Caroline's First Dance Recital

A couple of weeks ago, Caroline had her first dance recital.  I initially signed her up for a "Mommy & Me" ballet/tap class last August, thinking it was just a 12-week course.  At the time, I didn't realize it was really an actual dance class that lasted through May!  Caroline loved it - her teacher, Ms. Brandy, quickly kicked out the "mommies" because she saw the potential in running it like a real Pre-School class.  And I am so glad she did.

Caroline's favorite was tap, of course, because it's so LOUD.  But, she sure did love wearing her tu-tu for ballet. 

As it got closer & closer to the recital, I would have bet money that Caroline would have just stood on stage with her hands in her mouth, doing nothing.  Seeing as that's how she usually spent most of her time in class when it was time for the recital practice. 

Boy, was I wrong.  At the recital, she marched out to her assigned number, stood there with her hands on her hips and ROCKED IT!  It took her a minute to get started, but she did it!  Her routine was a tap number to "My Girl".  I think I will never hear the song again without tearing up.  I cried throughout the entire routine and afterwards as well.  Not only was I the proudest mommy on the face of the Earth, but it's just another sign that my baby girl is growing up.  I just can't handle it! 

 She's grown so much in 8 months!

At the rehearsal

 Before the recital

 

 Can she pose, or what?

 Caroline trying to tickle Anna with the flower

 Proud family!

An after-recital treat at Coccadotts...she got to pickout which ever cupcake she wanted - she got the one with the Reese Peanut Butter cup on top.  She loves peanut butter!

Sisterly Love

Caroline has far exceeded our expectations as a big sister.  We always knew she'd be an awesome help, but she is the BEST big sister a little girl could ask for.  As my due date approached, we talked with Caroline about the various things she'd be able to help with once Anna came...getting her paci, getting diapers, teaching her sign language - but she does far more than that.

Anna's face lights up when she sees her sister.  Her arms start flailing, her legs start kicking...now that I think about it, she could be trying to get away.  Caroline can be kinda "hands on" at times.  Ha!  No, really - she sure loves Caroline and I KNOW Caroline thinks the world of Anna. In fact, if it's just me & Anna in the car, she's straining her neck as far over as she can to look at Caroline's car seat.  It's like she misses her when she's not there!

Caroline reads to Anna at least once a day.  And don't think Anna gets preoccupied with something else - she's all ears when she's being read to. 

Caroline is teaching Anna to sign "all done" and "more".  We will add to those as we need to. 

Caroline is helping me change Anna's diaper.  I bet she could do it by herself if I left her to it.  Ha!

Caroline talks to Anna about her day - and asks Anna about her day at school, too.

Caroline does everything in her power to calm her down during her "bewitching" hour.  (By the way, I thought for sure she would have outgrown that by now.) 

Caroline loves to help cover her with blankets, give her a paci & her Lamby.

So far, Caroline has not tried to feed Anna yet, and I'm super-surprised at that, too. 

And being the little monkey that Caroline is, we catch her having conversations with Anna almost word for word from what she hears us talking to her. 

 Reading my favorite book growing up - Corduroy

 Kisses - all day, every day!

Father's Day 2012
(excuse Caroline's wild hair - we really can't do anything with it)

6 Months Later...

How could time have gone by that quickly?  I feel like I blinked and now Anna is 6 months old.  I kick myself everyday for not blogging more often.  I get so much joy out of going back to see all my updates from Caroline.  I just hope I can capture most of what has happened over the last 6 months here. 

Anna is such a special addition to our little family.  She's the calmest, most easy- going baby I've ever seen.  She sure does tolerate her big sister pretty well, too.  She's a good eater, a great night-time sleeper, a so-so napper and the happiest little thing you've ever seen.  Anna has a smile that is undeniably contagious and she probably spends 95% of her day smiling.

Milestone:

• 14 lbs. 10 oz (25%), 25 inches (50%) and head was 20%
• Wearing 3-6 month & 6 month clothes
• Wearing size 2 diapers
• Sitting up unsupported - still has the random fold-over and I saw her catching herself from tumbling backwards last night
• Eating rice cereal and Stage One baby foods - still haven't tried apples, pears or squash yet, though
• Absolutely mobile - but not yet crawling.  She can get clear across the room and under the furniture in a skinny minute; and I saw her on her hands & knees the other day!
• Starting to babble a little bit - she does need her tongue clipped, so that might be stopping her some
• Solely on breast milk - nursing in the morning & night, bottles in between
• Eats about every 3-4 hours

Likes: 

• Her big diamond ring rattle
• BIG SISTER Caroline - I really should do a post on how awesome of a big sister Caroline is
• Her lovey, Lamby 
• Peaches, bananas & sweet potatoes
• Talking to herself in the morning
• Squealing as loud as she can
• Rubbing her feet together (although, that annoys Mommy & Daddy because she does it when she's upset)
• Playing in front of the mirror & looking at herself
• Bathtime

Dislikes:

• Being left alone in a room...she likes ALL EYES ON HER!
• Green beans & peas - carrots are hit or miss

Um....I'm really stretching for the dislikes.  She's always so content! No, seriously, I really can't think of anything. 

Here's to hoping that I can keep up with blogging a little better.  Our life is so busy right now, but I sure wouldn't have it any other way. 

Father's Day 2012

Just chillin