow is slooooow!  You've discovered traffic signals, and you're sure to tell me the color and what I should do when we are walking and driving.  You also watch the crosswalk signal for the white man or red hand.
-I can't find it anywhere. I look everywhere!  You say this instantly when you want something, and don't want to try to find it.
-I don't think so.  This is your new version of "No".  It's pretty cute and saves you from discipline sometimes!
-I'm Reece Michael Beck, what's your name? You say this to strangers, as well as to friends who already know you well.  My all-time favorite so far:  I'm Reece Michael Beck and you're Reece Michael Mommy! You were so proud of this connection.

-Elle's missing! (I had moved her into the living room from your bedroom where your were playing.)
-Mommy, run fast! Now Mommy, run slow.  (You demonstrated both for me.)
-Get the book. It's way up high, up there! (You pointed to the book you wanted.)

-It's empty! (referring to your raisin box)
-The other day I randomly asked you, "Reece, what is the opposite of hot?  You thought about it for a minute, said "Hmmm" and put your finger to your cheek.  I was about to tell you but you shouted, "COLD!" before I could.  

When we are sad you are sure to give us a big hug and say, "I love you."

When Dad arrives home from work you often greet him with a smile and, "I'm glad you're home, Dad."

You're not the greatest eater, but if there is a dessert incentive you will take a bite for every step we take toward it.  You will bite and then demand (with a mouthful of food), "Now, take a step!"

Your sister ADORES you!  You're beginning to develop a friendship with her and have begun to enjoy playtime together.  We delight in watching you two play together!

We LOVE you, ReecerBoy!

You are growing up, and it is so much fun to watch you make connections and observations.  We are so proud of you!

 

Elle's Eleventh Month

Oh Elle, you are spunky, silly, and daring!  Dad, Reece, and I are having so much fun with you!  You are a light to us.  We LOVE you!

This month:

-MORE teeth came in this month!  You got your upper right molar on July 20 and your upper left came in a few days later.

-One of your favorite things to do is to stand up and put your arms in the air with a big "tada!" smile.  You are so proud of yourself!  We are proud of you too!  

-You are beginning to use a few words, and the beginning sounds of a few.  You say "Doh" for dog, "Ta" for teeth, "Sss" for Reece.  You also say "Ba Ba" for bye-bye (and you wave!), "Nononono" for no, and "Dada".  You love to point to things and say "Sat"which I think means "What's that?" or "Look at that!".

-You understand that you have the power to make people react, and you are beginning to repeat actions that get a reaction.  You will walk up to the TV and DVD buttons and say, "Nononono" while shaking your finger.  You then push them, smile, and pretend like you are trying to get away.  You know what you are and are not supposed to do, and you just love getting caught! 

-When you wave goodbye to someone you wait to wave until they are actually gone (makes sense!). 

-Reading is a new found love for you.  You love No More Monkeys, My Big Animal Book, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear.  You love to sit and point at all of the pictures.  Each time you point at something you say "SaaAA" with a big smile.  Most of the time you have your animal book open to the Pets page.  You LOVE the dog.

-You love to sing The Itsy-Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Jesus Loves Me.  You open and close your hands for the stars, and use your fingers to climb the spider up the spout.

-You love to throw things, and girl, you can throw!  

-You enjoy snacking on Puffs, Cheerios, Goldfish, grapes, kiwi, bananas, bagels, french toast, peas, and broccoli.  If you won't eat something I can usually put a dollop of cream cheese on it and you'll gobble it down!  If I offer you something you would like to eat while you are chewing something else, you take the old food out of your mouth to make room for the new.  You are messy... so messy I have to wipe down your highchair each night.

-When we say "Cheeeeese!" you give us or the camera a big cheesy smile.  It's adorable!

-You are daring.  You are beginning to climb and have no problem diving face first out of your chair to get down.  You also like to slide off of the couch forward facing and don't mind that you don't land on your feet.

-Bath time is still a favorite.  The drain fascinates you.  You watch the water leave the tub until it is all gone.

-You are independent and social... such a great combination!  You will play on your own for at least 30 minutes, especially if you are reading books, dancing, or playing with the remote controls.  Reece started a game where you shake your heads for each other.  Usually you start the game during mealtime or in the car.  Reece is a welcome participant, and you both crack each other up.  It's fun to watch the two of you interact and have fun together. 

-On July 21 you stood up from the ground without holding onto anything, and one week later you took your first step (with the biggest smile imaginable)!  A few days later you took three steps, and the next day you took six!  You will be walking soon, but for now you prefer to crawl as it gets you places much faster (and without falls).

Happy girl (most of the time)!