Snickerdoodles

Oran loves making cookies! Here is a conversation we had after making some snickerdoodles:

Oran: Mom, can I have a cookie (I had just put the cookies on the cooling rack).
Me: Okay, but it is pretty hot.
Oran: Okay.

I give him a cookie. He takes a big bite.

Oran: (while still chewing his bite) Where's the chocolate?
Me: This kind of cookie doesn't have chocolate.
Oran: Here Mom (he hands me the rest of his cookie).

Afternoon Guest

Let's just say I was glad this big bug (I think it is a praying mantis) was on the outside of our window. Oran and Lucy really enjoyed watching him/her (any bug experts let me know) for the afternoon. I would say she was at least 6 inches long. I don't think I have ever seen a bug this big in the wild (i.e. not at the zoo).

She's One

Lucy loves anything girly. She has started saying lots of words - which is exciting! Some of her favorites are "hi dad", "bird", "high five", "more" and "book". She loves books. She will put a book under each hand and slide them along with her as she crawls to me wanting them read. Lucy is a great sleeper and a really happy little girl. It has been such a fun first year!

Lucy's stats:
weight: 19 pounds 15.4 ounces
height: 30 inches

Oran's stats (at a year):
weight: 20 pounds 6 ounces
height: 30 inches

Free Advice

Yesterday when I was out shopping a woman was asking me about the kids and how far apart they are. It turned out she also has two kids 20 months apart a few months younger than Oran and Lucy. She must have felt an instant connection to me. She starts asking what Oran is doing and if we have started potty training. I say I have been kind of lazy with it. Out of nowhere another woman joins our conversation. Here comes the free advice! She starts telling both of us that we should wait a few months until it is warmer before we start training. She said it will be so easy... all we need to do is potty train them outside. She swore by it. Just let them pee and poo where ever they want outside. She said I would be amazed at how fast they figure it out. After that she said the transition to the toilet is really simple. I didn't have any response, the other woman actually seemed interested. I guess I do live in Kentucky. What do you guys think?

"Juggle, Mom!"

Oran is really growing up. He is talking all the time. Oran is fascinated with numbers (wonder where he gets that from) he counts everything and is really into people's ages. Here is one of our recent conversations.

Oran: Juggle, Mom! (He tosses me three balls.)
Me: I don't know how to juggle.
Oran: Do it. Juggle.
Me: Daddy knows how to juggle.
Oran: Daddy at work. Juggle, Mom!
Me: Okay. (I take two of the balls and kind of toss them back and forth.)
Oran: Nope. Nope. Threeee balls, Mom! Juggle!
Me: You will have to wait for Dad or you could try it.
Oran: Oh! (He takes the three balls back, holds them over his head and drops them.)

EaSTeR

We had a fabulous Easter weekend! We had lots of sunny weather so we were able to spend some time outside. We spent all of Saturday with some wonderful friends. Oran loved decorating eggs, hunting for eggs and playing with their kids. Lucy was napping during the egg hunt but loved playing with Oran's empty plastic eggs when she got up.

Nine Months and First Pigtails

Lucy is a busy little girl. She has crawling down and is close to pulling herself up. She loves to explore and is fascinated when she finds the tile or laminate floor. Lucy is a very independent eater; she insists on feeding herself. Her favorites include scrambled egg yolk, chicken, string cheese, yogurt, green beans, broccoli, strawberries, apples and peaches. She loves playing with Oran, especially cars. We love all of her animated expressions.

Nine Month Stats:
Lucy
weight: 18 pounds 11.6 ounces
height: 27.25 inches
Oran
weight: 18 pounds 6 ounces
height: 28 inches