I sit here with mounds of notes to remind me of all the goings on since we returned home in December.
Hard to believe that we've been home for almost 3 months and that Serik is almost 3 and that Sasha will be a year in April.
We've all more or less adjusted to our new family of four. Serik is what we like to call affectionately aggressive towards his sister so I feel like I am constantly being a referee. She is all about her big brother and wants to be where he is and into what he's doing. This, as I'm sure you can imagine, causes him some distress.
Sasha started to pull up this month and has gotten to the point where she stands every chance she gets.
She's done a little bit of cruising and has even stood on her own several times for about 5-10 seconds while proudly pounding her chest in glee. She loves to walk while holding our hands and Serik likes to get in on the action by 'walking' her himself.
She's done a little bit of cruising and has even stood on her own several times for about 5-10 seconds while proudly pounding her chest in glee. She loves to walk while holding our hands and Serik likes to get in on the action by 'walking' her himself. He also has taken to saying, 'mom, this is Sasha and this is Sasha (while pointing to Sasha and then himself)'. I must say the boy does do an incredible job of imitating his sister and all of her grunts and mannerisms.
Still no teeth for Sasha - maybe by her first birthday. She is quite vocal and doesn't let us forget for a minute that she wants what she wants and we better get her whatever it is.
Serik has been working on the potty - we'll go one week with a fair amount of success and then the next it's back to hiding behind chairs and under tables while he does his business. After he always requests a change and happily says goodbye to the poop while it's being flushed down the toilet. He also likes to evaluate the poop he does when he succeeds on going on the big boy toilet, for instance: ' Ooooh look mommy that's an alligator poop!' Of course they have also been monster and crocodile poop.
We've been home a fair amount but also ventured out east to NH to see my side of the family and to try to get in a bit of skiing. 
We were going to try to take Serik but figured we'd wait until next year. Daddy has taken him ice skating with mixed results. Serik wants to play hockey but would rather lay on the ice and eat snow than actually skate. Hey the kid is still only two.
We were going to try to take Serik but figured we'd wait until next year. Daddy has taken him ice skating with mixed results. Serik wants to play hockey but would rather lay on the ice and eat snow than actually skate. Hey the kid is still only two.
Sasha and Uncle Mike swimming at the hotel in NH and Serik with daddy in the pool.
Serik has also figured out that things rhyme and is starting to understand that certain words start with certain letters and what sound they make. Ahhh our little over achiever.
Here are some recent samplings of Serik quotes:
Mom: 'Let's put on your clothes'
Serik: 'No, no, no, no. I need to dance, then put on clothes and go do fun stuff.'
Serik: ' I love the rice and chicken all afternoon.'
Serik: 'I like water. Water is good, good, good for me.'
Serik: After getting in the car with daddy, momma and papa (who were visiting) - 'I can't believe it, my mommy is actually not in the car!' This said with much distress since I was in the other car with Sasha and Auntie Caryn.
Vanilla has been Gallila but I think it's slowly turning to vanilla which is kind of a shame since gallila sounds so cute.
A few song lyrics from Serik's point of view:
'Ring around the rosie a pocket full of O me.'
and from Jingle Bells: '...bells on toppa ring.'
I've discovered that our little man has an active imagination and already has had several different imaginary friends that he 'talks' to on the phone. Example: (while holding the 'phone' between his ear and his shoulder - like mommy does) ' Hi rolly, oh no, no, no. Oh actually that would be fun.'
While in the car: 'Oh thank you for turning the music on for me.'
Serik: 'Mom I want to open the window.'
Mom: 'sorry it's too cold out.'
Serik: ' Ok, I guess I won't then.'
Mom: 'Serik did you poop?'
Serik: ' No, it was just gas. It's planet Earth.'
At bedtime it's always a stall with mommy. Daddy has much more success.
Serik: 'I have a questions - just one more question.'
After crying for mommy to come up after he's been in bed apparently not sleeping. I finally caved and he said, ' Now you love me.' - ohh baby did that break my heart. Also, ' I love you in the whole wide world!'
He loves to 'read' the book Gossie to us and it sounds so darn cute. Must make sure to get it on video.
While eating corn: 'Ohhh, I'm so proud of my corn.'
He's also become very fond of helping mommy cook. If you can call what I do cook that is.
Here's a picture of a fun indoor activity in Minnesota when it's -24 out like it was in January. Playing 'carwash' in the tub with daddy's shaving cream.
Sasha getting where she needs to go no matter what is in the way. In this case my leg.
Until later....
