Matilda Month 8: Pulling up, swim class, sleeping through the night

Do blogs not update themselves???  Darn.....  I've most definitely fallen behind and this post will skip the Margaret River and Singapore trip and focus on the kids and what we've been up to in Perth.  I did have the foresight to jot some notes down in my iPhone so that'll help me remember things. 

At Matilda's 7.5 month mark (early May), she slept through the night seven of eight nights.  I didn't want to announce it for fear of jinxing myself.  She at that time also started to babble more, not making "da da ba ba ma ma" sounds, but just sounds.  Matilda also waved "hi" three times!!  My note says "awkward looking but pretty consistent enough to call it a wave."  And I also noted that "I immediately felt guilty that I haven't practiced / taught her any of that."  Life with two kids is a bit more hectic and these are the struggles parents have.  But I suppose there is no grown adult that can't wave so it is to happen one time or another.

The Margaret River trip with friends was over the public holiday, Western Australia Day on June 3rd and our family trip to Singapore was from June 8-16.  Starting with late April, these are some family photos...enjoy!!

Elliott being silly

Matilda eating her carrots (or sweet potato puree).

Matilda at 7.5 months starting to pull up.

Just loved her little feet here.  She is persistent about taking one sock off and chewing on it.  The dog taggy toy she is sitting on is the one that Elliott gave to Matilda (we picked out, just told him to give to her) when she was born.

Attempting to read a book, back when Matilda was going to bed at 8 PM with Elliott.  She naturally moved it to 7 probably the next week.

Trying to pull up.  See her cute little tongue?

Using the wall to pull up some more.

Back to the Dinosaur Park at King's Park.  Elliott enjoys walking on logs and sings his "Speckled Frog" song.

Jumping off the log.

Matilda was being good in the pram during the late afternoon play.

Elliott posing on the dinosaur baby and giving us a GOOD, PROPER SMILE!

Skyping with Grandma and Grandpa on Mother's Day.

Matt booked a lunch for us and just outside, there was yet another park.

Matilda having a play as well.

Us attempting to take a "mummy" photo with the river in the background.

Guess who looks just like daddy??

Happy as can be! 

She is a regular at crawling under and all the way through the exersaucer.

Have you ever seen animals with wheels?

Playtime after bathtime.

Elliott spreading his legs so Matilda would crawl through them.  It worked!

He squeezed under the exersaucer with her and I thought it was the cutest thing!

More mischievious crawling.

We signed Elliott for an intro to sports program and while he is interested, he can be fussy at time and bu ting hua (not listen).  Here he is kicking the soccer ball to score a goal.

Hitting the T-ball.

Retrieving the ball and running back.

See the curls in Matilda's hair?  That's what it looks like after she falls asleep while I feed/pacify her.

And dries later to look like this....we're gonna have to do something about her "mop" hair.

Too cute!

Pure innocence and sweetness.

Almost 8 months and pulling up and standing on her own.

I signed up for 5 swim sessions while on part-time and this was our last class.  Matt was off so we were able to get some pictures.  See her chewing on the ball?  We've been thinking her teeth were coming in for months now....stay tuned.

Supposed to monkey around the pool perimeter but she just kept wanting to bite it.

She liked the relaxing singing and back float time.

Matt teaching Elliott how to stand while in the field to catch the ball.

Look who pulled herself up and is biting the table?

Eight Month Photo Op

Many attempts during her nap....

This is how she really felt....

Sleepy.

Tried once more after her nap.

After Bath Fun in the Bed

I'm not sure this routine we do every night is the best for Elliott, but every night after his bath, we play in the bed.  He is super active, near sweating from the jumping, rolling, bouncing, hiding and whatever he comes up with each night.  By the time we put him down, we are in awe at his energy and imagination.  Here are some photos from tonight when he is "rolling up on daddy."

Almost 23 Months and the Cuteness is Too Much

Elliott has been cracking us up lately with the things he says and comes up with.  The last few weeks have been uneventful as we are relaxing while we can, plus Elliott and Matt take turns being under the weather on the weekends.  Thankfully, I've been alright so far.

We left Elliott with the cheese and crackers and he was just too quiet.  I turn to find him making sailboat like structures with them.  He definitely plays with his food, but luckily, he eats it when he's done. 

 

One morning before work and child care.

Playing around in the upstairs bathroom.

He loves to open and shut this pocket door.

Playing, playing and more playing.

Good thing is lately, he's really been into all his toys, even the ones he hasn't touched in a few months.  So on the weekends when we are home, he is never bored.

Elliott wasn't well this last weekend so we skipped swim class and walked him to the park at Lake Monger to play for a bit.  He wasn't into it at first but quickly remembered that he loves slides and had a good time.

He knows "pa" which means climb!

We bought him a football (soccer ball!) to kick around and he liked it okay for the first time out, especially considering he wasn't well.

Beautiful Lake Monger just a few minutes from our house.  Sadly, we don't go often enough.

Elliott's nap was a bit warm since we had the heater on.  My dad called him apple cheeks when we were down south on our trip and this reminded me of the red little apple cheeks.

We had no plans for the afternoon so we set off to Swan Valley for some drinks and chips at Ironbark Brewery.  They had a musician playing his guitar and singing songs so Elliott had a good time dancing and clapping.

Today, when I picked Elliott up from daycare, they were playing with Snazaroo face paint.  His teachers painted this on his face and we just couldn't get enough.  They LOVE face paint over here in Australia so we just may bring some of this back to share the love and fun State-side.

Elliott is nearly two years old now (23 months in a few days) and we are so excited about our trip home to Texas next month.  Can't wait for Tex-Mex, BBQ and all the other goodies Houston has to offer.  Oh, and seeing family and friends too.  :)