Emily uses her fine motor skills to pick up one Cheerio at a time...Daddy took the grate apart that night and found 16!
Addison uses her gross motor skills to climb. She started by climbing in and out of the Radio Flyer wagon, then began trying to climb into drawers (which Mommy didn't let her do). Here she is after climbing into the walker.
We love our days with Cousin Callie. Sometimes we go for walks, and the wagon is nice because there's room for three! On this day, we went for a walk to the park so we could swing.
On the way to the park, Callie walked and collected rocks
Swinging!
Sweet Girl
On the way home, all three girls got cozy in the wagon
Ah Valentine's Day, a day devoted to love. Well, this house sure is full of love, and we had a Valentine's week full of lovely moments.
We started the week out right, with some peek-a-boo and wagon climbing. Oh how these girls love their blankets, and this Radio Flyer wagon has gotten lots of love in our house!
Later that morning, the blanket came into the kitchen for some more fun.
On Valentine's Day, Aunt Rickelle's headbands came out for a mini photo shoot.
And on Valentine's Day, we decided to try out our new snack holders. The package promised me they would be mess-free. Do you believe it?
The next day, we received a wonderful package in the mail from Auntie Wendy that had some great hats in it. We decided we needed to try them on right away, and then went for a walk to test them out.
The girls finished up the week by helping me with laundry.
During a January shopping trip in Fort Collins (Clothes Pony!!), DeeDee bought Addie and Emily precious flower clips to wear in lieu of party hats at their upcoming birthday party.
Of course, we had to try the clips on several times before the party, just to make sure they still fit. :) The capture-the-clip game is especially fun with these flowers.
Sittin' pretty
Snatch!
Going for it...
Got it!
On a side note, here's Addie demonstrating her famous "kickstand" pose, which she adopted shortly after learning to sit up on her own. Emily has also adopted the pose, and while it doesn't look particularly comfortable to most adults, these girls can often be found sitting in this position.
Luckily, when the big party day came, there were so many decorations and people to look at, the clips actually stayed on their heads for a long time!
Addie has been pulling up and cruising around on furniture for so long now, we keep thinking independent steps are just days away. Yesterday (March 8th) she did take a couple confident steps away from both Mom and Dad.
Here she is about a month ago, showing off her single-hand-held walk:
Emily has become a walker as well, taking her first hand-held steps last month. Here she is walking with Dad:
A couple days after that video was taken, Emily took it up a notch and started pushing the wagon around on her own.
And after Emily learned to push the wagon on her own, Addison decided she was ready for a ride.
Last month, Chris and I and the girls went to visit the Greats at Windsor Gardens. We loaded up the car with high chairs and toys and made our way to Grandma and Grandpa Hicks' condo, where Grandma Nicoll came to meet us for lunch.
Music time! Great Grandma Hicks knows how to rock!
Addie tries on Grandpa's silly hat
Emily's turn!
The girls have fun with their Great Grandparents
Grandma Hicks wanted the girls to hear the music box that Grandma and Grandpa had gotten in Switzerland, and when Emily heard the music, her head-banging commenced.
After two almost-70 degree days here in Colorado, we've got a nip back in the air and the promise of snow tonight. The girls decided to wear some seasonally appropriate outfits today to voice their opinions.
Auntie Christa came over last month and taught us an amazingly fun game of group peek-a-boo. Auntie Christa is just the best and we love our fun times with her!
On February 9th, we went to the Denver Toy Library, where Addison fell in love with a doll. Emily had fun playing with lots of toys, but didn't seem particularly attached to any one thing. After an hour of play, we were getting ready to leave and the librarian stopped me to say we could check out any three items we would like for up to three weeks. Impulsively, I grabbed Addie's doll and went through the checkout process. Only when we got home and there was only ONE new toy in the room, did Emily decide she wanted the doll, too. What was I thinking only checking out one?!?! We spent the afternoon practicing sharing and turn-taking skills.
The girls figured out how to open the gate, and it was all fun and games for the first two days.
Addie wouldn't go any higher than the first step or two and then the girls would play through the bars. I allowed this game to continue until Addison stood up on the step and took a faceplant to the floor, resulting in a fat lip. :(
*The gate now has a bungee cord backup and is babyproof once more. Additionally, we've been doing stair lessons in which we're learning how to go up and down the stairs safely.
