Well, it seems Ava is trying to assert her independance just as much as her brother now.  She does very well with the sipper cup, so we keep one of water, out for her.

Today, I placed the cup on the chair next to me and Ava came over to play and drink.  At one point she placed the cup on the computer and I moved it and said "No".  While her cup is pretty leak-proof, I didn't want to take the chance that it would leak and damage the computer.  Ava lookde right at me and smiled, then placed the cup right back on the computer.  She and I moved the cup back and forth between the chair and the computer a few times, before I moved the cup further away and she became tired of the game.  It was very frustrating, as she knew exactly what she was doing, the little goof.

Posted by sportell0 at 1:40 PM CET

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Paulchen has taken over my kitchen.  it's a simple fact.  He will no longer let me do the baking, he has to do it.  Today, when I set about to make chocolate chip cookies, he let me in on his intentions.  I finished pouring the dry ingredients into one bowl with Paulchen's help and was about to whisk them together.  As I placed my hand over the whisk, I expected Paulchen to do the same.  Instead, he pushed my hand away and said, "No Mommy, no no."  I tried again and the response was the same.  He wasn't sharp with me, but the tone was more of an admonishment.  Then he set about whisking the ingredients.

Fortunately, while he was working on the dry ingredients, I was able to work on the moist ingredients.  But later, when all the ingredients were mixed together and we added the chips, again, I was not allowed to even help.  It was very frustrating.  But it was so cute as well.

Posted by sportell0 at 5:15 PM CET

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

It seems Paulchen is now the one to give out orders around this house and will argue that fact with me.  Ava was playing with a computer mouse, but the computer it was attached to, was off.  Well, Paulchen was not pleased with her behavior.

He very emphatically ordered her to put the mouse back on the computer desk and told me that as well.  It went something like this... "No Ava, no!  No mouse Ava!"  Then he would slam his pointer finger on the desk where he wanted her to put the mouse.  When I tried to tell him it was okay, he even more forcefully told us where that mouse had to go.

Yeesh!  Here I thought I was the boss.  It turns out it is Paulchen and I better start listening to him.

Posted by sportell0 at 11:27 AM CET

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

We had a wonderful Christmas morning.  Paulchen was a little oblivious to the presents under the tree.  We waited until after the children were in bed on Christmas Eve to put out any of the gifts.  When we finally directed Paulchen's attention to the tree, he just froze and got a really silly smile.  He was in such shock over the massive change to the tree.  Then he was very excited to open presents.

It was really cute.  I had him open most of his clothing first, as clothes aren't as much fun to a child.  He was really excited over each article of clothing.  He open a shirt and exclaim "Shirt!"  The same went for pants.  Yet after he began to open some toys, clothes lost all interest.  He'd open some clothing and toss it over his shoulder to his father.  I tried to catch on video his telling me about his clothing, but I had very bad timing.  He had already thrown his clothes to Da and was only holding the wrapping paper.  I asked him what he had and he said "Garbage."  That was so bad.  It looked like he said his clothes were garbage.

Ava impressed us most of all today.  I stood her up to finish putting on her stockings and for a lark, just let her go.  She actually stood for about 10 seconds, on her own.  Paul and I were in shock.  I've let her stand on her own a few more times today.  She's done very well.  We're figuring she'll be walking in the next month.

Posted by sportell0 at 12:45 PM CET

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Paulchen made progress on another skill today.  Paul threw Paulchen's ball back and forth to him and in addition to Paulchen's throwing the ball, he did a very good job of catching it.  He used his whole body to catch, but he caught it almost every time.  It was wonderful!

Yesterday Ava began clapping.  It was very adorable.  She was excited and then when I clapped my hands to a musical beat, she joined in.  The look on her face when I became excited over her actions was one of pure happiness.

Ava also has this little face she likes to make.  She scrunches up her nose and a little to the side.  It looks like she's thinking about something you said and contemplating disagreeing.  I have to catch it on film one of these days.

Posted by sportell0 at 6:38 PM CET

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink