Adjustments

Delaney stopped napping pretty much the same day that she started using the potty. Coincidence?--I don't think so.

Not napping has been an adjustment for Delaney and a MAJOR adjustment for me. I try to get Delaney to play quietly by herself for about an hour and then I get out the play dough or markers. But gone are the days when I have any real downtime and gone are the days when I can get much of anything done during 'nap time'.

I haven't been looking forward to this day; however, I would rather have Laney give her nap up now, and give me time to adjust, than give up her nap right when the new baby is born.

18 Months Stats

Elliot had his 18 mths well baby visit today. I dropped Delaney off to play at a friend's house, and headed to the pediatrician's office, where Dave met us. And here are the big stats:

Weight: 22.31 lbs (8.64%tile)
Height: 32.75 inches (65.14%tile)

Honestly, I would be a little surprised if he's really almost 33 inches tall---he was 30.25 inches in late February, so that would be one serious growth spurt. But who knows! Elliot is definitely catching up to Delaney--I would bet that he weighs no more than a pound less than her. Elliot wears 18 mths clothing and Delaney wears 24 mths clothing; so far, Delaney has always managed to stay one clothing size ahead of Elliot. And they both wear shoes size 5 or 6.

Elliot has been going through a super shy stage----it will be interesting to see if it's 'just a phase', or if shyness is part of his personality. He's putting more and more words together---the other day, he started saying-Talk Mimi (his Grandma), talk Mimi-after he got off of the phone with her. So cute!

Ben & Jerry's

Dave bought the kids Ben & Jerry's cups. They loved having their own little cups and 'special' spoons. Delaney even finished her ice cream---Delaney often likes the idea of treats more than the actual treats themselves---but not tonite, she was thrilled with her ice cream!

Elliot was an absolute mess after finishing his ice cream--we had to just strip him down and let him run around naked until bathtime.

Naked and chocolateyElliot, talking to Grandma Mimi on the phone.

Buried In The Sand

Dave has a bad cold but the day was too nice to not spend it at the beach! We went to Roundhill Pines and played in the sand for a couple of hours. Delaney and Elliot LOVED it when Dave would bury them in the sand and they then had to wiggle their way out!

Ladybugs

After a very, very long week for all of us--Dave worked (at least) 18 hour days, covering the legislative session--Dave had a day off (THANK GOD!!!). We headed to Cave Rock in the morning for some much needed family time.

When we started going to the beach a few weeks ago, Delaney despised the ladybugs and wanted me to banish them from the planet. Now-she LOVES the ladybugs, 'catches' them, talks to them and 'carries' them around. Elliot likes the ladybugs too--but mostly just smooshes them!

Delaney and Elliot were both great at the beach. And after a week of wearing undies (during ALL waking hours), Laney even used the potty at the beach without any problems! Less than two weeks ago, I made her pediatrician swear to me that Laney would 'someday' be potty trained, and since then Laney has decided that 1) Diapers are for babies, 2) She's not a baby, and 3) She wants NOTHING to do with diapers--she even moved all of her diapers from her room into Elliot's room and 4) She doesn't want to go to bed and REALLY doesn't want to sleep (I don't know if this has anything to do with potty training or not-but it's driving us crazy!-One night she only slept from midnite to 5 AM). I've been avoiding writing about her successes in potty training, because I didn't want to curse us, and I know my Laney-Pie, and I know that she may very well 'change her mind', with the very same willpower that she has now decided to use the potty. She's always full of surprises and just when I think that I know what to expect from her, she'll completely change, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Unfortunately, tonite Dave came down from a fever (that's what working insane hours and not sleeping will do!), but hopefully he'll be on the mend soon.

Girls And Trucks

Laney's truck in time-out

Elliot loves, loves truck---really anything with wheels. He pushes them around the house and crashes them down our back steps. Lately, he's been sleeping with a couple of his little trucks. For some reason, I was resistant to letting him take trucks into his bed---but had no problem with Laney's 10 favorite stuffed animals filling up her crib. But I soon realized that his trucks are just as comforting to him as Laney's stuffed animals.

Laney likes to play with Elliot's trucks too---especially the ones with faces and that sing songs. She carries the trucks around like babydolls, covers them with blankets, reads to them and even puts them into time-out (when they've been fighting!). She hugs them and gives them kisses.

Freedom

Delaney and Elliot were totally and completely filthy from playing outside---they had poured sand on their heads (don't ask me why!) and put dirt in their shoes. Before heading inside for a bath, I stripped them down outside. Delaney made a run for it, and Elliot quickly followed; my little streakers were laughing hysterically and having a great time.