Christmas 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Progress
Bryan had the chance to meet with Emma's Montessori teacher today. She gave him a progress report that explained where she was at. It also showed the progress that she has made in the few short months that she has been at Montessori International. Laticia told Bryan that Emma will begin working on sounding out and spelling three letter words by the end of September. We are soooo proud of her and all of her hard work.
Miss Caitlyn Memories
Miss Caitlyn is saying so many new words lately. Some of her latest are: mama, mema (emma), ball, hi, cookie, there go (they you go), and up. She loves to wave bye bye, she gives kisses and snuggles, she gives high fives and loves to give people things. She is signing milk, all done, eat, and hat. Emma teaches her new signs which I just love. In addition to the words and signs we can understand, she has a lot of other things to say in babble babble language. I love this stage.
Caitlyn and Mommy have been having fun at Gymboree play and music class. She follows one step directions with ease, she wants to do it by herself and does not like when I try to help. She loves Gymbo the clown and the bubbles and music. I love sharing that special time with her.
We recently joined a produce co-op here in Gilbert. Every two weeks we pick up a produce basket full or organic veggies and fruit. Last week we found four large mangos in our basket. Caitlyn dined on one for lunch one day. She described it as "um, um!" C bear LOVES fruit and would eat it for every meal if she could. Some of her other favorites include kiwi, "nanas", grapes, peaches, melon, and pears. Next, she needs to fall in love with fruit's best friend...the veggie. So far her favorite veggies are avocados and beans (oh wait that is a legume). Oh yeah, and the avocados have to be made into guacamole. That's my girl. (September 2009)
We had a great time relaxing in Sedona in April. Caitlyn and Emma enjoyed the heated pool.
Miss Caitlyn brushes her teeth ! Caitlyn has four whole teeth so far. She loves to brush her OWN teeth. She is growing up so fast. She is working on feeding herself with a spoon and does really well. It takes a few wipes to get her clean afterward. She is a good sleeper, a good eater, gives the best snuggles and enjoys running everywhere that she can.
ON THE MOVE
Our little Caitlyn Bear started walking last weekend on Saturday March 21, 2009. We had gone to a birthday party for some friends and she received a new ball as a party favor. The ball was her motivation to take her first steps. She is on the move now...watch out. Bryan began calling her Caitlyn Bear because of her little bear growl. It is usually a sign that she is happy and pretty funny to hear. She also has a bear crawl- no knees, just hands and feet, so yes her little bum is up in the air. She has to keep up with Miss Emma (who also walked at 11 months).
Caitlyn and Mommy have been having fun at Gymboree play and music class. She follows one step directions with ease, she wants to do it by herself and does not like when I try to help. She loves Gymbo the clown and the bubbles and music. I love sharing that special time with her.
Mango Madness
We recently joined a produce co-op here in Gilbert. Every two weeks we pick up a produce basket full or organic veggies and fruit. Last week we found four large mangos in our basket. Caitlyn dined on one for lunch one day. She described it as "um, um!" C bear LOVES fruit and would eat it for every meal if she could. Some of her other favorites include kiwi, "nanas", grapes, peaches, melon, and pears. Next, she needs to fall in love with fruit's best friend...the veggie. So far her favorite veggies are avocados and beans (oh wait that is a legume). Oh yeah, and the avocados have to be made into guacamole. That's my girl. (September 2009)
April 2009 Caitlyn in Sedona
We had a great time relaxing in Sedona in April. Caitlyn and Emma enjoyed the heated pool."C bear" was ready to roll, cracker in hand.
