Selby Reads

It's really the most amazing thing so far, I think. She is actually reading to Tom or me every night. Granted the books, words and sentences are very short, and not very interesting. But the fact that she can read an entire book to us gives both her and us a lot of joy. We started with the first series of BOB: Early Reading Books. She quickly went through all 12 books and was very ready for more so we ordered the next level, which she's read half of already. It's like you think this will never happen and then -- boom -- it does.

I'm feeling especially attached to her these days knowing our time as a unit of three is quickly approaching the end. WIth baby #2 due this Sunday, our days are really numbered. I have a few mommy/daughter afternoons planned this week. Then my parents show up on Saturday and The Donut shows up on Sunday!

I'm doing my best to prepare Selby for what it will be like with a new baby in the house. She seems to be taking it in stride, but who knows what it really will be like? I certainly don't. I'm sure we'll have moments of jealousy, but hopefully they're not often or long.

Here are some photos from a great photo shoot with did with Sheri. I can't stand how adorable she is.

Science Experiment Success

I wish I had photos of Selby's science experiment but I was too busy helping her to take any. But watching her put it all together was soooo adorable and, fortunately, a success. It's surreal to see her grow as a student, as well as a little girl. She's now able to do simple addition and subtraction and we just got her these first reader Bob books, which she reads TO US. It's amazing to watch her sound out the words, and to see her self-satisfied smile when she figures it out and finishes a book (granted the books are about five pages). My other favorite Selby thing these days is listening to her sing The Lion King. She's learning a lot of the songs by heart, which I'm not allowed to sing with her in the car. "No singing Mama!"

Here she is with one of her favorite holiday gifts (a matching pajama set for her and her American Girl Baby).

Resolution to Write More about Selby (and, eventually, her Sibling)

Once again I'm making the resolution/commitment to write more about the amazing Selby. Trust me, it's not for lack of subject matter. She is continuously funny and wonderful. Tom and I frequently say out loud how blessed we are to have such a good-natured, funny and absolutely adorable little girl. For some reason (maybe the impending birth of her sibling), she has been incredibly loving these past few months. At least a couple of times a day she'll say, out of nowhere, "I love you mommy (and then daddy if he's around)."

Today, the plan was to send her on a school field trip as part of winter break camp (her school resumes tomorrow). Because neither Tom or I was going on this trip, as one of us usually does during the school year, she decided she didn't want to go. I told her she could stay home with me and I would kiss and hug her all day long with one movie break. "Ok, let's do that," she said as she crawled into my lap to be kissed and hugged. So I gave her a little sample and asked "Won't this get boring?" and she answered "When I get bored I can watch a movie!" I did eventually convince her to go on the school trip and she, eventually, happily went because her friend Saige was going as well. But I think we both missed out : )

And then there's The Donut ... scheduled to arrive on 2/12/12. Selby will kiss my belly and say good morning and good night to it almost every day. I'm excited to give her a sibling, but nervous about all of our adjustments to having a needy newborn. But, Selby is definitely excited about it and I'm trying to prepare her as best as I can. Here are a few recent photos of her:

Proudly sporting a stach on mustache night in Puerto Vallarta.

Multitasking in PV

My little ballerina.

With Adrian, her assistant teacher and possibly first crush, after her Winter Concert performance.

With her buddy Jada and new favorite stuffed animal Nahla.

My Little Swimmer

Finally, finally, Selby has taken to the water. And she won't get out. She is loving the pool these days now that she's gotten the hang of being underwater -- and swimming a little bit. She can jump in and swim to me, or the edge. She's got the beginning of a crawl stroke going. She even jumped off the low diving board at Skyline! It's really great for her, and for my anxieties over her falling into a pool. This is the beginning of great things! Here she is on the low dive.

Also, some other fun summer photos of her at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science at the Pirates exhibit and dressed as Spinach (cute, but don't ask), and with her friend Sophia wearing matching bathing suits.

Happy Birthday Grandma and Tom!

Daddy's Little Girl

Selby is so funny. Really, she makes us laugh every day. For Father's Day, I bought this make-your-own mug from Michael's. Selby colored in "I Love You Dad!" and then we inserted it in the mug and covered it with a plastic shell. She called Tom into her room the night before Father's Day to tell him that she made him a mug but it was a surprise and he couldn't see it, as she held it up to him. She then slept with it to protect it. The next day we made him a card and she had me spell out what she wanted to say "You're the Greatest! I Love You! Happy Father's Day" Well, that's not really funny but it's really adorable.

The day before Father's Day we went to the Highland's Street Fair where she played with our friend's two-year-old daughter for most of the afternoon before hitting the kids play area. I was very surprised that she wanted to do the trampoline/bungee thing. We waited in line for about an hour (or what seemed like an hour) while we watched kids jump and somersault. She was completely entertained watching and had no fear about jumping herself. Of course as soon as it was her turn, she realized she had to go potty. But after a bathroom visit, she got strapped in and not only bounced but continually somersaulted! Well worth the $6 and hour wait, pretty much.

Sisters from a Different Mister

Talya and Selby look so much alike, I kept getting them confused. Granted Tayla is smaller, but she's also wearing Selby's old dress. Having fun at Sheri's 50th this weekend.