Tonight, as Zach was washing Adelie's hands and face after dinner, she reached out, patted his stomach, and said, "Baby. Tummy." Zach replied, "I don't have a baby in my tummy. Only mommy has a baby in her tummy." Adelie continued to pat on his stomach as she responded, "Baby. Tummy. See? Big one. Big one."
Poor Zach! But at least, for once, I wasn't the recipient of the childhood honesty.
Adelie and Staley's World
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
The Countdown
5 weeks. 35 days. In a little over a month, we will be welcoming the newest addition to our family. I am officially scheduled for a c-section on March 5, so barring any decisions from this baby to arrive ahead of schedule, we will have 5 more weeks as our little family of 4 before we become Sancken, party of 5.
When we were expecting Staley, we had 9 months to prepare for the birth of our first child. Of course, there was a lot to be done--picking out furniture, researching the best bottles/cribs/monitors/swings, registering, attending showers, nursery decoration, reading baby books, wondering about life with a child, worrying about how we would know what to do with an infant. Then when Adelie was on the way, there was a lot to be done. We were in the process of finishing our basement, so there was construction mess and chaos. We had to purchase big-girl furniture for Staley, set up her new room, repaint our office and convert it to a nursery, while also trying to clean and organize our just-finished-weeks-before-Adelie-arrived basement. At the same time, I had so many worries about how I would handle life with 2 kids.
And now, with 5 weeks left until baby arrives, all I feel is excitement. Sure, there are a few little things to be done. Bringing the baby gear up from the basement, washing up and putting away the gender neutral 0-3 month clothes, making some freezer meals, coming up with a name. We have to assemble the crib we got from one of Zach's co-workers so Adelie and Staley can become roommates. But there are no major room changes that need to be done. No major purchases to be made. No redecorating. And, maybe naively, I'm much less worried about the transition from 2 to 3 than I was about the transition from 1 to 2. Sure, I still have my worries. About the health of our baby. About having Staley and Adelie sleeping in the same room. About if my husband decides he doesn't like any of the name suggestions I propose. But, for the most part, I feel at ease. I feel excitement about meeting our new little baby. I feel joy at thinking ahead to my girls meeting their new sibling for the first time. And I feel ready. Ready for #3. Ready for this next milestone in our life. Ready to meet our newest blessing. Bring it on!!
When we were expecting Staley, we had 9 months to prepare for the birth of our first child. Of course, there was a lot to be done--picking out furniture, researching the best bottles/cribs/monitors/swings, registering, attending showers, nursery decoration, reading baby books, wondering about life with a child, worrying about how we would know what to do with an infant. Then when Adelie was on the way, there was a lot to be done. We were in the process of finishing our basement, so there was construction mess and chaos. We had to purchase big-girl furniture for Staley, set up her new room, repaint our office and convert it to a nursery, while also trying to clean and organize our just-finished-weeks-before-Adelie-arrived basement. At the same time, I had so many worries about how I would handle life with 2 kids.
And now, with 5 weeks left until baby arrives, all I feel is excitement. Sure, there are a few little things to be done. Bringing the baby gear up from the basement, washing up and putting away the gender neutral 0-3 month clothes, making some freezer meals, coming up with a name. We have to assemble the crib we got from one of Zach's co-workers so Adelie and Staley can become roommates. But there are no major room changes that need to be done. No major purchases to be made. No redecorating. And, maybe naively, I'm much less worried about the transition from 2 to 3 than I was about the transition from 1 to 2. Sure, I still have my worries. About the health of our baby. About having Staley and Adelie sleeping in the same room. About if my husband decides he doesn't like any of the name suggestions I propose. But, for the most part, I feel at ease. I feel excitement about meeting our new little baby. I feel joy at thinking ahead to my girls meeting their new sibling for the first time. And I feel ready. Ready for #3. Ready for this next milestone in our life. Ready to meet our newest blessing. Bring it on!!
Monday, January 26, 2015
Sisters
Staley is a wonderful big sister. She loves "being in charge" of Adelie and helping her out. She is good about sharing with her, playing with her, comforting her, giving her hugs and kisses, teaching her, keeping an eye on her, and helping her when she needs it. She loves to pick out matching outfits that she and Adelie can wear. Staley is SO excited that she and Adelie will get to share a room when the baby comes. She always looks forward to opportunities where she can help Adelie do something new.
In the same way, Adelie LOVES her big sister. She follows her around, plays what she plays, listens to her, always wants to make her laugh, and likes to give her hugs and kisses. Adelie loves to try to wear Staley's clothes and shoes. If Staley is brushing her teeth, Adelie needs to too. If Staley is picking out a headband, so is Adelie. Whatever Staley chooses, whether it's what she wants for lunch or what she wants to wear or what she wants to do, Adelie usually chooses the same thing. They are like two peas in a pod.
