Escuela Nueva

Big news for Allen!  He is transferring to a new school.  We decided that now is the time for him to learn Spanish.  He knows lots of individual words and understands a few common phrases but cannot communicate in Spanish like we want.  It is very important to us that he is fluent in Spanish.  So, after much research we found Spanish Schoolhouse, which is a full immersion Spanish preschool and kindergarten.  We visited twice and started preparing with a new lunch box, nap mat, and uniforms.  We are very hopeful that this will be a great preschool for him and that he will increase his Spanish skills.  The only drawbacks so far are the distance (Allen, TX) and the cost.  Fingers crossed this is the right decision for Allen and for our family.  It is hard to leave Rachael's, but we're hoping it's worth all the sacrifices.  I was very worried about the transition, but he did great on his first day!

Celebrating Grandad

Today we were able to celebrate Grandad's 65th birthday.  We love living close enough that we can drop by for a birthday hug!  Here are a few cute pictures with Grandad and Allen, Grandad and Juliana, and Grandad and Gigi - and a whole series of failed attempts at getting a good one of both kids with Grandad.  They're funny, so I included them too.

Juliana - 8 months

Today is January 6, 2014, and Juliana is 8 months old!!  I can’t believe she is already 8 months, and I can’t believe how we can love her more and more everyday.  We had a wonderful first Christmas with her and have so enjoyed this extra time with each other during the holidays.  Juliana at 8 months –

-        is wearing size 12 –18 month clothes

-        loves to eat and has tried all kinds of veggies and fruits, black beans, and yogurt; she is also loving puffs and mum-mums

-        she easily picks ups puffs and pieces of banana or pear and loves feeding herself

-        the first time she had a mum-mum was pure delight – I think she might be rather independent

-        has been working so hard to crawl!  She can roll at super speed to get across the room in a flash, but she really wants to crawl.  She can go for a few “steps”, and easily pushes herself back to a sitting position or laying forwards or backwards to roll again.  She has been practicing this so much that she is doing it in her ‘sleep’.  Sometimes, lately, I have to hold her for her body to relax and sleep.

-        Takes 2 naps a day –  a short morning and longer afternoon

-        Still wakes up a few times each night, usually about 11, 2, and 5

-        Loves big brother and daddy!  Allen is sooo sweet with her.  He adores her, watches out for her, and covers her in kisses.  The other day, he reprimanded me for calling her “stinky”.  “It might hurt her feelings.”  What a blessing to have such a sweet and loving big brother.

-        Plays hard!  She has tons of toys thanks to family and Santa and loves playing on the floor.

-        The only thing she loves more is being out and about.  We can push her nap and feeding, and she won’t fuss if we’re out doing something or with other people. 

-        Is talking a lot!  Such a cute babble!!  Lots of mamama, papapa, bububu, nanana, and shrieks – she has a lot to say and a lot of people to listen.  She thinks it’s funny when we imitate her, especially the shrieks.

-        Is funny.  She makes squishy faces, turns her paci sideways, and makes noises to make us laugh. 

      -    Is the love of our lives!  All 3 of us melt with her kissable cheeks, beautiful eyes, and wild hair.

Allen helps me take pictures of Juliana.  If you see my hands or his feet, he gets the photography credit.  He also really wanted her to wear the purple headband for pictures.  :)

Happy 2014!

We are happy to welcome 2014!  With these beautiful children and so many family members and good friends in our lives, we know that God has blessed our lives and that 2014 will be a great year!  After a very busy Christmas season and trip to the cabin in Oklahoma, we had a calm New Year's holiday.  We were especially happy that Donna Sue, Ellis, and Maria were in town to celebrate with us.