Walking, crawling, climbing

Well Baby Becca has done it again. She has started walking with no real assistance from anyone. She started walking last Wed night. She just decided to put three and four steps together to come over to were Bella and I were sitting on the floor. Then she did it again when we were outside playing at the water table. And then again when she wanted to play the piano. I have tried to get footage of it, but she is so unpredictable. Actually the thing is, she doesn't really like walking yet. But she will walk if the terrain is too rough. Last night we were at the city pool and they had a splash area. And Becca was walking in and out of the water all evening long. We finally left when I was afraid her little legs were on the verge of getting bloody from all the falling and getting up again. But once we got home, it was back to mostly crawling. But she'll be chasing after Bella soon.

Tonight she figured out how to climb down the stairs. I'd tried to teach her the same day she learned to climb up them, but it was frustrating her when I'd pull her down the stairs after she'd worked so hard to get up them. So tonight she figured it out on her own. But she is not as precise with her steps as her sister was, so I'm a little more hesitant with her. Eventually Becca got bored with just going up and down the two steps and headed towards the flight of stairs; however, I was preoccupied with Bella in the bathroom, so I yelled at her as sternly as I could. Becca stopped, looked around for where I was, and kept on going. As I am running out of the bathroom to grab her, I can her Bella saying, almost to herself, Becca's in big trouble.

Baby Becca

I've taught Becca to point to herself and say baby. I tried to capture that in this video. Of course they never do what they are supposed to once you get the camera. Becca has always been my baby. She's cuddly; she's whiny; she's dependent.  And she's growing up.  Yesterday when Bella woke up from her nap, I went upstairs to go get her. Instead of coming straight down, we had a meeting of all of Bella's bedtime buddies. We were deciding who to keep and who to send home (Bella's bed was being overrun with stuff animals).  We were laughing and having fun. Hearing the good times and realizing she wasn't apart of it, Becca decided to remedy that. So, she must have opened the gate, climbed the stairs, and crawled into Bella's room and over to her bed. I laughed at the site of seeing her just appear, but I assumed Todd had escorted her up. So when we come downstairs I asked Todd, "Did you bring Becca upstairs?" He says "No. I heard her up there. I assumed you came down to get her."  Mind you, she'd only climbed up the stairs earlier that day with me helping her.  Like I said, once she decides to do something, she just does it. And just this morning as I was getting everything ready for the morning, I put the bottles away. Becca officially takes her milk from the sippy. I felt like some kind of ceremony was in order. But there was no music ; no fanfare; no one to witness the last bottle going into a plastic Target bag (except me of course). Possibly the last bottle to grace the Dyer's countertops. What joy! What relief! And yes, what sadness. 

First Date

Bella went on her first date last night. She went to Dora LIVE with Popo. And because there was some confusion as to what "Pick her up at my house." meant, we did not have time to get any pictures. But they did make it to the show without a minute to spare. Bella had a great time, and even Popo was impressed with the production. When Popo walked Bella to the door, she yelled, "I'm home." Oh good. Did you have fun?  "YEA! I saw Big Dora and Big Boots. But Baby Jaguar was small." And when I asked Popo how she behaved he said, "She was perfect." Ok who believes that? But what do you expect to hear from a grandfather. 

Bella and Becca Bits

When we get in the car, Bella often has to have a menagerie of stuffed animals with her. So we were all in the car discussing what sound each animal made, and she got to dinosaur and was a little stumped. So I asked again, what sound does a dinosaur make. And Becca goes, "RRRRR". And Bella yells at her, "No Becca. Only bears go RRRR." 

Becca wasn't born with much hair, and by and large I have neglected her head and hair since she was born. Remember now, Bella was and still to this day, rarely seen without a bow in her hair. I blame my neglect of Becca's hair accessories on the fact that she didn't have much hair. Well, it seems the day has come. Becca has enough hair to put a clip in, as we found this out when Becca's babysitter decided to put one in. When we all got home in the evening it was funny to see Becca with the barrette in her hair. Bella noticed it right away and said, "Beccetice looks pretty." (sidenote: we had started to call Becca - Beccita for "little Becca". Bella isn't able to say this, so it comes out Beccetice.)

Last night we were coming home from our soccer game (yes, both Todd and I our playing coed soccer in 104 weather), and I was just singing whatever popped into my head.  So at one point I said/sang "Who do you love." And from the back Bella yells "DADDY." 

Happy 4th!

Here are a couple of fun pics taken recently. Becca got a new towel for her birthday, so now we have 2 lion cubs when it's bath time.


This morning, we got up early and did a 5k run with the girls. They were great passengers as I pushed them around the course in the double wide stroller.

The second picture was taken a few minutes ago as the lovely ladies show off their red, white, and blue :)

Happy Birthday Becca!

Happy Birthday sweet girl! This was taken the morning of her birthday. As you can see, she wasn't interested in the icing as much as she was about the cake. Exact opposite of her sister. Becca was not walking by her birthday, but yesterday she did take two unsupported steps for the first time.  It would be a stretch to call it walking, but she's getting there.  And she will try to mimic anything. I said "dude" the other day and she repeated it back to me.  So I kept saying it trying to get her to repeat. And Bella comes by and says, "That not Dude. That Becca."  And when we were watching the Backyardigans, Becca hummed the little tune that came on. It was pretty impressive.  

Yo! Christmas in July

This was actually taken several months ago. I was so excited that I got this little vest for $4 at Gymboree. Bella was excited about it, too. I couldn't get her to take it off. Let's just hope it fits someone come Christmas. 

Like Spotting Sasquatch

Hawaiian Vacation

Here is a compilation video of our recent trip to Maui Hawaii. We were there for a week and enjoyed the hikes, the snorkeling, and the food! We enjoyed the beach also - Cat a little moreso than me. It was a nice break, and we had a great time, but we missed the kiddos and will probably not spent a whole week away from them any time soon. The sites in order of appearance are:

1) Haleakala Crator
2) Our Hotel Room View
3) The Dunes Golf Course
4) Road to Hana
5) Iao Valley

I apologize in advance for the shakey camera hand in the first couple of minutes. It was about 50 degrees on the top of Haleakala with 30mph winds. I think my camera hand nearly froze off...