This morning, Adelie had her very first dentist appointment. Staley was excited to "help" Adelie at her appointment. She told Adelie what to expect on the way over, and she told me, the hygienist, and the dentist that she would show Adelie what to do. The hygienist even let Staley sit in the chair next to Adelie during the appointment. With the "help" of her sister, Adelie did GREAT. She sat nicely in the chair, opened her mouth whenever she was asked, and let the hygienist and the doctor do everything they needed to without any fuss at all. And when it was over, Adelie, of course, picked out the same prize from the prize box that Staley did.
In the same way, Adelie LOVES her big sister. She follows her around, plays what she plays, listens to her, always wants to make her laugh, and likes to give her hugs and kisses. Adelie loves to try to wear Staley's clothes and shoes. If Staley is brushing her teeth, Adelie needs to too. If Staley is picking out a headband, so is Adelie. Whatever Staley chooses, whether it's what she wants for lunch or what she wants to wear or what she wants to do, Adelie usually chooses the same thing. They are like two peas in a pod.
This morning, Adelie had her very first dentist appointment. Staley was excited to "help" Adelie at her appointment. She told Adelie what to expect on the way over, and she told me, the hygienist, and the dentist that she would show Adelie what to do. The hygienist even let Staley sit in the chair next to Adelie during the appointment. With the "help" of her sister, Adelie did GREAT. She sat nicely in the chair, opened her mouth whenever she was asked, and let the hygienist and the doctor do everything they needed to without any fuss at all. And when it was over, Adelie, of course, picked out the same prize from the prize box that Staley did.
Adelie and Staley chilling in the dentist chair
It makes me so happy to see my girls get along so well and love each other so much. I know not to count on this forever. I know that there will probably be times of discord, jealousy, drifting apart. But for now, my heart is happy and I can't wait to see the love they have for their new sibling too.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Totally Different
Apparently today is a big day in the Sancken household. Staley decided that she wants to sleep without a rail on her bed. Now keep in mind that Staley does sleep in a full-size bed that is only about 1-2 feet off the floor. My father-in-law had a good laugh about the fact that I was actually putting a bed rail on her practically-sitting-on-the-floor bed in the first place. Staley has been moving around less in her sleep, and if she does happen to roll out of bed, she really doesn't have that far to go. So while I was changing the sheets today, I removed Staley's bed rail. She couldn't have been more excited. Here are some of her quotes:
"My room is so fancy now."
"I look like I'm 10."
"I just want to sleep today at rest time in my bed with no rail."
(While Adelie was crawling around on her bed) "Be careful, Ad. Don't roll off. My bed doesn't have a rail anymore."
And my favorite...
"My room looks totally different now."
Who knew that removing a bed rail could account for so much excitement??? Or could make a room seem so different??? I'm just glad that I could bring Staley a little sunshine on this gloomy January day.
"My room is so fancy now."
"I look like I'm 10."
"I just want to sleep today at rest time in my bed with no rail."
(While Adelie was crawling around on her bed) "Be careful, Ad. Don't roll off. My bed doesn't have a rail anymore."
And my favorite...
"My room looks totally different now."
Who knew that removing a bed rail could account for so much excitement??? Or could make a room seem so different??? I'm just glad that I could bring Staley a little sunshine on this gloomy January day.
Enjoying a little time in her railing-less bed
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Bear's Trivia
Adelie has taken on her father's love of football. Anytime she sees anything with the Chicago Bears logo (which is quite often around our house) she excitedly points to it and says, "Football." "Football cup." "Football shirt." "Football blanket." If we ask her what we say about the Bears, she proudly exclaims, "Go Bears!" And anytime she sees football on TV, whether it's a game or a commercial or a movie, she is quick to point out, "Football."
Adelie has a little board book about the Chicago Bears. It's one of her favorites. It has pictures of various players, historical Bear's references, and a brief introduction to the game. Adelie is starting to identify some of the things in her "football book." She will point out all the footballs and helmets that she sees. On the page that labels the parts of a uniform, she can identify the helmet, shoulder pads, socks, and knee pads. On the page that discusses some of the rules, Adelie always points to the referee and says, "Grandpa." But my favorite is, when asked to identify the Bear's mascot (Staley the Bear), Adelie always says, "Sissy Bear."
Adelie is at such a fun age, talking up a storm and learning new things everyday. I love hearing her count and identify colors and use a few Spanish words. But I think Zach is more proud that she is expanding her knowledge of football and that, even after the disastrous season, she is not ashamed to proudly exclaim, "Go Bears!"