Miss Caitlyn brushes her teeth ! Caitlyn has four whole teeth so far. She loves to brush her OWN teeth. She is growing up so fast. She is working on feeding herself with a spoon and does really well. It takes a few wipes to get her clean afterward. She is a good sleeper, a good eater, gives the best snuggles and enjoys running everywhere that she can.ON THE MOVE
Our little Caitlyn Bear started walking last weekend on Saturday March 21, 2009. We had gone to a birthday party for some friends and she received a new ball as a party favor. The ball was her motivation to take her first steps. She is on the move now...watch out. Bryan began calling her Caitlyn Bear because of her little bear growl. It is usually a sign that she is happy and pretty funny to hear. She also has a bear crawl- no knees, just hands and feet, so yes her little bum is up in the air. She has to keep up with Miss Emma (who also walked at 11 months).
Friday, September 18, 2009
Little Emma Stories
September 17, 2009
When I picked Emma up from school today she told me that her friend Emmy had invited her to her sister's birthday party...who I believe is in 4th grade. I told her that we did not get an invitation and that Emmy's sister is an older girl. Emma came home and told Daddy that she was going to this party as well. He told her the same thing I told her.
So the next morning (September 18, 2009), Emma woke up and excited because she was expecting to go to the party. When I told her that we did not have an invitation and we did not know how to get there, her beautiful brown eyes got really big and they filled with tears. She told me in a whimpering voice that we could get a map on the "cumputur". I let her get dressed and told her we would talk a about it over breakfast. As I began to explain that Emmy's sister was older and that she would have older friends there, Emma began to tear up again. It was not a mad cry but a sad one. :( She said "Mom, it will be so fun, I want to go." So, over breakfast, I had to have the "we go to some parties and have fun, but we do not go to every party" talk...which I know I will have many more times throughout her life (on many different levels). I reminded her that we have a birthday party next weekend for her friend Lexi and her sister Lily. She seemed ok with this explanation. As we drove to school, I held her hand (yes, that is a bit difficult since she sits right behind me...but it made her feel better, so a mama does what she has to do- right!!). After a while the whole thing came up again, so I gave her a strategy...I told her that when Emmy talks about it, she needed to say "no thank you, I have a different party to go to." Yes, the other party is the next weekend, but when you are 4 that detail does not matter in the big picture. She seemed ok with that and I told her to wear her smile at school.
When I picked her up she was all smiles and did not mention the incident at all. It seemed to have blown over. She is such a social little bee. She loves to be around other people...which I love about her. We just have to make sure that we actually know the person and have a true invitation. :) :)
When I picked Emma up from school today she told me that her friend Emmy had invited her to her sister's birthday party...who I believe is in 4th grade. I told her that we did not get an invitation and that Emmy's sister is an older girl. Emma came home and told Daddy that she was going to this party as well. He told her the same thing I told her.
So the next morning (September 18, 2009), Emma woke up and excited because she was expecting to go to the party. When I told her that we did not have an invitation and we did not know how to get there, her beautiful brown eyes got really big and they filled with tears. She told me in a whimpering voice that we could get a map on the "cumputur". I let her get dressed and told her we would talk a about it over breakfast. As I began to explain that Emmy's sister was older and that she would have older friends there, Emma began to tear up again. It was not a mad cry but a sad one. :( She said "Mom, it will be so fun, I want to go." So, over breakfast, I had to have the "we go to some parties and have fun, but we do not go to every party" talk...which I know I will have many more times throughout her life (on many different levels). I reminded her that we have a birthday party next weekend for her friend Lexi and her sister Lily. She seemed ok with this explanation. As we drove to school, I held her hand (yes, that is a bit difficult since she sits right behind me...but it made her feel better, so a mama does what she has to do- right!!). After a while the whole thing came up again, so I gave her a strategy...I told her that when Emmy talks about it, she needed to say "no thank you, I have a different party to go to." Yes, the other party is the next weekend, but when you are 4 that detail does not matter in the big picture. She seemed ok with that and I told her to wear her smile at school.
