A Very Eventful October

This month was so monstrous (and probably a preview of what all our Octobers will look like for years to come). First we had a Rockin' First Birthday for Bekah on the 10th. She turned One! Then we celebrated her actual birthday with some everyday fun. Then we all got sick for two weeks. And then E turned Three! She had a super fun day at Super Franks (in Pleasanton) and got a plethora of gifts (bike, mini play structure, princess stuff, books).

Along with that Ian and I started our new schedule where I'm working three days a week and Ian two. I'm now (trying) to do 20 hours of billable work a week all while maintaining my sanity, keep the house chores still happening (somehow) and enjoying the girls as they're growing up.

Oh and speaking of milestones, R is now starting to take steps to people, crusing down the hallway holding on to the wall and cutting her first tooth (lower front right); and E just had her last nursing session. She's sad, but also is so happy to hear about how she growing up from a baby to a little girl to now being a big girl.

I cannot believe October is almost gone and the year with it. And I can't believe that E is Three and starting to get more independent (and particular). And I can't believe R is One and no longer our little baby girl (although she's still our little bean... and I do mean little - only 17 pounds lite).

P.S. There's a lot of pictures... so click on the photostream badge to see more!

Site Maintenance

Unless you think we've abandoned this blog, we haven't... but finding time to regularly blog is problematic. I think I just need to find the right app to help me "get it down". I think of them in my head, but they rarely make it to computer and even less rarely do they get published. Sigh.

So, instead, a little blog maintenance... update the birthday tickers, adding a twitter roll and changing our family "about us" section. We hope to continue sharing through this site, so keep checking our blog if only to check out our new pictures on flickr and see what I'm tweeting.

Twitterpated

We're tweeting now. Follow me (gilda) at @sillyporcupine, E at @ImZeebo and R at @ImBekahBean.

p.s. E and R's tweets are private, but send a "Follow Me" request and I'll add you as a Friend.

R's First Word and other milestones

A new post is long overdue. And R is really growing up fast. So before she's 12 and everything is out of date... here's a rundown of her newest milestones.

She is talking. OK, only one word. But a very clear one at that. She breathly says "Hi" to those she recognizes. (Super cute!) And she tries to mimic other words, but they usually come out as some sort of grunt. For instance, today I asked E what a cow says. "Moo", she answered. I asked R what a cows says. "Arrrr", she answered. So funny.

She is climbing like no body's business. We're constantly grabbing her down from some precarious spot. Or trying to keep her from stepping right off of things. Or helping her out of tight places (like the second shelf of an empty bookcase that she climbed into). Silly girl.

She is standing up on her own and standing without holding onto things. Soon (but hopefully not too soon) she'll be walking! I fear the day she is even faster on two feet! (She's a speed demon in the crawling department).

And even with only 2 weeks before she turns 1, R still doesn't have any teeth. I know, amazing huh.

Ok, my late update is done. :)

Busy Babies

I truthfully have to say I don't know how people with small kids keep up to date with their blogs. Some have great stories, pictures galore and captions for all. I'm lucky if every 3 months I get on here and get an update. Of course, maybe I'm just long winded and need to post more shorter entries. Anyways, even when our blog sits idle for months, keep checking back on our page if nothing else for the change in our flickr banner. If I find time, I usually upload pictures... because well I'm a shutter bug.

So just to let you all know how our busy "babies" are doing, here a short recap.

R - She's crawling, cruising, climbing stairs, "talking" (gabbing all day long or shrieking to match E's volume) and eating with her fingers. Her newest food is Puffs or Cheerios. She has been a super handful because she has decided that sleeping is over-rated and sleeps very short naps and sometimes not at night. Also, we really have to keep our eyes and ears out because she is super fast on those petite hands and knees she has. She also has a knack for reaching things and getting to stuff I don't think E could reach until you was over a year old. We love our little Bekah and she is getting to be quite a bit of fun. Her laugh is infectious and this is a great stage. Oh and she still doesn't have any teeth!! She's 9.5 months old! I'm not complaining though because she already likes to "munch" while nursing. Ouch.

E - She's going through a "terrible twos" period of testing every boundary and disobeying every things we say in hopes to get away with something. It's very tiring and trying, but we just constantly remind ourselves "It is just a phase." Also, E is now offically potty trained. Yay! She'll even (on most days) go through her nap and all the way through the night without wetting her diaper (which we still put on her because we're lazy and don't want to clean sheets constantly.) One thing that hasn't changed though is E's LOVE of her sister. She loves her... sometimes too much (bear-hug-squeezed). And her sister loves her! Our two girls are so cute together, especially when they play (nicely).

Ian - The end is near. Ian has finished his first draft of his dissertation. Now he's in footnote expanding, comment picking up and the "finishing up" part of his writing. Yay! Now let's hope theirs I nice amount of jobs come this fall for next fall.

Gilda - Same ole same ole with me. Only new thing is I am finally losing some baby weight (due to food diarying and calorie watching) and I'm trying to get back to that pre-baby routine of taking care of myself along with the rest of the family. Oh, and also I'm turning 30 next week. Wow, I can't believe I'm that old... actually I can. ha lol.

And so as we get more used to the neighborhood and get more involved at our church, we're hoping to build some great friendships and community... all as our family continues to be well (and busy).