Cienna - 3 Years, 1 Month... Kaylee - 8 Months!

Never quite realized how many people were born in the beginning of the year!  We had so much fun with Birthdays and have even more over the next couple of weekends.  Of course one of these includes our very own Cienna!!

Cienna was as excited and thankful as a 3 year old could possibly be!  She had such a great time with, and felt the love of, all of her friends and family for her 3rd Birthday.  She ran her own party... when we should eat, do cake, and open presents, it was all on her timeline.  Also suggested by Cienna, there was a princess castle cake and a Dora jumpy.  She was the perfect host!

The following weekend we headed to Newport Beach for Jocelyn's 1st birthday.  They went all out with the "must have" jumpy and also a real live Elmo!  During the next week, we got to spend time with the Geithmans and see how big Isla is getting.

The next weekend we all had a great time at a wine tasting birthday for Kristin (no wine for the kids of course... but plenty of fun).  We followed with hosting a perfectly small Super Bowl party which was a hit like always thanks to our friends, good food and drinks.

Then we headed out to the Ordonez's to a double birthday for Georgia's 3rd and Gracie's 1st Birthday party!  The day was filled with run away chickens, bunnies, goats, sheep, 4 wheelers, fantastic food and friends, of course the "must have" jumpy, and a water balloon toss to boot!

As mentioned Cienna had such a great birthday and thanks again to all of you sharing!  She really got a lot of practice with, and has gotten quite good at, writing her own name with signing her thank you cards and filling out her valentines cards for pre-school!  She has began to excel at sounding out her letters and has been recognizing them / pointing them out all over the place (clouds, bushes, etc.).  We still get plenty of dance recitals all the time with the new moves shown each Monday after dance class.  She has also begun music class at pre-school every other week alternating with Yoga class.  Each time we look at her in disbelief that she is now a kid and no longer a baby!

Kaylee continues to melt our hearts with her growing personality.  She is now VERY mobile and even pulling to a stand.  The crib had to most definitely drop down a notch, probably a little later than it should since we watched her in the monitor just about to get to her feet as soon as we ran up there!  She now has the two full blown bottom teeth which has helped guide her into finger foods.  She took all to quickly to the pincer grab when food was the object!  She is quick and likes to go after and reach anything that is around, especially if she hasn't gotten the chance to hold it before.  This is why she has adapted many nick names such as Miss Velcro. 

Some how we have also managed to finish our 9 interior door jam/casings (install, filling, sanding, painting).  On to window casing, and someday floor moulding.  We are all looking forward to a first "immediate family" vacation to the Southern California snow in a couple of weeks!

Stay tuned for next month and enjoy the pictures for now.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HcR8YMmTtrMNEGp89


For those interested in pictures from a "new perspective," Cienna has now begun her own album with her very own camera.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FamjoERfEkaYBfRe7

Cienna - 3 Years... Kaylee - 7 Months!

We love the adventure that the holidays bring!  We had 5 or more Christmas's in one fun filled road trip to Northern California.  We can start by saying how grateful we are to have a wonderful traveling team!  The four of us headed off a week before Christmas day and, even though we had one the longest trip up North that we have ever had, everybody stayed happy the whole way.

Our first stop was Kenwood where we had our first Christmas of the trip.  The Marty's and Kyle's joined Nana, Pappa, and us.  After a couple of days of relaxing and good times, we headed to SR to stay at Grandpa and Grammy's house which is always filled with music!  While in SR we went to Auntie Carrie's house to go to see her rocket bike.  Then we made some time to visit Grandma Judes and thank her for all the wonderful clothes that she sends.  We also had a "band back together" night at the Payne's, which included our second Christmas.

On Christmas Eve Cienna set out some cookies and milk for Santa in front of Grammy and Grandpa's chimney.  It was quite adorable to see her reaction in the morning of a bite taken out of the cookie and checking to see if there were footprints in the chimney.  After Christmas morning at the McFarlands we headed out to Martinez to meet up with more family including Uncle Sean and Auntie Jamie along with the Erker family for an awesome brunch hosted by the Natal's for the fourth Christmas!  That evening we make the uneventful trek back home.

