hooray

A very old video of Liora having some coo-coo crazy time, as we call it! She was just jumping around saying "hooray mommy!" and dancing around going a little nuts. I think she had just turned 2 in this...I found it yesterday among some old posts. Wait for the cute moon comment at the end!

odds and ends

Before moving on to the next set of photos and videos, here are some odds and ends from May and June!

Liora has tested every which way to go down a slide.

On the merry go round with daddy.

Big yawn!

Sister cuddles.

Some more sisterly love.

Daddy makes the best cushion.

mother's day

For mother's day this year, we had both of our mothers visiting! We had a fabulous brunch at Aunt Nurit and Uncle Roy's house, and the girls wore matching purple outfits. Cute!

Liora opened my gifts for me. This was a potholder she made in school.

With Saba.

Oh so sweet.

The Erger family!

kaya's first bath

These pictures are so old, it's almost embarrassing to put them up! But since this sort of serves as the girls' baby books, I will go ahead with it. This is Kaya during her first bath. She has her belly button stump still, an old man face, and chicken legs--and looks so different than the smiley, chubby, engaging baby she is now!

life with a 2 1/2 year old

Life with a toddler is just so much fun. Liora has such a huge personality, and it is such a joy to watch her express herself (most of the time at least). We are also always so interested in seeing her physical acumen--she'll definitely be a good athlete. People always remark on her balance and abilities, so we're keeping an eye on her talents and thinking of what sports she might like. This summer she's been doing great at her swim class, and whenever she sees gymnastics she says she wants to do that too!

She has a sweet tooth.

 

She can hula-hoop!

She likes doing things that mommy and daddy do--here she is filing my nails.

More on that sweet tooth.

strawberry fields

In early June, we went strawberry picking, as a family! Kaya found all the best strawberries, of course.

Liora and Daddy with her empty box, soon to be filled.

Hard at work.

Liora with strawberry juice on her cheeks and a half-full box.

Kaya is hidden, but she was there.

And now, some notes on where we stand on August 1 (pictures are behind, but for posterity):

• Kaya is smiling all the time now. Her first smile was around 4 weeks, but now it is something we see often. She is also talking: a-oo and ai are her two 'words', and we are most likely to hear them when she is on her back doing exercises or getting her diaper changed.
• Kaya started her first full day of daycare today. Yesterday she got a good report from her main caregiver Victoria, after a half-day test. "Kaya enjoyed Spanish class as she sat on my lap. She looked around at her new friends and smiled. She took two 15 minute naps. She was a little fussy which is normal for her first few days."
• Mommy goes back to work tomorrow, and I'm so sad to leave Kaya. She is in good hands though. Can't say the same for me. :)
• Liora continues to be a great big sister. Very helpful, and loving. She never shows any frustration with her, and gives her lots of hugs and kisses.
• Liora moves up to her first preschool class in mid-August. She's growing up! She can spell her name, identify the letter "L", and count to 20. Her favorite phrase continues to be "Whatcha doing?" and we hear this constantly, "I love purple and pink!"

That's it for now!

Kaya and her family

Kaya was so lucky to be born a Grasheim! So many people who love her!

Hugs from DeeDee.

One eye open with Aunt Nurit, at our first big meal out after Kaya's birth.

Cradled by Uncle Roy.

With Saba, cousin Tori, and sissy Liora.

Loving MeMe!

Chilling with Lexy.

Being protected by Boo. Or Boo is protecting his favorite seat...