When I picked her up she was all smiles and did not mention the incident at all. It seemed to have blown over. She is such a social little bee. She loves to be around other people...which I love about her. We just have to make sure that we actually know the person and have a true invitation. :) :)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Health Journey- Sprint Tri and 9K
So...last January Bryan and I decided to take the leap and begin working out on a weekly basis. We began working out with my second cousin/professional trainer, David twice a week. Who else would you rather have pinch your rolls than a family member!! Over the four months that we saw David we also began to see results. He gave us an 'education' in the world of lifting weights. He also led us to his nutritionist friend Barry, who convinced us to go on an all organic, detox diet for 3 weeks. So, we gave up coffee, diet coke and alcohol. Well...let's just say I did my best (which was better than I had done before the diet) and Bryan has the strongest will power of anyone. Needless to say, I did have a few slips, a tall americano here and a small glass of wine there...but still a huge decrease in my caffeine and alcohol intake overall. I did manage to stop drinking diet coke for 3 months. Bryan was able to steer free of coffee for almost 5 months and still only has it occassionaly.
We chugged our detox shake in the morning, drank a lot of green tea, ate organic fruits and veggies, grass feed beef, wild salmon and snacked on almonds. It was difficult at first but we both lost close to 10lbs in that short time. We have kept up a lot of the things we learned and of course we have the occasional 'splurge'. Many thanks to David and Barry!!
As our journey progressed, we felt like we were ready to go out on our own. In May 2009 we left the safe little studio where David trained us and joined Lifetime Fitness here in Gilbert. Since then we have kept up our twice a week strength training and much more. During the summer with Bryan's flexible schedule, we were both working 6-7 times a week. I am a total 'class junkie'. I love barbell strength training, total conditional and spinning. Bryan and I have been spinning once a week together which has been fun. Now that school has started and we are busier we are working out 4-5 days a week.
I know that we both feel better and look better too. :) he he
To date Bryan has lost 25 lbs and had to get all of his dress pants taken in.
To date I have lost 20 lbs and I got to go shopping too.
OK, onto the Sprint Triathlon. I would have never guessed back in January when I started with David that I would ever be able to think about doing a sprint tri, in fact I had never heard to one. In July, a "Mama friend" of mine was recruiting other moms to do one with her on October 4, 2009. So, I decided to start training for it and see how I felt when it got closer. The race begins with a 300 yard swim (in a heated country club pool, which I have to say is NICE), a 15.4 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run. The swimming part was by far my biggest obstacle. Yes, I could swim when I was twelve years old and yes I can swim if I were in danger...but doing the front crawl for that distance is not my strongest skill. When I first got in the water, the end of July I could not swim one lap without gasping for air. Breath control was the hardest part for me. I even bought a nose plug and threatened to wear it. I took it to Roatan just to make Nate laugh.
We chugged our detox shake in the morning, drank a lot of green tea, ate organic fruits and veggies, grass feed beef, wild salmon and snacked on almonds. It was difficult at first but we both lost close to 10lbs in that short time. We have kept up a lot of the things we learned and of course we have the occasional 'splurge'. Many thanks to David and Barry!!
As our journey progressed, we felt like we were ready to go out on our own. In May 2009 we left the safe little studio where David trained us and joined Lifetime Fitness here in Gilbert. Since then we have kept up our twice a week strength training and much more. During the summer with Bryan's flexible schedule, we were both working 6-7 times a week. I am a total 'class junkie'. I love barbell strength training, total conditional and spinning. Bryan and I have been spinning once a week together which has been fun. Now that school has started and we are busier we are working out 4-5 days a week.
I know that we both feel better and look better too. :) he he
To date Bryan has lost 25 lbs and had to get all of his dress pants taken in.
To date I have lost 20 lbs and I got to go shopping too.
I have since been swimming twice a week (without the nose plug) and I am proud to say that I have much better breath control. I can swim 12 laps (300 yards), serpentine (switching lanes every two laps) in 8 min and 58 seconds. It may not be pretty but I can do it without having to take a break like I did when I began. As for the biking, I count my spinning as my practice, which I do for an hour a week but I do not know the distance when I spin. My fastest 15.5 mile bike is 55 minutes on the stationary bike. 55 minutes is a long time and I hope to be able to go much faster on the rode. Typically, I can run two miles in 19 minutes. I can run a 9 minute one mile, so hopefully on race day I can do a 18 minute two mile.
