He's Four!

Dear Nathan

Four years ago we got our first chance to meet you. In four years so much has happened. In particular, this year has been a year of transitions for you. You became a big brother and had to find your way in that role. You learned to pedal and ride a bike without training wheels. You left the comfort of your small little daycare and started preschool. If we didn’t know it before, we know it now, being 3 is hard! There are times throughout this year when I wasn’t sure we would see our way to 4, but here we are. One thing you inherited from us is stubbornness. You definitely learned how to exert your opinion this year, and not always in the most appropriate way. But as you became more confident in the things you are good at, and more comfortable in your role as big brother, we have seen these “moments” become fewer and further between. You have definitely began to develop a sense of humor and you crack us up all the time. One of the funny things about this is, though, you have also developed a sense of humility and you get embarrassed when we laugh at the things you do. Enjoy your special day!

Love
Mommy and Daddy

12-month stats

Kira had her 1-year well check up the other day. She is still a little peanut. Her weight is 16lbs 12oz, which remains in the 1%tile. Her height was 27.75, which is the 13%tile. She continues to have a larger head, which in the 51%tile. Dr. Berent says she keeps plugging away at her own curve. She did gain two pounds since nine months, so he was pleased with that. He says that developmentally she is on track. She is not nearly as verbal as Nathan was at 1, but she clearly says hi, dog, dada and sometimes mama. She is walking about 95% of the time now and can get up from sitting to standing. Making progress and growing everyday!

She Swims

Kira started swimming lessons this month. Last week was her first lesson and it was not good. She screamed and I mean S-C-R-E-A-M-E-D through the entire 30 minutes. So it was with bated breath we tried again this week. Well wouldn't ya know, this week she was all smiles and giggles. These kiddo's are really funny creatures and they surprise you all the time. So here she is having a ball tonight!

Happy First Birthday Kira

Tomorrow Kira turns one year old! Can't believe how quickly this year has gone by. Kira is very much moving onto her toddler years. She is walking about 90% of the time. She has 12 teeth and seems to be getting more. Sleep is getting better, but still not through the night (this is the year!). Kira has started to develop quite a personality. She definitely prefers her mama, daddy and brother, but enjoys the company of others, as well. She loves to smile and laugh. Kira also loves to eat. She experienced her first taste of sweets yesterday at her birthday party. Although she didn't dive in like Nathan did at his first birthday, she definitely loved every bite. Kira loves her brother and loves to do everything he is doing. She tries to copy everything he does. In another year or two, I really think they will be buds. Can't wait to see all that year 2 has in store. Happy Birthday Baby Girl, we love you to pieces.

Christmas 2010

Another Christmas has come and gone. It was our first Christmas with two kids and it was great. Nathan is at an age where Christmas is so magical. He enjoyed looking at Christmas lights, he sang his heart out at his preschool show, he became obsessed with the Grinch Who Stole Christmas and he enjoyed visiting family and Santa, of course. Kira is getting to such a fun age. She enjoyed opening presents and wandering around with her new found two foot mobility. Both Kira and Nathan received so many gifts that we really needed a good purging of old toys. Now that we are back home, they are spending lots of time putting all of those great gifts to use. It was really a great time spent with family. Now onto New Year's Eve and here's to a great 2011!

Kira with Santa


Nathan with Santa


Exhausted!


His only Christmas wish


with her new puppy dog

11-months!

Kira is now 11-months old! Holy cow, we will officially be leaving infancy behind in just one month! I would like to say it's bitter sweet, but, no, I can't. I just love little toddling toddlers and their waddle walk. This month Kira decided to give me a taste of what sleep was like. She slept for five nights from 7:30 to 5:30 or 6 and then all of that went out the window with the discovery that Miss K had begun cutting her molars. She has officially cut the top two and the bottom two are not far behind. Seriously? This isn't supposed to happen. Kira began taking steps this month as well. She is not full on walking, but she will take steps and attempt to walk, but why walk when she can full on crawl where she wants to go. Looking forward to Christmas with her and Nathan and then celebrating her first birthday just two weeks later.

Preschool Christmas Program

Last night was the Christmas Program at Nathan's preschool. He has been talking about it for weeks, but would not sing any of the songs for us at home. We were a bit nervous that he wouldn't actually sing when he got up there last night, but he did awesome! He knew the words and motions and really seemed to enjoy himself. It was great to see him before the show with his friends running around. It really hit home that we made the right decision by moving him to school.