He bit me!

We decided two days ago to take a trip to Yellowstone next week- I feel like we are in a whirlwind of preparations. We were thinking to do less driving, but as plans go, oh well, but we do have an exciting agenda of things out of norm, new sites to see and hopefully lots of beautiful hikes.
We were out watering the flowers this evening and Avi came behind me and sprayed me in the back. She thought it was pretty funny, I told her she would be in trouble if she did it again, but you know a mischievous toddler, well after several more attempts I decided to get her. She loved it! So I started spraying toes- even Gage thought it was fun to get toes wet and run away. Avi ended up a bit more wet, then decided she wanted the hose again, so she ran after mom and dad, and then ended up spraying her self in a "mist" of giggles. What a funny girl!
Gage is really getting around, he can walk over the hose now- with care, and other little inclines, etc... he still falls a bit- bumping his poor head all the time!!, but beside a constant bruise on his head, he really is doing well.
Why is it when I ask Gunnar to do dishes tonight he ends up with a headache???
Gage bit me tonight when I was nursing him at bedtime. He has gotten more nibbley, lately, but this was a bite- which he has done once before, I told him stop, and gave his bum a tat- last time that worked- but this time he would not let go!! finally I was able to break his latch/bite. and get him off. I put him to bed and let him cry it out. He fussed a bit and sang to himself a little before going to sleep. I think I didn't have a ton of milk and he wanted it to come faster- we just got him a sippy cut that takes biting the top to drink it. I had started him out on the less full side, I had almost switched but I was tired and I thought it wasn't going to be a big deal, but ouch! I have been wanting to wean, being nibbled is not fun. We'll see what happens.
This morning we went on a morning walk. We met sweet elderly man on the block up from ours. Had some beautiful Iris- a gorgeous orange one he said his wife had one first prize with. He also wanted the kids to meet his cute dog. He was retired Navy, so he and Gunnar were able to talk a bit about that. He told us his wife passed this year, and he has had some strokes, and that we were welcome to come pet the dog anytime.
Avi is loving having neighbors- she really loves Talin. She spent half the day at their house more than once, and tries to go back for more. she is a riot. She changes her clothes several times a day. If an item of clothing gets a little water on it, she calls it dirty and has to change.
Today I was making a grocery list, and she wanted to draw, so I let her, she said she was writing her name, then helped her draw a face, then she wanted to draw monsters! The monsters had to have feet, then they had to have shoes and socks, then she wanted to draw Grandma Nelson and Grandma Dorsey. Then dad- he had to have a tie, pants, brown socks, she also wanted to draw her- she wanted a tie too. Then it was my turn- I needed a dress. All girls had to have a flower in their hair and everyone had to have socks and shoes on. I loved all the specific requests!

Great Kids

Gage has taken his first step! What an exciting night. We had him walk between Gunnar and I- he took up to two consecutive steps- trying to not be smashed by Avi, who also wanted to walk between us. He likes to hold his finger up to his mouth and "shush", he started blowing kisses- something he started on his own today- what a boy! he makes great car noises as he plays, loves to color, play with play dough, and is soo proud of himself when he does something. Thankfully his enthusiasm for climbing up the steps of Avi's bed has died down a little- thankful because he has taken a spill or two while coming down. He puts his hands over his face to play the cutest peek-a-boo you can imagine. his favorite toys right now are probably his stuffed Clifford dog, cars, and the walker- he is really thrilled by his greater ability to move. He has now taken three consecutive steps in a row.
Avi is growing up so quickly. She is a sweetheart, going to comfort Gage or me if there is discomfort- telling us that "It's okay". I borrowed a dog movie from the library for a the kids and a cooking one for me. Last night I asked Avi if she wanted to watch a cooking movie or a (with more excitement) a dog movie. We put on the dog one and shortly both kids lost interest, Avi asked to watch the cooking movie instead. I put it in- and she was riveted.
I was putting her to bed the other night and she brought up how she and Manu and touched the temple (that was last Thanksgiving!) and then went on to talk about how she found Easter eggs with Manu, and then onto about Easter at Grandma's house. I was delighted and surprised with her great memory.

darling children

Today Gunnar got Gage up from his nap and took him out on the deck to enjoy the beautiful day. Gunnar showed him the dogs at the neighbors' houses and then brought Gage back in and set him down. Gage said- in his baby language- "Dog" and crawled back out. He pulled himself up along the railing and looked out at the dogs- saying "Dog, dog, dog". It was simply adorable!.
I was working on reupholstering our dinning room chairs and trying to keep the kids away from the tools. I told Avi the tools were only for mommy- but she responded, she is mommy (she has her baby dolls and we have been talking about how she is going to grow up to be a mommy). I told her she needed to be grown up. She said, "I already did that, I'm all grown up." Looking down at my sweet 2 1/2 year old- I couldn't help but smile.
Later, I took apart the pipping below the sink to clear out a clog. We thought the clog would be in the S trap, but it was higher so I took basically the whole thing apart, cleaned it out, put it back together, checked for leaks, and to my delight all was in working order. I delightedly said, "I did it!" Avi responded- "I am so proud of you. Good job mommy!" I was astounded!  So sweet and articulate!
Avi however has hated me working on the deck- as Gage has been napping this week I have gone out and sanded the deck so we can stain it. Avi all the while saying, "I need mommy time." or "I want snuggles"- wow, it was hard to choose to work, but it has to be done!!! I hope we can get it done by the weekend. I have sanded everything I can reach,  we need to get a ladder. Today, I was working the chairs and I made Chicken Korma for lunch since Gunnar was going to be working tonight, while Gage napped, so I missed my usual sanding time. I went out with both kids awake- wow, that was a challenge! most the time thankfully Avi played inside, but for a little bit there, Avi was climbing on my back, Gage was pulling my hair, as I tried to sand as 'safely' as possible!!