Sooo, according to my calculations...
My goal is:
A ROCKEN TIME: 1 hour and 30 minutes or less (I have to take into account two transitions- one from swim to bike and one from bike to run)
A REALISTIC TIME: 1 hour and 45 minutes
A 'I HAD BETTER DO IT IN' TIME: 2 hours
The best part of the whole thing has been training with Bryan and my girl Jenn. Bryan was going to do it with me but it was just too difficult this year with the girls, so we will do one together in the future. He has been training with me which has been great. I have also been training with my good friend Jenn. She had been wanting to do a tri so when this came up I sent the info her way. She is a great swimmer, so she has taught me a few tricks. It has been such a bonding experience and something I am so happy to share with her. I can hardly wait until race day. Two weeks and two days to go.
We are coming into cooler weather here in the Valley of the Sun. Bryan and I are looking forward to biking and running with the girls and getting out and about this fall and winter. Love living here this time of year.
LOOKING AHEAD- on November 8th we are participating in our first family run for charity. We are running in the Race for Maggie's Place with our Catholic Mom's group. The race is a 9K (5.6 miles), representing the 9 months of pregnancy. We will be pushing the girls in a stroller. We hope to do it in an hour, but that may be pushing it with stops along the way to pass out treats to the girlies.
Maggie's Place Mission
Maggie’s Place is a community of homes that provide hospitality for pregnant women that are alone or on the streets. We have a two-fold strategy in assisting mothers to grow. First, Maggie’s Place provides for the immediate physical and emotional needs of our guests including shelter, food, clothing, and a supportive community. As such, we are a family and a community! In addition, Maggie’s Place connects the mothers to the appropriate agencies and resources including prenatal care, health insurance, low-cost housing, and education programs. In doing so, we are supporting the mother in both her short-term and long-term goals!
Maggie’s Place is a community of homes that provide hospitality for pregnant women that are alone or on the streets. We have a two-fold strategy in assisting mothers to grow. First, Maggie’s Place provides for the immediate physical and emotional needs of our guests including shelter, food, clothing, and a supportive community. As such, we are a family and a community! In addition, Maggie’s Place connects the mothers to the appropriate agencies and resources including prenatal care, health insurance, low-cost housing, and education programs. In doing so, we are supporting the mother in both her short-term and long-term goals!
I will keep you posted on our results. Cheers to being fit, feeling strong and loving it.
Daddy's New Autism Clinic
Bryan has been working hard all spring and summer to open up the new BISTA Autism Clinic at ACCEL. BISTA stands for Behavioral Interventions, Support, Treatment and Assessment. BISTA will serve children diagnosed with Autism in the clinic setting and in their homes. Caitlyn, brown bear and Elmo where some of the first VIPs to tour the new clinic.
A new law has been passed here in Arizona called Steven's Law. The law requires that insurance companies pay for ABA services provided by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This has opened the door for many families who could not afford to pay for ABA programs on their own. BISTA is a provider for many insurance companies around the valley and the client list continues to grow.
Our friend and colleague, Dr. Don Stenhoff relocated to Arizona with his family this summer to take on the role as Director of BISTA. Bryan and Don spent their *younger* days at Utah State University together, working on their PhDs. They are excited to be working together again. The picture above shows the spot where the one way mirror will be. Yes, they are your typical 'behaviorist geeks'...Bryan is on one side of the mirror taking data and Don is in the room where Functional Analyses will take place...engaging in problem behavior. This set up brings back many memories of the clinic at Gonzaga where Bryan and I learned how to take data. Honey, you make your old professors proud. I can just hear Dr. Derby, TF, Dr. Williams and Dr. Weber cheering you on. I know that you will help so many children and families here in the valley.
I love you and I could not be more proud of you.
