Lily and Lukas

Lily amazes me everyday here are her newest accomplishments:

1. She can say about 25 words, and is beginning to say 2 word phrases like, bye bye dada, such a smart girl.

2. She can point to some animals, simple objects, in her picture books when asked "Lily, where is the ball?" Also knows a few of her body parts, eye, mouth, diaper..

3. She follows directions like, go put your diaper in the trash can for mommy.(she is so cute, she walks over to the trash can opens the door and drops the diaper in)

4. She has gone peepee in the little potty 3 times already, I cannot believe it, but she knows!

5. She really, really wants her legs to be long enough to ride Lukas's tricycle.

6. She has perfected, dramatically throwing herself on the ground, sobbing, face down in the carpet. Literally, I have to get it on video.

7. She blows "raspberries" on everyone, and thinks that it is just hilarious.

8. She holds the pen for the doodle pro perfectly, and in her left hand, she is my carbon copy.

Lukas's most recent accomplishments:

1. My little love started preschool! He did so well, he just ran onto the playground and started riding the tricycles, and didn't look back at me once, no tears, he had so much fun. He has made two new friends he talks about Mia, and Matthew.

2. Lukas's vocabulary continues to expand, he is notorious for dropping sophisticated words used prefectly in a sentance. His newest one was, "I'm overwhelmed, there are too many people here." While at a birthday party for Brett's brother last Saturday.

3. He is becoming much more tolerable of Lily, he has taken to telling everyone at preschool, this is Nilly, she is my sister, and now that she is talking he likes to tell her what things are, "that is an airplane Nilly, see the airplane, Nilly?"

4. Lukas can trace his name, and loves mazes, he is starting to color in the lines, and will acatually sit and color, I love it.

5. He is very, very musical he memorizes songs very quickly, he got on Trent's drum set and looked like a pro. At home he turns everything, everything into a drum...it is maddening. Piano starts at age 4, the Yamaha center will be ready for him in January.

6. He loves, loves the beach. he loves the waves, he is not the slightest bit afraid, he has a ball.

7. He is overall such a pleasant, joyful, happy little boy. I am very proud of him.

Lukas & Lily's Matching Pajamas

I love, love matching the little ones outfits, in coordinating colors or patterns, it is so hard to find a boys and girls outfit that is of the same fabric. These pajamas are from baby gap, different colors, but the same elephant print. So cute!

My Silly Girl

Lily is hilarious, she is so strong and bright. She makes her needs and wants known. Brett's new nickname for her is Tiger Lily, she has what Brett calls her "war chant" when Lukas takes something from her, she wants something she cannot reach, or is in any kind of situation she deems distressful. Not a cry, but she is getting mad, and quickly, I am amazed at her range of emotion in a span of about 2 minutes, it is incredible.

Tonight at dinner, I cut up some of her wild salmon, avocado, and broccoli, and put it on her plate on the table. She would not eat, so I pick up a piece of avocado and try to put it in her mouth, she pushes my hand away. She loves avocado, my frustration begins...all this time she is watching Lukas and I pointing to the table, I finally figure out that she wants a fork, so I get her a little fork to hold while she eats. After a few minutes, she is getting pretty frustrated that she is unable to actually get anything in her mouth. So I intervene, and put some salmon on the fork and attempt to put it in her mouth for her. She violently shakes her head at me. Fine, so I put the fork down, with the salmon still securely attached. Perfect. She picks up the fork with a huge grin on her face and puts it in her mouth. Exactly what she wanted, me to help her put the food on the fork, so she could put it in her mouth herself. Which is exactly how she ate the rest of her dinner.

Sea World

On Wednesday we went to Sea World, we had an amazing time, Lukas was completly in awe at the huge orca whales, dolphins and sharks.

Vacation

We had a little vacation last week, we stayed in So Cal, went to the mountains and stayed at Brett's grandma's cabin, the weather was perfect, we went on lots of walks, ate all our meals outside on the huge deck and just relaxed.

Tidepools

My sister and I took the little ones down to Fishermans Cove in Laguna Beach to check out the tidepools, we all had so much fun. It was a gloomy and a bit chilly morning, but we had the beach all to ourselves. It is just beautiful.

