Keeping up with a 2 year old

July 19, 2015 

We're a week past Sierra turning 2 and Eve is now 1 month old. Life has been changing over the past few weeks. It has seemingly gone by very quickly, as is the saying. I just started exercising again yesterday and today. It was nice yesterday because I was able to run a bit with a new mom friend at the high school track while Gus ran around with the kiddos and Eve slept in the shade. I checked on her every lap to make sure she was doing okay. Today I ran Sierra in the Bob around our neighborhood while Gus held Eve. We saw a horse (that welcomed the carrots we gave him), a donkey that snorted at us, and sheep that baaahed at us. Sierra and I both enjoyed it, and since I am only a month post-delivery I feel absolutely no pressure to be fast or run long which is nice.

                       

We have been popping over to Anne and Jerry's house at least once a week and it has been truly great to have them as neighbors. I realize how wonderful it is for Sierra and Eve to have them so close and accessible! We have shared dinners here and over there in addition to just saying hello. 

When the weather is hot we have to find more activities to do inside... sometimes that means ripping up baby wipes and jumping on the bed, and other days it means going to tumbling class and the library.

Sierra received a few more birthday gifts in the mail this week (along with cards that she has really enjoyed). It has been really fun for her (and she is well aware that it was her birthday).

Tumbling class has been great for Sierra she is learning how to take turns, wait, listen to directions, as well as meeting new friends and getting out her energy.

She has been thoroughly engrossed in playing with her new dolls she got for her birthday, although she doesn't have self-play nearly as much as she used to. She always is telling you to "have it," so that you can play with her.

She was given quite a few Frozen themed gifts, which she was very pleased with.

Eve is growing everyday and becoming much more aware. She smiles now (not just a reflex anymore). At her two week visit she was 9lb 14oz and 23 inches long! She is feeding and sleeping well. Sierra is learning how to be gentle with "baby Eve," but it is far from an easy concept with her. She is such a strong physical girl that sometimes she doesn't realize her hugs and kisses could literally crush an infant. We try not to get upset about it, but we are stern about being soft and gentle with her.

Nana Maryann truly enjoyed herself. She loves having two granddaughters and was very helpful while she was here. She put Sierra down to bed a few times, and played pretend with her while I was taking care of Eve. She also held Eve while I was playing with Sierra for extended times.

We went to Fresno State Farm Festival while she was in town. Sierra made a craft with flowers and we all ate delicious free samples and bought food for Sierra's party there.

Eve fits in Sierra's hand-me-downs very well and the time of year they were born is a perfect fit!

Sierra had her first lollipop at her birthday party. We were lucky enough to meet a family with 5 kids right before her birthday party and invite them over. They made up all of the kids at the party and truly made all of the difference to Sierra.

She loves her Grandpa Jer Bear.

Sierra listened to music and ate blueberries with Daddy before guests came over (and before her beautiful dress came off).

I enjoyed seeing Sierra so happy and having people over for the first time (outside of family).

We went to Shaver Lake while Nana was here, one of Sierra's favorite places. It was unseasonably cool while my mom was in town.

Eve is looking less red these days, but those first few weeks she was always bright red. This was Nana and Eve's first meeting.

We went out for dinner the Thursday before Sierra's birthday and Sierra got a birthday song with her ice cream! Nana gave her some whipped cream and birthday gifts there.

My mom was in heaven; getting a chance to bond with the granddaughters.

On cool mornings we go to the playground, and have a little picnic with the dollies before going to the library.

There are summer events for the kids at the library, and we try to attend all of them. They are a good way for Sierra to interact with other kids and to mix up the day's activities.

Life has been busy and we've surely needed our sleep.

We made dinner and drinks for Auntie Lyn as a way to say thank you for all she does!

She brought Sierra down to Great Grandma's for a Forth of July party, which allowed Gus and I to get a lot done around the house (and a chance for me to take a nice long nap with Eve). Our family support has been great and essential. Especially after having just moved not too long ago. The newest change on the horizon is that Great Grandma will be moving into her finished apartment at the beginning of August. So things won't be slowing down here for awhile.