When Linden was still on a monitor and not cleared for daycare, we had to call in some help. One of those helpers was a recent IWU School of Nursing graduate who was working nights in Peoria -- Erika. She was able to cover one day for us each week and we're forever grateful for her help with our little bean.
Erika was married this month and we received an invitation that included Linden. In reality, Linden was probably the primary guest. :-)
So we were excited to attend the wedding and following ceremony in Bloomington. Linden had a great time dancing before the program started and fell asleep promptly after dinner, making it easy for us to head out. She even woke up just a bit to wave and say, "goodbye" to our table mates as we head for the door.
It's been a busy year and an even busier past few months. At the end of August, we moved two doors down into our new home. We're excited to be able to gain more space and stay on Ridgewood.
Had to get her this
Elmo doll
It's been a bit of a whirlwind as we try to settle Linden into a new house and her new room (on a second floor!) while trying to keep everything as normal as possible. But lucky for us, she's been a good sport.
There have been a couple times when she's wanted to go back to our old house, especially when leaving daycare, which is the house across the street from our old house.
I was worried about how she'd react to seeing our previous house empty, but finally decided it was time to show her to help her understand that our new house was where the fun stuff was. She really enjoyed walking through because when she walks into an empty room (all of them), she gives a brief shout to test the echo. It's one of her favorite things.
We went to the basement, which is the only place where we're still storing some things, and she picked out a couple toys to bring home.
She's at such a fun age right now. We had our 24 month assessment with early intervention and the nurse told us that Linden had hit every milestone that you'd expect of a 2-yr-old. And there were even a few where she far exceeded the norm (imaginative play and speaking).
There's so much to catch up on and yet she keeps us so busy that I feel the need to go to bed so that I can keep up tomorrow. But I wanted to post something since it has been so long.
These few videos will give you an idea of what we've been up to lately. In the first, she's singing "Twinkle, twinkle" in the tub and in the second video you can take in one of her more passionate interpretive dances caught on camera to date.
On this day, two years ago, we welcomed our darling Linden Bloom into the world! This time two years ago, I would have been settling onto a pull-out chair in Linden's room for one of the worst night's sleep I've ever had. :-)
After celebrating your arrival with Mom and your grandparents, I followed you up to your room in the NICU to make sure you were all settled in before heading back down to tell Mom all about you and your first trip.
Two years later, I can't believe how far you've come. You are one of the most independent and self-assured people I know. You're already so wise and incredibly fun to spend time with.
Having just moved into a new house a week ago, we're looking forward to settling into a new life of normalcy and comfort, though we recognize the moments of each may be fleeting.
We've celebrated your second birthday a few times and each time you've most enjoyed everyone singing you the birthday song and the opportunity to blow out candles.
This year, your birthday gifts were themed. You either received some form of puzzle or some form of bicycle. Just goes to show that we have you pegged as someone who's always wanting either quite time to figure things out, or be on the move.
We already know that this next year is going to be the best one yet. You figure so much out each day that we can't even imagine who you'll be when you turn three. We love you, Linden!
We just returned from a nice trip with friends to Michigan (near Douglas/Saugatuck). This trip has become a bit of a tradition and it was fun for Linden to come along for the first time and play with the other kids. Here's a quick video mash-up of the kids playing.
We kicked off the weekend with Linden's first kid's fun run at the Illinois Wesleyan University track. The local running club hosts the weekly Friday evening run for kids and I'm sure this will be our first of many races. The two-year-olds run first and go for 200 meters (1/2 a lap).
Linden ran with about 40 other kids and 60+ parents. Then we stuck around for a bit to cheer for the others.
We made it to the weekly farmer's market on Saturday morning and Linden waited patiently in line for her first balloon animal. She asked for a puppy, of course.
She walked the balloon puppy around for a few minutes, then bit the "leash," popping it in her mouth. The anticipation of balloons about to pop is one of my only phobias, so watching her pop her first balloon-animal in her mouth while I held her horrified me a bit, but she was unfazed.
We spent the afternoon swimming in the neighbor's pool and swinging, while today was full of time outdoors and playing doctor with her baby (a kit we recently invested in following a rough visit to the doc).
We went to the basement, which is the only place where we're still storing some things, and she picked out a couple toys to bring home.
On this day, two years ago, we welcomed our darling Linden Bloom into the world! This time two years ago, I would have been settling onto a pull-out chair in Linden's room for one of the worst night's sleep I've ever had. :-)
Two years later, I can't believe how far you've come. You are one of the most independent and self-assured people I know. You're already so wise and incredibly fun to spend time with.
Having just moved into a new house a week ago, we're looking forward to settling into a new life of normalcy and comfort, though we recognize the moments of each may be fleeting.
We already know that this next year is going to be the best one yet. You figure so much out each day that we can't even imagine who you'll be when you turn three. We love you, Linden!
We kicked off the weekend with Linden's first kid's fun run at the Illinois Wesleyan University track. The local running club hosts the weekly Friday evening run for kids and I'm sure this will be our first of many races. The two-year-olds run first and go for 200 meters (1/2 a lap).
Linden ran with about 40 other kids and 60+ parents. Then we stuck around for a bit to cheer for the others.
We made it to the weekly farmer's market on Saturday morning and Linden waited patiently in line for her first balloon animal. She asked for a puppy, of course.
She walked the balloon puppy around for a few minutes, then bit the "leash," popping it in her mouth. The anticipation of balloons about to pop is one of my only phobias, so watching her pop her first balloon-animal in her mouth while I held her horrified me a bit, but she was unfazed.
