Two steps forward, one step back

I feel like parenting is a constant battle of two steps forward and one step back. Once you come to terms with that reality, life is a little more manageable. I've been working on getting that through my head. So far it seems to be helping when I get frustrated with sleep, eating, crying....

This week however, I'm getting an entirely new taste of the give and take of parenting. Having two babies so close together is bittersweet. I get to see new milestones in both the kiddos with excitement and a touch of sadness with each step toward growing up. We've had a big week this week with both kiddos:

Kayden has started sitting up on her own and is really getting into peek-a-boo. She has been able to maintain a sitting position for a while now but last night she actually got herself into that position. She still is forever trying to play with Keeley and be where ever she is. Whatever Keeley does is funny - even if the exact same thing done by Kelly or me would make her cry. I'm watching her grow up so very, very fast. In no time at all I feel like she will too big to consider my baby. At lunch today I let her sit in her high chair and put some milk in a straw cup for her to try to drink. She was so excited and kept looking from her cup to Keeley's cup and noticing they were the same. Not entirely successful in drinking from the cup, I had to switch to a bottle for her but I was impressed to say the least.

Keeley, on the other hand is quite the dichotomy. I knew that toddlers vascillated greatly between baby and independent little person. What I was not prepared for was the way it would make me feel. She is getting much better about playing by herself (although she still has to be within 20 feet of me at all times it seems), her vocabulary is absolutely exploding, her demands are becoming more frequent and insistent, her gross and fine motor skills continue to amaze me, and she has started to "read" her books out loud and to Kayden (she looks through them and says words that we talk about on the pages). I look at her daily and am amazed at the little person she is becoming. With all that I suppose comes insecurity on her part because she has also seemed to need us more this week. Every evening and every nap she has needed to be rocked to sleep. She was truly a baby last she let us rock her (6 months old maybe...). The first time it happened, I stayed with her a long time and thought about how quickly life passes. For so long I was ready for her to be able to go to sleep by herself and not need so much help. Holding her for that nap made me realize how quickly this time will pass - and how quietly. Even in that baby state though she was clearly a toddler - wearing pants and a hooded towel with no shirt.

How sad will I be when I pause for a moment in a few years to realize that I really don't have babies anymore? That I have said good bye to that phase of my life? I love each new development and watching them develop into their own little people but it is sad to close a chapter on your life. So, while they continue to take leaps and bounds forward, I will cherish each step back the kiddos take that allows me to hold onto their babyhood just a few moments more.

Learning to crawl

Kayden is SO determined to crawl. The other day I let her have a go at it straight from the bath. I was hoping that her unrestricted state would help; it didn't but I got some really cute pictures!


You'll notice she is quite happy with the tiny amount of progress she made.

Sisterly Love

Keeley attack!

Kayden is still all smiles.

Such adoring eyes for her big sister.

Sweetest picture ever.

Visit from Unga

My brother came into town on Wednesday to help drive a friend across the country. He spent a lot of time at our house with the girls. Keeley really enjoyed spending time with her Unga. Kendall got to experience first hand how toddlers can be a little bit on the bossy side. He played with Keeley at the park, taught her how to put her stuffed animals down the slide, and did lots of reading with her. He also got to enjoy some cuddle time with Kayden. We really enjoyed Uncle Kendall's visit and he certainly made quite an impression on Keeley as she is still asking for her Unga today.

Here are some pictures of Keeley and her Unga enjoying the park and reading time together.

Still moving

Kayden is determined to keep up with her big sister! Tuesday evening we left her on the floor to play while we ate dinner. Usually we bring her to the table with us but she had been in arms most of the day and seemed to enjoy her time on the floor. After about 10 minutes she started fussing and Kelly went back to the living room to get her. She had moved all the way across the living room and had gotten stuck by Keeley's ball bucket. While not coordinated or methodical in her movement, she is able to move great distances by rolling and launching herself forward. Watch out Keeley! As soon as Kayden figures out to move her arms she's going to be after you!!

All Saints Day

Today Daddy was recognized at All Saints Day at my home church. This is another one of the things that is just surreal to me as I process through the grief. While I know that he is gone, it is still hard to really wrap my mind around it. The service also ushered in the beginning of the first holiday season without Daddy. Fortunately, we have two adorable little girls that are the perfect age to begin new family traditions. Hopefully this will aide us in surviving this tough season.

It was important to me that we be at the service with Mom. Kelly, the girls, and I all met Mom at the first service. The recognition was at the beginning of the service which I thought was great. Keeley barely made it through the first 10 minutes. As soon as we had stood to remember Daddy, Kelly took her out. Unfortunately, Keeley is just too busy to sit still during a church service. Kayden, on the other hand, made it almost the end of the service. She was in awe of all the people, the stained glass, the music...it was so cute to watch her look all around with wide eyes. Babies have such a sense of wonder about the world.

After the service, we were sitting at the back waiting for Mom come out. Several people told me that I couldn't bring her back because they didn't pay any attention to the service. How could they when this cute face was staring at them?

Ketchup

Keeley has gotten very into ketchup recently. This is an improvement since she was previously angered by its presence on her plate. Ketchup will be a useful tool in disguising other food and enticing her to eat a wider variety.

Kelly and I were eating hamburgers the other night and Keeley requested some ketchup. (I know you were going to be amazed if she wanted hamburger since she is a vegetarian!). I squirted some on her plate and this is how she ate it.

Swirl both hands around to get it on her fingers....

...then put both hands in her mouth at the same time.

After a few fingerfuls, she asked for more. I pointed out to her that she still had some on her plate. She gave me a very serious look and smeared the remaining ketchup all around the plate. She then looked at me as if to say "See, I don't have any" and asked for more again. I had to admire her creativity so I gave her a little more. The same thing happened except I didn't give her anymore. Today she once again tried to tell me she needed more when she didn't. AGAIN she smeared it all over her plate to prove that she needed more. Isn't she too little to be this tricky?!?