Finley's Big-Girl Bed

Here is Finley in her big-girl bed. Isn't it adorable?! Mommy tried to get Finley to fall asleep in her bed for her nap today, but that didn't work, so she went back to her crib. When Mommy came back from Target later that afternoon with a new comforter and sheet set, she helped Mom make the bed and got pretty comfortable in it - for awhile! Daddy put all the pillows he could find in the house on the floor next to the bed, and he and Mommy lay down with Finners. She said her prayers and told Mommy to rub her back (she loves that!). She wouldn't close her eyes, though, so Mommy said, "That's enough," and we left her alone with Baby Elmo and Lilla. We haven't heard a peep from her yet, so I think she might be sleeping...IN HER BIG-GIRL BED! What a week this has been!

Finley's First Big-Girl Potty!

After a long day and a night out at Granite City, Finley was getting ready for bed with Mommy and Auntie Annie. She wanted to sit on the big-girl potty before she took her bath (especially since she got her big-girl bed yesterday). Mommy picked her up to throw her in the tub (she still had chlorine on her from swimming lessons!) and, lo and behold, there was pee in the toilet! We cheered and clapped and when Daddy came back with Uncle Luke, she told him, "I potty!"

Happy 2nd Birthday, Finley Vi!

As you all know, Finley actually turned two today. We measured her in her room to mark the occasion. She got one present today - a "late" arrival from Auntie Hannah. She couldn't quite figure out how to toot those flutes, but she finally got it. A few stories for the record book:

Last night, Finley surprised me when I was reading, "The Lady with the Alligator Purse." I started, "Miss Lucy had a baby, his name was Tiny - " and she shouted "TIM!" I kept going, "She put him in the bathtub to see if he could -" "SWIM!" she chimed in. She just kept going and did the rest of the story with me. I didn't know she knew the story so well. We haven't read it in a looooooong time. Just another example of how genius she is.

I came home with Finley early yesterday because I had to go to the ear doctor (surgery is set for March 18!). I made her lunch and sat down at her little blue table with her. She had a bowl of apples, a bowl of edamame (one of her favorites!), and some chicken patty. I, of course, put ketchup on my chicken sandwich, so she had to have some "kepuch," too. I put some on her plate and it was all over from there. She started eating the kepuch with her fork and didn't touch anything else after that. When hers was gone, she came over to my plate and started dipping her finger in my ketchup until it was all gone. Earlier this month, she came home with a report card from school that said "She only wanted ketchup for lunch".

Two days ago, we called Auntie Hannah to wish her a happy birthday. Finley sang to her, the entire Happy Birthday song. We told Finley all morning that it was her birthday and when we were walking into daycare this morning, I said, "Is it your birthday today?" She said, "No. It's Hannah's." Then, she sang "Happy Birthday" all the way into her room, except she sang it to Hannah.

Diva Dorothy!

I know I should have waited for Thursday to open the package that arrived today from the San Frannies, but I couldn't wait! It came in a Mickey and Pluto package and I saw it from my car seat the second we pulled into the driveway. My mom made me at least take off my coat before she helped me open my birthday present. The first thing I pulled out were some beautiful, sparkly red shoes, just like Dorothy wore in the Wizard of Oz (which I haven't seen yet, but my mom told me so). I dug down a little deeper and found a hat that said "Diva" on it. I said, "that's Daddy's hat". Mommy thought that was funny and she said the San Frannies would think that's about right. Not only did the San Frannies give me good gifts, but they also sent Mom and Dad a Cayamo cd to get them even more excited for their trip in 10 days! I wish I could go with so I could tell Paige and Nattles thank you myself, but I guess this will have to cut it. I love you, San Frannies!

P.S. After I danced around in my new shoes and hat, which just happened to match my outfit today, I found the stickers Grandma and Grandpa gave me. I wanted to look even prettier than I already did, so I put them all over my arms. Then, I tried the wall and even my chair. Stickers are soooooo fun. Almost as fun as my easel, which I'm drawing on now. I already played with my playdough and had a picnic, too. The biggest news of all, though, is that I have gone 2 whole days without my binky! Instead of my binky, I brought Baby Elmo to school today. Now, I can't wait to get into my new big-girl bed, which should be here tomorrow! Two is so much fun :)

Finley's Birthday Party

Finley had her 2nd birthday fiesta yesterday and it was a blast! Finley had a nice nap before the people came, so she was in a good mood all day. She wore a new birthday outfit from Grandma Brenda and looked oh so adorable. She helped Mommy set the little kid table for herself and Sadie (she set the table and cleaned it up about 100 times). After the big people ate their Mexican meal, we settled down for some present opening. Cousin Sadie had to help as Finley wasn't quite sure what to do. Every present was a hit. She got pots, pans, and kitchen utensils from Mommy and Daddy; an easel, art supplies, a book, and (her favorite) a ladybug music box from Grandma Julie and Jim; playdough, books, a new Barney video, and a big-girl bed from Grandma and Grandpa B.; a picnic set, Mexican dress, books, and hair "pretties" from Grandma and Grandpa Peterson; her favorite color-wonder paper and paints from Auntie Megan, Uncle Phil, and Sadie; money from Auntie Elizabeth; books and a homemade-with-love apron from Auntie Annie and Uncle Luke; and a baby Elmo from Great Grandma B. She loves each and every gift and I have seen her play with every one of them at least 2 times today. We must have tired her out yesterday because she slept in until 9 and took a 3 hour nap later! Good thing Mommy didn't have to work today, so we could play and relax (and clean up the house!).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Swimming Lessons and More...

Finley and the fam have been very busy lately, but not doing anything too fun and worthy of pictures, which explains the length of time between this blog and the last one. Finley has been playing with her best friend, Lilla, who she calls Ella. Her dad has been building forts with her, as well as sliding her around the house in a diaper box. As you can see, he thought it was a good idea to put her in the box on top of the fridge. Finley must have liked it, too, because she kept asking to go up high. Finley also started swimming lessons on Saturday morning. We got there about a half hour early so she could get used to the pool area and all the people and noise. This was a good idea because by the time everyone else got there, she wanted to get in the water. She did a great job. She kicked, blew out (and sucked in some water, too), pulled herself along the pool side, and jumped off the step ladder. It was very cold in the water, though, so she was ready to get out when the lessons were over - and so was Mommy! After swimming, we went to Grandma and Grandpa's in Waseca to play with cousin Sadie. The girls had a blast tearing the house apart. Finley WORSHIPS the ground Sadie walks on - so much so that Sadie kept asking, "Cassie, when is Finley's bedtime?" I guess Finley had swimming on her mind because she found a VERY old (and ugly) swimsuit of mine that she wore over her new jammies while they played in empty blow-up pools in the room. At one point, they had life jackets on and were throwing a (jump)rope to an imaginary waterskiing Cassie. Soon, right?

Next on the agenda: Finley's 2nd birthday!