Sunday, July 25, 2010

Rocking Horses

Can you really take 50 photos of children, a cat, and a rocking horse? Apparently yes. After being home 2 weeks, Teagan finally approached her rocking horse. Catherine was on hand to help.



In walked Alsan. That is what Teagan is looking at.


I spoke too soon about sleep after my last post. I won't say anything about it here.

Teagan explored our backyard a little bit today. She has teeth coming in and she loves teething rings from the freezer.


Some other things she is enjoying include:

Making the "eat" sign:


Her sippy cup - we have fallen in love with Nubby Sippy Cups - the best for a child with an unrepaired palate:


And eating from her snack container:


Exploring the rocks in the backyard (don't ask, apparently the former owners believed our backyard to be filled with "frogs and a bog):

That's all for today. This week is the five hour cleft clinic - can't wait to hear what they have to say!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Sleep Progress!

Sleep!  11 -12 hours of beautiful sleep. After not allowing Teagan to nap for one day, she slept from 7-7.  Yes, she fell asleep at dinner with her head on the tray before that happened, but it worked!


Since then, even with a nap, she has been able to sleep from 730 pm- 730 am or 8 pm to 8 am.  Catherine would sleep until 9 am every day, so this is good work time for us without someone else watching Teagan. 3 hours before she gets up and 2 hours or so during nap. I probably should not count  my chickens though, as we are only on day 3:) (and I probably should not use my work time to BLOG!).


While Catherine is at camp (forts and drama this week) - we've been trying to get Teagan out in the sun each day to help her reset her clock and just have some fresh air. We are lucky to have parks all over. IN fact, Jason just read that the original city ordinance was for no house in minneapolis to be more than 6 blocks from a park.

At Linden Hills Park, her favorite spot is the grass.






She really likes the park by Lake Harriet on the hill and today we tried the Lake Calhoun park while Jason ran the lakes.





She really likes going up and down steps.

And up through this walk way.

And sitting in this little house.



She was interested to see other kids, but wanted to be held anytime any of them looked at her.

Baby swings are also a big favorite.

The happiest we've seen her is in our living room, when all four of us are there. She loves to run around and play peekabo and some other game that involves her running and screaming. She also loves Popsicles.



We finally developed the film from the cameras we sent with her care packages. I sent her 4 packages and now I wish I had sent cameras with each one. I sent a camera in 2 of them. They show a good look at her daily life at Angel's Home.  We were able to see her crib and how she ate and her caretakers and her playing with other children, dancing, crawling, and so on. There were a lot with Yao Yao (Grace) in them which was nice. I didn't see her other friend, Suhn in any photos.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Catherine is 7!


Catherine turned 7 yesterday! On her birthday, she gets to choose her day. Here's what we did.

She chose to start with a vanilla steamer and opening gifts.  We started with a happy birthday song, Teagan joined in on the piano.




Teagan helped  with the recycling.



Pink flip flops from Cleveland!
A surprise inside the handbag.


Another round of Happy Birthday- Teagan on her piano now and Catherine on the wrapping paper roll.

Next stop, skating! We practiced skating at the school parking lot. Or Catherine did.  This looks like a lot of fun and I am thinking I'd like some skates now!  Skating around the lake sounds like a good thing for us to do together.








Teagan watched from the school steps....


 Catherine saw her neighbor and friend Sylvia at the school park and skating ended for some play in the park.  Fun fact - Sylvia's little brother has the same birthday as Catherine!  Sylvia was sporting a very cool ankle and wrist bracelet.


Post park for Cat and post nap for Teagan (we tried to keep it short today, under 2 hours, she is still not sleeping at night ), Catherine chose Dairy Queen for her "birthday cake."  Dipped cones are the big favorite.

Teagan  and I split a sundae. Have I mentioned she enjoys her food? She literally bounces up and down and kicks when she eats. A bit like me:)

Then, a trip around the lake, and a Lake Monster Sighting.


Unfortunately, Teagan missed the sighting because she was asleep. We don't want more day sleeping! We turned on the radio and started singing to wake her up. My Dad says this is like Navy Seal training...


Catherine and Jason went to Whitaker's  birthday party afterwards (Slyvia's brother) and Cat got to see her neighborhood friends and play for the night.  (Teagan having "intestinal issues" now, so I kept her home as that didn't sound very festive).

Last stop, camping in the living room! Wish I had photos of this. Our friends down the street (Gates family) gave us this idea and Catherine loves it. Sleeping bags on the ground, light the candles in the fireplace (yes, we blow them out Mom!),  books and a Rainbow in My Room to complete it.