New Chairs

The girls really like their new chairs from Miss Dorice

 And they REALLY like each other

Thoughts of my Sweetheart

Yesterday I heard an ad on the radio that immediately brought me thoughts of my beloved.  It went something like this:

"First came the granola bar.  Then they covered it with caramel, put a smattering of M&Ms on top, and sprinkled Gummy Bears over it all...it just goes to show you how a good thing can go terribly wrong!"

Wrong!?  I was getting so excited about this fantastic concoction.  Anything topped with Gummy Bears is certain to please Byron.  This ad had it all wrong.

Can you guess what this advertisement was for?

23 and 10 Months

Quite a few rather momentous changes and happenings around here.  First of all, a delay in blogging because of illness.  Gigi and I both got food poisoning a couple nights ago, so we are gradually recovering and getting back to eating normal portions of food.  It wiped me out!  So sad to see little Gilana terrified of illness coming, her Daddy was an awesome trouper, sitting up at night with her and   cleaning the mess after it was all over.  He took incredible care of us all.  He sure is sittin' up high on that white horse of his!

Camelia.  My sweet little flower is growing up. It is lovely to watch, but a little sad at the same time.  Toddler-hood will soon be upon us and the baby-stage is leaving as I pack up all the baby gear for hopeful future use.  Camelia can say "Mama" as of the last two weeks.  She has taken four or five steps on her own.  She can sign "all done" when she is through eating.  She drinks through straws, sippy cups, tries to climb.  She has a sensitive spirit and is quick to protest some perceived injustice by an instant pout of the lower lip, crying out, then falling over and wailing.  She is our drama queen. Camelia requires a great deal of cuddles and gentle attention and is STILL a total Mama's girl!

Camelia enjoys her morning task of saying good morning to Gigi... and the girls adore each other with hugs, kisses, tackles, exclamations of delight and sweet countenance.  Precious sisters.  Gilana likes to look out for her little sis.  Any request for a morsel of food from Gilana is accompanied by a second request for "Ma," (Camelia).  Gilana likes to shake the maracas, but when she wants to use them, they become "Gigi-racas" rather than "Ma-racas!"

Gilana continues to amaze us with her daily increasing vocabulary and sentence structure.  This morning Gilana spoke of "Camelia's bread" instead of how she previously would have expressed "Ma brea."  She is growing up so much!  Gilana likes to try and put her own shoes on, pick out her clothes, open doors, stir batter in baking prep, instructs her sister on what is right, and give orders around the place.  When she (or anyone else for that matter) is injured, she immediately requests her "Boo boo Buddy" (pink cat-shaped ice pack) from the freezer and up receipt of the item, declares the injury "All better!"  Instant heal!  Gilana is quite free with her kisses and will readily kiss an "owie" to receive the same results.

We love these precious blessings.

Last Night

 It started out as a typical evening 

(other than the dinner fare of course)

 

You might be interested in knowing how we concluded last evening.  

Well, if this morning is any indicator, 

Gilana requested that I make her "Dolly Fly!"

Training for Church

Gilana and Camelia have been having a rough time with the church nursery and we have been at our wits end trying to figure out how to get our family happily attending church.  After listening to the counsel of some parents of large families (one with 9 kids!) we have determined upon a route.  I will be training the girls to sit quietly for increasing periods of time every morning towards the end of having them sit through a service at church with us without being distractions!  We have seen this done with other young children, so we know that our aspirations (though high) are not unreasonable.  Now the only issue we face (other than Gigi and Meli's opposition) is my diligence.  Pray for diligence in this worthwhile cause!

This morning's quiet time went great for Gilana.  The picture says it all!

Sleepy girls

I write now because something rather odd has taken place in our home.  

Our daughters are sleeping.  

BOTH of them.

Camelia woke up a little early and insisted on an early nap.  

Fine for me, the girls are going to a birthday party today for Bailey.

Gilana, however, has yet to awaken from her evening slumber.

This is so refreshing for me.

Perhaps someone told Gigi that Saturdays are Sleep Days.

Camelia has several teeth coming in,

so she probably just needs some extra rest.
There are now 4 upper teeth and 2 lower.

Poor dear hasn't been interested in food lately, just nursing and water.

They do need to get up soon.

Did I mention the party starts in 5 minutes?

We might be late!

Gilana is Growing Up

Gilana is showing herself to be quite the young lady.  She now requires no monitoring (for the most part) to use the toilet during the day.  She is trying to speak in sentences uses 3 syllable words, and has been practicing saying "Gilana" and "Camelia" rather than the usual "Gigi" and "Ma."  Gilana is a dance-fiend, asking me on a regular basis for "dancing music," which implies something with a strong beat that she can shake her maracas to.  The "Mask of Zorro" soundtrack is her favorite, but she also enjoys similar gypsy style music and flamenco.  The girl just likes a rhythm!

