Mason is cutting teeth! Bottom right is ABOUT TO break through, and left shortly behind

Happy Valentines Day! Mason is cutting teeth! I will have to look back in Hannah's book (or on this blog, rather!) to see when Hannah first showed teeth. I don't remember it being this early. Mason's bottom two teeth are JUST below the surface!

Hannah's obstacle course: crawl under the desk, hop on the horse and put cowgirl hat on, say yeee-haw. THEN, go to easel and write the first letter of your name, followed by three jumps on the trampoline and a somersault on the mat. After the tumbling, Hannah balanced on a single Hannah footprint (balanced on one foot) and then shot a basket ball through the hoop, followed by sitting in the red bean bag and singing Mary Had A Little Lamb and returning to the start/finish! Great way to burn some energy on a cold winter day.

Projects galore!

Hannah receives mail from Auntie Kristi and Zelda (see the paw print!). Zelda also sent a picture of herself :)

So far, from a parent's perspective, the best part about siblings is watching them grow and play together.

Holding hands is a bonus. SO CUTE.

Looks like the paparazzi caught a little rock star on the go.

Hi, Hollywood

Go Pats! Too bad they just can't seem to beat the Giants.

Shortly after this shot, when Hannah was heading up to bed, she said, "Um, Mom, I will have sweet dreams about Alexa and Brenda." Thank you guys so much for coming down to watch the Superbowl with us!

Hannah painting "a daffodil garden."

Adding the finishing touches.

More sibling love. Mason, you look a little caught off-guard!

Smile, Mason!

Hannah had here first visit to the dentist this past week. She got to sit in the big dentist chair, the hygienist, Amanda, showed Hannah her "little squirt gun," by allowing Hannah to squirt water into a cup and then she introduced Hannah to "Mr. Thirsty" by letting her suck up the water from the cup. The dentist said Hannah is doing a great job brushing and flossing her teeth. He was also happy to hear that we don't drink any juice and that we only do water in sippy cups during the day.

Lots of love here.

Hannah spend a solid 45 minutes puzzling over her first puzzle and even wanted to move onto another one after the first was completed!

Here is the first one that she put together all by herself. We simply discussed things, like how all the pink should be together for the pig, etc... and she executed it on her own.

Happy Go Lucky. This guy is a smiley one, despite that we noticed today (Feb 14) that he is about to cut a tooth!!!!

Hannah's first smiley face (turned sideways in this picture). This went out to one of you -- check the backs of your Valentines!

Happy Valentines, Day! Hannah signed each Valentine with an "H."

Another recent development: Hannah will pick up books and read them to herself. In this instance, she is "reading" (reciting) Clifford's First Christmas.

To entertain and keep Hannah still for her first haircut, we put on The Cat and the Hat, thank you, Unc B and Nicki. This is the "before" shot.

And, here, is the "after" shot.

A princess, indeed.

Mormor and Mason Man.

Hannah makes a new friend, Addison. They hit it off immediately, playing in the kitchen, with legos and doctor's office (see below).

Addison is about a month younger than Hannah

Come into my office, and I'll take care of you!

Looks like Addy is administering medicine into her auditory system?!

In the forefront of this picture, you will notice a piece of celery in red water. Two days prior, the Nap Time Fairy came (because Hannah actually took a nap!) and she left behind one of her usual special projects. This time, it was to put a stalk of celery in red-colored water and to watch what happens to it. Hannah observed that the celery's leaves turned red within just 24 hours. Two days later, when this image was captured, she noted that the "celery is melting into the glass." So, although she did not know the word "wilting" to describe the celery at this stage in it's life at room temperature, she used the best word she could to describe it. It's very cool to experience the mental models forming and transforming!

Mason chilling with Uncle Carl

Yes, we're buds and someday, I will aspire to have a mustache like his.

Hannah has been drinking out of a "Big Girl cup" for several months now (since she turned 2).

We were lucky to have a brief visit with Aunt Diane and Uncle Carl this past weekend. It was great to catch up with them.

Mason has found his ears! He has been playing with them, especially his right one. We checked for an ear infection, but ruled this out, as his ear drums looked pearly white. Also, Mason has begun sitting up by himself (as long as he is stabilized a bit at the hips). He likes to reach forward toward his toes (and toys), but sometimes when he leans too far, he gets frustrated (maybe because he can't pull himself back to up-right position?).

Hannah was lucky enough to receive a red heart helium balloon.

Well, she's growing up quite a bit! Please enjoy the following quotes.

Quote Center

Through monitor: Hey Mommy, are you downstairs cooking a bagel?

"Mom, my mouth is hungry."

Hannah: "Hey Dad, I call Mom a bafata"
Dad: "What's that?"
Hannah: "It's a special kind of little furry tail."

Hannah reading the Valentine's card from Grand Aunt Sybil: "Dear Hannah, Mason, Mommy, and Jonathan: Go to GP Jimbo's house right now. Love, Sybil"
(I guess she had fun up there recently!)