growing girls

i just cant get over how quickly these little ones change! bianca is cooing up a storm; when shes awake, shes always got something to say! russ says shes chatty b/c she has to learn to keep up with skylar (and im sure me too... im not really the quiet type). she's started this smile accompanied by a few gasps and coos - her little version of a laugh. its awesome.

skylar kills me sometimes! her growing personality is fascinating to me. she is so creative already! for example, a few days ago, we went to the YMCA and then to the library. she insisted that we walk forward into the buildings, and backward on the way out. literally backward, all the way from the door, through the parking lot, to our car. here's me, holding B in the pumpkin seat, the diaper bag, library books, and skylar's hand while we walk backwards in the rain to the car. my children have tought me to be patient and enjoy the moment. who cares if we got wet? it was so cute. she loved being in charge! she also loves to scream "ECHO, ECHO, ECHO!" in every new place we go. did you know that almost all public bathrooms echo? she is loud as all get-out (wonder where she got that?!) and it drives me crazy sometimes, but i love seeing the world through her explorations. the holiday post will come soon! i was too busy to take pictures! russ and i spent most of christmas eve trying to keep skylar from going absolutely ape when her cousin got a new toy and wanted a second to look at it before she ripped it out of his hands! im waiting for my sister to post hers so i can steal them. ;-)))

Bianca in the bumbo

Bumbos are awesome! We didnt have one with Skylar, but my sister recommended we get one for Bianca. Courtesy of Russ' aunt and grandmother, we bought her one! Technically, you aren't supposed to use it until the baby is 3 months old, but shes holding her head up so we went for it! She seemed shocked and pleased to be sitting up. We plan to use this during meals so the baby can be included asap. Right now, its perched in the hallway in front of the bathroom so Bianca can watch Skylar use the potty!!! Yep, thats right, our big girl is all over the potty training! Shes doing a wonderful job. She is very into playing pretend right now and is also loving her legos! She loves to build towers ad the cat HAS TO be on top... unless of course, someone else suggests it, then she must disagree. This has had Russ and I in hysterics a few times. Her new nickname is Little Miss Disagree. I know its just because she's reaized she can have an opinion thats different from yours but dang, it can be frustrating! Skylar helps me give Bianca her baths. She is so cute about it. Here are a few pics of our bedtime routine.