This edition of the blog is brought to you by the mother of Iris and the incubator for Starlight, Alisa.
It's true....as a parent you do reach a point where you are just grasping to get through daily life priorities while still trying to stay present &; not miss a thing. While we have oodles of memories, stories and photos to share from the last 5 months, we haven't been able to carve the time to write and share regularly. No apologies as we are having the time of our lives raising this little lady!
It is mid -November and Iris Grace is about to become a big sister! This really could happen any day now, but we are sending little baby starlight the request for a few more weeks if possible:)
Iris is so excited about the baby... well...from a 2 year old perspective! She has been kissing momma's belly, talking to and praying for the baby and even sharing her snacks with momma's belly.
While we know this is going to be a big transition, we also believe that this is a gift to Iris and in time she and her sibling will have each other to learn and grow with in a very special way.
Flashing back to the summer of 2012, we had some very special moments with our little girl. We took a big trip back east to visit family in NJ/NY. This was the biggest trip we had done to date with her. She is an awesome traveler, so awesome that she was wide awake the whole way to the east coast:)
Iris attended cousin Morgan's high school graduation in Ramsey, NJ from the same high school that many generations of Grammy Jo Jo's family attended (not to mention Grammy Jo Jo & Grandpa Lou's alma mater). Iris was saturated in the love of extended family that she had not met before. During this time her language development began to take off!
When we returned home to Alameda, it was really apparent that she was processing many new words and in particular, names of people (and dogs!)
It was a beautiful summer in the bay area and in between crazy work schedules in July, we managed to take trips to the Oakland Zoo, the Tilden Farm & Steam Train as well as many ventures at the park. A daily highlight for Iris is seeing our nanny Maria and Iris's BFF Lucas (aka LULU) whom we do our nanny share with.
Iris and Alisa took a fast trip down to LA for a few days in August. Alisa was teaching in LA and Iris had lots of playtime with Grammy JoJo and Grandpa (Pop-ta) Lou. By the time September rolled around, Iris was saying 3 word statements (some english, some spanish)and weighing in at 26 lbs! She is still a little munchkin but mighty as can be. Her blonde curly top gets bigger everyday and her zesty personality adds to its volume!
Just before she turned two, she began reciting the alphabet , numbers 1-10 (eng & span) and sings several songs (row row row your boat, twinkle twinkle, baa baa black sheep, happy birthday)
Iris & Mama did a 4 week series of parent/child dance classes for 2 year olds at Luna ( Iris calls momma's work, la la luna!) It was a special time and one of the classes included dancing together on Alisa's 40th birthday.
Her 2nd birthday celebration was very special as all 4 of her grandparents came to celebrate with her. It was precious! She had a "barnyard" themed birthday party with a few toddler friends. It was a pretty first day of fall and we loved remembering so intimately the day of her birth 2 years ago. Uncle "T" arrived a couple days later and snuck in some IG play time too. Her Nouna (Melissa) made barnyard animal cupcakes complete with barn cake that was enjoyed by all.
Grandma Jean & Grandpa Stan stayed for a few extra weeks to play with Iris so that Alisa would have some help while Wally worked like mad for a huge show on treasure island. Momma & Poppa also snuck away for one night to Half Moon Bay to celebrate 15 years of marriage. A baby moon!
October took us to the pumpkin patch which just like her momma, Iris loved!
During October was also the World Series which was nuts in the bay area and for our family as Wally was lighting SF orange! Iris and Momma watched it on tv (which is hilarious cuz Alisa could care less aout sports) but Iris learned to say "base a ball" and would look for the Giants mascot "Lou Seal!" Alis ais teaching her the best parts of sports!
For Halloween Iris was a puppy! No shocker as she adores all dogs! Grammy JoJo made her an adorable costume complete with bone collar. (see photos)
We trick or treated to a few houses and when someone gave her a treat she would give them one back. It was sweet. She now speaks with great clarity and in nearly complete sentences. She is a real observer and also engages lovingly with people. She has decided that napping is overrated and yet on some days will nap for 3 hours! Iris loves books ...some of her favorites right now are The Family Book, anything about babies, The Potty Book and The Lone Star Alphabet. Speaking of potty, we are trying! She likes to sit on her little red potty and read. Two times it was showered upon, but there is nothing regular about it yet. It will happen! Godmother Dani visited in late October from LA and we had so much fun!Iris loved playing with her:)
Iris is so in tune with things and behaviors she hears that she even asks us after work, "momma,poppa, how was your day, busy?"
It's quite precious!
Holidays are upon us as is the new arrival. Stay tuned for lots of news ahead....
Since my name is on the blog, I would be remiss if I didn't include some notes I have taken over the last several months. Here are just a few of my notes to Iris.
11-2-12
Today we had a great morning at the park. You played on swings and slide. At home your favorite game with me is "chase".
At nap time and bed time you sang Happy Birthday in your crib. A few times before you fell asleep.
Your language is developing like crazy. You can count to 10 in English and Spanish. You can almost sing through whole alphabet. You have been able to understand Spanish your whole life but now you are starting to speak it. It's mostly single words but you have started using some verbs too.
9-6-12
On Monday you got to hear Starlights heartbeat in Mommas belly. Afterwards you said "baby loud".
Today you were saying "boy" and then you said "Matt". And I said that's right. And then you said "Andy, boy". I said that's right. And then you said "chelle boy". I said no "chelle, girl." then I said what's Iris and you said "iris, boy". I said no. Iris is a girl like momma. Then I said what's Poppa. You said "poppa, boy". I said that's right.
Tonight during prayers you said "baby loud".
TODAY on Thanksgiving, Iris is 26 months:)
Please click here see some pictures from the last 5 months of our little rainbow girl!
