Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Family Photos
Last month we had the opportunity of working with Gingeroot Studio to get some family photos taken. We worked with Lindsey Penney and I would HIGHLY recommend them/her. I think they came out wonderfully!!! They were friendly, relaxed and so patient with two little kids (and their crazo mother)! She took so many good ones that it is hard to narrow down but here are a few of our favorites!
Shaving Cream
When I was a preschool teacher one of my favorite activities was a shaving cream sensory time...yes it is messy... you are so surprised right...LOL ;-) But we would put it on the tables and let the kids play with it. Sometimes adding colors or cars or other items to help further our explorations!
I wanted to do that with Saffryn but I knew putting it on our table was not an option...it was going to be just too messy (what?!?! something too messy for me...i know i know shocker!!!!). hahah But really it was just going to get everywhere....so what to do what to do.
I've got it! We can play with it in the bathtub! She can get as messy as she wants and then I just turn on the water and presto...everything will be clean! YAY!
Side Note....I'm sure many of you are asking why do I do these messy sensory activities? What good is that really doing my children??? I am so glad you asked!!!! Exploring different textures is really great for their brain development. They learn new feelings (shaving cream feels much different than bird seed), new words and new ways to move their body (once again shaving cream responds much differently to body movements than shaving cream will). It is great for their eye hand coordination and practicing using their hands and fingers. I bet you didn't know this activity actually helps my child's literacy...the more a child uses their hands and fingers the stronger they will become...even using things like shaving cream. The stronger they become the sooner they will be able to hold and use pencils which will help improve their literacy! Isn't that amazing...playing in a tub of shaving cream will actually help my child's literacy! There are several other things she is working on that she has no clue because its fun!!! Learning should be fun!!!
Here are some pictures of our exploratory fun! And don't worry I was careful to only post pictures that hid her "private areas". :-)
So there you go. Try it sometime with your kids...they might love it too! :)
I wanted to do that with Saffryn but I knew putting it on our table was not an option...it was going to be just too messy (what?!?! something too messy for me...i know i know shocker!!!!). hahah But really it was just going to get everywhere....so what to do what to do.
I've got it! We can play with it in the bathtub! She can get as messy as she wants and then I just turn on the water and presto...everything will be clean! YAY!
Side Note....I'm sure many of you are asking why do I do these messy sensory activities? What good is that really doing my children??? I am so glad you asked!!!! Exploring different textures is really great for their brain development. They learn new feelings (shaving cream feels much different than bird seed), new words and new ways to move their body (once again shaving cream responds much differently to body movements than shaving cream will). It is great for their eye hand coordination and practicing using their hands and fingers. I bet you didn't know this activity actually helps my child's literacy...the more a child uses their hands and fingers the stronger they will become...even using things like shaving cream. The stronger they become the sooner they will be able to hold and use pencils which will help improve their literacy! Isn't that amazing...playing in a tub of shaving cream will actually help my child's literacy! There are several other things she is working on that she has no clue because its fun!!! Learning should be fun!!!
Here are some pictures of our exploratory fun! And don't worry I was careful to only post pictures that hid her "private areas". :-)
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| hmmm what IS this stuff mom???? |
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| Starting to explore it a little bit! |
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| Using her hands to help get shaving cream off of mine! |
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| Now she is really getting into it! Alright...spread it everywhere :) |
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| WOW! |
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| hahaha!!! |
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| I bet you were wondering what sweet baby Pierce was doing while we were playing...he was in the bathroom playing "with" us!!! Such a cutie!!! |
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| I just love this girl and all the fun we have! |
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Big Girl
Saffryn is growing up so fast!!!! Here are a few of the things she has started to do!
-Sing her ABC's
-Put her pants on by herself
-Take off her diaper by herself and throw it in the trash
-Puts shoes and socks on by herself (not every time but a lot)
-Repeats a lot of what we say trying to soak up as much language as she can
-Sleeps in a toddler bed!!!!!!!
She is amazing! Dan and I are so proud of her! Love you Saffryn
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011
All About Pierce
I cannot believe my baby boy is already 2 months old! It is going even faster the second time around!!!!
This post is all about my baby boy. He is so sweet. I was worried about bonding with him when I was pregnant. I didn't know what it would be like with two children, one of them being a boy. None of those worries came true. It was so easy to bond with him and I fell head over heals in love the second he came out! I am glad I had those worries honestly because it makes this time even sweeter and I appreciate my feelings so much more! He is SUCH a sweet boy! I am so crazy about him. I am proud to announce that he is A MOMMA's BOY!!!!! I always thought Saffryn was a "mom snob" as Dan likes to call it. But Pierce is blowing her out of the water. He is a MOM. SNOB.!!!! And i love it I love it I LOVE IT!