Adorable

Cute picture from Lily's first birthday.

Confessions

I have become quite a minimalist when it comes to the children, I have only been to Babies R Us probably twice since Lily was born, once to buy a humidifier (which I returned, unopened) and once to buy her Jumperoo, that she really did not like. I did all of the "baby" things with Lukas, Brett and I spent 100.00 on "baby proofing" supplies, most of which did not fit our particular cupboards or appliances, were cheaply made and ineffective. The most effective means of "baby proofing" for us were getting rid of our coffee table, that was quite hazardous when Lukas was learning to walk, and just took up too much valuable play space on the floor, moved all of the cleaning supples and sharp kitchen utencils up to the top shelves of the cupboards, and, if we had stairs, I would probably get a baby gate. I think I tried every sippy cup that was around when Lukas was a toddler, they all tasted like plastic to me, until I found the sigg cups which we still use. Lukas had Gerber or Sassy plates, snack cups, utencils, everything. Lily got one package of baby spoons (the Sassy brand which are BPA free). Lily has never slept in a crib, really never sat in a stroller, I still have the same Maclaren we bought when Lukas was about 8 months old, and he still sits in it occasionally. Well, I also pack much lighter when we leave the house, most of the time I have a few diapers and maybe, maybe wipes. We went to South Coast plaza today, and typical, I had a diaper, no wipes...in Pottery Barn kids I started to smell something in Lily's pants, great, and Lukas was doing the peepee dance, so we left to go to the bathroom in baby gap, Lukas went potty, now he had to sit tight for a few minutes while I tried to change Lily's poopy diaper, without any baby wipes. If you have ever tried to change a poopy diaper with damp toilet paper, you know what I mean, it just doesnt work, the toilet paper rolls up and falls apart, my (standing)newly walking and independant 13 month old is despiratly tring to free herself from my grasp, now starts to pee. Omigoodness, I have not even taken the new diaper out of my bag, no wipes, diaper is not readily available, pee (and poop) everywhere. Meanwhile Lukas is saying, "Mommy I need to wash my hands", "I need to wash my hands" over and over again. Such a mess, so what do I do...I put Lily in the sink and wash her little bum and legs, I am thinking, I hope I locked that door, and no one sees me bathing my one year old in a public bathroom sink. I paper towel dry her off, put her new diaper on, pee soaked Pedi Peds in my wet bag for cloth diapers, Lily goes back in the carrier and help Lukas wash his hands. Wipe up the pee on the Koala changing table, and I did tell the baby gap ladies that we had an accident on the changing table, I wonder if they clean those changing tables, I know Lily is not the first baby to pee on one.

Descansco Gardens

We visited beautful Descansco Gardens last Sunday with some of my cousins, and Aunts. Lukas and his cousin Jacob are espically adorable, they play beautifully together, only being 2 months apart in age. It was so much fun seeing my family and our little ones playing together.

Aunt Cindy's Office

Possabilities are endless with blocks, here is our house, a farm,(now all we need are some Ostheimer animals) and Lukas wanted to make "Aunt Cindy's office" it is the building in the back. So cute.

Aquarium

We love the Long Beach Aquarium, Aquarium of the Pacific. Such fun, they had tons of new exhibits this trip, lots of jelly fish this time which are just amazing. Lily's favorite was the giant sea bass. She is so cute, she presses her face right up to the tank and points at all of the fish. Many of the tanks are from the floor up so the kids can just walk right up to them. Lukas loves the sharks, he could watch them for hours. We are getting ready for our big trip to Sea World in a few weeks, Lukas cannot wait, he wants to bring Shamu some fish, a ball to play with, and has been coloring pictures for him all week.

Lily and her Mermaid

Super Cute Shoes

I am always on the lookout for super cute, different, handmade things for my little ones. I have found these adorable handmade shoes by Livie and Luca, since they are handstiched each pair is slightly different and unique, love that. I think we may need them.

