So Proud!

Yesterday Skylar went to her first ballet class. For the last 8 weeks Skylar has gone to watch Rory attend ballet in her own full ballet attire. She always wants to go into the room, and it was all a little pitiful when I had to drag her away. I talked to the teacher, who I have known for a while, and she agreed that since Skylar was potty-trained, and obviously interested we could try her in the class even though she isn't 3 yet (not even 2.5!). Well, she was so precious, such a good listener, totally unclingy. I thought she would be cool, but she really surprised me with how she followed directions and focused on the instructions. I should of taken a picture, but I was trying to be low-key so she didn't rush over to me watching through the window. Can't believe how much she has grown and change just over the last year.

All about the potty

Skylar has decided to potty train herself. I say that, because I had no interest in starting this before the summertime, when the weather is more conducive to running around with no pants on. But, our girl has definite opinions of her own, and after that first applause following the tinkle in the potty she hasn't looked back. She has been wearing pull-ups, mostly because she was becoming a nightmare to get a diaper on. And due to the wetness detector on them, I can tell that she is staying dry most of the day. The downside is: she has a bladder the size of a pea, and is in there every 1/2 hour or so doing a few Tbsps at best. Then the struggle to get the pull-up back on (she wants to do EVERYTHING herself), then the struggle to get the pants back on. ugh. Then next thing I know, "More, More". Strip down again, she sits, poof, that's it. Start all over.

How do I explain to a 21 month old that you can just pass gas in your pull-up?? I suppose I should leave that to her dad.

Skylar loves Abby

Skylar update

Many people have called to ask how Skylar is doing. Thank you. When I took her for a weight check last Wed. she had gained 7 oz. So, she is up to 16 lbs, 4 oz. , which is .14% (That means that 99.86 out of 100 kids her age are bigger than her) She's not quite back to her 1 year birth weight of 16 lbs, 10 oz on 6/4/07...but at least she is gaining. She has tested negative for celiac, & her elastase and alpha -1 levels are normal. Soooooo, we are going to just keep feeding her and hope that she continues to gain. She looks great, very muscular legs, cute belly, very petite wrists, bright eyes and smile. She does lots of signs, and a little bit of talking. Loves reading board books and running after Rory. I can't believe she is going to be 14 months old on Thursday!

June picture highlights

Loving the new Picasa embedded slideshow!!! Pictures include Skylar's 1st Birthday, trips to the Farmer's Market, and Olbrich Gardens

Skylar gains weight

An update on the peanut. Skylar gained 1 lb 5 oz in the last month and is finally back on the growth chart! (1st percentile) She currently weighs 16 lbs, 10 oz and is 28.5 inches tall. We are really happy that she seems to be putting on weight. She started drinking some whole milk, and eats a big bowl of Cheerios in milk every morning. She still nurses 3- 4 times a day, and for those of you who know what I have been through with the breastfeeding, it feels like a major accomplishment to make it to 1 year! She is presently getting a check-up on her ear tubes and hearing, but as far as we know everything is totally great, and I think it has helped keep her healthy.

Skylar celebrates her 1st birthday

June 2nd Skylar turned 1. Here is a photo album month by month of the last year.

Skylar turned 11 months....

Well, 2 weeks ago. She had her weigh-in, and she gained, drumroll, 8 ounces. A little disappointing, but the Dr. says it's alright, because she is still curving up, and her little off the chart curve is mimicing the curves on the chart. In addition, she grew 1 inch! She is still a little peanut, still wearing some 3 - 6 month clothes. Here is some video I took of her earlier in the month.

Other Armstrong news

So, let's see. Chuck and I joined the YMCA and have been working out for the last 3 months!!!!! I've been walking and running, following a Couch to 5K plan ;) My goal is to continue with this Sprint Triathalon Plan and do the Devil's Challenge in Sept. Chuck has been swimming at least 3 mornings a week, really working on his stroke and breathing. He also is doing tons of pushups at home, sometimes with Rory riding on his back...pic to come.

Rory has been taking Pre-Ballet, and really enjoying it. She is going to go to a little camp program at the Y this summer. Rory has also been taking a swimming class all on her own. She is doing a great job, listening, putting her face in the water, and sometimes even doing a perfect backfloat. Rory is psyched for the summer, probably because of the sweet swingset and sandbox that Chuck got set up last week....the yard is fenced and she is ready to play!

Skylar got tubes put in her ears on April 17th, we are hoping this will help with her low weight gain. The hope is that we can take ear pain, recurrent infections, and long weeks on antibotics out of the eating/weight gain dilemma. We go in for a weight check on May 8th--cross your fingers Little Miss Peanut will have gained weight! Otherwise, she is changing so much everyday. On top of eating tons of food (yeah, I know, that's the thing), she is crawling all over, standing up and cruising around the furniture, saying "Mama, Dada, Bye-Bye, Baby (baba), and I think I heard a Ra-Ra for Rory". I can't leave out the adorable pointing with both fingers, turning pages of her board books, clapping, waving, and the 2 bottom teeth that turned up at the end of March.

Chuck and I have also had a chance to get back into seeing live music. We had a great time at G Love and Special Sauce, and Chuck really enjoyed JJ Grey and MoFro last week. We are really excited to go see Antibalas tonight at High Noon Saloon. We first saw this band in Cleveland a few years ago and had a blast.

Finally...saw The Namesake and loved it. And have recently read The Eyre Affair (really enjoyed it, I just started the 2nd book in the series), Nerve Damage (fast, fun read), The Whole World Over (Julia Glass, you rock, I will read anything you write), and Lost City Radio (very haunting, interesting premise).

As for my knitting, I have about 5 projects in limbo. I am hoping that I can muster the motivation to finish something! Most likely to progress is the Roundabout Leaf Tank from Knitting Nature. Will post some knitting pics soon.

Groovy Girl

Skylar just started these cute moves!

Skylar--9 months!

The kids have been sooooo sick the last week. Ear infection, high fevers, coughing, vomiting, pus coming out of the eye (!) you name it, they've done it. But I didn't forget to take some cute pics of Skylar on Friday when she turned 9 months old.

What a cutie! She is climbing all over us, loves to stand at the table, and really wants to crawl, although after going from a sitting position, to sprawled out on the floor she usually just ends up crying. ;) She's bound to figure it out soon.

Feburary chills

As the negative degree weather has started warming up the last few days, I have to wonder what we've been doing the last few weeks. Basically just trying to stay warm. We have made a lot of changes around the house with help from Mom while she was visiting. When all the work is done we will post pictures.

Grandma lit a fire under our butts to get stuff done, but she also had a great time hanging out with the ladies.

From Feburary 2007

Skylar has started eating more solid food as we try to bulk up her little 14 lb body. Rory is enjoying school, music class, and her new swimming class with the big kids! Chuck and I have joined the Y, and have been working out regularly.

Otherwise, time passes quickly as our beauties keep getting bigger and bigger.

From Feburary 2007

From Feburary 2007

X-Mas card outtakes

These are some of the runners-up for the Holiday card. We were able to wrangle #1 for a family pick, so I thought I would just post of these other cuties that were for consideration.