Getting Strong!

In his Superman onesie, Ollie practices his laps around the kitchen! He really wants to walk fast, especially if Sistada is around for chasing, but he doesn't quite have the hang of it yet, so it still looks a bit drunk penguinish and often ends in a crash to his knees!

I see you! And I see the teeth that are still missing! I really don't remember seeing the gaps like this as Simone's teeth grew in... although there is a lot that is fuzzy after that first year of the first child!!!

Vocab update: He makes an adorable "woof" sound for "dog", he is working on the hard "g" sound for "grapes" and he makes a consistently distinguishable "chih" sound when he wants to "cheers" with his cup!
He also now signs "cat" (for all animals other than dogs)! When he wants up, he reaches up and grasps with his hands (although Mommy is working on him saying the word "up" and doing the sign for "help"! You can see - and hear! - the frustration in this one pretty quickly!).

He is still super snuggly with everyone and Auntie Mick reports a seamless transition to daycare. Phew! I can't believe we are already at 14 months!

Simone's New Hobbies

Mommy needs lessons, but Simone is clearly a musical genius! 

(Thank goodness there's an app for that!)
Believe or not, the tongue out actually does help! ;)

Her genius continues as she practices her bike and scooter riding! What progress from last year!

It won't be long before we can take this show on the road! The weather has sure been cooperating! (Sorry again to Ontario for the winter that never ends!!!)

Arrrr - Happy Valentine's Day, Mateys! And First Haircut!

It was certainly long overdue, but it worked out perfectly during a random trip to the mall... Tracy had a cancellation, so The Boy got right in! 

Right in and right on the seat all by himself! Tracy recommended starting him out on his own so that he gets used to it right away. She is so good!

Sneaky photography, Daddy!

Such a happy little dude! We left him a little bit of a mullet so he wasn't totally unrecognizable! Still cute!

That night, Mimi came over to watch the people so Mommy and Daddy could go to a movie ("Kingsman" - interesting story, but SUPER violent!). Before we left, she spoiled the Littles with pirate paraphernalia!

Halloween will be fARRRR more awesome this year!

Mimi with one of her Mini Valentines! We love you!

Big Handsome

Thank you again to the Bryce Family for the fabulous ball pit!
(Even though it was actually a birthday gift for Simone!!!)

Peek-a-boo!

Static hair!!!

The ball pit doubles as a cozy chair!

A winter BBQ!

This is how housekeeping gets done chez nous!

Two Big Handsomes!

Ollie is mastering the art of feeding himself!!!
Turns out that this dude might be ambidextrous!

He just doesn't stop eating!

He's working on his "POP!"

OMG, is this the cutest picture you have ever seen???

Or is this it???

Vocab update: "hi", "mama", "da", "bye bye", "cheese", "baby", "nana" for banana and something that sounds like "tada" for "sistada"!!!
He also does the signs for "more", "all done" and "bottle". So cute!

He loves to look at books (just like his sis!), he gives high-fives, he blows kisses, he has tons of teeth (we have lost count!), he has mastered climbing up and down the stairs by himself, he is a swimming pro (the instructor uses him as the model for submersions!!!) and he truly does not stop eating! He is wearing size 2 clothes and size 5 diapers! Also like his sis, he makes super funny faces and sounds that make all of us laugh (including him!).

Every morning, Ollie finishes his bottle and walks into Simone's room with a huge "HI!!!" and immediately wants up on her bed. He crawls towards her, throws his head down on her tummy and gives the biggest snuggle you have ever seen! Simone welcomes him with a loving "Come here, handsome!". It truly is a magical way to start our day! Every day!

Ollie's Great News!

The Boy woke up from his nap and decided today was the day!!!

And Simone couldn't be more proud!!!

Sweet Heart

A rare Junior Kriitmaa sighting! Simone is all smiles after a fun brunch with Kathy and Kelsi!

High fives for finishing an alphabet puzzle!

Gangsta Daddy acts out the letter "Y"... yo yo yo yo!!!

Ollie LOVES his Sistadah!

Simone's creativity about her alphabet pasta comes out in song and Ollie can't get enough carrots!


Our gorgeous girl is so grown up! And she is truly an excellent big sis! We are so lucky!

Another Visit With Grampa Dan!

We were fortunate enough to be treated to another Grampa Dan visit this month!

He had no trouble getting right back into our bedtime routine!

Now that Ollie is a professional at "Cheers", he tried it out with Grampa Dan and red wine!

Success!

Doing "Cheers" was so easy for this guy, he thought he might as well try his hand at the guitar!

He picked the right time - while the best teacher was visiting!

Simone, Mimi and Grampa Dan practice their fine motor skills with some lacing activities! 

(Mimi was reminiscent of her days as a seamstress! Haha!)