Jamaica update

Jim's out diving this morning with Vicki and Israel. The girls and I are hanging out at the house with their grandma (PoPo) and great-grandmother. Norah is napping and Lolo is having a great time running around the yard. (She hasn't mentioned getting in the pool yet this morning and we're not bringing it up....she ends up so prune-y from spending hours in the pool on "her step.")
Last night as I was feeding Norah, it seemed to me that she's been growing, growing, growing like crazy this week. She just seems bigger to me. After a couple of days, Norah has gotten used to the house and is napping on a more regular schedule, eating a lot, and waking up all smiley and sweet.
After a good night's sleep, Lolo is back to her cheerful, funny self. Lolo had been severely sleep deprived (too much excitement). Last night, she went down for a nap and slept from about 5pm until 6am this morning! She's been cracking us all up this week with her comments. There's a swing in the back yard that she was pushing one night. Israel warned her that she needed to be careful or the swing might hit her in the head. Sure enough, it gave her a good smack in the nose. Lolo cried and didn't feel better until the swing was "put on the naughty step."Also, in the pool, she's designated an area as her "outside bedroom", another as "Lolo's step" and another as a step where everyone else can enter/exit the pool.
The weather here is gorgeous. We've really had a nice time snorkeling, kayaking, and lazing around by the pool. So far, I'd say the snorkeling here has been much better than what we saw in Tulum last year. It's very different from Cayman - there's quite a large variety of live corals and anemone....similar to the Great Barrier Reef but not nearly as cold. And yesterday afternoon after a kayak trip in the bay, Jim and I saw 3 sting rays jumping out of the water. It was pretty amazing. The only "negative" has been the mosquitos. Incredibly, Jim has not had one bite. While the girls and I are pretty much covered up. The girls and I will probably be one large mosquito bite by the time we get home.
I'm still trying to upload photos, but am not having much luck. We may just need to wait until we get back next week.
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Photo troubles

I've had some difficulties getting pictures uploaded today. Will try again later this week.
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Island Time

We're enjoying our time in Jamaica. Lolo has been soaking up the rays poolside every day. She goes in after breakfast. Comes out for a quick lunch. Hops back in the pool until "quiet time". If she's had a good quiet time and there's still a bit of time, she goes back into the pool. Surprisingly, she hasn't been that interested in playing in the sand and surf...although she's been out kayaking Discovery Bay with her dad and today they're out back building sand castles. I guess it's all the swim lessons we've had lately...Lolo just finds the pool more interesting. Norah-Katie has been enjoying island life as well...relaxing in the hammock, kicking back in the playpen by the bay.
We're being spoiled rotten here at Seagrapes. The staff at the house has been fantastic. Upon arrival, we each got an ice cold Red Stripe served on a tray. Ahhh. The food has been yum. I'm taking notes and learning new recipes....though, I'm sure it just won't taste the same without the atmosphere of Jamaica. I haven't done a single load of laundry or washed any dishes. Can't recommend this place enough. If anyone is ever interested in going, let us know and count us in.
We're scheduled to be back home on sunday. Well tanned and well-fed.... it's going to be hard to leave here.
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Jamaica

Just a reminder note...we're off to Jamaica for a week. Leaving early early tomorrow morning. Will be back on next sunday.
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Norah's zoo day

Norah's first day at the zoo. Another first for Norah Kate....she started rice cereal this week. Luckily she has a big sister to show her the ropes. Lolo takes a bite and then Norah takes a bite.

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Easter bunny? Not at our house.

It never occurred to me to tell Lolo about the Easter bunny. My omission became very apparent from conversations today.

This morning PoPo asked Lolo if she had found any easter eggs.
"Yes", Lolo said.
"How many eggs did you find?" asked PoPo.
"Two", said Lolo. (We're still working on numbers.)
"Who brought you the eggs?" asked PoPo.
"Jesus," replied Lolo matter-of-factly.

Happy Easter!

We went outside this morning to hunt for easter eggs. It's amazing to see how much Lolo has changed in just one short year. Last year when we did the hunt, she was slow and took her time picking up the eggs. This year, she's running around, opening up the eggs....the changes are amazing. Well, you can see for yourself in the video. Norah was unimpressed with all the activity. However, once we got inside, she did seem fairly enchanted with an empty plastic egg from her sister.

Lolo's phone

The girls and I were outside today working in the yard. Norah was in her pouch and Lolo was helping me cutting back our shrubs and plants. Of course, Lolo brings her plastic "phone" outside with us (because I often will bring our phone outside with us if Norah is napping so the phone won't wake her up). I hear Lolo on her phone "No Nee-Nee. I'm busy helping Mama. We're working in the yard. Uh huh. Uh huh. Ok. Bye!" That girl cracks me up. She proceeded to take several more calls out in the yard.
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Spring Fever

I think we've all got spring fever. The weather has been unbelieveably nice this past week. We've been fortunate enough to spend parts of every day outside. Lolo has amassed quite a collection of sidewalk chalk drawings on our front steps and sidewalk. We're in need of a good rain for some fresh canvas.
Norah has been as sweet as can be. Jim and I can't get over how much she has changed since getting over colic in Knoxville. She's just a different kid. She'll wake up in the morning (very early) and just roll around the crib...singing very loudly and smiling. She's so sweet. Of course, there's a part of me that wishes she would wait until the sun rises to start this morning routine but life's not always perfect....and I'll take a sweet smiley baby over a colicky one any day.
As for us this week....Jim got a new pressure washer and has been pressure-washing anything and everything he can think of. Our house is clean. The concrete around our home and the porch and garage are clean. The wheels of our cars are clean. Gosh, even parts of our neighbor's home are clean. Let's just say, he has been enjoying his new toy immensely. If you only lived in MN, I'm sure Jim would be more than happy to pressure wash something for you on a nice sunny day.
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No more potty

