Slow down (Nora's 25 weeks, I think)

My girls are growing up too fast.

Maya, at not quite 3.5 years old she can now write her name. She's known how to spell it for a while. Wednesday we practiced writing it with me just giving verbal instructions. Today she was writing it all by herself. She had also learned to wink. It's amusing to watch, sort of a whole face wink. For one of her age, her vocabulary cracks me up sometime. Today I asked if she wanted to listen to music. She replied "yes would you like to do the honors." Wednesday we were talking about some good friends and how they are special. She replied "well they may be but we'll never know for sure." Today she put on a leotard with a tutu on it. Then she said I'm a fancy princess ballerina but I need to be fancier. So she leaves and returns wearing second tutu. Then leaves for a third and a necklace. She's like mom aren't I fancy. Maya has also started having imaginary friends. Not any that seem to stick around long term, just random ones that pop up from time to time. Sometimes they have creative names. Sometimes she pretends that it's people we know. It's interesting to see her imagination.

Maya (on the left) and her buddy P holding polka dot balloons 

Nora, at not quite six months (how did that happen) she is rolling and scooting everywhere. She can get up on her hands and knees and rock. She also can get on her hands and feet. I fear crawling may not be far behind. At least that's how it was with Maya. But Maya was 7ish months. More going on for Nora to chase after I guess. She also babbles more now. Mamama, nanana. And the occasional bababa. It's sweet to hear mama even though I know she isn't really using it to refer to me. (I do think she knows the word milk though and I've started signing it when I say it too) Maya never really babbled the m sound and she called me baba for a long time. I don't think Nora is as vocal as Maya was at this age. But maybe my three year old memories are faulty. Maybe it just seems like Maya hasn't stopped jabbering since three months or so because well have you heard her talk now.  The girl loves to talk. Nora is also really taking an interest in food recently. Last night she was wanting my glass so I left her grab it and she put it up to her mouth. I helped her too it to get some water. She seemed shocked that it was cold I think but she seemed to swallow it. Monday my mom was holding her while we were eating. Nora was watching every bite she took and smacking her lips. I guess we will be starting "solids" soon.

Nora yesterday at 25 weeks:

Up on her hands and knees

And Maya, at about the same age (8/22/11) in the same dress as Nora above (it was my dress)

Things are starting to return to some sort of normal around here after all the craziness of the summer. I'm still trying to get caught up. I feel like this may be just what having two young kids feels like. Always on the brink of chaos. It probably doesn't help that both girls have been waking up early and/or often recently. Nora has been up every two hours or so the last few days. I'm hoping it's a growth spurt or teething or something. She's always been my good sleeper. She's also been a grouch today. For several weeks before that she was up for the day at 6 more often than not. Maya, well, Maya's never been a great sleeper. I feel like when she turned 2, we turned a corner. But she still has her nights. Last night Nora woke up at 11, then was up from 12-1, Maya woke up a little after 6 she went back to sleep but woke up Nora. And this was an improvement over the previous two nights. Then Nora as usual won't nap. But this is a happy tired teetering on the edge of chaos kind of place. A happy place with a messier house and much less blogging.