Finger Nibbling Lorikeets

Matilda has been longing to hold a lorikeet at the Long Beach Aquarium for a long time now. Last year she wasn't quite ready, yet was still waving her little arm out towards the birds hoping for one to land there. During our visit last week, she not only held the nectar cup, but was thrilled with the finger nibbling that she got from this lorikeet. The lorikeet was more than happy to drink her nectar, but was a bit wary of sitting on her arm. Matilda kept reaching her hand up to the lorikeet's chest, as her grandpa does with his parrots, but the lorikeet would just nibble her fingers and maneuver around to the food again. It was so fun to witness how happy M was and listen to her sweet conversation with the bird.

She's also made progress in the film department since our last visit, keeping her 3D glasses on for the entire show this time. Porter tried mine on, but decided just to nurse while we watched the movie. You can imagine how thrilled M was to discover that there was an awesome angler fish in our Creatures of the Deep movie.

Pack Mama

Like a pack horse, only fueled by lattes instead of oats.

This was our first outing with both kids riding. We made it to the library and back, a total of 10 blocks rounds trip. It is currently Matilda's favorite form of transport. I don't really mind since the carriers are both comfortable for their respective kids and it is a nice work out. However, we look like kind of a spectacle and get many comments from passersby.

Happy 4th

Hope you all had a great 4th of July. Here's how we celebrated:

While making breakfast this morning, Matilda brought Porter & I a variety of items from her dress-up bin. Here we pose as panda and fire chief. Later in the day Porter practiced some sitting. He was not so pleased with the experience. I think he looks amazingly huge here, although it is partly due to the perspective and not just his actual, huge size. Matilda had a really fun romp at the park with Tim while Porter & I kicked back at home. We topped the day off by dressing the kids in their finest red, white and blue clothes and heading to a fireworks show to meet some friends. As the first firework exploded Porter screamed in terror (he has newly developed issues with loud noises) and Matilda lept into Tim's arms. I thought we might be heading home early but after a few minutes both kids worked it out. Porter nursed for a few minutes to calm down and then ended up quietly watching the rest. Tim managed to peel M from his neck, convinced her to turn around and then she real enjoyed the show. Tim kept faintly hearing her talking over the noise and finally asked her what she was saying. She explained to Tim that she was telling the fireworks about her trip to Georgia. Our sweet, funny girl talking with the fireworks; what a crack up.

Point of Reference

Time is such a nebulous thing for kids. We are forever trying to explain to Matilda when something will happen, but if events are too far in the future it gets complicated. Holidays, trips, and various other events all become landmarks with which we can measure time for her. Before Porter was born we would explain that the baby would arrive after Easter and after her birthday but before daddy's birthday. At some point we must have said that Christmas would be after Porter was born, because for almost two weeks after Porter came home Matilda would dash out into the living room each morning to check if Christmas was here. It was hysterical to witness and so awesome to see her little brain trying to figure the world out.

This week Matilda has been quite concerned with when Porter will ever get to eat food. We explained that around Halloween time when he turns 6 months old he can start eating food. This led her to the very logical conclusion that Porter will get candy. We keep explaining that no, Porter will only get mushed vegetables to start, but she's not convinced. I think someone will have to report me to the dietetic police when I give my boy M & M's as his first food. Melts in your mouth, no teeth necessary, right? Or maybe Fun Dips, also dissolves but no choking hazard!

Old Family Rituals

When Matilda was a little baby we used to go for a family walk each night in the summers. She loved (almost demanded) to get out for walks and Porter is the same. Usually when hungry/dirty diaper/tired is not the answer to his needs, he will stop fussing the minute we step out of our apartment for a stroll. This week we reinstated the family walk and tonight, much to Matilda's delight, she rode in the Ergo. She had walked the past evenings but tonight was tired and in need of some Mama time. M reiterated so many times how she's not too big for the Ergo lately and squealed with glee when I proposed a walk. Quite the change from her early days in the Ergo. I think my next challenge will be to get M with the Ergo in back & Porter on front in the Bjorn to see how far I make it! That should shed some pounds.

Framed

We discovered today while playing in Matilda's room that Porter will hold things for a few minutes. M was terribly excited with this development and spent a long time jamming things into Porter's hand to see what he would hold onto.



Also, when Porter gets in trouble with M for clubbing her dolls, let the record show that he was completely set up. She staged this entire scene.

Sibling Jealousy

This video about how an older child feels upon the arrival of their new sibling had me just about peeing my pants. And not only because of any lingering pregnancy-related incontinence.

