Lucia 15 months

Dear Lucia - you are 15 months old now. That means we're heading towards two and I wouldn't have believed it except that in the last week or so you have catapulted into 'little girl'.

Somewhere around the beginning of this week you decided that you were ready to walk. I knew you had it in you and were just biding your time. I was like that - not wanting to try new things till I was SURE I could do them well. You are cruising all around the house and back yard and rarely fall. It feels like with your walking your words have also started to flow too.

In signs you are saying: milk, more, again, food, baby, sleep, food, juice (the sign + "juuu" for jugo and ahhh for agua), cracker, work, fan, light

In words you say:  "Spiderman" (this is your most recognizable and reliable word), "wow wow" (dogs), Mama and Papa when you are really upset or need something. You are also using recognizable sounds for Diego, elephant, cow, duck

You are very insistent when you have something to say and are really good at communicating in general. I think Papa will find that, like me, once you have enough words he does not have the 'nice quiet girl' he thinks he does.

You love to play with your brother and your shining eyes and excited screams now that you are able to chase after him are an absolute joy to watch and hear. Diego loves you too and just this morning he told me "Close the door mama and I will play with my sister". The two of you played together in your room for 10 minutes perfectly happily. This is a great sign of things to come. I hope you will always get along this well.

In two weeks I start back to work and you go into daycare full time. I hope you enjoy it as much as you did during our test run in the spring. I have had a wonderful summer watching you turn from baby to toddler.

All my love: Mama

Physical Milestones

Diego can now hit a ball when it is thrown, with pretty good accuracy.

Lucia is walking - or at least thinking about it. She can go pretty far although still chooses to hold hands or 'scooch' rather than risk it.

These 'videos' are compilations of pictures taken on 'sports' mode in the camera. Fun!

Summer Adventures

A summer adventure today to Big Sandy Beach. We got to the ferry just in time to get to Wolfe Island. Drove to the beach early enough to be the first to arrive and not pay. We had a great morning and just missed the ferry home - which messed up the naps and led to an "interesting" afternoon. Still, definitely worth it.

First Rain

The first rain in 6 weeks! My neighbor Amanda had the brilliant idea of a puddle walk. Great fun was had by all, except a few older Portuguese women in the church parking lot who were a little horrified by the 'dirty' activity.

Pictures

A big picture update...

 

Hanging out at home.

 

Elise's birthday party.

 

Standing up!

 

Itsy Bitsy Spider.

 

Rafa's birthday.

 

Cuentos con Diego

 

Enjoying the backyard.

 

I'm here too. Hiding behind the camera mostly.

One Year (and a bit)

Dear Lucia - you are one year old now. (OK - a month and a half ago, it's been busy!) Just before your birthday I went back to work, somewhat unexpectedly, and so you have had a busier month that we had originally planned.

You learned to be at the daycare. With very few tears or fussing (one unhappy day and a few sniffly mornings) you settled into your new routine. You have learned the circle time routine is just a few weeks and will now ask for "Itsy Bitsy" and then move right into "Two Hands Up". It's so fun to watch you enjoy music. You have even let me come and visit you at lunch, which was the best part of my day at work. I come in for 10 minutes or so at 11:00 and then go and let you each lunch. Like all things, you take these visits in stride. With only a little bit of whimpering when I go, near the end you would even wave and go off on your own to find Tracy so she would read you a story. You are so chill!

We also found out this month that you have an egg allergy. After throwing up egg twice, our family doctor recommended that we take you to an allergist. The skin test came back positive and so you are now the proud owner of an epi-pen. We have cut egg out of your diet completely and we are hoping that you will outgrow it. We are now exploring baking without eggs or gluten. It hasn't fazed you at all and you continue to eat anything I put in front of you.

You are more relaxed than your brother, but also more cautious. You have been standing and cruising for a while but have not taken the leap of faith to let go. We have caught a few hesitant steps - I think, mostly, when you forget that you can't walk. Yesterday you did take two steps for me to capture on camera. You're like me little one - I also like to be really sure I'll do well before venturing into new projects. I didn't learn to ride a bike till I was 10 and could teach myself. We can be cautious together while the boys run around and jump off of things.