Lily's Mermaid

Independence

I am starting to feel a little more "free" with Lily, she is becoming more and more independent from me as she wants to walk everywhere and get down from the Ergo carrier. She spends more time playing with toys and looking at books, for longer periods of time. She is taking about 4 bottles a day, I am still making formula for her, but her hunger can also be satisfied with blueberries and water from her Sigg cup, so much easier when we are out and about. We spent the morning at Fashion Island yesterday, and Lily had so much fun playing in the fountain with the other little ones, she is defiantly a "people" person, she always makes *friends*, and says "hi" to everyone who makes eye contact with her. Her new word is "mermaid" we got her the Blabla mermaid, it is so soft and adorable, Lily *loves* it.

Mothers Day Pictures

I had a fabulous Mothers Day, we went to Laguna Beach this morning, we had such nice breakfast in Crystal Cove, I had stuffed french toast with berries...my goodness it was wonderful. The weather was overcast and a bit cold, but Lukas and Lily had fun on the beach and playing at a little park on the sand.

Mothers Market & Raw Ice Cream

I love Mothers Market, a local health food store that also has a little sit down restaurant inside. Lukas, Lily and I have lunch or dinner there probably once a week. It is perfect, they have simple organic fresh healthy food, a fabulous veggie quesadilla for Lukas, made with organic broccoli, cheese, on a sprouted tortilla. Lily, eats fresh fruit, loves the mangoes and papayas, (Lukas always eats the berries before Lily has a chance) a baked organic yam and half of an avocado. I love the avocado and tuna salad sandwiches with brown rice. They even make a chocolate pudding made with avocados. We shop there in between trips to Whole Foods. They also have the best prices on raw milk and a great selection of locally grown fruit and vegetables. We like to eat as many raw foods as possible, and today I found a raw ice cream. Oh my...it is called Tomberlies raw vegan ice cream, it is wheat free, dairy free, soy free and has no refined sugars. The ingredients are young thai coconut, organic strawberries, organic raw cashews, filtered water, organic raw agave syrup, and organic whole vanilla bean. Fantastic, Lukas and I loved it. www.tomberlies.com

Pretty Girl

Pretty picture of Lily at the Santa Ana Zoo

Love

Lily's package came today from Moonchild Handwork Studio, everything is gorgeous, just beautifully made. Lukas fell in love with Lily's "Moondrops" he calls them his "fairies" they went everywhere with us today, sat next to him in the carseat, went to Whole Foods, took a ride in Lukas's Fagus car transporter, they are sleeping next to him covered up by Berrie's gorgeous quilt that was made for Lily's Bamboletta waldorf doll. Lily's peasant top and capri set turned out so cute and looks adorable on her. I can't wait to order a few more moondrops!

Big Day...

Happy Birthday Lily, my baby is growing up to be such a beautiful, strong, bright little girl. It has been such a wonderful year watching her grow and learn. We had a little birthday party for her today, it went really well, we has lots of fun. The kids planted Marigold flowers in little flower pots, and our guests collectively donated 150.00 to World Vision in the form of 2 goats. We got such a wonderful response, everyone was so generous in their donations. Lily also recieved some adorable birthday gifts, a very special Bamboletta doll, 2 pairs of Pedi Peds from her Grandma and Grandpa Zinn, and lots of adorable dresses and outfits.

Lily my little love, is sick...

Both kids have amazing immune systems, so much thanks to my Aunt Cindy. They just don't get sick. Lukas has only had one ear infection at about 2 1/2 right after Lily was born, and has a minor 5 day cold once a year. Lily has not yet been sick...not even a sniffle, until now. Ethan, our dear little nephew caught a version of foot and mouth disease (which is really a virus) where sores line his esophagus. Today, my little angel started having the same symptoms, screaming, fever, and refusing to eat, she is thankfully, still taking her bottle. We are giving her colostrum, nucleotides, large doses of probiotics, a bit of coral complex (calcium magnesium), and infant Motrin to help with the pain and fever. My sister has a prescription for an antiseptic mouthwash...we may have to go see Dr. Bob tomorrow.

