Baby swings

Spencer's most favorite thing to do now is swing, whether it's a baby swing at the park or a porch swing or anything. As soon as we get close to the park she gets all excited and points. While in the swing she doesn't seem too thrilled but once I get her out she has a fit and is lunging to get back in the swing. She also loves to stand in the pirate ship, holding the rails and looking around. The smaller, older play structure suits her just fine as well. On this one she stands and holds onto the chimey metal things. I think we were in that for about 30 minutes, and she could have stayed longer. In a way I wish she could walk so she could explore things for herself at the park. Soon enough . . ..

Pee Wee

We got a fish . . .or had a fish. Our first fish was bought, along with a plastic bowl and some food, while I was grocery shopping at Meijer. It was a cute little calico goldfish. Riley named "her" Pee Wee. The next day grandpa came over to go to the fish store to get Pee Wee a friend, a pump, new tank, the works. He said the fish would last longer if we had a little filter/pump because it would put oxygen in the water and not make it so nasty. We went to Pet Food & More, got a new little bubble-eyed orange goldfish. Oh, I have to say I was tempted to get a bunny--a real pet. Spencer FLIPPED. she loves watching animals move around and eat and stuff. She nearly jumped out of her stroller, legs kicking, squealing. I love it. Riley was fascinated hovering over the tanks and watching the "bubbles." I think I was more excited about the fish than she was. I figure we needed a good starter pet, but now I'm thinking a goldfish isn't a good starter pet because they always die. I kill fish--it's just my nature. None of mine ever lived.

Anyway, Pee Wee #1 was looking a little funky so grandpa took care of him while Riley napped. She woke and didn't say a thing about it. She focused on her new fish, same name. This little guy was hungry. All he wanted to do was eat eat eat. It was fun to watch. Spencer got a total kick out of that little guy swimming all around. She was kicking her feet, hootin' and hollerin'. All the neighborhood kids (Olivia, Jackson, Hadley, Lilly) came over and were amazed by Pee Wee. They could have watched him all day. That was Tuesday. Today is Friday and I woke to find Pee Wee laying on his side, barely moving. What the heck happened? I told Riley he was sick and needed to see the fish doctor at the pet store so we'll be taking him in this afternoon. I'm determined to make this work. The fish was cute and fun to watch. Plus, I spent $40 on all the fish fixin's so I'm not going to let it go to waste.

back to the thumb (and loving it)

Riley's thumb started looking much better. We wrapped it, we let it breathe, did hydrocortisone, neosporin, lotion, etc. It's not totally back to normal but is looking good. However, I decided to let Riley suck it at nap time and bed time and our lives are sooooo much better now :) Not having her thumb to soothe and relax made Riley very testy though she never asked to suck her thumb. I don't think she put the two together, but I did. She was cranky and fussy, whining and crying. Bed time and nap time was tough too. I finally gave in and said she could suck it for nap. She was nervous at first and held her thumb to her mouth and looked at me as if to ask again if it was okay. I said "it's okay." She laid down and I could see her whole body relax. She was in her happy place for sure.

I know she's got to stop sucking it eventually but she's just too little to stop now. Lately, she's been wanting to go to bed so she can suck. It'll be 10am and she'll say "I'm tired. I want to go to bed . .. . .and I can suck my thumb" She laid in there for about 10 minutes one morning and came back totally refreshed--like she needed a quick fix.

Oh, and she started telling Spencer "no sucking your thumb" even though spencer doesn't do it that often. I had to say "it's okay, she's just a baby."

11 months

pencie is 11 months. totally unbelievable how fast this year has gone by. it didn't feel this fast before riley turned 1. she is still a petite little thing. maybe weighing 19 or 20 lbs with a cute little head, chubba legs, and the daintiest yet nimble fingers. i love watching her pick up cheerios with her left pincers. she's so precise.

she's a pro at "so big!" and claps all the time. spencer loves climbing the cushions to the chair and standing on the springs playing with the cordless phone. i think she was there for almost an hour tonite totally content and happy. she's even starting to let go of things while she stands and holds a toy or phone, etc. her sense of balance is incredible.

my happy little angel. you are just plain sweet. my favorite moment with you is when you've just woke up but are still tired and i hold you on my chest, you rest your head on my left shoulder and suck your thumb. and you're not antsy to play or get moving, you just want to snuggle.

no thumb

i can't believe how sad it makes me that riley is no longer sucking her thumb. it didn't happen willingly, however. last week her thumb was swollen, blotchy, pink, purple, and scaley. i thought she got bit by something outside or picked a nasty weed or something so mike took her to the doctor's. immediately upon seeing her thumb he said it was an allergic reaction to sucking it. what?! seriously. the first day went okay until it was time to nap and go to bed at night. it is a HUGE comfort for her to suck. it calms her down and soothes her to sleep. i have always loved the fact that she sucked her thumb and never had a pacifier. it's so sweet. the next day or two she started sleeping without sucking and doing fine. i was so happy. she did seem much crankier and whiney and super restless when it came time to go to sleep, though that is getting better.

so great she's not sucking her thumb anymore, right? not really. i'm sitting here crying about it. all those relaxing moments we had together where she would suck her thumb and rub my arm and little scab or patch of dry skin or mole are gone. she hasn't once said "Arm!" or "Mole" when i'm putting her to sleep. it was such a sweet moment we would share that was quiet and i felt so loved and so maternal just being by her side and letting her rub my skin. but now she has no desire. it sounds really selfish but i almost want her to suck it again just to be able to lay next her like that. unfortunately, it's another phase that is over and a sign that she's getting older.

i'm sure there will be something else, a new thing, but for now while i wait to see what that new thing is i'm devastated.