Upon our return we were bombarded with more gifts from the Snow's for yet another Christmas gathering.  Mommy still had another week off so we took a trip to the Pretend City and another to the Santa Ana zoo with many good friends!  We also got the chance to meet up with Vera at the Getty Museum.  It was great to see her and also finally get a chance to visit the Getty.

Then came the new year which we celebrated with neighbors at the Snow's.  Lastly we had a great surprise visit from Hammer and her family, one of Mommy's college buddies that we haven't seen in about 10 years.  We've also managed to get a few things done on the house, but still have about 90% of our moulding still sitting on the floor.... it was a busy month.

Cienna has been growing like a weed and can't believe that she turns 3!  She is such a big kid now, getting up all by herself when the clock turns the right time.  Then getting dressed and coming down stairs all on her own.  She has loved playing dress up and of course can't get enough of ALL her new presents.  She still loves dance, reading, singing, and just being silly!  Her vocabulary is like talking to an 8 year old and although she may try to see how far she can get with some things she is easily reasoned with and just wants to be happy anyway.

Kaylee has also been expanding her vocabulary "sounds" quite a bit and exercising it even more.  She is interested in everything and what they mean to all of her senses.  She really likes the taste of books.  On that note she has a large variety of food under her belt and hasn't turned anything down.  Not quite getting the sippy cup yet, but does like to try.  She figures since she is such a big eater now it was time to get her starter 2 teeth!  Sitting up has now been mastered and crawling has begun! 

So much family equals so much fun!  Enjoy the pictures.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CnZKa5M47x3fWUX98

Cienna - 2 Years, 11 Months... Kaylee - 6 Months!

A November party is what we had!  The Marty's along with Nana and Poppa joined us first then Grammy, Grandpa, The Natal's, Auntie Carrie, and Uncle Sean joined the party about a week later for a Thanksgiving to remember!  We were so greatful to have so much family around all at one time.  All the kids (which includes the adults) had so much fun playing all day long.  We also made our way to the annual USC vs UCLA party at the Ferrario's having no luck in the pool.  But Mommy and Daddy got to go back to the party after the kids went down thanks to Poppa and Nana monitor watching!  Soon after the decorations went up inside and outside including our tree which was great to watch the kids enjoy hanging the ornaments.  We spent any other free time that we had getting some casing around the doors and getting ready for our Christmas vacation.!

Cienna has really enjoyed her new pre-school and all her new friends that she has made there.  There is a dance class on Mondays which seems to be the highlight!  She has also learned many more Christmas songs and loves to belt them out.  Rudolph is currently the main hit.  She also makes up songs quite often which actually include rhyming the lyrics.  Sometimes they're not actual words but they do rhyme!

Kaylee has now joined the world of solid foods.  Of course she loves every minute of it which makes it a bit difficult to eat when she is laughing/screams of joy most of the time.  She has had all her cereal and just tried peas for the first time which were a big hit also.  She sits quite well all on her own, opening up a whole new look to all her toys.  She is really working her legs and loves to jump and can stand on her own with something to hold on to.

It's great to see more and more interactions between the girls.  Although it's still mostly one sided with Cienna interupting anything Kaylee is doing to get in a HUGE hug and kiss.  We are so lucky to have so much love for each other and get to share such amazing girls as well.

Enjoy the pictures!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AotAJjmEbbGMcREk8

Cienna - 2 Years, 10 Months... Kaylee - 5 Months!

Starting the last month off on an exciting note... Matt and Stacey are pregnant!  We all took a trip down to San Diego for Casey's Birthday party.  That is where Matt and Stacey made the announcement.  We all had fun celebrating and hanging out.  Of course we made time for trips to the park, we also started a batch of home brew (Fat Tire) clone.  Pumpkin carving was a messy hit ending up with an angry alien and a kitty cat carvings.  We welcomed the Ordonez's for the Halloween weekend, so we all got to play like old times.  For Halloween Mommy, Daddy, and the orange and green M&M's  headed to a small event at the park and then trick-or-treated our wonderful neighbors!  (costumes were picked out by Cienna, even though she has never even had an M&M before, and made by Mommy)