The first several weeks with him was so great. I had a lot of help with Saffryn so I got to spend so much time with him. I basically held him non-stop! I just couldn't get enough cuddle time. I was kind of a baby hog! He even slept with us (gasp...I know)! Honestly this time around I just didn't care. I know how fast it goes. I know that he will grow up and sleep (or scream as his sister does...LOL) in his crib. So I am more laid back about things with him. I am using more intuition and less "books" with him. If I think he is hungry I feed him, if he wants to be held I hold him.... I don't worry about how long it has been or if he is using it for comfort...etc etc. I really am NOT WORRIED!!! LOL. I am sure I will be kicking myself for saying all this in several months but really...I am just letting him lead a lot more than I did with Saffryn. Honestly I think we are both benefiting from it!
He has already weaned himself from sleeping with us at night...after a few weeks he was restless in our bed and wanted to be in the pack "n" play next to our bed. He has slowed down how much he eats (although he is still HUGE..lol) and how much he wants to be held! So I am glad I didn't worry about those things and I just enjoyed them!
Okay Birth Stats: 8lbs 2oz 20 inches long.
month one: 12lbs 4oz 22 inches long.
Month two: 15lbs 13oz 24 inches long
Yup its safe to say he is a growing boy! He is basically sleeping through the night. Eating every 2-4 hours depending on when he gets hungry. Hates tummy time. He wont take a pacifier or bottle (remember he is a mom snob). He is super calm and smiley! He is going to be a "gentle giant" like his daddy and uncle :) He is wearing size 2 diapers and size 3-6 month clothing! He has started cooing and trying to talk. He is trying to roll-over...not yet successful. He has my nose and face shape (I think he looks like my mom and grandpa gregersen). He has Dan's blue blue eyes and personality (or so I am guessing). His hair gets curly when it is wet. He is such a noisy sleeper..grunting! He is just perfect. I love him so much. He has single handily convinced me that I could do it all again (pregnancy, labor, postpartum)...and just to clear the record I was sure I was done at 2!!!! LOL :)
Pierce we LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
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| Crash is a SAINT! Both boys put up with a lot from their crazy mother...LOL! |
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| Having a good sleep in momma's bed! |
This post is all about my baby boy. He is so sweet. I was worried about bonding with him when I was pregnant. I didn't know what it would be like with two children, one of them being a boy. None of those worries came true. It was so easy to bond with him and I fell head over heals in love the second he came out! I am glad I had those worries honestly because it makes this time even sweeter and I appreciate my feelings so much more! He is SUCH a sweet boy! I am so crazy about him. I am proud to announce that he is A MOMMA's BOY!!!!! I always thought Saffryn was a "mom snob" as Dan likes to call it. But Pierce is blowing her out of the water. He is a MOM. SNOB.!!!! And i love it I love it I LOVE IT!
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| Pierce on his special blanket a couple of days old! |
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| Pierce on his special blanket from Gigi at 1 month |
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| This big boy is only 2 months old! hahah ;) |
The first several weeks with him was so great. I had a lot of help with Saffryn so I got to spend so much time with him. I basically held him non-stop! I just couldn't get enough cuddle time. I was kind of a baby hog! He even slept with us (gasp...I know)! Honestly this time around I just didn't care. I know how fast it goes. I know that he will grow up and sleep (or scream as his sister does...LOL) in his crib. So I am more laid back about things with him. I am using more intuition and less "books" with him. If I think he is hungry I feed him, if he wants to be held I hold him.... I don't worry about how long it has been or if he is using it for comfort...etc etc. I really am NOT WORRIED!!! LOL. I am sure I will be kicking myself for saying all this in several months but really...I am just letting him lead a lot more than I did with Saffryn. Honestly I think we are both benefiting from it!
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| Pierce "talking" at 1 month! |
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| Saffryn being a good big sister and giving him some love! |
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| same blue eyes as Saffryn and Dan! |
Okay Birth Stats: 8lbs 2oz 20 inches long.
month one: 12lbs 4oz 22 inches long.
Month two: 15lbs 13oz 24 inches long
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| I love those sweet chubby smiles! |
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| More smiles! |
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| Tummy time! |
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| Saffryn giving Pierce a "hug"...LOL! |
Yup its safe to say he is a growing boy! He is basically sleeping through the night. Eating every 2-4 hours depending on when he gets hungry. Hates tummy time. He wont take a pacifier or bottle (remember he is a mom snob). He is super calm and smiley! He is going to be a "gentle giant" like his daddy and uncle :) He is wearing size 2 diapers and size 3-6 month clothing! He has started cooing and trying to talk. He is trying to roll-over...not yet successful. He has my nose and face shape (I think he looks like my mom and grandpa gregersen). He has Dan's blue blue eyes and personality (or so I am guessing). His hair gets curly when it is wet. He is such a noisy sleeper..grunting! He is just perfect. I love him so much. He has single handily convinced me that I could do it all again (pregnancy, labor, postpartum)...and just to clear the record I was sure I was done at 2!!!! LOL :)
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| Pierce "Sitting" on the couch at around 1 month old! |
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| Trying to roll over at 2 months old! |
Pierce we LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!