Welcome Spring

The arrival of spring brightened the moods of everyone in Pittsburgh and Juliana is especially happy to be able to run outside without a coat.

She is happy to share her swingset with the boys as long as she occasionally gets a turn.

Juliana and Wyatt - BFF

While I'm sure that Juliana loves both of her brothers, she really, really loves Wyatt.  She wants to see him as soon as she wakes up in the morning, kisses him goodbye at the door to his daycare room, and always wants to play with him.  Recently they have been having tea parties - Wyatt isn't sure what is happening, but he is so entertained by his big sister that he generally plays along with her plan.  In fact he is so entertained by her that he won't eat if he can hear her because he has to sit up and try to find her.

She also likes to read to Wyatt.  On this occasion she was reading the opposites book to him - this was one of her favorite books.

And Sometimes She Helps Out

One evening last week, I was about to give the boys a bath and Juliana announced that she wanted to help. I wondered if she would actually be a help, but decided it was a good idea to involve her. She ran to get the bathtub and bring it into the kitchen and then went to get the changing pad and put it up on the kitchen counter. The bathtub has a sling that completely supports the boys so they are very secure.

We started with Wyatt and she carefully washed his arms and legs with the washcloth - I told her I would wash his face and head. When we were done washing Wyatt she rubbed the lotion on and helped me dress him.

Then it was time for Ruslan's bath, she took a break to model the lion towel and then wore it througn part of the bath. She did a good job of washing Ruslan except that she did want to wash his face as well (you can see his surprise in the picture with his arms flying about). By then time he was washed, she was done helping and had run off to play. But she actually was a big help. I hope this is the beginning of her being more helpful rather than the norm of just making a mess...

Want More Pictures?

Do you have a toddler/preschooler who is no longer happy to participate in photo shoots, or simply turns away when the camera comes out because she has had her pictures taken thousands of times in her short life? Here's how to fix it - have another baby. Now whenever I am taking pictures of the boys, she comes running - "I want to be in the picture!"

Note: this does not guarantee that she will smile or even look at the camera, especially if The BackYardigans is on TV.

Words That Make Me Move Really Fast

"Don't worry Mommy, I will pick up that baby."

The Past Few Weeks

Juliana has been spending her weekdays at school and we have been doing our best to entertain her during the other times. She is still adjusting to life with the boys in our home, wanting lots of extra attention, etc.

Her present from the boys when they were born was a Leapster and it has turned out to be a great idea - some quiet independent play.

Juliana loves to help in the kitchen, one evening she made muffins with Nonni. And she enjoys helping me make the formula for Wyatt - she helps put all of the lids on the bottles.

She likes holding the boys, but only for a few minutes and then she is done and needs to get up to do something else. She still thinks that she should be able to carry them, so we have to keep reminding her that she needs to sit and hold them.

Last week she found a dice game (LCR) and wanted to know how to play. G made up a simple way for the 2 of them to play and it became an instant favorite.

The Big Sister

Juliana met her brothers Tuesday afternoon. She was very excited to see them and hold them. She climbed right up to get a good look and then sat down ready to hold them. As soon as Wyatt started to cry, she tried to push him away, saying "Daddy take Him!" Later she had a snuggle with Ruslan before going home for the night. She is very excited to be a big sister and loves her new brothers. She was not so excited that Mommy was staying in the hospital and that she was not allowed to climb on me and that I can't pick her up.

She came back to the hospital to visit again after school on Wednesday. She was excited that people had been to visit and left presents for her as well. One of the gifts was a tea set which she immediately set-up and then while she was holding Ruslan shared a cup of tea with him. 2 days old and already being included in tea parties.