Artwork, antics, and Valentines

We haven't taken very many photos over the past few weeks. We've been too busy chasing after Livia, who is now pretty much running. She also recently went through a growth spurt, because suddenly she is getting into all of these things that she previously could not reach. Some other recent developments include: doing puzzles on her own, clapping and dancing whenever she hears music (she has a new dance move that consists of marching in place on one leg-- it is a real classic that you have to see to understand, so hopefully we will capture it on video soon), and telling us when she doesn't want to do something (actually this one is not new). Livia loves to shake her head NO and now she also says, "NO NO NO NO NO NO" (in case we did not hear her the first five times, which is unlikely given the volume). When Livia is about to do something she is not supposed to, she first shakes her head NO (then usually does it anyway). Now when Cassidy gets scolded or does something that Livia doesn't want her to (like lick Livia or even just lick someone else), Livia shakes her head NO to that as well. With Cassidy it would probably be more effective if she actually told her NO but I'm sure she'll learn that eventually.

This is our babysitter, Beth. We finally have a photo of her and Livia from when Beth came over to babysit the other night so that we could go out for Valentine's Day. By the way, if anyone knows of jobs for engineers or EMTs, Beth would really appreciate the help. We love her-- she is not your "run of the mill" engineer-EMT-babysitter.


Cassidy also really loves Beth-- she wanted to get into a photo with her but it didn't work out too well.


Yesterday Livia's daycare was closed for President's Day, so I stayed home with her. We had our first art project at home. Livia did great! She even held the crayon correctly some of the time. Note what is in the top left hand corner of this photo.


A close-up of the work in progress. Livia did this all herself. The only mark I made was the red "S" in the middle left part of the paper to show her what the crayons did. We gave the finished product to Daddy, and he already took it to work, so unfortunately I can't post a photo of how it turned out. You will just have to use your imagination.

The artist took a break. The activity went on until Livia decided to run around the room with the crayons, and it ended abruptly when she was about to draw on the wall. This provoked a round of head shakes and "NO NO NO NO NO NO".

Cassidy enjoyed some sun while she wondered what to build.

This morning Livia decided that she would try to escape from the playroom. I am really not looking forward to when she starts climbing out of the crib. Luckily we still have her in a sleep sack, which prevents her from being able to get a good grip. But we are about to move into the 18-24 mo size, which is the tallest one they make!

Pudding fingerpaint.

By special request, for Aunt Michelle... I think it is banana.