First Word!

Could Des's first word be "uh oh"? It looks like it. He started saying "uh oh" yesterday and Mama would encourage him to say it and he would repeat after Mama, but it was never in the right context. It's not like we said "uh oh" when we dropped something or when he fell, etc.

But today, Des was sitting in Mama's lap holding a pen and he dropped the pen and said, "uh oh". Mama thought it was just a fluke that he said "uh oh" in the right context.

Then about 30 minutes later, Des was watching Mama twirl a spoon and Mama accidentally dropped the spoon and said "oops", at which point, Des said "uh oh".

Then, in the evening, Des was in his high chair, drinking from his sippy cup and at one point, he dropped his sippy cup onto the floor and said very clearly, "uh oh".

So that is three times now that he has said "uh oh" in the correct context.

Des hasn't said Mama in awhile but will say "Ma mma Ma mma" when he sees his Mama, so for this reason, we say that "uh oh", rather than "Mama", is Des's first word! Super exciting, nonetheless!

Born to Be Wild

Like all boys, I am sure Des would love to take a ride on a motorcycle down a freeway, but until he is old enough, Des will just have to settle for his sister's tricycle. Des didn't mind it though...he loved sitting on the tricycle, holding onto the handle bars, and playing with the bell. Mama was surprised at how long he was able to stay on his seat...a good 10 minutes or so!

In other developmental news, Des climbed a whole flight of stairs all by himself yesterday. It's so funny to see him get his chubby legs onto each step. Dada enticed him with Stella's potty chair. Des always wants to play with Stella's potty chair and we always keep it out of his reach and so the thought of actually being able to get his hands on the potty chair was a great motivating force.

Stella's 3 Year Checkup

Stella had her 3 year check up today and she cooperated with everything except for the blood pressure measurement. When the blood pressure cuff got really tight on her arm, she sort of flinched and tried to push the cuff away which lead to a higher than normal reading. So they decided to repeat the measurement at the end of the visit and this time, Stella actually started crying, which lead to a bp reading higher than the first one. So they just let it be. Then the nurse asked me if Stella would pee in a cup and I said, I really don't think so. So that was that. After the doctor and the nurse left the room, Stella told Mama, "I don't like those 2 doctors Mama, they squeezed my arms!". Luckily for Stella her shots were up to date so she didn't have to get any during this visit. Stella's stats are as follows:

Wt = 28 lbs, 2 oz. (25th %)...that's our skinny minnie!
Ht = 37.5 inches (50-75th %)

A Walk and a Ride In the Park

It was a beautiful day here today and we went to the park to enjoy it.

Stella and Desmond enjoyed swinging...

...and afterwards, we took a train ride through the park. That was lots of fun. While waiting to board the train, Stella was sweet enough to hold Des's sippy cup for him.



While on the train, Des enjoyed practicing his standing skills...

...while Stella enjoyed the view and laughing at her brother.

Des was startled by the train's whistle the first time and cried. But a drink from his sippy cup quickly distracted him and he was back to his cheery self.

Hello and Goodbye!

Des waved "hi" for the first time yesterday. We were saying bye to Stella after tucking her in for her nap and Desmond started waving his hand at her. It was sooo cute. We had been trying to teach him how to wave "Hi" and "Bye" for the past few days and he did it all by himself today in the correct context. That baby brain of his is absorbing a lot these days.

And an update on his clapping skills...now Des will start clapping if hears the tune to or if you sing "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands" and his clapping makes sounds. Sometimes he starts clapping after he wakes up from his nap when you go into his room to get him. Too cute!!!

Fun Times @ the Circus!

Stella's class had a circus themed party for the kids and their parents and we all went and had a great time. It was fun for us to see Stella interacting with her teachers and the other kids and partaking in all of the fun activities they had at the party.

The party started off with some dancing to fun music. The kids are wearing hats that they decorated themselves for the circus party.

Stella then got her face painted by her teacher.


Stella really enjoyed playing all of the games they had setup...her favorite was tossing the bean bag through the hoop.



Meanwhile, Des enjoyed the slide in the classroom...

...as well as looking at and touching the giant, hanging Teddy Bear.



The party was capped off by a dessert pie that the kids helped prepare. Desmond enviously watched all of the other kids eating and started getting upset at this point.

Donk!

Poor Stella fell down a whole flight of stairs and landed on the side of her head. She has a knot the size of a grape on her head and was crying on and off for about 30 minutes. Stella is a tough girl and doesn't really cry for injuries unless she gets really hurt. Called the doctor and they said to keep an eye on her for any unusual behavior and that we could give her some Tylenol for pain relief as well as treat her bump with an ice pack. She seems to be okay right now and is napping. We are getting ready to go to a party at her school that her class is having for the kids and their parents.