What?? An update??

Hey to all of you who keep checking the blog! We took a long break from updating this... Mommy has been a very dedicated graduate student this year, and has had to focus her attention on her schooling. Daddy may or may not (??) be aware that we have a family blog, and thus has not taken on that role. As Mommy's graduation approaches in August, so do hopes of providing more updates about our little family. How is Phoebe, you ask? In a word : TWO.

She is using representative play, and often creates an imaginary world full of the most delicious foods and farm animals. She often approaches her parents with cupped hands asking, "Do you want some choc-o-late?" Which must be eaten immediately in order to avoid tantrum breakdown. There are often invisible cows and billy-goats in her room. In order to request their leave, you have to ask nicely, in "cow" or "billy-goat" by saying moo-moo-moo (etc.) or baa-baa-baa. She also has created a very nice community of imaginary friends: Duke, Boop, and Eewee. They live in her belly and fit in the palm of her hand. Duke loves to swing on her swingset in the back yard, Eewee likes to hang out in the 'clubhouse' of the swingset and go down the slide, and Boop likes it when Mommy holds her. She will gladly introduce you to them by lifting up her shirt, taking them 'out' of her belly, and handing them to you. She has several baby dolls, named: Tuna, Angelina, Mini, and Burrito. Whenever the dog needs a walk, inevitably one of the baby dolls must come along in her toy baby stroller. All is well when leaving the house, but upon return to the house, whichever adult is supervising the walk usually ends up carrying the dog's leash, the plastic bag of poop, Phoebe, the baby doll, and said stroller.

Potty-training is a major deal for Phoebe because the docs told us in the NICU that there was no way to predict whether she would have enough control over the muscles in her bottom to control the liquid stool that her body produces. So far, expectations have been exceeded. She's going pee pee and poo poo on the potty during the day like a champ. No accidents in 5 days.

Hugs and Kisses! Thanks for checking in!

Halloween

Phoebe sometimes refuses to put pants back on after diaper changes, and was very excited about wearing her (self-proclaimed) "backpack" (wings). Then, she put on her (er, Erin's) rain boots, yes all by herself, and change-o presto, you have:

And her Daddy is so in love with her. Whether she's wearing pants or not.



We went to a party, and Spiderman was there.

We went trick-or-treating. The wagon was a big hit. Phoebe didn't care about going up to the houses as much as getting in and out of the wagon.



And then the party got a little silly. And Dad became the pony-in-residence. Spiderman and the Peacock's Mom stood by to safety-spot, and photographers went wild.

August 08

Mom's-eye view of, "Mama, hug!"

Mom's-eye view of when, "Mama, hug!" is delayed by Mom's insatiable desire for more pictures.
Someone has figured out "running". Wheee!

But, really now, who needs to run when you can ride Paw-paw's tractor? Let's hope she doesn't figure out how to get it started.

Oh, well.

"The lip".

Kowabunga, dude!

Questionable parenting you say? Naaw...what you can't see is the eighteen thousand adults standing-by, at the ready.

I'm the king of the world! er...princess?

This summer...

...we rode in the car,

perfected the 'pre-two' whine,

wore many hats,
got some cool new wheels,
and started to smile on command. Matt said, "Phoebe, gimme a smile!" And she gladly obliged. I think you can see all 14 of her teeth! Life IS good.

New Pictures

Invitation outtakes

New Adorableness

Did you know each box of Pampers comes with a toy?
From the depths of lake pack 'n play, the loc pack monster emerges...
If I have to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar one more time, I might go bananas....Luckily, Auntie- er Cousin- Leonore is visiting and steps up to the challenge!
Success!