Words and Reading Words

Language. . as many know I enjoy teaching kids to use language and read. I have become very passionate about bringing language skills to life through reading and experiences.  We  believe we have truly been blessed to have two girls that have met milestones on time or before.  So it is exciting to me that each of our girls have met language milestones this week!  I am EXCITED about both, and can not wait to develop them further.

Madelyn is TALKING!!  She does not say much but she has three sweet words:
  1.  Da Da Da Da
  2.  Bubba Bubba (Hudson, B's nickname for him is bubby)
  3.  MaMa

* We are working on Sis Sis, that is what Brynn wants to be called. :-)

Brynn 
 Brynn loves FANCY Nancy, and Fancy Nancy talks fancy and can read! So, Brynn wanted to learn how to Read.  So, we started this fall with basic letter sounds, and phonetic patterns. (Teachers Letterland) She caught on to the sounds in a few months. So we started putting together one syllable words with short /i/ and short /a/ and she was able to read them.  It amazed me so we play games I write words she reads them and runs to them in a circle. So below is one of our games.

 

Sledding

Over Christmas Break, Matt, the girls and I traveled to Michigan to see the Bushen Family!! One thing that Brynn was excited to see was SNOW!! She had boots, hat, snowpants, a coat and wanted to see it.  It snowed most days we were there and she was THRILLED.  However, she complained she was cold several times.  Since North Carolina does not see a lot of snow, Brynn had never been sledding.  The last full day we were there my brother and his wife took B sledding.  She LOVED every minute of the sledding trip, and it looks like Jon and Heidi had fun also.  Thank-You to them!!

HOLIDAY FAMILY PICTURES (Bushen)

Holiday Family Pictures with the Bushen Family!! Madelyn is 6 1/2 Months, and Brynn is 3 1/2

 

New Bike and Toys..

Brynn and Madelyn like most of our children are a little spoiled, as all of their needs and many of their wants were met this holiday season.  Both of the girls recieved some new toys, and LOVE them. Like most kids they are often times more fasicinated with the other ones toys than their own.  Brynn loves M's toys, and Madelyn loves to touch B's stuff.  It is just great to see that they are getting loved on.   Brynn's favorite is a new bike, and we are impressed on how well she can ride the bike. 

GRACER

We ADORE Madelyn Grace!!! (Yes, we call her Madelyn Grace.)  Dr.'s told us last March that she most likely would be born early.  At twenty-eight weeks I tested positive for preterm labor.  So, we prayed and prayed that she would come not a day to soon.  She came at the perfect time, and was the perfect gift for B and us.  We struggled with a name for a while, and Madelyn fit her and Grace was a description of God's Grace to allow her to grow until that perfect time.    It is fitting that her nickname is Grace or Gracer.  She is sweet, kind, and well puts up with Brynn nagging from time to time. The song she loves to be sung is Amazing Grace.  A little rocking, and Amazing Grace with put her to sleep in moments!   So below is our GRACER:

JuJu, the babysitter at night!!

It's Christmas Time!!

The Holidays are a wonderful time of the year!!!  We love watching Christmas through Brynn's young eyes.  She is excited about EVERYTHING, and makes Birthday Cards for Jesus daily with her glitter glue and what ever she can find.  This year Brynn has been attending Pinedale with friends of ours, and they have a preschool choir.  Brynn loves to sing, and we loved watching her preform.  Below are a few pics from the performance. 

Another exciting thing for Brynn are PARTIES!! Christmas Parties. . this week it was preschool party!! So we backed the cupcakes together the night before!! Brynn was a BIG helper!!!

Then we frosted the cupcakes in the morning!! Including Frosting on the lips!!

Then it was off to preschool for the Party. (She still wants to be Fancy Nancy, so a dress was found for the occasion. :-)   At the Party. . waiting to eat!!

Just Shy of 6 Months

It is hard to believe that Madelyn is going to be six months old this week!! The time goes faster and faster each week. She continues to be the BEST baby I have ever met, and has the sweetest personality. She is patient, and laid back. She loves Brynn, and smiles when she sees or hears me.  Below is and update on Madelyn:
Favorites:  Toys that Light Up or Make Noise, and Exosaucer
Food: Any Fruit or Veggie Purreed.  (She will Eat ANYTHING)
Sleep: One Morning Nap (1 to 2 hrs.) One Afternoon Nap  (1 to 2 hrs)  Cat Nap around 4, Bed:7:30,
Wakes to Eat at 10, then at 5:00ish.
Milestones: She is begining to sit up for short amounts of time.  She grabs everything, and is begining to show the begining signs of crawling.
Language Skills:  Babbling. Will Babble with you, and back.  (No real words)
Clothes (6 Months, slightly smaller than B)