My First Barbie

Arabella, you may laugh at me for sharing this one day, but that's the joy of being your mother.

I begged and pleaded with you while picking out your Barbie. I thought for certain you would go with Cinderella as she's your favorite princess... "CinderBella." No amount of trying or bribing would sway you. I even tried a Cinderella doll and spare dresses, one of which was a poofy gorgeous wedding dress. But you just wouldn't hear of it. You HAD to be the owner of a new "Brave." 

You got your wish and today you became the owner of your very first Barbie... Princess Merida.

Funny enough, once we got you home you started exploring your doll while I wasn't watching. I seriously thought you were searching to see if Merida had any undies on. When I discovered your searching, I apparently startled you. Your sheepish response to my "What are you doing?" came as "Looking for her nipples?!?!?!"

Child, you have so much to learn. I love you dearly and pray you never lose that innocence.

Tad

Today we ventured out to return some DVDs and while at the store I snuck in to grab Adam a snack. I just happened to walk by some clearance toys and what did my wandering eye catch? A Leap Frog Learning Baby Tad. He was half off and I knew Arabella would love him, he sings the ABC's, and various other lullabies; he has a day mode and a night mode so she can listen to him sing her to sleep. He is just too freaking cute.

Once she saw me get into the car with him she was flipping out until she got him in her hands. It was the cutest thing ever. As the afternoon went on it was apparent she wasn't feeling all that well. As soon as we came into the house she went to the rug in the kitchen and laid down on Tad. She normally will not lay down anywhere in the house but her bed. After her nap she hauled him to the living room and snuggled up next to me on the couch and just listened to him sing.

After dinner and baths, we played with him in Evan's room. He sings Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes. She thought is was hilarious. I showed her how to move to the song, pointing out the body parts, and she was so into it. Then they went to bed, she squeezed his hand, and they were out. It's amazing how awesome this find was...the last one in the store and Arabella's new favorite toy.

Learning Skills:

- The alphabet
- Numbers 1 to 15
- First words
- Music
- Motor skills
- Language sounds
- Sensory exploration

A New Place To...

I hate sitting in the kitchen to feed Arabella all by myself. There's just something about it that doesn't appeal to me. I mean we used to eat as a family, but since Adam sleeps during the day it just isn't the same. Besides I have to be able to nurse Evan on a whim and that isn't exactly easy to do in a wooden, armless, kitchen chair.

So I found a new place for her to eat, depending on the meal. This place will also serve as an area for creativity and for the time being a stage for her to climb on. I really scored with this brand new picnic table I found on craigslist. She loves it, in fact she wouldn't leave it alone once I got it set up. She tried dragging it across the floor, climbing onto the table top. Yes, I can see that this table is going to get a lot of use. The second best thing about it, is that it can collapse when I need to store it! Oh the fun we will have.

 

Happy Hump Day!

Yesterday was a day full of goofy Arabella. She was in such a good mood I can't count the number of silly faces she was making. I captured several cute and goof ones. I cannot wait until these faces are accompanied by attitude. Can you feel my sarcasm?

Then in the evening we returned from the grocery store with some yummy avocados. Well, Bella didn't think they were so yummy. She took about three bites before she started making an "I'm going to puke face." So I tried mixing them with some carrots. She took about three more bites, thinking they were yummy like that. Then she started to tear up and give me that face again. Needless to say I wasn't in a mood to clean up baby yak. So I stopped giving them to her and gave her straight carrots. Once again she was happy.

So she splurged since the avocado's didn't go over well and ate some nummy banana's. She LOVED the bananas. I cannot wait until she makes it through the 1st foods so I can give her a banana in her mesh feeder. I'm sure she'll go ape wild over it (Nice pun, huh?). By the time dinner was over she had a belly full and was in desperate need of a bath. What a goofy little kid.

So another new purchase was had at the local Target. (Thank you Shane!) She eyeballed The Very Hungry Caterpillar in the toy aisle and just had to have it. I handed it to her to see if she really wanted it. Adam said she had no interest. I went to take it away and she had a death grip. So, "Catee" (pronounced CAT-ee) came home with us. So far she has taken this thing with her everywhere in the house. It has been in her walker, on the living room floor, in her crib, on the changing table, my bed, her bed, the play yard. Oye, what have we done?