Sushi Roll

Our fish loving gal finally convinced us to cave and let her have some raw fish when we all went out for sushi lunch this week. Here you can see her reaching for Tim's spicy tuna rolls. Matilda has had plenty of sushi rolls that contained cooked fish or only vegetables. She loves every kind she's tried and is especially a fan of seaweed lately. We've discovered these delicious seaweed snacks (salty, fishy, papery dried seaweed strips) that Matilda will do just about anything to get - great motivation for good behavior on a tantrum-y day. 

Matilda seemed to really like the spicy tuna roll and has declared that next time she wants salmon. We'll see how long it is until the next time; I still don't feel totally comfortable with the risk involved and haven't researched the topic adequately. Probably we'll just limit it to occasionally, but I can say for sure we will keep denying her the raw oysters that she wants to eat with Tim at the farmers market. 

  First ever bite of sushi roll with raw fish. 

Second Time Flower Girl

The computer is still funky around here so we haven't even downloaded all the pictures from Matilda & Tim's trip to Georgia, but I wanted to get this one picture of M up from Cousin Kelly's wedding. She looked so cute and did a great job. Just as she was headed for her solo march down the aisle the doors behind her got slammed, so that the bride could make a grand entrance. Needless to say, Matilda got a little freaked when she realized the doors behind her were closed and the church in front of her was filled with way more people than during her rehearsal sessions. She froze and then started to slowly side step backwards. After Tim's attempts to wave her down failed, Cousin Michelle came to the rescue and marched back up the aisle to accompany Matilda on her trip down. (M did end up bravely walking back by herself.) 

A Honeymoon Lunch Conversation

A conversation over lunch, Monday June 22nd, after returning from her cousin Kelly's wedding in Georgia.

Matilda: When I get older I will get married and then I will go on a honeymoon.

K: Wow, great. Where will you go on your honeymoon?

M: On a propeller plane.

K: That sounds like fun. 

M: I will go on a propeller plane ALL BY MYSELF.

K: Really, will your husband come with you on your honeymoon?

M: Nope. I will go all by myself......and Grammy.

K:  Grammy will go with you?

M: Grammy will pick me up.

K: Grammy will pick you up to go, or Grammy will pick you up afterwards?

M: Grammy will pick me up at the airport after I go on my propeller plane. I'll go all by myself.

K: That sounds like fun. Where will you visit on the propeller plane?

M: I don't know.

K: That's o.k. You have lots of time to decide still.

M: I will decide tonight. 

Gone Buggy

Already known as an animal nut, Matilda has taken a special shine to bugs the past few months. When Grammy was visiting she got M this insect field guide that is now her preferred bathroom reading. She also learned the saying "Don't let the bed bugs bite" from Grammy, which led to looking up bed bugs in the guide. M is unnaturally fascinated with all the pest-type insects found in that sections: bed bugs, fleas, ticks, lice. You would think we are infested around here the way she talks. Almost daily lately she has been telling me she is itchy from fleas. 

A few weeks ago hanging with her buddy at music class Matilda pointed out a scratch on her friend face. Isabelle, the mom, said that she wasn't sure where the mark had come from and Matilda responded that it was probably a bed bug bite. Isabelle looked justifiably alarmed and inquired politely as to why Matilda knew about bed bugs. We tried to reassure her that it was still safe to come over for play dates & that there was not currently a bed bug infestation at our apartment. The closest we have come is a sand flea Tim found on him recently. For days after that M was claiming to have a flea on her. A girl can dream, right? 

2 Months Old (Yesterday)

Porter had his 2 month check up today. The doctor checked his extra chin, his jowls, and his man boobs.  Porter stayed at 97th percentile for weight - gaining another three pounds over this past month, he weighed in at 14lb 11oz. His height was 24 1/4 inches, still 90th percentile. Matilda was almost four months old before she weighed as much as Porter already does. I think Tim & I are going to get some very nice arm definition very quickly here; especially since Porter insists on being held in a standing position (demonstrated below) whenever he's not nursing lately. He had his first shots today also and took them quite well with smiles again after only a minute of recovery time. He's such a good natured boy and showed us his happy face so much today.  

This sibling interaction also amused us quite a bit. Porter is so tolerant of Matilda's constant prodding and love:

For Grammy

We accidentally all dressed in our orange shirts from Grammy today. Well, technically Matilda wore her rainbow dress, which features orange stripes. But still, very coordinated.

Big Sister Love

Matilda & Tim got home tonight after an uneventful flight & an action packed weekend in Georgia. Matilda was so happy to see Porter she ran to us off the escalator & had eyes only for him. I think I barely got a hello, but I didn't mind at all since I was too busy getting teary over all the sibling love.