 Cienna is really doing well on "pre-reading" skills.  She is recognizing over half of the sounds each letter makes and recognizing/memorizing certain words that she likes to sound out.  She loves to go around and take LOTS of pictures of just about anything.  Georgia coming for an entire weekend was one of Cienna's highlights.  On Halloween night, Cienna got to have her first lollipop which she sucked on all through bathtime, skipping her normal teeth brushing session, and story time then we had to brush right before bed!  The biggest news for Cienna was her first day of Pre-School!  She couldn't have had a better time and we are certain this is a perfect fit for her.  Daddy also helped Cienna memorize her home address, which is pretty good considering that we live on Charlemagne Ave.!!

Kaylee is a stomach girl this month.  When placed on her back it doesn't take long before she is on her stomach just hanging out and looking around trying to find something she can "try" to crawl to.  She also sleeps on her stomach pretty much all the time.  She is very aware of everything going on around her and easily recognizes her name.  We had her 5 month doctors appointment which went well... till the end when the shots came. (She was allright, Mommy wasn't like always)  Kaylee has gotten to broaden her skills with a couple of new toys this month.  She has played in the Johnny Jump-up... not quite jumping but loves to spin herself in circles!  She also is fascinated with the exersaucer which lets her stand free and have full use of her hands to explore!

The girls went through there first cold of the year together, but they were troopers and didn't hold them back a bit.

Enjoy the photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AbTY4A6mVJ6HgGGaA

Cienna - 2 Years, 9 Months... Kaylee - 4 Months!

We're grateful for all the friends and family in our life.

We were lucky to spend some time with the Wagners, Massie, and Bill for Jessica's Disney trip, thanks again.  Spent some much needed park and play time with Kai, Kristi, and Isla.  Took a trip to Temecula for Alex's 1st Birthday to keep in touch with the Grable's and see how adorable Alex is.  Ended the month with an eventful weekend enjoying in Jamaica and Val's wedding bliss, and an exciting trip to the Long Beach Pumpkin Patch with the Bakx's.

We visited a few pre-schools this month for Cienna (including one that we have been anticipating since last spring).  She will be starting middle of next month!  She is now associating all the letters with there sounds and has begun writing some of them.  She will call out letters that she sees as we drive around and associate the sounds that they make.  While Mom, Dad, and Kaylee went to Jamaica and Val's wedding Cienna had an unforgettable time full of arts and crafts (which were perfect Halloween decorations), movie watching, and loads of fun with our fantastic neighbors the Snow's.

Kaylee has been expressing her AMAZING personality even more and has began to get the gist of balance while sitting up on her own when appropriately placed!  We love to just watch her take in her surroundings and include herself with a sound or two when she feels appropriate.  She's becoming more comfortable with the bottle but is not quite sure of the fast flow yet.  At certain angles she is already a brown eyed girl but the blue has not yet disappeared.

Both girls light up when the other enters the room.  They play great together and love each other!  Mommy is going to miss them more than anything having to go back to work tomorrow.  All she can say is that it is not any easier going back after the second child!

Take a look at the smiles!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q9DPz4JrAMyHorxw5

Cienna - 2 Years, 8 Months... Kaylee - 3 Months!

A little bit more mellow this month as we started with the first couple of hot days this summer which warranted blowing up the kiddy pool and Cienna quickly adapted into a water slide landing.  We went to "school" to visit with Cienna's previous and future care provider and introduce her to Kaylee.  There was another fantastic pool party at Erik and Kristen's place which we all enjoyed (especially Kaylee who just kicked it by the keg).  George and Georgia also came by for a very welcomed surprise visit as you will see in the pictures that Cienna and Georgia have just a little bit of fun together.  Mommy got her first 6 hours away from the two girls to hang at a spa with friends to kick-off Jamaica's bachelorette party (which others in the group finished down in SD).  She was amazed that she still had energy at 10:00 that night.  Her women's soccer league also started up on Sunday's for the Fall season.

