Feeling Better

Saela has had a virus over the last week called herpangina. It is a very common virus which is very contagious. (It is not related to herpes despite the name.) This virus causes a very high fever (which began last Sunday) followed by very painful mouth ulcers. Imagine having about FIFTEEN CANKER SORES AT ONE TIME and this is what she had to deal with all week. She was a little more clingy and whiny - but for the amount of pain she must have been in - she handled it like a trooper. Yesterday and today her spirits are better and she's acting more like her happy little self. Today, finally, it looks like the sores in her mouth and on her tongue are starting to heal. Motrin and Tylenol helped us through the worst - especially when Steve and I felt helpless. A special thanks, also, to Grandma Green for watching her on Wednesday and Thursday while we worked.

Outside at Last

Steve took Saela outside yesterday to shoot some hoops. She was more interested, however, in "cleaning" the driveway. In the first picture she is picking up rocks and in the third she is cleaning the drops from blowing bubbles. We have had a really nice weekend weather wise and it has been so nice to be able to get outside. We took walks yesterday and today. The dogs are glad to get out and stretch their legs as well. At least Jax is - Jilly would still rather take a nap in the sun - unless she can find some rabbit poop to eat. Gross, I know.

Eating Like a Big Girl

Saela loves to use her silverware and always has to have a utensil in one hand. Invariably, however, she ends up holding a spoon/fork in one hand and eating with the other.

This is probably not the most appropriate "advancement" to pair with a "food" post...you've been warned. When Saela poops - I always say - "you've made stinkies in your diaper" and I pinch my nose when I say stinkies. Yesterday, she walked out from behind the couch pinching her nose. I asked her if she had made stinkies and she said "yep" and sure enough she had. I have quite the little smartypants on my hands. :) Now, if I could just get her to tell me in ADVANCE that she was going to "make stinkies" we could have avoided the poop in the shower incident.

Bibs

As mentioned previously - Saela went through a "bib" phase - here she is with one of her favorites. The most hilarious picture was of her wearing her frog bib in the bathtub - but that picture is unfortunately on my phone. The "bib" phase seems to be coming to an end - time has yet to tell what kind of smiles and laughs the next phase will induce.

Expressions

"What? Are you talking to me?"

"Yes, I believe I might have a trick or two up my sleeve."

Saela's personality continues to emerge daily. New expressions, new words, new likes/dislikes - it's crazy how fast she's changing. One of her newest obsessions is wearing a bib all of the time. She even wore it into the bathtub the other night and became super upset when we had to remove it to put on her jammies. We have transitioned to a new pair of shoes (the pink tennies you see in the pics) and have decommissioned the brown/pink moccasins - much to her initial dismay. Now, she will ONLY wear the pink tennies. (At least we now have some growing room.)

Time with Grandma T

Playtime

Cooking lessions


Lots of kisses...

...and Hugs

My mom had the opportunity to visit earlier this month and was able to spend two days with Saela. They played with all of her toys and read all of her books (multiple times.) They spent sometime in the kitchen...hopefully Saela learns all of her tricks and takes over the cooking duties in 7-8 years. :) ...and of course there were lots of kisses and hugs. It sure was nice timing too since I had a cold and Steve had a couple of evening commitments. Her visits are always too short - but we always take what we can get...we miss you!

Pretty in Pigtails

I know - it's been awhile...time seems to go more and more quickly these days. How can it already be February of 2009? Look at my big girl - she will be 18 months old in 18 days. EIGHTEEN months - it hardly seems possible. I heard this song on the radio today about the stages of a child and how each stage is difficult - but to hang in there because "it won't be like this for long." I was just thinking the other day how some tasks seem like they are never ending. (I was washing Saela's high chair tray for what seemed like the 1000th time.) My very next thought, however, was that someday I won't have to wash this highchair tray - and that means my baby girl will have outgrown the need for such an item. The following are the lyrics from the end of the song...

He lays down there beside her

Till her eyes are finally closed

And just watching her it breaks his heart

'Cause he already knows

It won't be like this for long

One day soon that little girl is gonna be

All grown up and gone

And this phase is gonna fly by

So he's trying to hold on

It won't be like this for long

It won't be like this for long

It Won't Be Like This For Long by Darius Rucker

These words are so very true - it's hard to remember Saela as an infant. Each day she learns something new or says a new word or understands more of what we say. She truly is amazing. As much as I am ready for baby #2 to get here - I also want the time to go slowly - because when he (yes - he) arrives - Saela will be almost 2. TWO!