Your communication has also taken a big leap. You are signing for 'milk' and 'more/again' and 'book' very clearly. With some prompting we have also seen: play, sleep, apple, and Cherrios. You are making lots of sounds and pointing to make requests but not too many words yet. Like the walking you are just waiting till you can do it well. I won't be surprised if you don't talk much at all until one day you come out with: "Mama, can you pass my cup please."

You have also learned to kiss (with sound and all) and are using it to win over the boys. Kisses are forthcoming and frequent for both Papa and Diego. You tried it on my one night as well to put off bedtime. It's hard to say "No more kisses Lucia - you have to sleep!" Speaking of bedtime, you are not nursing at night anymore and are mostly sleeping through most nights. This has been a great gift to your father and I. 

I'm off for the summer now (hence the time for this very late letter) and am so looking forward to the extra time with you and your brother. We plan to go to the park in the morning and then have a nap. Happy year and a bit little girl... and here's to lots more together.

Mama.

Food Adventures

I'm home from work today because yesterday Lucia and I went to the hospital and she was diagnosed with an egg allergy. We went because she threw up eggs twice (the dramatic, whole stomach out, want to sleep when you're done kind of throw-up). The skin test came out positive and so we are now the proud owners of an epi-pen. The daycare won't let her back in until we get the details and some paperwork sorted out with the doctor and so we are home till that happens on Monday. It's OK - it feels like a bonus maternity leave day.

And so, our food adventures continues. The good thing is that we are already used to packing food where ever we go and being really careful where we eat out. The bad news is that eggs was what makes gluten-free cooking palatable. Still - there are lots of people out there with gluten and egg issues together so there are lots of recipes to try and we've gotten pretty good at experimenting around here.

Yesterday I made a gluten-free, egg-free bread in the bread maker which was very edible (especially with lots of butter and jam) and there is a gluten-free, egg-free cake in there now. I'll let you know. 

Sucessful Baking

Adventures in Gluten Free Baking means sometimes it's a door stop and sometimes is wonderful food. I've had some great successes lately. Here are some cupcakes - made from a homemade cake mix recipe and Cake Doctor Bakes Gluten Free. I got it from the library but am IN LOVE and will be buying a copy for myself. Let them (me!) eat cake! I ate a ton of these puppies - took some to a birthday party (have cupcakes, can party) and also to a baby shower.

Then today I made my fruit muffins which always seem to work out and some successful bread (!!!!) from another favorite book - Gluten-free Gourmet Bakes Bread.

I 'proofed' my yeast this time. Something they always tell you not to do with Gluten Free baking, but I haven't been able to get my bread to rise so I thought I would give it a try. It made all the difference. I've been working on getting my recipes more organized - one of my many projects before going back to work and I can post them here for anyone who is interested.

Back to work...

Yes, despite promises to myself and to everyone who would listen to me - I am going back to work in 2 weeks. What??!! you ask. But she seemed so sure. (Like I have never made an "I'm absolutely sure" statement before and backed out - like every day.) Here is the order of events.

Tuesday morning: I get a call from the principal - just so you know - the person doing your job is going on to anther job. If you are at home to be with your family you should stay at home but if you are at home to be helpful you should know...
-Me - thanks for the head's up - probably not.
-Rafa - think about it - it's only a few weeks.
-Me - check the calendar. The contract would start the exact day my EI runs out. Providence?

I called the day care and a spot opened up in the baby room just the week before. Providence?

Eight weeks of work starting May 7th and then nine weeks off for the summer. I get to finish of the year the way I like to - we all get to practice our new routine before the general stress of September. I get some pay and benefits through the summer.

I will miss hanging out with my babies. I'll miss our relaxed mornings. (these were ending anyway as Rafa will be heading off to work early every morning) But.. Lucia is significantly more chill than Diego and has already done one full day in child care and several Sundays in the church nursery without batting an eye so I think she will adjust more easily than Diego did.

More on the good side than the bad. Interestingly, the last time around I was ready to go back and while I am resigned and do feel like it is a good decision I am not anxious to reenter the work force this time. Different dynamic.

Here are some pictures of my brood. They're pretty cute right now. Lucia has been trying out standing up on her own. She only makes it a few seconds but I can almost feel the wheels turning. She's ready to be chasing after Diego.

