Naomi's Gymastics Class

We've known since before Naomi was even born that we wanted to sign her up for gymnastics class.  Brian took gymnastics up through sometime in high school and I've always loved it and wished I could do any of it.  Then we watched Naomi grow - she loves to be upside down, she loves to show off her "tricks", and she's a petite little thing.  Will she be the next Nastia Liukin?  Most likely not, but you never know.  It's really important to me though that the girls develop a love of some sort of physical activity.  We waited until she was 3 and could go to a class independently (since it wasn't really practical for me to try to do a mommy and me class with Olivia in tow) and signed her up last month.  

She's only had a few classes, but she loves her "nastics" class with Ms. Ann-Marie (small plug for ASI - woot!)  She looks forward to it every Thursday.  This past weekend we even went to a little grand re-opening party that ASI had and both girls got to play.  If I can sync up their class times at some point, I will probably try to get Olivia going - she had so much fun!  

As usual, here are some pics:

Naomi and Coach Ann-Marie

 

Swim Lessons

Naomi has been in swim lessons since a little over 1 year old and Olivia since about 5 months old.  While we liked the instructor we initially started with, the facility wasn't very kid-friendly (I'm phrasing it nicely) and I wasn't able to sync up the girls class time since there is only one instructor / class going at a time.  So, after a lot of thought, we decided to switch the girls to Emler Swim School.  We've been very happy with the change.  I've often wondered why people were willing to pay more to go to Emler (it is a little pricier than some of the other alternatives), but I get it now.  

Reasons why we like it:

1. Great instruction!  Well trained instructors who are very consistent from class to class.  
2. Clean and kid-friendly facility.  
3. Variety of class times and levels - 
• I'm able to sync the girls' class times which is advantageous for so many reasons.
• Kids promote based both on age and ability (levels within each age group).  
4. Kids promote out of the "parent in the water" style classes at age 2.  This may not seem like a big deal, BUT, having done a mommy and me style class with a 2 year old, I can tell you it is torturous and not productive.  Their fight for independence and your desire to keep them from drowning seems to result in something that is more akin to wrestling an octopus than a swim class.  
5. Results - On any given Saturday, we don't really know what Naomi will do.  Her ability is a reflection of the capricious whims of a 3 year old.  Plus, I could be imagining things, but I swear she manipulates every instructor she has had (she had the last one trained to give her a whole container of M&Ms at the end of every class - sucker).  She does seem to be making good progress this semester and is swimming underwater better with some coaxing by the instructors.  However, Olivia practically vaults herself in the water and can swim underwater for about 10 seconds.  They are both doing well with floating on their backs and with working to get out of the pool on their own.  

Here are some pics:

Progressive Lent

I've never really been too keen on the "give up something for Lent" thing, but this year I decided to go for it and go for it in a different way.  This year Brian and I will be observing what I've dubbed a "Progressive Lent".  For those unfamiliar with this practice at all, the thought behind giving up something for Lent is to remind you of the sacrifice Christ made for you on the cross and to emphasize that whatever you sacrifice, it pales in comparison to what He sacrificed.  So, the thought behind my Progressive Lent is just a bit of an expansion on that - no matter how much more I give up each period, it still doesn't come close to what Christ gave up for me.  

Since Lent is a period of 40 days, I've broken it up into 4 parts of 10 days each.  Each 10 day period I'll add something to my Lenten sacrifice.  They get progressively more challenging for me. 

The Culps' Progressive Lent

1. (Full 40 days) Carbonated drinks / sodas - We only drink sodas about 3 times a week at this point, but I'm surprised at how much I missed it Saturday morning. 
2. (30 days) Convenience / Preference eating out - We have certain designated "eat out" times, but outside of that we pledge to not eat out just because of convenience or "not wanting" what we have at home.  
3. (20 days) Dessert - 'nuff said.  
4. (10 days) Mobile Facebook for Christine and Temple Run for Brian - I could list a million reasons why this one, but I'm pretty sure you could too, so there it is.  I think we all know how much certain things on our mobile devices can distract us from real life. 

I'm curious to see what, if any, permanent changes this will bring about.  

Also, if you see me on Easter morning, feel free to greet me with a Diet Dr Pepper.  

