Schnieber Stories: September 2009

For months now, Emma has been dying to get into a "big girl carseat - like Megan and Will's" (i.e. booster seat). We keep telling her that she needs to wait until her 4th birthday and then she can officially get out of the baby carseat. However, we couldn't wait until the end of the month and Casey and I caved early to make things more convenient for drop-offs & pick-ups. So, on Monday, Luke, Emma and I are driving home and Emma and I were chatting about her school pictures, which were being taken that following day. We were talking about what she should wear and how she should smile, etc., and Emma says, "I have a great idea... why don't I get my picture taken in my new carseat!" Hmmm... I'm not sure Country Day wants to celebrate her new carseat as much as she does!

So I just realized that it has been a month since I last posted - wow! I had no idea! Here's what the Schnieber's have been up to since the last post:

Shortly after we returned from our Florida vacation, Emma had her tonsils removed. What an experience! She was such a trooper throughout the entire process. The first two days were surprisingly easy. That was quickly replaced by TWO weeks of re-cooperating. Poor thing - I'm sure her throat was completely raw but she really did handle it like a champ. And now, the child doesn't snore! It's amazing, really. It makes me think that I should schedule a "surprise" surgery for Casey. Wonder if the effects would be the same! :) Maybe I could lure him to the hospital under the notion that there was a rugby match in the same-day-surgery wing? Hmm... something to think about!

My little Lukey turned one-year-old on August 15th! I can hardly believe it - this year has flown by!

Here is a picture of the little man enjoying his cake. When I first set it down in front of him, he looked at it, looked at me, and then looked at the cake again. Casey and I had been teasing each other for weeks leading up to the birthday party because Luke had tendencies to be a "lazy" eater - and by "lazy" I mean he expected us to physically put the food in his mouth. At one point, I was surprised that we didn't have to massage his jaw so that he could properly break down the food for digestion. Okay, so it wasn't that bad - I'm just exaggerating. But when we did put little pieces of food on his plate, he would flat out refuse to eat it himself. He'd just sit there until one of us would walk past and put a piece in his mouth. At the end of July, Casey put him through an extensive "boot camp" so that he would be prepared for his birthday cake. We were also getting pressure by the reports from the Campbells that not only was Anna (6 weeks his junior) eating her food, but she was also proficient in using chopsticks. Instantly, we were plagued by the scenario that Anna would actually have to feed Luke his birthday cake. Hence, the boot camp.

His birthday party was a raving success! We had a great time and even had a chance for a summer family picture:

In the last few weeks, Luke has really taken off on his walking. At first, he looked like a little Frankenstein - slowly stumbling everywhere with his hands straight out. Lately, he's getting the hang of it and is even able to hold stuff in his hand and walk at the same time! He can even turn 90 degree angles. The best part about watching that is that you can actually see Luke decide that he wants to turn - he stops, thinks about it and then pivots. Everything is in slow-motion. It is just too cute! He has a small vocabulary of words that he uses all.of.the.time. He is just so much more verbal than Emma was. He says ball ("buh"), bottle ("ba ba"), mommy ("mum mum"), daddy ("da da"). I haven't figured out what he says for Emma but most of the time he just adamently shouts "DAH!" for whatever he sees. Its hilarious! He has now mastered waving, which is a very aggressive, violent shaking of his hand at the wrist. Its so different than little Anna, who has a soft Miss America wave! I have also been working with Luke on his kisses, but thats a slow process. One of my favorite things that he used to do is when Casey or I would be holding him and we were chewing on something, he'd stare at our mouth and then open his mouth and move in like he was a little bird and we were going to drop it in his mouth! It was so funny! The OTHER funny thing he has been doing is when he doesn't feel like he's getting enough attention from me while I'm holding him, he drops down until his face is right in front of his and blocking whoever I'm talking to, and just starts laughing and smiling until I acknowledge him. He has done that about 3 times when I have been chatting with Casey!

Emma-girl started Pre-K 1 last Wednesday and was very excited about getting back to school with Daddy and seeing her friends. Here are a few pics from the first day of school:

When I was strapping Emma into her carseat the first day of school, she says "Mommy, I'm going to miss you but I'm really going to have fun at school today." How cute!!

This weekend is Labor Day weekend and I'm ready for a break away from work. We have no plans and the weather is supposed to be beautiful - you can't beat that! Here are more cute pictures from the last month!