Adelie has a little board book about the Chicago Bears. It's one of her favorites. It has pictures of various players, historical Bear's references, and a brief introduction to the game. Adelie is starting to identify some of the things in her "football book." She will point out all the footballs and helmets that she sees. On the page that labels the parts of a uniform, she can identify the helmet, shoulder pads, socks, and knee pads. On the page that discusses some of the rules, Adelie always points to the referee and says, "Grandpa." But my favorite is, when asked to identify the Bear's mascot (Staley the Bear), Adelie always says, "Sissy Bear."
Adelie is at such a fun age, talking up a storm and learning new things everyday. I love hearing her count and identify colors and use a few Spanish words. But I think Zach is more proud that she is expanding her knowledge of football and that, even after the disastrous season, she is not ashamed to proudly exclaim, "Go Bears!"
Monday, January 19, 2015
Phases
I have learned, over these past 4 years, that kids go through many phases. There are some things that are just a part of who they are, a part of their personalities. But there are other things, many other things, that ebb and flow as they grow and change. Sleep habits, eating habits, behavior patterns...many of these things are consistently shifting. I've come to understand that, no matter how annoying or frustrating or dark things might seem, there is always a light and an end of the tunnel, because generally it's a phase. And whether you want it to or not, it will probably change.
Adelie is going through several phases right now that are not my favorite. And I just keep reminding myself that phases come and phases go. I'm just hoping that these phases go quickly.
1. Adelie, my wonderful eater, has been going through a more picky eating phase. Adelie has always been good about eating (large amounts) of whatever is put in front of her. Vegetables, meats, casseroles, soups. Whatever it is, Adelie will eat it. Lately, however, she's demonstrating her toddler independence...and her toddler opinions. "Not like this" is something we now hear frequently. She is eating less, and eating less variety. And what makes this all the more annoying is that she will take a bite of something, chew it up, and then spit it out, often trying to hand it to you. Food ends up on the floor. Frequent requests for more fruit or more chips or dessert are made. She is still a generally good eater, but I miss my put-it-on-my-tray-and-I'll-happily-eat-it little girl.
2. Adelie, my play-hard, sleep-hard little one has not been sleeping quite as well as she usually does. I've wondered about teething. I've wondered about her getting too cold at night. But whatever the reason, Adelie is waking up in the early morning hours. Adelie used to go to bed without a fuss, fall asleep immediately, and we wouldn't hear a peep until about 8 or 8:30. Now she's been crying more when we put her to bed, and has generally been waking for brief periods between 4:30 and 6:30 in the morning. Sometimes she'll cry for a few minutes and fall back asleep. A few days she's been up for the day by 6:15 or 6:30, not going back to sleep. Sometimes she really doesn't want to go back to sleep, and will cry for 15 or 20 minutes after we've changed her pants, covered her back up, and reminded her that it's 5:30 in the morning and it's still sleep time. And most days lately, even after she's gone back to sleep, she's been waking for the day by 7 or 7:15. This doesn't translate into longer naps, unfortunately. I don't know that these changes are exactly what I was hoping for a few short weeks before Staley and Adelie become roommates.
3. Adelie is impatient. REALLY impatient. When she wants something, she wants it NOW. And if she doesn't get it when she wants it, her volume rises, the intensity of her request increases, and pretty soon the tears follow. This is especially evident at mealtimes when she is done eating before the rest of the family. "All done. All done. All done. ALL DONE. ALL DONE. ALL DONE!!!" Although we're working on it, patience is not yet in her vocabulary.
4. Adelie has no sense of safety awareness. Climbing and falling, walking into things, trying to do whatever her big sister is doing. There is nothing that Adelie won't try. The other night after dinner, I was cleaning up dishes and Zach went into the bathroom to get a washcloth to wash Adelie's hands and face. She was not strapped into her highchair, and Zach emerged from the bathroom just in time to see Adelie standing up...on her highchair tray. She has also discovered that, when walking to the garage from the house, if she runs towards the road, I will yell and run after her. Good times, apparently. So this has become a new game, of which I am not fond.
5. And, of course, the phase of all phases, Adelie is firmly entrenched into her toddler drama. We have plenty of tears around here these days. Tears when she falls down, tears when she can't have what she wants, tears when things don't happen as quickly as she wants them to, tears when she is reprimanded, tears when someone else has something she wants, tears when I won't pick her up while I'm making dinner, tears when things generally aren't going her way. Tears, tears, tears. They are usually short-lived, but they are a constant in our day.
There are so many fun things about Adelie right now. She is talkative and funny, sweet and loving. She makes me laugh on a daily basis. But there are also some phases she is going through right now that I could do without. Let's keep the talking. Let's keep the playfulness. Let's keep the hugs and snuggles. But let's hurry through these night waking, picky eating, road running, impatient, tear-filled days.
Adelie is going through several phases right now that are not my favorite. And I just keep reminding myself that phases come and phases go. I'm just hoping that these phases go quickly.
1. Adelie, my wonderful eater, has been going through a more picky eating phase. Adelie has always been good about eating (large amounts) of whatever is put in front of her. Vegetables, meats, casseroles, soups. Whatever it is, Adelie will eat it. Lately, however, she's demonstrating her toddler independence...and her toddler opinions. "Not like this" is something we now hear frequently. She is eating less, and eating less variety. And what makes this all the more annoying is that she will take a bite of something, chew it up, and then spit it out, often trying to hand it to you. Food ends up on the floor. Frequent requests for more fruit or more chips or dessert are made. She is still a generally good eater, but I miss my put-it-on-my-tray-and-I'll-happily-eat-it little girl.
2. Adelie, my play-hard, sleep-hard little one has not been sleeping quite as well as she usually does. I've wondered about teething. I've wondered about her getting too cold at night. But whatever the reason, Adelie is waking up in the early morning hours. Adelie used to go to bed without a fuss, fall asleep immediately, and we wouldn't hear a peep until about 8 or 8:30. Now she's been crying more when we put her to bed, and has generally been waking for brief periods between 4:30 and 6:30 in the morning. Sometimes she'll cry for a few minutes and fall back asleep. A few days she's been up for the day by 6:15 or 6:30, not going back to sleep. Sometimes she really doesn't want to go back to sleep, and will cry for 15 or 20 minutes after we've changed her pants, covered her back up, and reminded her that it's 5:30 in the morning and it's still sleep time. And most days lately, even after she's gone back to sleep, she's been waking for the day by 7 or 7:15. This doesn't translate into longer naps, unfortunately. I don't know that these changes are exactly what I was hoping for a few short weeks before Staley and Adelie become roommates.
3. Adelie is impatient. REALLY impatient. When she wants something, she wants it NOW. And if she doesn't get it when she wants it, her volume rises, the intensity of her request increases, and pretty soon the tears follow. This is especially evident at mealtimes when she is done eating before the rest of the family. "All done. All done. All done. ALL DONE. ALL DONE. ALL DONE!!!" Although we're working on it, patience is not yet in her vocabulary.
4. Adelie has no sense of safety awareness. Climbing and falling, walking into things, trying to do whatever her big sister is doing. There is nothing that Adelie won't try. The other night after dinner, I was cleaning up dishes and Zach went into the bathroom to get a washcloth to wash Adelie's hands and face. She was not strapped into her highchair, and Zach emerged from the bathroom just in time to see Adelie standing up...on her highchair tray. She has also discovered that, when walking to the garage from the house, if she runs towards the road, I will yell and run after her. Good times, apparently. So this has become a new game, of which I am not fond.
5. And, of course, the phase of all phases, Adelie is firmly entrenched into her toddler drama. We have plenty of tears around here these days. Tears when she falls down, tears when she can't have what she wants, tears when things don't happen as quickly as she wants them to, tears when she is reprimanded, tears when someone else has something she wants, tears when I won't pick her up while I'm making dinner, tears when things generally aren't going her way. Tears, tears, tears. They are usually short-lived, but they are a constant in our day.
There are so many fun things about Adelie right now. She is talkative and funny, sweet and loving. She makes me laugh on a daily basis. But there are also some phases she is going through right now that I could do without. Let's keep the talking. Let's keep the playfulness. Let's keep the hugs and snuggles. But let's hurry through these night waking, picky eating, road running, impatient, tear-filled days.
Of course, fancy isn't a phase. Fancy is a lifestyle.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Snow Day
We got several inches of snow a week or two ago, but it's been too cold out to actually enjoy it. Yesterday, with the temperatures close to 40 degrees with no wind, the girls and I decided it would be the perfect time to enjoy some snowy fun before these warm temperatures melt it all away. (Wishful thinking.) Although the snow didn't pack well enough for snowman building, the girls enjoyed making footprints in the snow, throwing 'snowballs' (handfuls of snow), and sledding in the backyard. This was Adelie's first time playing in the snow. She liked the sledding and the playing, but was less than enthused about getting 'stuck' in the deep snow, falling into the snow repeatedly, and getting snow in her mittens.
Sledding was the highlight for the girls. Not so much for Mommy who had to hike up and down the backyard hill, lugging a sled and helping a toddler who kept falling over and crying.
Walking in a winter wonderland
My little snow queen...
and the ice princess.
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