February 2004

February brought us many trials as we increase the year by 1 day this month.

Ellen:  Soccer class going well.  Ellen is learning how to dribble with her feet only, though she still uses her hand to direct the ball better.  First ear infection in 8 months just as Phoebe is finishing up hers.  Ellen is really good at playing name that tune now.  Jada starts humming a tune, and Ellen can say what it is.  She's quite a good dancer and singer herself as well.  She's also still inserting her will whenever and where ever she can.  It has resulted in many a blow-up, and time spent in her room.  She also had to miss her soccer class one night as a result of not listening to her day care provider.  Only 1 more year 'til she's 4.  Then that's supposed to calm down...or so they say.  We've also been able to get Ellen enrolled in a pre-school program for the fall.  We're hoping that'll help.  Right now, she's in for a 3 day program, but we may switch it to a 2 day so that she'll still get to spend time with her playmates from our child-birth class.

Ellen's birthday:  During the night Dave set up streamers and the usual "Happy Birthday" banner.  Ellen was very excited when she saw the decorations.  We made her a "breakfast burrito," her favorite.  Then she opened gifts from Auntie Mandy, Nana and Bapa.  She enjoyed playing with her new Candyland Game and enjoyed herself whether she moved forward or not.  We woke Phoebe from her nap to head off to playgroup with Ellen's buddies Alycia, Emily, and Paige.  Phoebe also played with the big girls, as Clara napped during our entire visit. 

Alycia's birthday party was a lot of fun!  Her mom and dad had planned quite an array of activities and kept things moving, even when the adults wanted to spend more time playing or completing the craft.  The lunch appealed to all age groups and Phoebe especially enjoyed eating her first cantaloupe.  The cake was from Beaverton Bakery and quite tasty.  All four birthday girls had candles to blow out-Alycia took care of the candles atop the "Princess Castle" cake, while Ellen, Emily, and Paige each had a cup cake with a princess decoration.  As gifts were opened, we said our goodbyes and rushed directly into traffic.  It took us almost an hour to return home due to an accident on the freeway.  Ellen behaved very well for almost the entire outing, only dissolving into tears when her balloon popped on the way home.  Maybe this time she will learn not to pinch a balloon. 

During Phoebe's naps, we often play quietly with Ellen so that Phoebe can sleep.  During this time, we play with Play-doh, read books, or play games.  Thanks to her many great gifts, she now has puzzles as well.  Ellen helped put together her first big girl puzzle.  It had 100 pieces, and Ellen really caught on how to tell where pieces went.  When we finished it, she had no trouble tearing it up and putting it back in the box either.  We put it together again the next morning.  We've also started reading books that are a little longer or have short chapters.  We read through an entire fairytale book, and she still likes to listen to 2 or 3 of the stories at one sitting.

Phoebe: (2/1/04)Phoebe started walking with the walker at the beginning of the month.  She was able to run into something, get it un-stuck, and go off again in another direction.  She can also stand on her own for a little longer.  She has pulled herself to standing and contemplated walking without holding on to something (2/5/04).  She can even stand on her own, utilizing a squatting position to get up.  She will cruise around and even move from table to couch to toy refrigerator.  One of the many cute things she does is snuggle with stuffed animals and pillows.  She especially enjoys doing this with the Boppy.  She'll go find it, pull it over, and lay on it with a big smile on her face. 

Phoebe's fever.  The week of Ellen's b-day, Phoebe developed a fever in the low 100's (underarm measurement).  She was very warm, and not at all herself.  When we took her to the doctor, there was no sign of infection in her ears or throat.  The doctor said it was a good fever that was trying to fight whatever virus she had trying to take hold.  She expected it to go away in 4 days.  Otherwise, we'd  have to bring her in.  Phoebe was very clingy to mom and dad for all of the 4 days, and finally started to feel less hot on Sunday (2/22/04).  This made us very happy even though we enjoyed getting all the extended non-squirmy cuddly time with Phoebe again over the previous days.  It's still heart-breaking to see a normally active child barely able to hold herself sitting up.  However, the illness did not abide.  It turned into another ear infection.  So she's back on meds with a higher dosage.  She's still got a week left on the medicine, so she won't be off before her birthday, but she's finally starting to act more like herself.

All the Godparents came over to wish happy birthday to the girls on 2/22/04.  Dave made pizza, and Jada made brownies and salad.  The girls got some really cool books and toys.

We spent a weekend away from the girls finally.  We went to Edgefield in Troutdale and left the girls in the care of Laurie (Phoebe's Godmother) and Mark.  We had a nice time, and only called home once since Ellen wilted a bit as we left, but we found out that only lasted a couple seconds.  I told Ellen it was just like when we left her with Laurie when Phoebe was born...except this time we wouldn't be coming home with any little sisters.

Potty training:  2/1/04: back to pooping in the potty for at least 1 time.  Then going into the bathroom and pooping in pants.  Seems to be a never ending struggle.  Major regression over this month.  Holding poop in for 4 days before finally pooping in the potty on 2/29/04.  Only 2 days pooping in the potty this month...the first and the last.

Journal Entry: 2/29/2004