Are you smarter than a toddler?

Teagan has been teaching us a thing or two from school. She talks non stop but she has recently started signing to us as they encourage the use of and teach sign language in school. It was a bit of an eye opener for us as she was taking her pointer finger to the palm of her hand and we thought it meant she wanted to play on the iPad or iPhone! It turns out that is the sign they use for "more." She also rubs her belly when she says "please" which is the correct sign. It made us realize just how teachable she is and how the things she is learning are applicable in day to day life. Plus, we need her to teach us the signs she knows!!

XO,
EAT

Daily Reports

Teagan has been enrolled in daycare which is transitioning into school for 15 months now. They fill out a daily report of her diapers, naps, meals, hourly activities and general disposition each day she is there. They will attach printed photos or art work from that day. I would read the reports each night and file them away. Well, the folder was bulging at the seams and I realized I didn't need to save every single daily sheet and Incident report. As silly as it seems to write, it was not easy to go through and pick some of the favorites and discard the rest. She is now fully settled in the Toddler Room with the big kids. They still send daily reports but are veering towards more of a predetermined curriculum. We get a kick out of reading about some of her mannerisms while she is away from us. They always consist of her love for going outside, getting friendly with a particular classmate, playing on the climber and of course eating most of the snack and meals of the day!

It is never easy to leave her for the day but it is nice to know just how her time is being spent! And time for me to part with her 4 month daily reports!

XO,
EAT

Shapes and Puzzles

This girl...she started playing with puzzles several months ago. But it amazes me now to watch her do them from start to completion. She is starting to work on the shapes too. Each piece is carefully placed where it belongs and then a quick clap in celebration. The second time is faster and a bit more forceful. She is slowly mastering this toy that you put the shapes where they belong, celebrate and then bop the lady bug and they spit them back out! All 3 of us get so proud each time!!

Sicky

We are on the upswing on Teagan's first real sickness of her life. It must have been a flu bug with vomiting and diarrhea. It pulled at my heart strings because there were just moments that nothing we would do could make her feel better! I didn't mind the extra snuggles when she was willing. It was tough not to give her real food and milk for a few days. She is old enough to know how to ask and where we keep the goods! All in all, she was a great patient. Now, it is so nice to see her energy and mood levels on the rise!! She loved playing in her crib this afternoon. Dancing, reading a valentine from Grandma and Grandpa I, making a fort and jump jumpin!

XO,
EAT

Snow!

Wow so much has happened since I last wrote on here. But I miss documenting and don't want many gaps so time to get back at it. Lots to write about like trips trips and more trips! Holidays! But for now...we finally got some decent snow in the Chicagoland area. It has been a mild winter so we can't complain but it was nice to see some of the white fluffy stuff and let Teagan get out and play in it! She fell backwards several times because of all the layers but once she got moving, she was in full play and exploration mode! It was super dry snow so no snowballs or snow men just yet!

Tree

We put up our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. We put the lights on the fresh Fraser fur and then a couple days later picked a handful of he hundreds of ornaments we have collected over the year. It was funny to have a "strategy" while hanging ornaments this year. Breakables towards the top, soft towards the bottom. Teagan has gotten really good at collecting the child friendly
selections from the low hanging brances. She also was able to participate in a tradition Rick has had since a child. There is this one ornament that is a Santa flying a wood plane. It has always been the last ornament on the tree and is added by flying Santa into the branches (aka tossing him). Rick let Teagan help this year and she caught right on! Now, she thinks that is THE way to place any ornaments back on the tree. Too funny! I vote we keep a tree up year round. I love turning off all lights at night with just the glow of the tree and the smell of the fresh branches.

Turkey Day 2012

Well Thanksgiving 2012 has come and gone. I have to say that is one of my favorite meals of he year. Stuffing, potatoes, turkey, green bean casserole, new dishes oh and let's not forget the desserts. I heard in the news the average Turkey Day feast can easily rack up over 4000 calories. It is so worth it! In 09 we spent Thanksgiving with our surf friends and hosts in Nicaragua and then in 2010 we headed to Las Vegas for Chris's 21st Birthday bash. Those were both unique and amazing experiences but there is something to be said for pigging out and then digesting over some football! That is exactly what we did this year at Dan and Candys house. Ryker and Teagan were non-stop all afternoon. Teagan enjoyed her first true Turkey Day meal that she could actually eat! She even decided to use some of the mashed potatoes as hair gel!

XO,
EAT