Dr. Stenhoff and Dr. Davey outside the new BISTA Autism Clinic, a division of ACCEL. Visit their website at: www.accelautismservices.org
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Summer fun- pool party style
As a young girl, I have fond memories of homemade eating ice cream over at my Grandma Velma and Grandpa Harold's house, especially on the 4th of July. Bryan and I decided to carry on this tradition, so we made homemade ice cream for our 4th of July party. It was a hit among the Davey family and the Stenhoff family. The babies (Caitlyn and Adalia) enjoyed theirs in the confines of their play area (ie behind the gate). The little girls (Emma and Mathea) doctored theirs up with lots of toppings...and at our party a cupcake was considered a topping. I have to add that ours was yummy but not quite as yummy as GG Velma's. We used a recipe with no eggs for obvious baby reasons, so maybe next year we will throw in the egg and oh yes some FIREWORKS. We have yet to see fireworks since having Emma (not counting TV or out of the ofice window), but next year watch out...the Davey family will be out past 7pm. WEEE
Montessori adventures
Emma is getting her sound lesson from Ms. Meg. Emma is learning phonics and can identify many sounds independently. She is learning cursive and can print her name. She loves her "new school" and likes to play Ms. Meg. She is always giving us lessons. March 2009. 
Nana and Mommy helped Emma's Montessori class plant a garden. We planted corn, beans, squash and a pumpkin. We had lots of fun digging in the dirt. I am happy to report that everything came up and is doing well. The kiddos had a ball, they even found some carrots from last year's garden. March 2009. 
A Mercury Basketball Game
Bryan took Emma to a Mercury basketball game last Sunday. The Mercury is the girls basketball team here in Phoenix. She asked me before hand, "do they let the children play?" I had to remind her that she was going to watch. She saw a picture of a basketball team in the "church magazine" (ie the bulletin) and told me that she was going to that game. She told all of her friends at school as well. Emma invited her friend Ella and they had a ball. Bryan and Bradey (Ella's daddy) said they cheered, danced, yelled and ate tons of junk food. The results of popcorn, hotdogs, red vines, lemonade and no nap led to a major giggle fest on the way home in the car!!
Special moments during the ordinary day !!
As a Mommy, there are special moments in the ordinary day that I want to remember always. These special times are the things I hope to remember and cherish when I grow older.
The first special moment is in the morning when the girls first wake up. They are so joyful and ready for the day. I absolutely love when Emma comes into Caitlyn's room with me and their eyes meet. The sparkle they both share is a true gift from God. It is a sign of their love for each other. It is heart warming.
The other special moments are my snuggle and cuddle time with my sweet peas. I usually get to snuggle Caitlyn before her naps. She just melts into me as she rests her head on my shoulder and we sing. I love to smell her cheeks because they usually smell like sweet graham crackers. I get my cuddle time with Emma in the afternoon when I put her down for a nap in our bedroom. We usually read a few stories and talk about our day. I love this uninterrupted time with her. I give her a back rub and we sing Snuggle Puppy and Twinkle Twinkle.
There are many other special moments that pop up during the ordinary day. These are just a few that I can count on. Gotta sneak the snuggles in while I can. :)
The first special moment is in the morning when the girls first wake up. They are so joyful and ready for the day. I absolutely love when Emma comes into Caitlyn's room with me and their eyes meet. The sparkle they both share is a true gift from God. It is a sign of their love for each other. It is heart warming.
The other special moments are my snuggle and cuddle time with my sweet peas. I usually get to snuggle Caitlyn before her naps. She just melts into me as she rests her head on my shoulder and we sing. I love to smell her cheeks because they usually smell like sweet graham crackers. I get my cuddle time with Emma in the afternoon when I put her down for a nap in our bedroom. We usually read a few stories and talk about our day. I love this uninterrupted time with her. I give her a back rub and we sing Snuggle Puppy and Twinkle Twinkle.
There are many other special moments that pop up during the ordinary day. These are just a few that I can count on. Gotta sneak the snuggles in while I can. :)
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