Our favorite books

We've amassed quite a collection of children's books over the past two years, and I'm always amazed at the books Olivia wants to read over and over. There's no common theme; she likes books with kids, animals, trucks, fairies, and any combination thereof. Some classics such as "Goodnight Moon" haven taken a while for her to warm up to, while others, especially ones with photographs of kids or objects she can name are instant hits. Although, if a book has a particularly delicious paper binding, that tends to be her favorite...

Here are Olivia's top 10 toddler book picks:

1. "Wow! Babies" by Penny Gentieu

2. "It's Spring!" by Samantha Berger

3. "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown

4. "Busy Fingers" by CW Bowie

5. "All By Myself" by Mercer Mayer

6. "Alice the Fairy" by David Shannon

7. "I think that it is wonderful!" by David Corr

8. "A Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats

9. "Paddington Bear All Day" by Michael Bond

10. "Goodnight Gorilla" by Peggy Rathmann



As for me, I'm in love with the book, "Bear Feels Scared" by Karma Wilson.

It's just about the cutest thing ever.

20 months! 3 years!

Yesterday was our third wedding anniversary and I am amazed at how my life has changed in the past four years that Chris and I have been together. I'm not plagued by indecision, anxiety, and this sort of gnawing unhappiness that previously clouded my day to day--like I was a victim of my own life. Rather, after much contemplation (not to mention three years of therapy) I have a clearer sense of purpose. And how blessed am I to have found such an incredible person to share my life with.


As for Olivia in her twentieth month, it's all learning, all the time. She's very into distinguishing what is hers and yours, Mama's water, Daddy's phone, etc. Thankfully, once an item (or place on the couch) is designated as someone else's, she's satisfied with that. All of this talking, running, playing, and thinking also makes her very tired. We're slowly moving to one long nap a day, though I really enjoy two naps (so that I can take one too!). Btu she's sleeping later in the morning, sometimes until 6:30 am! I can't tell you what a difference an hour's sleep does to the attitudes in this family.

such a cutie pie!

Humungous!

Words words words. Where does she get these words??

New stuff

Olivia is a great ball of energy and happiness (and then sadness and tears and back to happiness). But I think it's because there are so many new things she can do and more that she wants to try.
I don't know where she got the idea to drink from the hose:

But she's drinking from a cup really well. That is until the cup makes her mad and she dumps it out on the floor, then slips and falls in the water....
But she's still my love:

19 months!

There's been a lot of singing in the house lately. Olivia likes to sing the last part of "Wheels on the Bus" and the peanut butter song, and then recently she's enjoyed the "Please and Thank You" song from Yo Gabba Gabba ("please thank you, please thank you, please thank you, magic magic magic magic!"). Pretty much everything we say she'll try to repeat (curse words and all).

She's definitely a whirlwind of energy and activity--she's listening, reading, and exploring constantly. And it's great and wonderful, and...EXHAUSTING for her old parents. But, some days there are long stretches where she finds an activity that keeps her occupied, like her books, beads, and new legos.

After dinner every night, we go for a bike ride to the playground or the fountain at the park. She's becoming braver each time we go and now doesn't mind having water splashed on her face or getting completely drenched. In fact, water is her friend at the pool, in the sprinkler or at the park.

19 months is pretty awesome.

Seaside 2010!

Some pics from our Seaside trip. Contrary to the gray appearance of the sand and sky, it was really beautiful and I'm already looking forward to next year!

(Ava and Hazel running to the beach)

(Ava & Hazel)


(Ava)
(Franny)


(Hazel)

(Elena and Olivia, minutes before Olivia came crashing down out of the swivel chair...)


(Olivia at the arcade)
(Hazel & Ava on the way to the beach)


(Mom trying to convince Franny that the Tooth Fairy will appear even though Grandma accidentally threw the fallen tooth away. When your grandma's a lawyer, there are always loopholes.)
(In the sand)


(Leah and Biz ignoring the splendor of the ocean for their cell phones)
(Elena)

(Me and the girls)