Lolo has come out increasingly against using the potty. This morning she didn't even want to even LOOK at her potty. "Mama, get this out of here!"
Having a baby sister has really set Lolo back in the potty training area. Even getting a diaper change has become a huge ordeal for her. We will smell her and say something like "Lolo come here. I smell poop." And she will grab at her bottom as if to protect it from us, run away insisting in her most earnest voice "Nooooo! I fresh! I don't got no poop. I don't got no peepee. I FRESH!" Clearly, as even the neighbors could attest (depending upon how the wind blows), she is NOT fresh.
In any event, we went to Target got fancy new underwear for her when she's ready. I'm guessing it won't be until sometime this summer or fall (when peer pressure starts to work on her at day camp).
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Many firsts for Norah

Norah Katie is making big improvements. She is such an active little girl....more so than Lolo. NK has been rolling rolling rolling all over the place. And her pushups are increasingly strong. I won't be surprised to find her crawling soon to keep up with her big sister. Lately, I've been finding her awake in the crib crying on her tummy. It seems that Norah rolls over, gets an arm caught in a funny spot under her tummy, and finds herself "stuck".
We went to the zoo the other day. Norah's first trip to the zoo. She seemed as unimpressed with the zoo as Lolo was on her very first trip. Pictures to follow.
Spring seems like it is just about here in MN. We've got spring fever in a bad way. Can't wait for our trips to the beach in the next little bit. We're slowly planning our summer trips...looks like we're going to be sticking around MN and exploring the area here. Will keep you posted as we head out to explore the northern MN "wilderness".
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Hanging out at home

Jim's off for a few days. Uncharacteristically, we're hanging out at home this time. Norah's congestion seemed to last only 24 hours. A few videos for your viewing pleasure below:


This started out as a video to show off Norah Kate...(she's getting so strong. I'm guessing she's going to start crawling before Lolo did.)...however, the show was cut a little short. It's hard (if not impossible) to keep the girls apart.



So, Lolo climbs into the crib and here's one version of "Jesus Loves Lolo". The words and melody sometimes change depending upon mood....but you get the general idea.
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Congested again

Norah Kate had a rough night. She's congested again. I'm afraid it's going to be another tough day. She just doesn't know how to breathe through her mouth except when she's crying. And sucking on a pacifier with a stuffy nose is a near impossible task. I wish there was a quick and easy way to teach babies how to breathe through their mouths.
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My big girl

This morning I was reaching up to get a shirt off the shelf in my closet and couldn't quite get it. So I said, "Ugh I can't reach." Lolo says "I can reach. I big." Then she proceeds to explain that both she and Daddy are big. And that they can help me reach things. Isn't that true? As Jim says, at the rate that she has grown, she'll probably be taller than me when she is 5.
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Big sister's stuff

I should have known this was coming, but I didn't realize it would be so soon. NK is so in love with her big sister and whatever Lolo has, Norah wants a piece of the action. Lolo lays down next to NK with a book, NK rolls over and tries to grab it. Lolo has a toy, NK is curious and wants to put it in her mouth. Boy, it won't be long before our house is filled with the sounds of full-scale battles of "It's mine" and "I had it first."
Speaking of Norah, I think she's making up for lost sleep time. Ever since she turned the corner in Knoxville, she has been sleeping more. (Well, as long as we're home and not out and about at swim class, the library, etc). Maybe she's going through a growth spurt. One can always hope. Our little NK is on the small side, she's weighing in about the 25th percentile these days. Quite a big contrast from Lolo who was consistently in the 90th percentile.
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New toy

Last night after we finished dinner, Lolo announces "I got a new toy. I show you." She runs to the living room. Jim looks at me. I shrug "I didn't buy her a toy." Lolo runs back with a little plastic doll "Look my new toy!" she excitedly proclaims. Long story short...Ashley gave her the toy (from a kids meal). And Lolo, who thinks Ashley is THE GREATEST, is in LOVE with the toy. Jim and I had to ooooo and ahhhhh over her new toy for a while. As a matter of fact, she's taking "quiet time" with her "little girl" right now.
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An idea

This afternoon while the girls and I were outside drawing on the sidewalk with our chalk, NK started to cry and needed to go in for a nap. While I tried to get both girls and the poodle inside, Lolo pipes up "Mom, I have an idea!" She runs into the kitchen, opens up the pantry, and....shows me her "idea"......HOT CHOCOLATE! Of course, why didn't I think of that?! NK goes down for a nap. Lolo and I sit down for a nice cup of hot chocolate. Her vocabulary and "ideas" sometimes stun me.
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Videos once more!

I think I've finally figured out the problem with the videos. I've reuploaded the swim videos along with a new one of Lolo singing her version of "Ring around the Rosey" to Norah-Katie.

So here's the big fish jumping in the pool.



Another of our big fish learning the backstroke.


And finally, that's our girl on the right hand side with kicks that reach the sky!

Telling stories

Today Lolo needed lotion because her legs felt a little dry. She complained and wanted me to get up and get it. I said no....basically if she wanted her lotion, then she should get up and get it herself. She walked over to the lotion and collapsed dramatically while wailing at the top of her lungs, "Mama, I can't get it. My hands broken." Where does she get this stuff?!
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Perfect daddy

This morning Lolo announces, "Daddy perfect."
I ask, "What about Mom?"
Lolo says, "No, Daddy nice to me. You not nice to me."
Ouch.
How did I end up the "meanie" and enforcer?
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