Growing fast and furious!

Over the past month, so much has happened with Andrew and Addison developmentally, that a year ago I would have broken into several different posts.  But now, with 2 children, finding the time to write has gotten harder, and with returning to work looming in the near future, time is precious.  For the moment, Addison is napping, so who knows how long I'll have before this post will get saved for another day.  (Side note - this was finished while waiting for a doctor's appointment, 4 days after it was started!)

Since June 1st, Andrew has learned how to ride a bike and spell his name! Have I mentioned Andrew isn't even 3 yet?  We are just about the proudest parents around... except, he has also completely regressed with "#2"s, and we've gone back to a sticker chart and bribes for using the potty.  I'd take a potty trained kid over one who can ride a bike ANY DAY.  Focusing on the positives, I think Andrew's accomplishments show a good balance between Mike and I... he's a dare devil and all energy, like his father was growing up... but he loves reading, learning his letters and speaks very clearly for his age, like me. Unlike either of his parents ever were (wink wink), Andrew is a complete hand full right now.  I can't believe I ever called him a maniac before... at least before he wasn't the Tasmanian Devil with an attitude.  Now, he is full blown terrible two and I'm constantly perusing toddler behavior books and we frequently mutter about how lucky he is that he's just so darn cute.  It is amazing how a parent can find the two good minutes in a day and let the child survive on that memory for the other 1,438 minutes of the day.  Ok, that's a little exaggerated, but you get the idea.

Mike was super patient, and it paid off!  This was how the morning started.
Unfortunately, I only have video of Andrew riding successfully

 

 

 

 Andrew loves reading... especially to his sister. 

This is Andrew reading "The Happiest Toddler on the Block".  HA.

This was post-attempt to open the baby gate from the step side... he succeeded, but fell out,
gashing the corner of his eye on the gate as he crashed to the ground.

 

Notice the lovely ink-work?

Beginning of dinner at a restaurant...

...and 20 minutes later.

Also since June 1st, Addison has learned how to sit up, had her first (trial) day of daycare, and has caused mommy much anxiety due to her refusing bottles of formula.  Months ago, I decided I would wean at 6 months, and around 3 months when she was a very difficult nurser, I almost gave up then... but after a rough couple weeks, she became the most efficient nurser ever and I got lazy with offering the bottle.  Well, now I'm going back to work next week... and we are hit or miss with whether she will take a bottle... mostly miss.  I've successfully had her take formula 3 times in the past 2 days and was feeling on top of the world.  Until today, she balked at the idea of a rubber nipple being anywhere near her face and I'm not sure which of us cried more.  Who said Parenting was easy? Oh right, no one... ever.  Bottle tantrums aside, Addison is a laid back, happy baby and definitely a Mommy's girl.  Going back to work next week is not going to be easy. I mean, look at this cutie pie!