Olivia - 18 Months

Stats?
Weight: about 22 lbs 1 oz (20%)
Height/Length: 31.25 in (35-40%)
Head: 17.75 in (15-20%)
Clothing Size: 18 Months and some 18-24 Months 
Diaper Size: Size 4 and Size 6 Overnights
   
How is she sleeping?
We put her down for bed around 7:30 or 8 and she usually sleeps until about 7:30 or 8 (or whenever she hears Naomi get up).  She goes down for her afternoon nap at about 1:00 and sleeps until 3 or 3:30 usually. Sometimes she cries out at night, but its usually only for a few seconds (just enough to disturb our sleep - oh well). 

How is she eating?
We've put her on almond milk, suspecting some level of milk intolerance or allergy since there seems to be correlations between milk consumption and instances of vomiting.  The doctor gave us lab orders to go check it.  Otherwise, she eats cheese and yogurt fine.  She loves oatmeal and chicken the best.  She doesn't really care for veggies or fruits, but we keep trying.  Really, though, she can eat quite a lot.  Oh, and she pretty much feeds her self for everything - sometimes a bit messy, but learning is exactly that.  In fact, just like sister, any attempts to assist her with spoon-wielding will only result in even more mess as she shakes it away from you. 

Doctor Visit
Everything checked out great.  She is on her growth curve, on track developmentally, and passed her Autism screening, so that's all good.  No vaccinations this time.  They tried to draw blood in office to check for a milk allergy, but only succeeded in making Olivia cry.  :(  Sweet girl was happy as can be a few minutes after it was all over though.  We still haven't made it to the lab yet.  I can't believe that the next well-check will be when she is 2!

What new tricks does she do?
She is walking, working on stairs and loves to climb.  She pretty much wants to do whatever Naomi is doing.  She is talking up a storm and will repeat pretty much anything you say.  We honestly never tired to count her words the way we did with Naomi but I think we would have lost count by now anyway.  She calls Naomi, Neemuh, which is so cute.  Most of her words are still at that phase that only parents of little ones and childcare workers can understand.  It is nice for her to be able to communicate some of what she wants now though.  She can even string a couple words together to make short phrases.  She puts her hands together at the table for the prayer and can even say some of it, "Dear God, thank you, Mommy, Amen".  Of course my favorite is her little version of "love you too" - heart melting.  She's still a little fish and can swim for 10 seconds underwater.  We have to be careful when she "jumps" in the pool though, she sinks like a stone if she doesn't do a bit of a belly flop. She can follow simple, one step instructions quite well.  Really, in reading back to my last post at the year point, it's just crazy to think how much she has changed and how many new things she is doing in the last six months.  Second kid and the learning process never ceases to interest and amaze me. 

General Observations?
She's got most of her teeth except molars and maybe a couple of the incisors (not a big fan of having you mess with her mouth).   
Her eyes are still a blue green color so I think she will be our fair eyed girl.  
Her hair is growing slowly and has stayed on the blonde side.  
She loves bath time though I think she misses getting to have it with Naomi all the time (Naomi has had to start taking showers due to bath time behavior issues). 
I love watching her little personality develop and it is definitely shining now.  
She has opinions, can already throw tantrums (boo), loves to smile for the camera, loves to sing and dance, and has gotten a little more cuddly.  
She really wants to do everything that sister is doing and do everyday things like sister does them.  For a couple examples:  She wants to get dressed sitting or standing up like sister does and is getting pretty good in that area.  She likes to step up on her step stool to brush her teeth, spit in the sink and get a little sip of water from the cup.  

At this point, I know I'm just rattling on.  I could write a lot about our little girls and I want to try to remember as much as I can.  Since we make my blog into a book at the end of the year each year, I'm really trying to record as much as I can.  Just trying to soak in everything as these girls are growing up so quickly!

Well, as we say every night, sweet dreams!  

Daddy's Little Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Naomi's First Movie - FROZEN!

With all the great reviews of Frozen, we decided that would be a great first movie for Naomi to see in the theatre and we finally felt like she was ready.  She was entranced the whole time.  She barely moved from the minute the previews started.  She eventually cuddled with Daddy and moved into his lap.  I think she enjoyed it though she hasn't said much about it.  Either way, Brian and I really enjoyed it and have pre-ordered the DVD.