Andrea's Swim Class

This morning I was able to go to swim class with Andrea and Daddy. I've been hearing about how well she's been doing, and I was anxious to see her in action.

She's pretty much fearless when it comes to jumping into the pool. She leaps off the edge and goes right under! Daddy's still there to catch her, but she loves jumping into the pool. She must have done it at least a dozen times during her half-hour lesson. None of the other kids in her class are doing that yet!

"Woohoo!"

(sorry the video is so dark--mostly natural light in there)

She is also good at blowing bubbles in the water, and swimming on her belly with Daddy's help. She's still not thrilled with floating/swimming on her back, but she's getting better.

Andrea will be starting aquatics class Preschool A in the Fall, when she'll be in a small group with an instructor--and no Daddy or Mommy! But I'm sure she'll be ready for that.

Kevin Making Friends: Real and Otherwise . . .

Yesterday morning, Kevin and I walked (well, he rode in the stroller) over to Michelle and Parker's for a playdate. There were five moms and babies there, most of whom we'd met before at swim class or the movies. Kevin was pretty shy and quiet for the first hour; he didn't make too much noise, or play with the toys, but he sat back and checked out the other babies. That seems to be his social style, in general. Then, once he got bored with watching, he finally decided to join in.

Kevin, Jackson, and Parker

It was a bit hard for Kevin to play with Jackson and Parker, because those two are always on the move: proficient crawlers who are cruising furniture, and almost walking! But Kevin found a good companion in Sadie, who just turned six months old, so she isn't mobile yet, either.

Kevin and Sadie didn't say too much to each other, but they were also the two quietest babies there, so I think their personalities suited each other well.

They spent a lot of time touching and examining each other's clothes and faces. Like I said, they both seem like quiet observers, exploring and absorbing it all in their own solemn fashion.

That isn't to say Kevin wasn't involved in some good, old-fashioned baby mayhem. When Sadie went for a diaper change, Kevin and Jackson got into the extra baby food Jackson's mom brought to share with the group. Apparently, the plastic containers make great stacking and rolling toys!

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I think yesterday's playdate sparked Kevin's interest in other babies. I show him Baby-Kevin-in the-mirror all the time, but he usually doesn't react, until he notices Mommy-in-the-mirror (and then he smiles). Today, during Andrea's nap, I went to put away some laundry. I suddenly heard Kevin squealing and jumping around like crazy in his exersaucer. I went in the living room to see what he was so excited about. He had discovered a new friend . . .

. . . Kevin-in-the-TV!

You have to watch the video to see just how thrilled he was by the appearance of this new playmate! :))

Aunt Stephanie's 30th Birthday

On Saturday, we went to Aunt Stephanie's house to celebrate her 30th birthday. Daddy had to work, so Gram and Grandpa gave us a ride out there. I think Gram was causing trouble in the back seat. She was sitting in between Kevin and Andrea's car seats, and Andrea kept saying, "Hands away! Hands away!" because Gram was tickling her!

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Uncle Tony's family were at the party, too. His 2-year-old nephew, Adam, is generous with his hugs; but Andrea's got a major preoccupation with other kids invading her personal space. Poor Adam--he kept trying to hug her, and she would yell or push him away! But once Andrea got distracted by her cousin Isabelle's new climber/slide, she relaxed and played nicely with the others.

The climber/slide was a big hit with the kids, and they also had fun playing with some beach balls and soccer balls in the yard.

The static electricity from sliding made Andrea's hair stand right up!

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Isabelle's having fun at her mommy's birthday party!

(By the way, Andrea usually calls her Izzy. Many people at the party were calling her Isabelle. So, Andrea came up with her own blend: "Izzy-belle!")

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Kevin liked watching the kids play, and he got to play with a ball, too. (Adam made sure he had one to play with. He was so cute with Kevin--hugging him and bringing him toys.) Grandpa and Kevin sat together and enjoyed the sunshine. The sunglasses Mommy bought for Kevin this week are getting a lot of use, thanks to the good weather we've had!

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"Happy Birthday, Aunt Stephanie!" Isabelle and Andrea helped her blow out the candles.

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Mmm . . . berries and ice cream . . . so good . . .

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You know how I mentioned the kids liked playing with the soccer balls? Well, so did the BIG kids. Tony and Rod (who arrived after work) got into a competition to see who could head-butt the soccer ball the longest distance across the yard. Geez. Men.

At The Park & Kevin "Singing"

At The Park

We took advantage of the return of nice weather and took a walk to the park. Gram and Grandpa G. joined us. Grandpa pulled Andrea in the wagon, stopping frequently to give her a mini-marshmallow or Smarties to eat. (Talk about travelling in style!) Gram walked with me and Kevin, who was enjoying a stroller ride.


The kids love the swings (well, it's all Kevin can go on--but Andrea really does love them!). Grandpa does fun things like push Andrea really high, spell out her name in the sand, make her swing go crooked, and give her mid-air high fives!

