Lucy Reads to Charlie, Dances and Poses

https://youtu.be/_R4oJYoZwho

Sweet Singing Lucy

https://youtu.be/BZTybQHBIpc

Jumping Charlie!

https://youtu.be/Ocj8R716FkE

Lucy's 2nd Week at School

Week 2:
Lucy really got the hang of school this time around.  She tried the potty before school with out crying and made it through the full session without any accidents.  She literally tried every activity available to her during free-play and she just plain wore herself out!

Making a fruit loop necklace.

Trying out the costume corner.  Her other favorite costume was a fire-fighter.  She hasn't found the princess dresses yet...although she probably doesn't know that's what they are.

Working on her math skills! (And unsuccessfully holding off on eating skittles until the activity was done).

The sensory table is always a favorite.  (Thank goodness this isn't in our house because all those grains of rice and beans set me on edge).

Rocking away with her friend Maddie in the play room.

Waiting patiently in line with friend Liam to go to the play room.

Charlie 5 Months

Highlights of the month:  We said "Farewell" to summer with one last weekend at the Cabin.  We had a beautiful day to play on the lake and Charlie got to enjoy some time to kick around on the boat while Lucy splashed in the chilly water at the sandbar.  The school year started and now Charlie spends full days at Paula's.  He has hit his groove and is able to do his usual 2 hour naps and drinks his bottles like a champ.  

Sleep:   Charlie tends to fall asleep for the night around 8:30-9pm.  He does well until around 2am and then either needs repetitive "re-nuking" or to be re-swaddled.  He does not ever need to be fed anymore but we are still waking several times per night just to tend to him.  This is prolonging his stay in our bedroom as we don't want to be trekking downstairs and across the house to put a nuk in several times per night.  

Changes:  Charlie loves watching his sister Lucy and no one can make him laugh or smile quicker than she can!  He started eating solids 2 weeks ago and seems pretty indifferent to rice cereal. He doesn't gag on it though, so I think the future solids will come along well and he'll likely enjoy something tastier.  Still no rolling over although he starts rocking side to side when he's excited.  He can sit up by himself if he leans forward (just discovered that today), and helps turn the pages in his books if he's paying attention.

The whole family enjoying a great last sunset of the summer at the lake.  (I love seeing Isaac in SPASH apparel).

Kicking around at the sandbar.

The first bite of rice cereal!  He seems ok with it!

Meal time is such a production.

The first ride out on the Double Bob.  Both kids loved it!  While I was gathering supplies, Lucy and Charlie were hanging out.  I asked Lucy if she was doing ok and she said: "We are doing great in our new stroller Mom!"

Charlie has a special nuk now too (Lucy is never far from her Monkey "oo-oo").  This is his first time using the nuk and he put the Moose right on his face!  Now we often find him sucking on the moose's leg instead of the nuk.

Final Days of Summer 2017

Lucy, Charlie, Sully and Dad went to the Orange Park this morning. It was hard pulling Lucy away. She has become quite the fence climber. The kiddos went to Paula's for a half day so Dad could run errands and get ready for Pischke Summer 2017 Family Weekend. He may have also gotten some of his hair dyed. This evening Lucy and Dad looked at plants with a master gardener (I plan to buy what she needs to split off next spring).  I promised Lucy an ice cream cone for being so patient... We ended up detouring to the farmers market where Lucy ate whole carrots and tipped her local musician. Then we made our way to Rudy's for a cone. Lucy was very neat with it until the very end when things got a little sloppy.

Giggles Galore

https://youtu.be/C9T1uIjbA9o

Lucy at the Zoo

This was back in mid-August

https://youtu.be/jU-kgcbtHPo

Some Summer Highlights From July

Rain, Rain, Let's Go Play!

https://youtu.be/FvxfiirxH1Q

Lucy Sings and is a Monkey

https://youtu.be/RCub6pXoXTM

Bunny Cake with Meema

This was back in April, a couple weeks after Charlie was born.   https://youtu.be/ODDxKs6hagg

August in photos

Mom and Dad got out for a date to The Mint for 'Noodle Night' and then took the kids to the neighborhood block party.  Lucy's favorite fire truck was there and she got 2 rides around the block.

Lucy's first icecream cone ever!  She is officially a fan.  Afterwards we walked down to the River Roast concert at the Charmant and watched a little bit of Horseshoes and Handgrenades.  

We did a quick visit to the Madison zoo, saw Kerry's old college roommate Abby, went to Kerry's gradeschool friend Julie's wedding reception and then spent the night at the Hopp's house.  The kids had fun playing together, especially with the stickers.

Isaac's whole family gathered for the weekend.  Charlie scored lot of Auntie Amanda time :)

Charlie like to suck on his lip at times if he doesn't have his nuk, teething toy or hand in his mouth.

The kiddos on Mom's birthday.  Lucy has paint all over her face from the beautiful card she made me!

Irishfest

Irishfest was a big hit this year.  Grandpa and Grandma Hyland came for the first time.  We discovered the wonderful kids tent which featured games with prizes, and unlimited rides on the little train.  Lucy also loved watching the kids irish dancing.  She told Mom she would like to do that when she's bigger.  I guess out of any dancing, that would be the most entertaining for me personally... Charlie was not a fan of the music, but his mood improved when he wore the headphones.

Getting Clancy painted on her cheek.

Lucy followed Clancy during the kids parade in order to get a hug and picture with him.

Day 2 of Irishfest-Lucy now has a Clancy shirt she can wear thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Hyland. 

Lucy's First Day of School!

School: First Congregational Preschool.  Young 3k program (parents attend with the child for the first semester).

Lucy woke up this morning excited for her first day of school!  She was very cooperative and was standing and waiting at our door to leave 15 minutes earlier than planned (likely the first and only time).  We arrived to school extra early and had a chance to "try" the potty.  Lucy did not care for the school potties which led to an accident on our first day.  During the school day, all the kids do a potty break together and then she was very brave and tried again with success!

Lucy was quite timid at first (and it didn't help that she was doing her potty dance the whole time).  She played with playdough, decorated a letter L, and played at the sensory table.  After potty break she started warming up and actively participated in story time.  She LOVED snack time and was one of 3 kids that sat the whole time carefully eating the entire snack.  Mrs. Haro said she already sees who the good eaters are.  

The last part of the day was gross motor playtime in the play room.  Lucy became very animated and was running all over.  She immediately went to the climbing gym and got up a difficult roped ladder and attempted to get over the top of the structure which sent Mrs. Haro into a run across the room.  Mrs. Haro asked me if Lucy is always this way; as I think she had Lucy pegged as a quiet/meek child.  Lucy also spent some good time going up and down the slide and playing with balls.  It was interesting to watch the different classroom personalities as several girls sat quietly playing with the doll house and one sat reading, one boy played quietly with trucks and trains and 3 other kids with Lucy bounced around.