Today at the Park

Dear Lucia: 10 months

Dear Lucia:

You are 10 months now. I looked back to see when my last letter was and it was 4 months ago. We've been busy around here, traveling and renovating the kitchen. But, things are slowing down a little and we are getting ready to enjoy this early spring. We are going to have lots of fun this summer because you are starting to move around. After sitting up and watching the world intently for a while you have decided to start moving around. It's still slow, cautious and studied (I suspect this is going to be a theme in your life) but you are beginning to bum scootch/crawl to things to check them out. You can stand up, supported by something, but tend towards dramatic falls and so we have to keep a close eye out. I do this too, and I'm still here so I think you will survive. The other day at church you were sitting on the floor while your brother ran circles around you. You: content to watch, him: always on the move. Don't worry - he is always going to be faster than you but I suspect you are going to be bigger shortly. This will even things out.

You have started to use some little words. You say "papapapapap" and "di..di..di..di" to call your father and brother. You have also started to try some signs. We think we have seen the sign for 'change' and 'all done' and maybe 'food'. You have definitely figured out that this will work and are just working out the kinks between brain and hand/eye coordination.

Everyday interactions with you become more complex, you are passing toys and looking for 'lost' things. You are calling out to people to get their attention and responding to cues. We are playing 'ojitos' and clapping. You are also sharing a room with our brother now. You are still getting up 2 or 3 times in the night but your father and I are sleeping more soundly and Diego loves the company. Last night he went to sleep before you and complained that he was "lost" because you were not in bed yet... this may have just been a tactic to put off bed time but it is also a sign of how much he loves to share with you. Remember that when you are older and you both start to fight.

You have four teeth now and more on the way. This has been disrupting everyone's sleep even more lately but we're surviving. We'll be glad when they come through. That's why this month's pictures all seem to have drippy noses. You always get a drippy nose when your gums are bothering you.

You are beautiful and intense and serious with the power to transform the room with a huge smile when you want to. Your father is smitten and I like you pretty well too little lady. Keep growing and exploring.

Your mama.

Kitchen on a Budget: Part II - Construction

And then we began to put it all back together. After the insulation the drywall went up. A friend of Rafa's came and helped us which was BIG!!. We opted for big sheets (12 - the length of the wall) which meant way less mudding and taping but the hanging is  more complicated. We did end up cutting the ceiling pieces in half to make them more manageable.

Rafa and I did the first tape together - and then took turns with the following coats. Diego has been in daycare all week and Mom is here taking care of Lucia but she got sick just after the first tape (actually really good timing) and so Rafa and I took turns with the last bits.

The cabinets arrived on Friday and we hung them up - despite not being done mudding and taping. Rafa goes back to school on Monday and so what doesn't get done by then I will have to do on my own whenever I have time. I can not hang cabinets by myself.

I got up Sunday morning at 5:30 to sand while everyone else was asleep. Then Mom and I took the kids to church while Rafa painted. We are staring to get very tired by this point. Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun were all long days. The bright side and extra motivation to continue came on Saturday when the gas fitter came and hooked up the stove again. We really enjoyed that first cooked meal. I read somewhere that six weeks is the average for a kitchen renovation. We were ready to be done after 6 days. I don't know how people do it. The kids are getting pretty tired as well. Saturday and Sunday they were both  looking for more attention from Mama and Papa. Grandma has been fun but enough is enough.

Today the plumber was here and hooked up the water. (And also replaced the toilet that was cracked during the demolition) and so we have a functional kitchen. There is still lots of finish work to do but I will enjoy doing that bit by bit.

Stay tuned for more pictures of finished product and the budget breakdown.

kitchen on a budget: Part I - Destruction

We are 'doing' our kitchen. The thing with a kitchen is that once you start you might as well do the whole thing. Our motivation came from the large quantities of mouse poo in, well, everywhere. We'd filled as many holes as we could and now the only ones left were hidden by ancient cabinets. So.. it all came down. And, since we are currently living on one EI check it has to be on the cheap.

Before:

Floor: peeling. Cupboards: original and annoying with handmade doors.

Day One: the base cabinets I took down while the kids played. Rafa did the uppers when he came home from school. I am beginning to realize how much we are going to need that big garbage bin parked in the driveway.

Day Two and Three: it all comes down. The plumber and electrician both come to re-wire and plumb. No nasty surprises here which is good. We did find 8" of loose insulation in the ceiling - which was gross - and we didn't expect. But other than that no nastiness.

Today the insulation went in and tomorrow we start to put it all back together again.