Sissy Boo

Savannah Pearl, aka Sissy Boo, Boo Boo, Boo's, Mary or Little Mary as Lyla refers to her (we still don't know why we all must call Savannah "Mary") and Boo Boo Ca-chew. She responds to it all. This girl is spunky. Everything is hilarious to her.

She took her first steps on Sunday. Matt and I were with her in the kitchen and Matt stood her up about three feet in front on him and she walked right to him. She started screaming and laughing and clapping. She was through the roof proud of herself. It was awesome to see her recognize that special moment.

Savannah picks on Lyla big time. Lots of casual hair pulling and toy taking. Lyla reacts everytime and Savannah laughs. It's one big game to Savannah. I get it. She is one and just trying to figure out how this world is all put together. Her and Lyla are gonna have to sort that out to some degree. They are sisters. Sisters figure that stuff out on their own. They love each other and I can see that through the enormous number of hugs and kisses they exchange throughout the day. It's sweet and makes my heart hurt from all the cuteness. Lyla's voice will get stronger soon in this situation. I have no doubt.

I think Lyla is surprised by all of the changes Savannah is making. Savannah will now go get things for Lyla. This has been a wonderful discovery for Lyla. She is also pretty excited that her and Savannah can ride tractors together. They now share a room at night and Lyla has taken to the being the little helper with Savannah. Lyla told me "I'm just happy i can be there so in case sissy drops something at night I can just get right up and get it for her." She is ready and willing to help sissy at a moments notice. They are gonna have a good time together for sure.

Savannah is a sweet cuddly little person. She is a hugger.

She says a few words but let me tell you, this girl growls A LOT. She growls at everyone and everything. We have tried and tried to teach her animal sounds but she just growls for every animal.

She loves to be chased and she sqeeks and snorts as she is trying to get away.

She is over the moon in love with Charlie. Hugs, hugs and more hugs. She loves that dog.

Savannah has some fire in her eyes. She is determined. It is so clear even at 13 months.

Love this sweet little Sissy Boo!

Guess who's back....

Okay, after a brief, yet crazy busy seven month break, I am back again. I had a few things to get in order.

We have moved. Like big time moved. Portland, OR to Friday Harbor, WA. By all accounts it's only a 5 hour drive and then an ferry ride, but let me be the first to tell you I feel like we are a million miles from home. In a good way. I love Portland. I will always love Portland. I met wonderful people in that town. That is the birth place of my two baby girls. Matt and I started our married life there. We grew up a little there. We bought our first home there. Portland is a good place. However, we are not city mice. We like our country living.

When the chance came to move to the San Juan Islands we just couldn't refuse. Matt and I met on Orcas Island. We always said that one day we would move up to this area again and buy land and build a little place to live. We both thought we would be old. We did not expect to have the rare good fortune to raise our family here. It feels like it was meant to be. Little doors just kept opening up for us allowing us to be able to move here. Getting here seemed rather easy minus the part about packing a house with a one year old and a three year old. That story is for another day.

Truth be told, we are in a little bit of culture shock. Lyla wonders where "Trader Joes" is. We have tried for a week to buy a SIMPLE wall calendar with cute animal pictures, but just can't seem to find a local place that sells them. Everything takes a few days longer here and the speed limit is only 45... on the fast roads... and there is no stop light... anywhere. We pass a camel on our drive to town. This is life as we know it now. It's random here. However I also know that Matt and I will fit in nicely with our little family. I am so excited to be able to raise the girls here. Matt and I made a little deal the other night. We both agreed to do whatever it takes to live here for a long time. We want to make this our home. So now we are working to figure this place out.

We just found the secret grocery store for locals so we are well on our way.

Four Minutes with Lyla

I threw pee-pee water on Brown Kangaroo.
I hit him.
I hit him Daddy.
I hit Brown Kangaroo.
He looks a little sad.
I hit him with the fork.
Fork it up.
Patty Cake, Patty Cake.
{Hugs Brown Kangaroo}
Brown Kangaroo wanted a hug.
{Bites Brown Kangaroo}
I bite him Daddy.
Do a fancy jump.
I'm eating my olives.
He's on my back.
Lookie!
Lookie Daddy!
I'm going to hop on him.
I'm going to give him pee pee water and food and music.
Where did his ears go?
No Mommy, I want you to feed me.
I already ate chicken.
I can still eat it. {grape off of floor}
I don't like this one.
But this one's a good one.
{Savannah burps}
Nice one Savannah!
Roooooooaaaaaaaarrrrrrrr {Lyla pretending to burp}
Look Daddy.
I use it on my own self.
Look at the pretty flowers Mama.
What are the white flowers name?
I blow the candle out cause it's my birthday.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh birthday!!!!
There's cookies on the floor {no cookies in sight}
You can eat it all by yourself.
Oh no! The cookies are all gone!
Somebody will have to buy more at the store.
{Leaves the room}
I was getting sheepy out cause he wants more cookies.
{Now playing with school bus}
{Back to kitchen table}
I don't have to eat all of it.
Actually, I can use my fingers.
Micky Mouse in on our TV and Bob the Builder and Sesame Street- all kinds of stuff.
I don't have to eat all of them.
I have a couple more bits.
Now I want some chocolates.
A super whole bunch.
I'm gonna take your cookie away from you and put it in my pocket.
I made those cookies with Daddy.
I got a belly ache.
What's sissy doing?
Sissy scared me.
It's gonna be okay.

.... love her.

New favorite word...

Lyla has a new word that I love hearing her say: swam-wich. As in, "Yes, I want a choc-wet swam-wich". Makes me laugh everytime.

4 months

Little Savvy is 4 months old already. She weighs 13lbs 10oz and is 24.25 inches long. Right in the 50th percentile. She has found her hands and grabs at everything these days. She has rolled over both from her back to her belly and belly to back. She smiles nonstop. It's pretty cute. She has also started to laugh a few times and then stops herself. She watches Lyla with great intensity. Savannah is making more noises and blowing lots of bubbles and getting very wiggly. Lyla is finally getting a response from Savvy so things are picking up in Lyla's world. Savvy will smile at her, only encouraging Lyla more and more. Watching that relationship begin to develop is so sweet and sincere. Lyla will "read" books to Savvy, bring her toys, get her giblet for her when she's crying, rub her belly is she's sad and sing songs to make her happy. Lyla is a very intuitive big sister. She seems to be right on top of Savvy's needs- which is cute- she genuinely wants to make sure things are good. I love getting to know these two little girls individually but feel so privileged to be able to watch them grow together.

2 months.

I wanna rock!