long time

Its safe to say I don't have time to update this blog right now, it's been 6 months.  I've been working so hard on my photography business- all of my spare time is spent there.  But I promise a catch-up photo post soon. 

Check out my website if you want to see what I've been up to!

kellyrawlinsonphotography.com

TWO!

Well, it's been awhile, busy busy around here.  And another birthday snuck up on us- Toby is 2!  He was so happy all day today.  Unfortunately I had to work but there were no tears at the morning drop off.  We had a quiet family dinner tonight with Toby's favorite- spaghetti, and blueberry birthday cake.  We got him a new pillow, duvet and bedding for his special day- we'll see if it helps him stay in bed all night!

On his 2nd birthday, Toby is:

• 32 lbs and just shy of 35" tall- an inch taller than his sister was at the same age.  Wears mostly size 3 clothes, but some size 2 or 18m pants. 
• Mostly potty trained.  For two months he's been a rock star, pees, poops, nightime.  Just in the last week he's had quite a few accidents, a bit of a  regression I guess.  Woke up dry this morning for the first time in a week and had no accidents today!
• As sweet as ever.  He really is a gentle soul- sensitive, quiet, thoughtful.  And funny, energetic, and loud too.  
• Still waking up several times at night.  Yawn, I really hope this stops soon! 
• Teething again.  Just popped his 3rd two-year molar....  only one more to go.  Maybe he'll start sleeping better when teething is over with.

Toby loves:

• Playing with Willow!  She directs him in all kinds of imaginative play; picnics, doggies, restaurant.
• Anything that moves.  Trains especially.  I'm convinced boys are wired to be drawn to things with wheels, and all things that go.
• Sweets!  I dread giving him treats.  His reaction when I don't give him more is very dramatic.  He screams and cries for "more treats, mooooooore.  please?  Mummy, pleeease" and then the temper tantrum starts.  His tantrums are intense and there is no reasoning with him.  It's usually easier to skip the treat all together. 
• Dora the Explorer.  He loves the show, thinks Boots is the greatest ever.  And Swiper.
• Singing, dancing, music, being outside, playing the piano, bouncing on his bed.

Toby Can:

• Count to 10.
• Identify most colours correctly.  Gets tripped up on red/green/yellow.
• Remember the words to his favorite books and songs and will read/sing along with me.
• Melt my heart!  He is generous with I Love You's and tells me at the best times.

One Fall Day

First day of Preschool!

Today was Willow's preschool orientation day! It went well, she reluctantly participated during circle time, and she played independently with one of the teachers. She seems excited about the whole thing but I wonder what she will think next week when she goes by herself! She was so funny in the car on the way home. She said "how can that place be so small, and so big?" I asked her what she meant, and she told me that when her and I went to the school to meet the teacher and check the place out, it looked small.  But today, with 16 kids and parents it looked really, really big.  With all of those scary people there she felt very small and intimidated.  I can totally relate to her, I'd be the same way, am the same way, when thrown into an unfamiliar social environment.  I really hope this is a good experience for her that prepares her for school and makes her more comfortable with other kids.

Willow after her first school session.  I think she liked it!

Music

I  really need to make more of an effort to play music.  We listen to music in the car, and a couple of times a week but we're not in the habit of having music playing while we do other things in the house.   It's something I should work on because these kids respond so well to music.

Willow will listen in the car and pick out instruments, and the number of singers, things like that.  She'll notice when she hears a voice she really likes.  She likes to know the names of songs and artists.  Toby has always been a good dancer and now has started to sing.  He mashes together all of the lullaby's he knows, he'll hum and mumble along to a song on the radio or try to sing along with me.

I took them to see some live music at the folk festival this past weekend.  They loved it.  They watched and listened, danced and sang.  Willow, who will barely dance in front of me in our living room was asking me to dance with her in front of the stage - and a hundred people or so.  We met friends there and the kids played like they never have before- I can't help but think the music and atmosphere there brought them together.

I'm looking forward to having them in piano lessons in a couple of years- and then having them choose from there which instrument they'd like to play.  I wish I'd gone further in my study of music- not necessarily piano though.  I hope to give them that option and have them find something they can get really enjoy.

As much as I wish I had some photos to remember the day- I'm glad I wasn't preoccupied with the camera.  I took it all in and had some really special moments with the kids.  At one point we were looking at the moon in the blue sky, and Willow pointed up as a flock of geese flew overhead in perfect V formation.  We laid down on our backs on the grass and watched the geese, as we listened to the band play.  What an amazing day.

Conversations of Toddlers

On the deck, playing make believe.............

Willow:  Toby, where do you live?  Where is your house?
Toby:  Here.
Willow:  No, is it close. or far away?
Toby:  Away, here.
Willow:  NO, is it far away, or is it close?
Toby:  Close.
Willow:  OK, so where is your microwave?  Your fridge?  Where is your fridge, is it close, or far  away?
Toby:  Away.
Willow:  Toby, it's in your house.  How is your house close, but your fridge is far away?  Your fridge is right here, you silly boy.


In the car.............

Willow:  I'm thirsty, I want some cold water from the fridge when we get home.
Toby:  Water, too.
Willow:  Do you want cold water Tobe?
Toby:  Cold water.
Willow:  Water from the fridge Tobe?
Toby:  Fridge, water.
Willow:  No Toby, do you want cold water from the fridge?
Toby:  Cold fridge water.
Willow:  MOM!  Toby wants cold water from the fridge when we get home!!!


These two crack me up.  Just ordinary, everyday, gold.  This is the stuff I want to remember.  I love that Willow is learning to play with Toby and teach him things, and she is helping him with his vocabulary.  I love that he plays along so well, looking up to her and wanting to play whatever game she invents.  They just get along so well- when they aren't biting or hitting or stealing toys.

Wordless Wednesday (Gram Gram got married!)

19 months, 7 days.......

TODAY 

19 months, 7 days ago.......

19 months, 7 days before that......

I can't easily explain why today is such a significant day for me.  Today Toby is exactly the same age as Willow was, when he was born.  It marks the passing of time- brings me back to Willow at that time.  It seems so long ago..... yet, like it was yesterday.  I've been thinking that Toby seems a lot younger than Willow seemed then.  But looking back at those chubby cheeks, how small she looks I think I'm wrong.  Now I have a big 3 year old to compare Toby to, so he still seems like a baby.  SLOW. DOWN. TIME.  In 19 months and 7 days from now, Toby will be 3 years 2 months and 14 days old!

hugs!

I can't resist taking comparison photos- here are the kids at the zoo sitting on the bench beside the elephant exhibit- in June 2011, and again this week- June 2012.  They are getting so big!

   

Dear Toby (My big boy!)

Dear Toby,

Last weekend you decided you didn't need my milk anymore.  It was Thursday when I noticed you hadn't asked for it.  Friday I did not offer.  And that was all.  I'm sad, and relieved, and proud and terrified.  You're not a baby anymore and that makes me sad.   I'm glad you're getting big, becoming independent and not needing me so much.  I hope soon you won't need me to fall back to sleep at night.  Please?

I'm so proud of you!
Love Mama

P.S.  I took me a week to write this, I was a blubbering emotional mess and just couldn't manage!