Wonderful Aunt, Wonderful Hubby

I work at my Aunt Cindy's practice on Saturdays, she is a PT, DC, DACBN, and CCN. My Aunt is one of my favorite people in the world, I love her, she is brilliant, I learn so much from her. My dear grandma brings me lunch almost every Saturday, I love being able to see her once a week. Last Saturday, my Aunt took me to a little organic spa and I had a fabulous facial, it was so, so, nice. Brett watches the kids every Saturday since I am usually up in LA for most of the day. He is such a wonderful, supportive, husband. Brett has been picking up fresh organic strawberries from this little place down the street that grows strawberries and a few other fruits and veggies. On Saturday he made chicken pesto pasta, and even added pine nuts, then made homemade strawberry ice cream for dessert! My facial was rejuvenating, dinner was great, and the ice cream turned out perfect!

Daisy

Lily's Bamboletta came today! She is the doll on the right in this picture and just beautiful! She was made for Lily by sweet Christina Platt of Bamboletta dolls. We named her Daisy, she is completly handmade and such a special birthday gift, I can't wait for Lily to see her!

Lily Michaela, almost 1

Lily's Eco Friendly Birthday Party

We are planning an earth friendly birthday party for our little princess. Our plans so far:

No balloons, we are using a handmade cotton bunting my Mom made to hang in between the trees. It is so cute, we can hang it in her room as a decoration after the party.

Healthy menu of fruit, waldorf salads and cute little sandwiches, with water and lemonade. (but..we are serving the famed sprinkles cupcakes, that, I could not resist)

Fabric table cloths

Instead of giving the kids "goody bags" the children are going to plant seeds in a small flower pot to take home with them and watch grow.

In lieu of gifts for Lily, we have asked our guests to donate to world vision and collectivly donate a goat, which will bring an impoverished family fresh milk, cheese, yogurt, and extra money at a local market.

Brett and I avoided Toys R Us, and the like and purchased her a few beautiful handmade items that she will love and pass down to her children.

We are using babmu plates, instead of printed paper plates, and preserve forks that are made from recycled yogurt lids and such.

I am making a few huge batches of playdough for the kids to play with.

Amish Blocks and Fagus Trucks

Lukas spent at least an hour this morning making "Cinderella's Castle" with his Fagus Forklift, Unimog, and blocks. These blocks are made of Oak, Walnut and Cherry wood, by an Amish man in Tennessee, just down the road from where my Mom lives.

No more plastic

I have been ridding my kitchen of plastic for a few years now, plastic baggies, cutting boards, cups, and tupperware. Lily drinks her homemade formula out of glass bottles, and we use Swiss made Sigg cups for sippy cups. I have grown to love parchment paper, and unbleached muffin liners. We store all our food, leftovers, cheese, fruit and veggies in glass. I love it, there is something so clean and simple about glass. We just bought new cotton reusable bags from whole foods, they are great. I am starting to loathe those plastic produce bags, but I have found a solution, organic cotton mesh produce bags made by ecobags, I can't wait to try them. Ryan and Claudia would be proud.

Play Time

Cloth Diapers

I love, love my cloth diapers. I love the growing greens one size diapers, they have a snap in doubler so they do not take forever to dry, and I love the super soft organic cotton even after tons of washings. Under the Niles are wonderfully thick and absorbant so they take forever to dry, at least 2 dryer cycles, or one dryer cycle and a few hours in the sun.

Memory

Lukas is playing with his absolutely beautiful memory game we ordered from The Wooden Wagon. This is one of my favorite games to play with Lukas when Lily is napping. We use half of the pairs for each game to make it a bit less challenging, and Lukas loves it.

Etsy

I love Etsy! (www.etsy.com) Etsy is a site where artists can sell their handmade creations. We odrered Lily a few things for her birthday that are being made for her by Berrie at Moonchild Handwork Studio. A peasant top and capri pant outfit, a doll quilt, and 5 "moondrops" which are adorable little pouchy dolls. Berrie is so talented. I can not wait to see everything, I will post pictures!

Brett is 30

Happy Birthday! Lukas, Lily and I got Daddy a nice new shirt and jeans from Nordstroms. We decided a few years ago that we were going to spend his 30th in Las Vegas. We left friday, after we dropped off the kids, and came home on Sunday afternoon. We had a great time, it was really wonderful to spend some time together. We took naps, relaxed by the pool, lounged in our suite, which was amazing. We had some fabulous meals, drank a few glasses of wine. Brett watched the UCLA game on Saturday and I did a little shopping. My Dad and Deborah did a fantastic job with Lily, and Lukas has lots of fun with Grammy and Grandpa Zinn.

