Just one more month until the girls turn 2! Here's what they've been up to this past month:
New classroom at school: Right after Christmas, the girls transitioned to their new class, with the big 2-year olds. We all absolutely love the teachers, and the girls are thriving. They're constantly changing every day and week, but it seems like they've learned so much in a short amount of time. They moved to the new classroom with 6 of their other friends, which made the transition a little easier. Their friend from their infant days, Miss Ruth, helps in their new classroom, and they just adore their new teachers, Miss Jessica, Miss Rosa and Miss Shayla. Now that they're in the big kids' classroom, they're working on more self-help skills. When I drop them off in the morning, they hang their coat up, wash their hands in the sink, and grab a paper towel to put at their place at the table for breakfast. The girls re very considerate and often bring paper towels for each other and other kids at the table. Another skill the girls will master this year (we hope!) is potty training. There is no changing table in their classroom. The teachers change the kids standing up in the bathroom, and they have the option to try the potty.
Mastering colors: Just before Christmas, the girls all of a sudden started saying their colors. We'd been practicing them, and saying them for months, but they didn't show much interest. All of a sudden they started referencing "yellellow" and "boo" and "o." In the last month they've really mastered saying all the basic colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, black, white.
What to Wear: Now that they know their colors, they seem to have more of an opinion as to what they wear. As you might know, Emma usually wears pink, and Mia wears the other color (green, purple, blue, orange, etc). We've given daycare this trick to help tell them apart, but it doesn't always work out in the morning when we're getting ready. We always choose the girls' clothes but they're starting to protest. When we give them options or ask them what they want to wear, they typically have an opinion. Just
waiting for the day when they want to wear pjs or costumes to school. I see other kids doing it all the time, and it's so cute.
Stalling at Bedtime: When the girls realize it's bedtime, they pull out all the stops. Juice? Milk? Wa wa? Elmo? They ask for anything they might "need" before bed.
Stalling in General: Each of the girls will suggest it's the other one's turn first when they don't want to: ____(insert unpleasant task here___ (take a bath, get their diaper changed, get dressed, etc, here).
Using Their Words: It's hard to put a finger on what language she's speaking, exactly, but Mia strings together several words at a time. She inserts an "ah" sound in between words, so all sentences and phrases sound like a Hawaiian word or name, but she's definitely speaking in sentences. (e.g. "Elmo-ah-Abby-ah-Ata-buh-bye") Emma does too, but she says the string of words in a row: "Milk. Please. Now." Emma also makes up games with herself and Mia where she asks questions and answers them herself. "Purple? Yeah. Pink? Yeah."
Taking Care of Each Other: They may have their disagreements, but when one is upset, the other helps comfort them. It might be calling their name, giving a hug/kiss/loves or pulling them up off the ground. While they hit each other at home, their teachers have noticed that they don't hit others at school unless one of them hits their sister. And while we don't encourage hitting, it's pretty cute to hear how they stick up for each other at school.
Shown here on a recent sick day (their 2nd ear infection - not bad for almost 2 yrs old). They were taking turns pushing each other in the stroller.
Emma gives Mia a ride in the stroller. This one cracks me up - it looks like they are channeling the 'Golden Girls."
Favorite foods: crackers, pretzels, apples, chili, ravioli, milk, juice! (juice has become esp big this last month)
Favorite Treats: Strawberry Banana smoothies from Starbucks, cookies
Favorite Music: Wee Sing & Raffi in the car, C 89.5 for dance parties
Favorite Books: Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Favorite Toys: blocks, Legos, stroller, baby doll (Emma)
Favorite (& only) TV show: Sesame Street
Favorite Sesame Street character: Elmo - with Abby close behind
Top 10 Most Frequently Heard Words/Phrases:
1) "No"
2) "No way"
3) "Mine"
4) "More milk"
5) "All done!"
6) "Emma!"/"Mia!"
7) "Hi"
8) "Bye"
9) "Two"
10) Calling out colors
Emma: the nurturer; patient; fascinated with babies - sleeps with her baby doll and takes care of her, notices babies when we're out and about
Emma digs in to a hot fudge sundae
Emma models her new headbands - all at once. And she only has a binky in because her sister has one. She couldn't care less about it as a comfort mechanism.
Emma takes a self-portrait with her play camera.
Mia: feisty, spirited, impatient, only wants Mama for everything lately
Mia goes for a spin in her rental car at Cole's Bounce House party.
Mia creates her own puppet show by using two puppets. The monkey and the lion exchange sounds: "Ooh, ooh, ooh-ahh, ahh, ahh" and "ROAAAAR!"
Mia shows offer her puppets (Mom's friend, Franni, from work made them!)
