The Segeberg Scoop - February 2008
I was reading a few updates from my friends thinking I was so glad that mine was done…and then I realized it wasn’t! Guess we’ve had a lot going on. :)
February passed in the blink of an eye. I’m not really sure where it went, but I have a few suspicions…
Whitney is still getting up the courage to walk. She loves to do it--provided she is holding on to hands, her toy, etc. I’ve tried to get her to stand by herself a couple of times, but as soon as she’s flying solo, she will slowly lower herself to the ground. I know she’s got the balance and ability to get there, it’s still just a matter of desire and confidence. Whitney has started to notice when someone else, (usually Kallie), has something that she wants—and has started making her wants known. It’s usually by pointing and fussing, since she doesn’t have words or signs for everything she wants to say. She is still just as sweet and pleasant as ever and really LOVES her big sister! I love watching them hug each other or just get excited when the other one comes into the room.
Speaking of the big sister, Kallie has finally mastered potty training! She had a couple of weeks where she was having at least 2 accidents every day. I was so frustrated that I finally told her if she wasn’t going to use the potty she would have to wear a diaper again. And, she decided that wasn’t as fun as being a big girl and using the potty. So, we’re now on day 15 of no accidents! That’s the longest she’s ever gone and I’m so proud of her. Kallie has recently decided that being a big girl means that she can do everything by herself…from getting herself dressed, to pouring her own juice, to getting yogurt from the fridge for breakfast, to answering the door when mom’s not right there. It’s really a challenge to help her understand that just because she has the ability doesn’t mean that she should be doing all of those things quite yet. In an attempt to help motivate Kallie and focus on her positive behaviors, we started a “bean jar” for her this past month. Every time she goes potty, or cleans up her toys, or is kind to her sister, or any other great thing, she gets some beans in the jar. When it’s full, we get to go out for ice cream together. We’ve already been once since we started the jar!
After an incredibly busy first month of school, Ryan decided to drop one of his classes. It was more of an optional class and was taking too much time away from his “required class” homework time and family time. I think he seems much less stressed…although most people probably wouldn’t know the difference. After Ryan interviewed for a position with a highly-recommended local company, we started talking about our future possibilities, both job- and schooling-wise. The idea of a PhD or working while completing his Masters came up, and neither option felt quite right. So, we were just fine when Ryan wasn’t offered the position. Other than that, he’s just plugging along, being a wonderful husband and father in our family!
After tending to a very sick little Kallie this month, I caught what she had and was pretty much in bed for 4 days. I was really grateful that it hit me over President’s weekend because Ryan was able to stay home and care for the girls until I was able to function again. Whitney came down with the lovely cold-ish/flu-ish bug that Kallie and I had—and then gave it back to me at the end of the month. In mid-February, I found out that I have an allergy to the hormones found in milk, and therefore, all dairy products—so I can’t eat dairy products at least until this allergy is cleared up. (It might be a while!) It’s amazing how many things contain milk or dairy products! Since I also can’t do soy, I’ve spent some time trying to figure out other reasonable substitutes. Other than that, I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately. I’ve read and finished several books since the beginning of the year—and have enjoyed them all in varying degrees.
Well, that’s all from us for this month! Have a great March!
Love,
Ryan, Amanda, Kallie, & Whitney