My little sprouts....

 

My blog has been pretty quiet lately. While I have longed to write, I just haven't been able to. It feels as though every spare minute has been consumed with nursing my girls back to health, writing Christmas cards, wrapping gifts, baking naughty things, and when I have had a bit of extra time, working on my December daily album. I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining, because I am as happy as a pig in the mud. Even when my girls were miserable, I saw it as opportunity to stay in my pj's all day, and get extra cuddles.  I realize that it has been a long time since I have written about my little sprouts. They are so full of life, laughter, challenges and fun these days. Here is a little update....

 

 

After what feels like years of reminding, Amelia is finally starting to say "please", "thank you" and "excuse me".  It just makes me beam! Sometimes she is even says "beautiful princess mommy, may I please......"  It is hilarious!

While she still has epic meltdowns from time to time, they are becoming less frequent and less intense. I feel like I am just beginning to have a grasp of this thing called parenting. I *think*.  A couple of months ago I attended a parenting course at our church and I feel that it has helped me tremendously. I love watching her take ownership of her behaviour, make wise choices and use self control. She is becoming more and more articulate and I doing what I can to expand her vocabulary. She insists on calling the elevator an "alligator" and calls preschool "pretty school". Funny girl! Amelia will be turning four this March. At the moment  her favorite things include: hunting with her daddy, wearing princess dresses, playing with her stuffed animals, wrestling, singing, baking, going to strong start, visiting with her friends, and watching "frosty the snowman" on YouTube.  I love hearing her observations about life and singing with her at bedtime. She continually amazes me.

 

 

Claire will be two this fall and has only recently discovered the word "no"! She also recently learned to bite when she gets frustrated. I was the recipient of that behaviour at least five times today. I am not entirely sure how to handle it, so if any one has any suggestions, please help! Other than that, she is extremely sweet, intelligent, and fun. She adores spending time with Amelia and follows her around the house like a puppy. She LOVES dollies, real babies and anything that has to do with babies. She is sleeping consistently through the night, napping 2-3 hours each afternoon and is finally weaned from breastfeeding. She is tiny but extremely capable and has amazing reflexes. She LOVES chocolate and does the funniest little happy dance when she gets some. She hates potatoes, yams and most diary products but loves pomegranates, meat and frozen blueberries. She is much more cuddlier than her older sister ever was, and much more quiet. She makes my womb long for another baby.

 

Well, my girls are now sound asleep so I going to finish writing in my Christmas cards, scrub my floors, and then hopefully scrapbook for the remainder of the evening.