She likes to sing the songs from Winnie the Pooh, do the motions to the Teddy Bear Teddy Bear poem (and can often be overheard reciting the poem), she LOVES the book Bear Snores On, and can finish every page when her daddy is reading it to her.

Gilana has a current fascination with the moon and the stars, and will often tell me about them and ask to go and see them at night.  She is quite the little explorer and such an excellent big sister, often asking for an extra morsel of food for Camelia whenever she gets a snack.

And another big development... Gilana can count to 5!

Gigi's Perfect Day

I asked Gilana what she wanted to do today and she responded "Kit-chien."  Which means she wanted to play with her kitchenette set and do some baking.  Next I asked her what would make this the perfect day.  Gilana answered without any hesitation, "Daddy home!"

As I write this Gilana has my phone and is trying to dial some numbers.  She is saying "Call Daddy!" Our big girl loves her Daddy.

Camelia's First Steps

We would like to record this monumental occasion as officially taking place yesterday on Daddy's day off.  Camelia stood and took two steps towards Daddy in order to give him a sweet kiss.  She has good control of her 22.2 pounds of baby chunk.  She is a darling little lovie!

Gilana's Great Successes

Gigi wet her bed twice last night, but hey, this is a brand new venture into foreign worlds of exotic expectations.  Today, however, has been an entirely different story.  Gilana started the day by bumping her head, leaning towards me, and reciting "Chissh, Mommy.  Chissh!"  I didn't understand at first, but then realised she wanted a kiss on her injured head.  I administered the requested cure, and Gigi pronounced herself healed with "aww betta"! 

Over the last two hours Gilana has requested assistance getting on and off the toilet and likewise taking her lovely "Merma" (princess) underwear off and on.  She has been very persistant about this, requesting assistance about every five minutes.  Please note that I was trying to iron some shirts (the results on this task were poor at best) and care for Meli at the same time.  All hoped-for productivity this week has been put on hold, as this is Gigi's Potty Training Intensive!  This last time Gilana was near frantic to get on the privy, but made it just in time to successfully take care of all her business.  She was shocked and pleased with herself, but the greatest pleasure came with the happy reward of a special M&M treat.

We are well on the road to a toilet trained toddler.

Potty Time

Today marks day two of our potty training adventure for our lovely 22 month old.  Yesterday went as expected with numerous accidents on the carpet, patio, garage floor, and twice in the crib at nap-time, all followed by a rush to the restroom to finish off the business there.  All in all a successful day.  Today, however, is not quite going as expected.  Gilana was slightly wet this morning, but after I woke her in attempt to use the toilet first thing, there has been nothing to report.  Nothing.  She has not relieved herself since that slight dampness this morning at 7 am.  It is now nearly 3 pm and while she has done some odd little dances and drank a large quantity of fluids she has not succumbed to the embarrassment of potty on the toilet.  I do not force her to sit there, but we do speak of it often.  The teddy bears have used it today and have gotten rewards for that, but Gigi has not.  She's a little tank, but alas, she will pop soon, and then I shall have a lot of cleaning on my hands.  The sterilizers and others cleaning instruments are ready, as are the change of sheets, clothing, and sweet little toddler undies.  We are on a mission to potty train.

Camelia at 9 months!

Camelia just hit the nine months mark today (Gilana is now 22 months).  Meli made it official yesterday by standing up in the middle of the room... and just stayed there, not sure what to do next other than balance in place and watch her sister's antics with Daddy.  She required so assistance to get up, stand there, or later to ease back down and crawl forward towards her next target.  Today she stood up next to the hutch and took some steps alongside.  She is such a sweet little gem, and we are so enjoying the pure joy of time with her.  She applauds exuberantly when Daddy comes home from work (or even comes back to her after being in another room), Camelia is quite gracious with offering her family kisses, and loves being loved.  She is a delightful little snuggle-chunk!

Birthday Adventuring

For several weeks Byron expressed his excitement for my birthday.  I on the other hand was not so thrilled.  My days had been rather long and trying, and I don't get excited about surprises because I don't know what I am supposed to be getting excited for.  So two days prior to the big day, Byron revealed his plans for me.  My excitement started to grow.

Morning with the girls

 

Breakfast with dear friends

Church, listening to a sermon by our beloved pastor with dear friends

Put the girls down for naptime at home and leave them to the care of Alexandru and Kelsey!


Sushi in Glendale

Stroll through the Americana

Couple's Massage

Stroll around Pasadena

Dinner at the Melting Pot

A FULL NIGHT'S Rest at our Honeymoon Hotel in Burbank

Home for a pool party with the cuties

Baseball Training

Daddy will be so proud...

Gilana found our sports collection and started naming off the baseballs and basketballs.  She then proceeded to extract the baseball glove from the assortment and inserted a baseball in the center.  Perfect fit!  All of this done without my involvement or input.  Little smarty.

Camelia's Teeth

Two more today! Now she has two bottom and one top right.  Lookout world, Camelia can bite!!