This month was highlighted by settling in to the new house. Clara and Emma's favorite thing to do is chase each other or push their strollers with various things in them yelling "go, go, go" around the kitchen, turning the corner into the living room and dining room and back through the kitchen. They love playing with their letter on the fridge and also sitting at their little table in the kitchen. They also enjoy playing in their playroom- which gives them more space for their ride on toys and kicking balls around.
Clara's speech continues to improve, but it has been requested that she move from 1 day a week to 2 days a week to help her catch up faster. She says "bubbles," "highchair," "banana (which is "nana"), "avocado" (which is "cado"), "color," "more," "drive," "car" and her new favorite, "me" among other things. Clara LOVES music and singing. She becomes very animated and shakes her arms when Gabba comes on TV or she hears the Jack's Big Music show there. She rolls her arms like wheels and almost lifts herself off the ground with an enormous smile on her face when Mommy sings "Wheels on the Bus." She says "isty" and does the motions for "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and is working on all her animal sounds- Mommy and Daddy love the way she screams "moo." And yes, she knows the difference between a cow and horse, unlike her Uncle Adam at this age. For some strange reason, when you ask Clara her name, she says "Emma," and on a rare occassion she does say "Clara." Clara also loves making sure Emma is near her- holding her hand, chasing her to give her a hug, tackling her and giggling and saving a seat for her.
Emma has started to thrive in physical therapy and is picking up speed and trying to run. She is talking up a storm and will repeat anything that is said and in a pretty clear way that most everyone can understand her. She is stringing together words and one can actually have a full conversation with her. Emma loves books and says "read this book." Her favorites (and she says this one by name) include "What's Up Duck" (where for some reason they both pause to kiss the dirty duck,), " I Love My Puppy," and "My Body Book." Emma has to sleep with a book and has been known to say "book" at night if Daddy goes in to try and take it out of her crib. Emma loves her shows on TV and can now name every person on Gabba. She loves Sesame and Mommy thinks she has learned things too. Emma can count to at least 5 and then says numbers randomly. She knows her alphabet and can even count to 3 in Spanish (thanks Grandma G).
New evening games include "Mommy Says," which features Mommy saying "show me where your eyes are," and of course, yoga. Both ladies love yoga time.
Both girls have continued to fight some illnesses. Clara had an ear infection, even though she had tubes and was given antibiotic drops which worked. And, her hearing has been tested again and is "normal." It confirmed the decision to have Clara undergo the surgery in late March. Emma was diagnosed with an ear infection last week and wasn't put on antibiotics, but was up again last night and in pain today. Both Clara and Emma had some sort of stomach thing that kept them off dairy, fruits and veggies for much of the month and had them on soy and then rice milk. For the most part, it seems to have resolved itself.
Mommy and Daddy love the warmer weather because it means no heavy jackets, just an occassional sweatshirt for the morning chill. Clara and Emma have made the most of being the kids of one of the founders of The Rivertown Play Group and enjoy attending dance, art, music, coffee chats and more! Of course, it also means mroe play in the park, which even with help is tough, but without is truly a challenge and really not the best thing at this stage.
Clara and Emma continue to learn how to be toddlers and test limits. "No" is met by both ladies with a little giggle and an attempt to practice the bad behavior again. Mommy is trying to work with them on walking places and holding hands, but the "waiting" is usually met by waiting for about a second and then walking off.
And, this month brought crib tents after Clara decided to climb out and fall a few weeks ago. The adjustment has mostly been fine and they now request to be "zippered" in at night.
Mommy and Daddy are looking forward to a great month, which includes a little getaway to the beach with the gals!
