Life with a Toddler

Mina is at that exciting age where she wants to do everything. However she doesn't understand that she is limited by her size, abilities and age. It's frustrating for both of is when she can't communicate what she wants to do or eat. Of course, she changes her mind so frequently that who can tell when she gets what she wanted?  We made banana bread yesterday, she helped quite a bit with the mixing. She likes to stir spoons in bowls while saying, "Mix-ah, mix-ah!"

She loves to look in the oven when there is something cooking inside. 

I asked her to look at me and smile here is what I got:

So cute. 

She requested that we add stars to the bread. They were leftover from her birthday (more on that at a later date.)

Everything tastes better with sprinkles, right?

Two Years and Two Months

Earlier this month I took the kids to the doctor for their check ups. Mina turned two a few weeks after Magnus turned two months. We split the difference for their well child check ups. 

They both did really well, even when it came to their shots. Mina held my hand and flinched when she got her shot. She didn't even cry! I was pleasantly surprised. Magnus screamed the whole time but calmed down after I fed him. Both kids are looking and sounding good. Mina had a runny nose for a little while but didn't have any other signs of a cold. Her doctor recommended an OTC allergy medicine and it cleared it up. Looks like Mina got allergies in the genetic lottery. Sorry kid. 

As you can see our kids are extremely different in the rate they grow. Magnus will probably out weigh Mina by the time he is one! If not sooner!

I'm grateful our kids are healthy and mostly happy. Mina is learning new things almost everyday, her vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds as well. Magnus is smiling and on the verge of giggling. He is stronger as well, his head hardly wobbles any more. 

We are incredibly blessed. 

Mina turned one!

Last year.  And I'm just NOW taking the time to post a few pictures.  It's hard to believe the time has passed so fast.  She has been in nursery for a few months now and she is closer to two than one!

I kept the decorations simple, I made some tissue paper pom poms and some paper banners. It was nice to be able to enjoy the Sunday and not feel totally awful and rushed.

James' parents bought Mina an adorable lady bug outfit for her birthday.  Even though it was long sleeved she didn't get too hot in it.  I was worried.

 We ate Cafe Rio style sweet pork in the crock pot and provided plenty of options for either salads or tacos.  I just wanted the day to be easy and a crock pot main course fit the bill.

 Mina opened her presents after we ate dinner.  She seemed kind of overwhelmed.

James' mom, Melanie, made Mina's adorable cake from a sketch I gave her.  She is so unbelieveably talented! Not only was the cake incredibly cute, but it was delicious as well! 

  I made a small "smash cake" for Mina.  It was banana flavored so it was "healthier." I made the mistake of putting it in the fridge so it was pretty solid when she tried to eat it!

Even though it was over eight months ago, we are still so grateful to our families that attended.  Mina got spoiled!

Mina turned one!

Two months ago. 

Where has the time gone?

Eventually I'll upload some pictures from my camera on to the computer. 

It's hard to believe she is 14 months old. 4 more months and then she is in NURSERY! Holy cow!

The time goes by so fast. We sure love our little girl!

11 Months!

Mina turned one today and I realized I have really slacked on this whole monthly update thing. Here are some pictures I took when she was 11 months old.

She was NOT interested in posing for a picture.

 I tried distracting her with a mirror but she was more interested in eating it.

 Or holding it up so I could see it.

 Then she tried to eat the camera.

 It was all very funny.

 Then she walked away.

This adorable little romper is the same design as the romper she wore home from the hospital.

I was lucky enough to receive two versions, one in newborn size and another in 9 month size.

It all goes by way too fast.

10 months!

I got a bit behind on the blog.  I could blame the move and that Mina was sick for a little while.
Yeah, those sound like good reasons.

Mina is now 11 months old! It is so hard to believe that in less than a month she will be 1!

Her 10 month stats:
height: 26 1/2 inches
weight: 16lbs
head: 18 1/4 inches

This cute picture was taken at the Minky Couture blanket event at the Layton Park.

Mina still wears mainly 6 month sized clothes with a few 9 month stuff mixed in.  She wears size 2 shoes and size 3 diapers. She is a champion at cruising around furniture and she crawls like a champ! We think she will walk any day now.  Every so often she will pull herself up and stand by herself.  She has even taken a few steps.  It seems like she realizes what is happening and she will quickly sit down.  Funny girl!

9 Months

9 Months old! It seems like just yesterday Mina was a tiny baby with lots of dark hair.  Now, she is a wiggly baby who loves to move.

Last summer, before Mina was born, I received two rompers at two different baby showers.  One was newborn sized, she wore that home from the hospital and the other was 9 month sized.  I dressed her in the larger one this week and she was swimming in it.  I figure she will be able to wear it around her birthday.

The time has officially passed too quickly.

I made a romper to commerate Mina's 9 month-ness and I was so excited to dress her up and take some pictures.  Mina had other plans on Monday.

I had slightly more success on Tuesday.

At least she was happy! Unfortunately the paper didn't survive.

 Mina's stats for 9 months

25 3/4" tall

15 lbs 10 ounces

18" head

Diapers: She moved up to size 3 diapers recently. She was teetering on the edge between the two sizes and we had two HUGE boxes so we moved up the 3's.

Clothes: Most of her 6 month clothes fit perfectly.  I packed up the last 3-6 month items this past week but I rediscovered some shorts from last summer that fit and her jeggings are now cute capris. I figure they still work.

Sleep: She still gets up twice at night to eat.  I figure she needs it because she is so small.

Noises: Lots of them and at high volume.

Teeth: Two cute razor sharp teeth on the bottom.

Food: She doesn't like to eat baby food from spoon but she will eat it out of pouch.  Thanks to my sister-in-law Jessie, we have a bunch of reusable pouches.  Mina likes to try whatever we are eating and she likes to feed herself.  She loves to gnaw on apple slices.

Skills: Mina can pull herself up on just about anything, or anyone! She is so determined and brave.  She will scoot around her crib and the banister if we give her the opportunity.  Mina has also figured out how to clap and she will play peek-a-boo as well.  We love our little munchkin!

 Crawling will probably happen any day now, unless she starts walking before!