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Kevin is still more of an observer. He likes the swings now, but they seem to relax him more than excite him. He likes to sit in the swings and watch all the people in the park. Today, I gave him my sunglasses to play with and he didn't want to give them up!

(nice face in the above picture, eh?)

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We're encouraging Andrea to try out the "big girl" swings. This is the second time she's been on them. She's still pretty nervous, and will only stay on for a minute or two. She hangs on tight and keeps her eyes on the ground!

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Kevin "Singing"

Kevin's very vocal this week. It's amazing how the babbling has suddenly gone into overdrive, and we hear a constant stream of "Mum-ma" and "D-D-Da" at home. Of course, he never does it for the camera, or when anyone else is around!

The other sounds he's been making lately are just plain funny. I call one of the sounds his "singing"--it's hard to describe. The other sound is this weird, deep, wheezy inhalation that he makes; it's just goofy-sounding! Naturally, he would do the silly stuff for the camera:

Silly Kevin!

Kevin's really starting to show his personality. Overall, I find him very serious and studious; he wants to investigate everything, and usually babbles quietly to himself. He can also be very stubborn, and is not shy about expressing his opinion when he's displeased. For example, if you try to take away something he's examining, or a toy he wants to play with, he will yell at you!

Then again, when he's not teething, he's a content little guy. He's usually quiet, and has lots of smiles for the people he knows and loves. He also appreciates surprises and funny faces! Sometimes I think he has a bit of a mischievous side . . . I have a feeling the phrase "It's always the quiet ones" will be applicable in the future!

We love to make Kevin smile and laugh. He has the best dimple in his right cheek!

Kevin's silliness was in high gear last night. At supper time, I was trying to get him to say "Mama," but his new favourite word is "Dada." He also likes to get the spoon halfway in his mouth and blow bubbles into his food! It's ridiculously messy, but I think it must feel good on his gums or something.

Here's a video of Kevin during dinner yesterday. Note his reaction to my coaxing, and the arc he achieves with some of his food spray!

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I took some pictures of Kevin after his bath last night. I was trying to get him to smile nicely for me, but he was too busy laughing at my assistant (Brigitte), and he was thrilled to be sans diaper! I think the pictures turned out great anyway. :))

Big Feet & Little Feet

Big Feet: I recently found a pair of my slippers under the bed. I remember I had hidden them there about a year ago, because I was tired of Andrea stealing them, and leaving them in odd places. The last time she had them, she couldn't even walk yet (14 months old) so she wore them on her hands. :)) As soon as she saw them again, they were on her feet! They looked ridiculous, but I was impressed she could walk so well in them, considering they are even big and awkward on MY feet!
She has also become attached to my summer robe, which she calls my "Princess Dress." I can only wear it until she spots it--then I have to surrender it to the little dress-up queen.

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Little Feet: Kevin's little feet were going crazy this morning in his exersaucer. He was in a really good mood, and it looked like he was dancing! It made think of Flashdance and the song "Maniac." Of course, the more and the sillier I sang it, the more Kevin kicked his legs!

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When I went to pull up that baby picture of Andrea and the slippers, I was amazed at how much her pictures looked like Kevin--but in pink. :))

She was fairer, and her face was a bit rounder (she did weigh more than him at this age), but the eyes, nose, and eyebrows are almost identical!

Kevin's (not quite) First Trip to the Park

I wanted to call this "Kevin's First Trip to the Park," because it's the first time he could actually do something at the park. However, he was there several times before, as an infant. Here's a picture of Kevin's real first visit to the park, when he was one month old. All he could do back then was suck on his fingers!

Now, Kevin's eight months old, and he could try out the slide and swings and for the first time!

This is fun!

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Mama, I'm not so sure about this . . .

Is this thing secured safely?

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Michelle and Parker met Andrea, Kevin, and I at the park this afternoon. Again, I can't help but think back to the first time we met up at a park, when the boys were about 2 months old. It was Fall, so they were all snuggled up in their strollers.

Things have changed quite a lot! They're big boys who can play on the swings now. Parker had a riot; he was laughing, and sticking out his tongue, and leaning forward in his seat. Kevin was more cautious; his face was serious, studying everything, absorbed in his surroundings. He was so busy taking it all in, that I couldn't get his attention to encourage a smile!

Parker: "Yahoo!"
Kevin: "If I scrunch down some more, maybe I won't fall out!"

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Kevin: "Parker, what do you think?"
Parker: "I like it, Buddy!"

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Look at us! No hands!

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When it was time to go, Parker was tired out from all the fun. Kevin was just happy to be back on solid ground. (He's finally smiling!)

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When we got home, Andrea wanted to ride her bicycle for a bit. Kevin was very interested in the proceedings.

Kevin: "Hmm . . . where can I get one of those?"

Andrea: "Don't even think about it, Buddy!"