Bye Bye Baby

This week has been very bittersweet for me.  Tomorrow is Makena's 12 month check up and on Saturday she turns ONE.  The year has gone by even faster than Melia's first year.

We have phased out bottles, but still have an attachment to the binky.  I figured out how much breast milk I had pumped and stored in the freezer and very happily packed up my pump!  Ok, I have to say I was a little sad because I know this is the end of my "baby" days, but I am so over pumping!  Makena transitioned beautifully from sleeping in her bassinet to sleeping in her crib.  Again, another sad moment when I packed up her bassinet.  I am giving it to a dear friend of mine for her new baby, so at least I know it will be in good hands.

Makena's teachers at daycare have been prepping me for weeks.  Today is her last day in the infant room. (The girls are off school tomorrow so we can head over to Disney to start celebrating!)  I really like the 1 Year Old teacher, but I LOVE the infant room teachers.  They are so good with Makena.  I am sure they know the transition is harder on the parents than it is on the kids.  Today I got a sweet note from Ms. Vicki thanking us for letting her be a part of Makena's life. 

I am sure it is because I know we are not having any more kids.  I am having a much harder time with Makena turning one.  As I was packing our bags for our weekend Disney trip, I was having flashbacks to packing for the hospital.  It literally seems like yesterday.

So now we move onto the next chapter in our lives - two toddlers!

Fisher Price Weekend at Lowry Park Zoo

Each fall Fisher Price hosts a special weekend at Lowry Park Zoo.  They set up a huge area in Wallaroo Station filled with the newest Fisher Price toys.  It is pretty much a brillant marketing scheme right before the holiday shopping season.  It works.

The girls got to try out a ton of toys and we really got to see how they work.  They even had a driving track to try out all the power wheel cars.  Melia had fun driving, but she has a lead foot! 

Makena enjoyed the Laugh & Learn Dance & Play Puppy.  She wasn't a fan (and neither was I) of the Laugh & Learn ABC Train.  I really wish they had the Apptivity Case, because I really want one of those!

Both of the girls played with the Little People Animals, but could care less about the other Little People toys.  It's kind of that way at home too.  We have a ton of Little People sets and they never get played with.

Melia was drawn to everything Dora.  I was glad she didn't show a lot of interest in the Dora dolls.  (She has to sleep with every doll and stuffed animal she owns and is running out of room in her bed!)  She loved the Dora Electric Guitar.  Played it like a violin, but still loved it!  I was surprised at how much she loved Rock Star Mickey.  I saw an ad this morning for a Let's Rock Elmo.  I wonder if that would be as exciting for her.

We came home with a goody bag, and a wish list for Christmas.  And of course the Fisher Price Play Book complete with coupon for their online store (enter Zoo2011 at checkout and save $10 off $50 or more!  Well played Fisher Price!

What Should A 4 Year Old Know?

I recently came across and amazing blog post - what should a 4 year old know?  Neither of my girls are 4 yet, and am certainly not rushing them.  But the post really brought up some great points.

With Makena's 1st birthday fast approaching, and Melia's 3rd not far behind, I am often asked what the girls want or need as gifts.  I am so thankful for friends and family that want to celebrate the girls birthdays and holidays.  And I am very appreciative of everything they have.  This part of the article really sums up the answer to that question well. 

That our children deserve to be surrounded by books, nature, art supplies and the freedom to explore them. Most of us could get rid of 90% of our children's toys and they wouldn't be missed, but some things are important-- building toys like legos and blocks, creative toys like all types of art materials (good stuff), musical instruments (real ones and multicultural ones), dress up clothes and books, books, books. (Incidentally, much of this can be picked up quite cheaply at thrift shops.) They need to have the freedom to explore with these things too-- to play with scoops of dried beans in the high chair (supervised, of course), to knead bread and make messes, to use paint and play dough and glitter at the kitchen table while we make supper even though it gets everywhere, to have a spot in the yard where it's absolutely fine to dig up all the grass and make a mud pit.

I know that it is fun to wrap up presents.  I love to do it too.  But visits to museums, the aquarium and zoo, etc...  make amazing presents.  The girls learn a lot, while having a great time and spending time as a family.  Most of the "things" in the paragraph above are all on my "wish list" for the girls.  Yes, they have a lot of books, but in our house they really get read!  Melia is starting to get into the "dress up" stage and we are having tons of fun playing pretend.  And as much as I cringe when the pots and pans are banged on, I know that it is fun for them and it is how they learn.  So I am learning to encourage their musical adventures!
 
The most important thing on the list is something I hope my girls always know - that they are loved unconditionally - all of the time.