Living her dream

Babushka arrived last Sunday to help us watch the kids while we're house hunting. She's a busy bee now with Kira in her arms and Aaron on her lap with a book all the time. Babushka makes them laugh and squeak with joy. Babushka always has a story to tell, a song to sing and a cookie to share.

For the past couple of months Aaron has been using "because...?" as a way to ask why about everything. Stuff like: "The sky is blue because...?" And it's just getting better and better:)

Whatever you answer will be followed by another "because...?"

The other day I overheard Cliff's and Aaron's conversation. After awhile Cliff answered:"Because I said so!" to which Aaron replied: "You said so because...?":)

More videos

Aaron has been having good days lately, obeying, helping me, and behaving himself. Today is the 4th day in a row that he most likely won't take a nap. He happily stays in his room for 1-1.5 hours until I let him out because he's not tired at all. That moved his bedtime closer too. We put him down right after dinner, at around 7-7.30 pm, and he sleeps till 6.30-7 am

7 am. I am making breakfast, Cliff is getting ready for work, Aaron is entertaining his sister-everybody's busy.


Our little smiley girl

Aaron singing a song

Pesenka Kota Leopolda

Kira turns 2 (months)

Today Kira saw her pediatrician, Dr. Caren Glassman, the one who saw her first at the hospital. The dr. gave Kira a clean bill of health.

Weight 11 lb 8 oz (50-75%)
Height 24 inches (75-90 %)
Head 15 inches (10-25 %)

She also got vaccinated against:
DTaP
Polio (IPV)
Hib
PCV7
Rotavirus
HepB
3 shots and 1 in drops

A few videos

Aaron graciously helps Kira turn:


Aaron and the snowman Vic:


How about some basic tiling, Kira?


Aaron is learning to read:

Update

It's been a while since I wrote something about Aaron's and Kira's development. So, Aaron is 2.5 years old now. He is a handful, or maybe even two handsful. The day starts with his chatting and ends with his chatting. He's always on the go. Some days the house looks like a tornado passed Gaithersburg-he's always getting into stuff, climbing, pulling...Where does he get all that energy??? It has become a challenge to sit him down for a quiet time with a book and teach him something. And every time he does sit down he wants to read the books he picks which are Human Body Anatomy, Atlas of Pathophysiology, various instruction manuals, Cupcakes book, recipe books, How to do tiling, patio, and alike... Though, he's learned to read Russian syllabi and short, three letter, words, on the wooden blocks. We're also learning American sign language, just for fun, during his meal times. Meal times are the times when he's confined in one spot, so I use the opportunity and pull the books I want him to read, or teach him what I want to teach him.
Kira, on the other hand, is a calm easy going baby. She loves being held and readily snoozes in our arms. She likes her carrier and that way I get my hands free to do something around the house or spend time with Aaron.
Cliff was offered a permanent position at his current job so we will be sticking around for a while. We started looking for a home to buy and are likely to be moving back to VA. My mother will be coming in early February to help watch the kids while we're looking for a house. It's bitter sweet, as we hoped to move back to Indianapolis but at the same time we're excited to finally settle and find a place we can call home.
Last weekend we enjoyed a visit from cousin Adrian. I think everyone had a good time. Aaron had such a good time with his big cousin, and we all miss him already.

We recently discovered that Kira likes being wrapped in a thick blanket when she is sleepy and tired. This way she stays asleep even if we put her down.

In her beautiful handmade hat from Aunt Beth

Ergo Carrier

For the past couple days Kira refuses to nap anywhere else but in her new Ergo carrier. She falls asleep in it in a matter of minutes, but once I put her down she immediately wakes up. She can nap for hours on me! The carrier turned out to be a good investment. I gradually learn how to do things around the house with Kira in front of me.