Nilly is Walking

She took her first few steps about 3 weeks ago, but has not had too much interest in really moving from place to place by walking instead of crawling. During the last few days she has become more daring! She is toddling around so much more. Lukas is also excited about her new skill, which is so cute.

Lukas is a Polliwog

Lukas is doing so well at Nova, he was a little unsure at first, but he has really warmed to his coach and the new pool. He has moved from a "starfish" (face in the water) to a "polliwog" (independent launch off step with streamline reach, face in water). His coach, Carin, works really well with him. Lukas is starting to really like her, he talks to her tons, he is such a chatterbox when he becomes comfortable.

Big Girl

We are picking out invitations for Lily's first birthday party already! She is growing up so fast.

Basketball

Brett is playing in a basketball league, with Trent on Wednesday nights in Costa Mesa. At first, I was not a supporter of the idea, since Brett is already away so much working both jobs, and then add on another night, no way. But...I have warmed to it since he is such a wonderful, dedicated husband and father. He works so hard and deserves to play a little!

He had his first game last night, they had fun, and he was still walking today! Lukas, Lily and I went to watch Daddy play. Lukas watched intently and asked lots of questions. He cheered "Go Daddy go!" Lily said "Dada, Dada", the whole time and clapped the whole time.

Mothering

I always enjoy reading Mothering magazine, I love it. There are always articles that educate, and inspire me. In this issue, I love "on being a parenting original" and "Evading the Evidence" on a flawed, limited, contradictory study released by the CDC. I started reading Mothering when Lukas was a tiny baby, seeds were planted...now I am a cloth diapering, homemade organic baby food (and formula) making, co sleeping, baby wearing mama!

Lily's First Words

Lily's first word was "Dada", but she has moved onto "Dog", "Mama", and "Hi". She can almost say "ball" and "hot" She babbles, talks, screams, shrieks, whines, all day long, she is only quiet when she sleeps.

Light of Christ Lutheran Preschool

Lukas is registered for preschool! Our little boy is ready to go to school.

He will be attending Light of Christ Lutheran preschool in July for their summer school program on T/Th from 9:00-12:00. Then he will start again for the fall semeser in September. He will be in a mon/wed/fri class from 12:30-3:30.

I think that we have been to every preschool in Irvine! This one has nice, organized, bright classrooms, with an upkept playgound. Light of Christ preschool has a fabulous 6/1 ratio. The director and teachers seemed wonderful. It is not completly out of our price range. Most importantly, Lukas was comfortable. They have a pre-kindergarten program for kids just like Lukas who have late summer and fall birthdays, who will spend an extra year in preschool before entering kindergarten. Which works perfectly for him, the pre-k class is in another building, so it is separate from the 3 and 4 year olds. He will spend one year in a 4 year old preschool class, then the next year he will move into a 5 year old pre-k class.

Lukas running at the Cedar Grove Park, one of our favorites

Lily in the Ergo carrier, I love this carrier, so does she!

Nova Swim School

Lukas is officially a Starfish at the Nova swim school! We are so excited, it will be a great experience for him. He is signed up for private lessons two times a week, on Mondays and Wendsdays. It is a pretty intense program, but he will acatually learn to swim. After this 6 week session of private lessons, he will go into group lessons twice a week.

Lukas

Brett and Lily

I love this picture of Brett and Lily, he loves his little girl.

Cloth Diapers!

I have started to cloth diaper Lily! Given my interests, I cannot believe it has taken me this long, but we are using Imse Vimse organic covers, Imse Vimse organic fitted diapers, Under the Nile fitted diapers, and my favorite, growing greens organic one size diapers. It is acatually really fun!

Play Spaces

Lukas my sweet love, adores his trucks, his new kitchen he got for Christmas in the background of this picture. I am working on making his room/playroom a natural, eco friendly, waldorf inspired place for the kids to play. I have so many ideas! Painting the walls with non toxic paint, play silks, a silk canopy, a child sized table and chairs for coloring, playing with blocks, reading, or tea parties, expanding Lukas's kitchen, the Haba wooden food is amazing!