This morning Vi pulled herself up on the stool and started moving forward on two feet!
Nikki and Michael are so pleased for Vi and her newfound mobility. They encourage her with "good work!" when she stands and walks, and protest that "that will never do" when she crawls.
I managed to catch a video of Vi's second trek across the living room floor. Enjoy!
Forte School of Music put on its second annual concert (actually 4 concerts in a row - I had no idea the music school was so large!) Saturday.
A couple photos while we waited to be shown to our seats:
the star herself
some adoring (and adorable) fans
The 90-minute show included some fantastic performances and a mixture of solos and group pieces. A true standout was the nearly flawless 8-year-old's performance of Für Elise.
We enjoyed the whole show, and the last act, Nikki's 'Music is Fun' class, was definitely worth waiting for - they played the piano and performed an action song. Baba took a video while I was just offstage with the other mums in case we were needed.
We continue to be amazed at how well our children transition to their own beds in their tenth month. After nine months of round-the-clock breastfeeding on demand and snuggling to sleep either while nursing or being worn, placing a babe in a crib all by herself is a big change. Each of our children has demonstrated readiness for this major transition in his or her tenth month.
It was Vi's turn Monday night, after she slept straight through Sunday night and even continued sleeping until 10:30 the next morning.
We set up her crib and bedding in the kids' room when Ben got home. Then we began dinner and the bedtime routine as normal - with the addition of Vi fully participating rather than watching.
She happily chewed on an apple slice at dinner, and then it was time to spashily join her older siblings in the bath.
After everyone was dressed for bed, Vi sat on Baba's lap during the Bible story and laid down in her crib wearing the same sleep sack Nikki and Michael each used at this age. A few minutes of crying, and she was asleep. She woke only once, right as I was laying down in bed without her for the first time since she was born, but she was quickly back asleep after Baba checked on her, and she slept straight through until 7am.
Last night was even better, with less crying when she first laid down. Vi didn't wake up until 8am. Hurrah for long winter nights!
Baby sign language is so helpful. It makes my job easier when my children communicate what they need and want. So, from around 6 months old, we start associating sign language with some of baby's most basic desires.
Being picked up is always popular - 'up' was Nikki's first word. Vi also likes to be up. But rather than the traditional finger pointing up, Vi pauses in her cruising to tap on the sofa. Or if she's out crawling, she'll crawl up to me, sit down and tap her chest.
Even if the sign is an adaptation, it is important to acknowledge it so Vi knows she is communicating successfully. By scooping her up when she taps, we are encouraging Vi to try other signs and, eventually, words.
Vi surprised us this weekend by pushing herself up into a sitting up position on the playmat. She continued to sit up while snacking on Duplo and grabbing a book.
Note: the video doesn't have any sound. I decided it wasn't the time to stun the world with Nikki's and my rendition of We Gather Together.
Aileen:
Simply beautiful - I have never heard this song before but it is so touchingly beautiful, all the more so at the image of Ben with two of his children
Poppa & Grammie:
Happy Father's Day to you, Ben. So grateful that you are following your heavenly Father's leading in love with your children!
Jen:
Happy Father's Day, Ben! The video is great and you are amazing for multi-tasking so well!
