Another step ahead

So Dylan just had a couple more firsts this week. He has been potty trained for the last three months, however, each bathroom trip has involved 90-99% assistance (pulling down pants, leaning him forward, hugs and snuggles while he is seated for business...) This week, however, Dylan has been trying to do it all himself. For number one, at least. He has been pulling down the pants, I watch him get "the lean" in to make sure " it all goes in the bowl" and then he even does a little body jiggle to shake it off, heheh. He then shreds off a little toilet paper from the roll and wipes. SO cute.

The other first is his story reading level. Ok, I am reading, DUH, but his attention span and books being read has skyrocketed. I think it may have to do with him being sick and too tired to care as much, but we have been reading really LONG books - beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and the Lion King. They are so long that we read for about 15 minutes, put in the book mark and start up again the next day. These books have some pretty big words in them too which I am sure he doesn't understand, but he still listens and seems content.

I was very impressed with Sophia today and her first day of gymnastics. She didn't make a big deal about saying bye to me (I went over to her for fear she would cry and she didn't even pay attention to me). I went to the upstairs viewing area and she only looked up a few times to wave. She listened very well to the teachers and had a lot of fun with the activities. She did VERY well with the backwards somersaults. Yay S!

Answering service

I was in the shower the other day and when I got out, Sophia informed me that she was on the phone. First instinct was that she was on her play phone. Mother's instinct was that she was REALLY talking on the REAL phone. I asked her which phone she was on and she described the REAL one. I then asked is anyone was talking back to her and she said yes, it was grandpa. After a few more questions (and I was dry) I took the phone and sure enough, my dad was on the line and the time indicated they had been talking for 5 minutes! I then listened to her continue talking to him and was impressed at her slow and clear speech (stuff she learned with Lydia, the speech therapist). cool.

Dylan has a newbie too. He finally likes a veggie! Turns out to be broccoli. All of a sudden he has been wanting it and eating it first off his plate. We have only had it a few times in the past couple weeks, but that is great for me as he has not been one to eat ANY veggies until now.

Speaking of little D. He has a weird bug right now. Throwing up. No fever, or other symptoms. Was tired the first day of this. Low appetite yesterday, however, kept the little he ate down. Has had fun and been happy in between bouts. Was a little sluggish but not much to notice. Then we went to dinner after a b-day party and he started throwing up again! Poor little D. Hope he is ok tonight...

Sophia at 4

My little bunny is growing like a weed. Had her 4 year check up yesterday. Stats: 41.25 inches tall ( in the 80's percentile) and 37.75lb (in the 60's percentile). Had FOUR needles plus an H1N1 nose squirt. She didn't not handle those very well, but what can you do. Dylan was a a champ with his H1N1 shot in his leg though. Yay! Sophia is a healthy girl, so we are happy with that.

New year started here in Quincy. Got back from Los Gatos on New Years Eve. Stayed up until midnight (probably the first in a long time. Was easy as it was only 9pm in CA time).

Made it through our first week home. I just finished Sophia's sweater, complete with bling. I have a feeling, however, she will not like it as much as Dylan likes to wear the one I made him. I am fairly pleased with it though. I think adding a few more rows onto the hood would make it more wearable and I am not really happy with the zipper insertion (not very neatly done. I think a combo of not doing it before and my impatience to get the sweater done are behind that). I also think there is a little too much bling. I may take off the flower buttons I added to the neck area.

So,I underwent the knife yesterday. Had a little more "mole" removed. Two things were unexpected there. First, that I would be off from the gym for a whole month! (Off for two weeks while first biopsy heals and then I have a second one the same day those stitches come out and will have two weeks off for that). I was really enjoying going regularly, especially after running everyday in CA. Dylan has been asking to go with me and I hope that he will not lose his zeal for the gym after not going for a long time. Second surprise was just how big the slice and dice was for the biopsy. I was expecting a little cut with about 2 stitches. Took the bandage off and there were SEVEN! Ugh, no wonder there has been... discomfort.

And now, dun-da-dadahhhhh! Here are the long awaited photos from December and January.