Dean at One Year One Month
Sunday, June 20th, 2011
He walks! I thought it was going to be a lot sooner (my fear of mobility began to manifest itself when he was pulling himself up and crawling at seven months) because he was able to get around much earlier than Sasha. While he would cruise along the furniture a lot, he was only trying to take a step or two a few days after his birthday. It wasn't until two weeks after her turned one, that he was able to get the gist of walking. He still plops while walking and lurches in a drunken Frankenstein way but he is getting quicker by the minute. Our smart boy knows not to attempt the stairs; he still scoots his tush down.
We finally celebrated Dean's birthday with the family. He did not understand the whole candle thing but happily ripped paper off of his gifts. And, of course, his favorite gift was probably the cheapest: a ball. I hope he doesn't strat to bean his sister with it. At Sasha's birthday party, we let him try a cupcake but he was much, much more interested in the watermelon. He didn't want to to play in the splash park or explore the playground/ sand area. Nope, Dean was insistent that he get more of the wondrous fruit. This boy downed 10- 12 slices in less than an hour. His eyes were wide with awe at this most magnificent of manna. Unfortunately, my sister's shirt was a little worse for the experience. Ditto with Dean's diapers the next day. Massive quantities of watermelon don't digest as well as one would hope.
Baby boy started swim lessons. He did pretty well for his first few times. He doesn't really mind getting his face wet too much and he loves splashing about. Complete opposite of Sasha at the same age. He loves the motorboat ride (a noodle ties at one end) but detests floating on his back. We have taken him to the pool a few times but Dean wasn't overly happy. I think he was unsure of surroundings: the wild splashes of kids, and Sasha tipping his floaty. I think he still prefers the bath. Just enough water to make a mess and tons of toys. Dean will scream bloody murder if you wrest him out of the tub before he is ready (which could be up to an hour!).
Dean loves going for walks in the wagon with his big sister. He has gotten better about going to the child care at the gym. Not so many tears although he likes one location much better than other. Eating is still the best activity ever (our son came in at a whopping 24 lbs at his first year checkup). He still won't eat meat but he adores fruits and veggies! MOst of all, he is a very active boy who rarely has time for kisses and cuddles (unless exhausted). There is just too much to explore. My sweetheart will pause, though, if you sing to him. It's too bad I've got such a bad voice because he sure appreciates a good tune. I'll do my best, though, for my darling boy.
Sasha at Four Years
Tuesday, June 8th, 2011
This wonderful, sweet little minx has been in our lives for four years! From a wide-eyed infant to a hyper, sassy, chock-full-of-personality, girl. And, I have managed to survive the storm that is Sasha....so far....I just wish I would have thought to wear a life vest!
Sasha finished her first year of preschool. The had an aloha-themed send-off celebration. I cried a little bit; I am in complete disbelief that it is over. Her teachers did such a wonderful job- can't say enough about them. I think they deserve a humungous raise to get up every day and educate a bunch of squirmy monkeys. I may have loved them as much as Sasha- they were so gentle and patient with her. Sasha has already started missing her little buddies and I have begun arranging the playdates.
She started camp the Monday after school let out. We are repeating the same ones from last year as they both seemed superb. Unfortunately, her camp teachers aren't as good. The crafts are really lame. I am pretty disappointed but may try again next year. Sasha needs to have a morning activity!
Sasha asked for a birthday party this year. She wanted something "princess-themed"...go figure. Just like every other kid her age. I didn't want to do at our house (the clean-up would have been terrifying- I've witnessed what a bunch of rugrats can do to a house in a couple of hours) or at the pool (liability). I thought about doing it at Pump It Up or some indoor place but freaked at pricing (although I think our party only cost $100- 150 less). I decided on a closeby park with a splash pad (June is crazy hot in Phoenix). So, we settled on a Little Mermaid theme complete with balloons, tablecloths, invitations, party favors, a pinata, and a very cool cake that was actually 40 cupcakes stuck together with mounds of icing). I got to the park two hours before the party to reserve the gazebo (beat out the other party vying for it by 5 minutes!!!!) and set-up (it took the entire time). My mom and sister had flown in and they were put to work! By the time the celebration started, we were exhausted!
We invited 25 of Sasha's closest buds and their siblings and OMG, a huge majority showed up (thank goodness we had bought a ton of extra favors- Little Mermaid themed coloring books and art sets for the girls and Nascar for the boys). It went really well, though. The kids played happily and we had enough food. Sasha had a blast. Besides splashing, running, and screaming through the water, the children decided to dig a large hole in the sand. Kept them occupied for a very long time which meant all the adults got to gab. Fun! Actually, we couldn't get the guests to leave. My sister and mom started taking things down and packing up AROUND everyone. The only bad part (besides the heat) was that the pinata opened on the very first try and a lot of the candy got stuck. I guess I should have gotten a more expensive model. But, each kid got at least a couple of pieces. Everyone in the Rubin household (adults, babies, and children alike) took a good nap afterwards. I think it'll take me a full year to recover; definitely do not look forward to the time when both kids will be demanding parties.
Sasha was very patient and waited until we unloaded and put away all the party supplies/ equipment before opening her gifts. She also had to open each one slowly so I could record who gave what for thank you notes. I was pretty impressed with her contained behavior. The next night which was the family celebration (all her grandparents, my sister, and Jimmy's brother). Much more relaxing. Sasha ripped through those gifts with the speed of a Tasmanian Devil. She even graciously helped Dean open his. Her favorite gifts by far were the barbie dolls and clothes. We have been dressing and playing with those plastic hoochies without stop.
School, camp, and birthdays have taken up most of this month. We have managed to squeeze in the neighborhood Memorial weekend celebration (Sasha loved the bike decorating and the pet parade the most I think), two movies in a real live movie theater (yay for the Harkins Summer Kids Program), and afternoon swims. While I am not looking forward the heat and being forced to remain indoors, the rest of the summer should be relatively calmer.
Kids really fill up one's life. It's mainly enriching and I could never imagine what my life would be like without two grubby arms squeezing my neck and that distinct voice pleading with me to sleep in her bed when I put my pajamas on. Or to not wake up to the screams of, "It's MOOOOORRRNINNG time!!!" Or to not be five characters to sasha's one while playing Barbie. It would be a very dull world. Happy birthday, my beautiful girl.