We continue our ongoing home improvement with painting of interior doors (turns out it's worth buying a paint sprayer when you have over a hand full of doors to paint)!!  We also are now proud owners of our very first dining room table which we weren't quite sure how to eat without sitting on the couch and raising our coffee table.  Also built some shelving in the under stair storage to make the best of the space.

Cienna as always is absorbing more information than we could imagine.  Knows how to spell she and her sisters names and is starting on her lower case letters.  We've played a lot of pretends and hide and seek.  Books take up a large part of the day as well as arts and running around dancing laughing!  She is excited to now be able to run up her little slide and can't go high or crazy twisty enough on the swing.  We're preparing for super big roller coasters which mommy and daddy love!

Kaylee had a doctors appointment on Sept. 3rd where she weighed in at 11lbs. and 23+ inches long.  A couple of dreaded shots were no fun for any of us but, she is perfectly healthy and continues to be a complete joy to raise!  Of course, like her sister, is also a spit-up queen all day long.  Daddy and Kaylee began there bottle feedings in preparation for daycare.  They both did fantastic from the first of many bottles!  She has also rolled over, first from front to back (more like following her head over), then from back to front (one time).  She has just began grabbing onto her toys and knowing that it is her hand which she just might have control of!

Enjoy the smiles!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vd8HwwDjtbXawR257

Cienna - 2 Years, 7 Months... Kaylee - 2 Months!

There really is too much to mention this month but here goes...

We continue to fall madly in love with Kaylee as we all get to know each other better!
We've had more visits from friends and even got to start venturing away from the home a bit more.

Cienna was very excited to have Kai come visit for a little big kid time before his beautiful sister (Isla Mae) made her way perfectly into the world just a couple of weeks later.  We also got to go to the Santa Ana Zoo which was the perfect get away after being solely at home for so long (the new home we are enjoying to the fullest!)  We celebrated summer with a pool party at David and Jojo's.  We also traveled to two soccer tournaments earlier in the past month that Mommy played in.  One was local and the other in San Diego where of course we spent time with Uncle Joe and went to the Stone Brewing Co. since it was nearby!

The next weekend we had a very exciting visit from, the way cute Cousin June, Uncle RJ, Auntie Megan, and Rosco where we spent time enjoying each other.  We all went to the the Long Beach Aquarium which was Cienna's, Kaylee's, June's, and Megan's first time!  We also had some new local  friends of Uncle RJ's (and now all of us) come by to play.

Mommy and Kaylee also got to join in a good friend, Jamaica's, Bridal Shower which was only the begining of more celebrations.  Daddy went boating with Uncle B for his birthday (thinking of Uncle RJ who shares the day).  Then Uncle Sean and Auntie Jamie tied the knot in the same weekend as Great Grandma (GG) had her 90th B-day party all in Northern California!  We were all happy to spend time with family on a too quick, but very enjoyable trip!  With such great children it is nice to have such a busy trip go so smoothly!  We also had time to squeeze in a second short lived Father's day since we didn't have the time to get the shirts completed with Kaylee's birth so close, but isn't it really Father's day every day!

Cienna is doing an amazing job with potty training as expected, and recognizes all the letters of the alphabet!  Her love for books, music, and art... and dancing, soccer, so many other activities and other kids and......has continued to grow.  Her vocabulary and memory still blows us away!  She has been picking out her own outfits which makes everyday a little more exciting and is still completely in love with her sister!  She makes having a second child a joy!

As every day goes by too fast they are both growing in so many ways.  Kaylee is smiling ALL the time and is becoming more aware of everything minute by minute.  She has found her hands and feet and was quite amazed with herself in the mirror!  You can see her thinking, and her smile lights up the room!  She loves bathtime and makes a mess by splashing everywhere.  Her favorite toy to kick is the butterfly on her playmat!

The girls really enjoy bath time together in there own bathroom (Cienna in the tub and Kaylee in her tub in the sink).  We have passed final inpection on the house and now have only some finishing work to complete ourselves but are very comfortable living in our new spaces and enjoying every minute of our very sucessfull remodel!

Please enjoy the pictures.. we do!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/d5bZ9wdv5To5UADL8