A Fairy is Born...

According to Emily's Tinkerbell movies, When a baby laughs for the first time, a fairy is born!  Well, yesterday, a fairy was born for sure because our sweet little Audrey girl burst out in her first big belly laugh yesterday!! I will try to catch it on video... it's so cute!!

Emily is 3 Years and 2 months old!

Emily celebrated her Monthday today.  I can't believe she is so grown up already.  Paul and I were watching home video from this time last year and she was such a BABY just a year ago...now she's like having a 3rd adult in the house!  Here's what's going on with her this month:

- She continues to love school and her teachers so much.  She comes home every day and tells me all about her day.  What's really cool is the she can remember EVERYTHING about her day and (when she cares to share it) she will talk nonstop about it.  She knows what she had for breakfast and lunch, who brought what for Show and Tell or Book Day, what centers she went to that day, etc.  She even tells me who got in trouble that day, which is hilarious to hear because she gets so judgmental about it... "_____ pushed _____ today.  That was NOT NICE.  We don't push our friends.  That was NOT BEING KIND!" Nevermind the fact that she's gotten into trouble at school a few times herself..but she doesn't know about people who live in glass houses quite yet. :)

- She is very opinionated about what she wants and how things should be.  Lately she has been quite demanding about things like what toys to play with, what foods to eat, how long she wants to lie in my bed before she gets dressed, etc.  It is so funny to me (later...not so funny in the moment!) when she says things like, "Mommy, when we get home I want apple juice, veggie sticks, Tinkerbell movie, and my slippers."  And LORD HELP YOU if you should deviate from her plan...that's all I'm going to say!

- She has started giving us spontaneous hugs and kisses and it seriously melts. my. heart.  I love it so much!  For as bossy and stubborn as she can be, she is also very loving and sweet and I am so very glad for those tender moments.  Last week she asked me to lay with her while she napped and I agreed to for "one minute".  While I was cuddling with her she took her little hand and just rubbed my cheek and neck.  I fell asleep, haha..but so did she!  We haven't napped together since she was a little baby (like 6-9 months old) so that was just such a sweet moment for me.

- She is OBSESSED with all things Christmas.  We have an Elf on the Shelf who she named Tovey and she loves to look for him each day.  She cries on the rides around town during the daylight because the Christmas lights are turned off.  She believes that we took her to the North Pole to have brunch with Santa (we took her to a church in our neighborhood, haha!)  She dances around her Christmas tree in her room and talks about Christmas, Santa, and presents all the time.  I am SO excited for Christmas morning this year because I know she's going to be so excited (and we will be, too!)

- She had a mini recital at her dance class, which was precious!  She LOVES her reflection and unfortunately, that impeded her dancing a little on the Tap portion but the Ballet section was great.  My friend referred to Emmy as a "Mary Catherine Gallagher" and when she wipes out at the end she really, really reminds me of that character!  If these 2 videos are any indication of the year- end recital, we are in for a wonderful time!  Video 1- Tap: http://qik.com/22347351/cba8fbc3  Video 2- Ballet: http://qik.com/22347081/41546a31 .  Enjoy!

- She loooooves to sing and has quite a long repertoire of songs now.  I am planning another post here soon that will allow you to listen to her "version" of different songs...some of her renditions are really pretty entertaining!  Look for that one day next week- I need to start listening carefully so I can make sure I get it exactly how she sings it!

That's all the news I can think of for now.  I'm headed out to her classroom Christmas party...all the kiddos are wearing their jammies to school today- should be precious!! :)

Baby's First Sick Visit

Hi friends! We are experiencing Baby First Sickness right now!  I took Audrey to the pediatrician on Saturday AM because she had had another rough night of coughing, congestion, etc.  She was diagnosed with "prolonged upper respiratory infection" and given a 10 day supply of amoxicillin which we started that night.  Pedi was NOT concerned about her potentially having RSV or anything more serious than the upper res infection.  She perked right up on the amoxil and is doing perfectly now- hasn't been suctioned in 2 days!! :)  Looks like she is handling her first cold very well...I am SO thankful!  Of course, you can't tell she wasn't feeling well...she has the nicest disposition of any baby I've ever known!! 

   Also....that sweet baby is upstairs taking a nap UNswaddled...she's in a sleep sack!!  We are practicing a little every day to try to wean away from the swaddle blanket.  Oh, and as if that weren't enough, this morning she grabbed a toy and brought it to her mouth!!!!! SLOW DOWN, SISTER!  She is growing way too quick.

Photo Update :)

Sorry it has been a while since I last updated- I am very busy at work right now but today we have a snow day!! (Except there is literally no snow outside). :)  I thought I should take a moment and share some precious pictures of our little ladies. Enjoy!

Santa's Message to Emily

This is just too precious for words!

Click here for Santa's message!

Sisters

Some precious pics...

And now, for a little game I like to call Guess That Girl:

 

(Audrey, top, 3 months; Emily, bottom, 3 months). 

Audrey is 3 Months Old!

Audrey is growing like a little weed!  She is SUCH a delight and is seriously the best baby I have ever heard of...no kidding.  Here's what she's doing right now:

- she is now on mostly formula but still receives expressed frozen milk every day (well, I do thaw it first, wocka wocka wocka). :)  I was not able to juggle school and pumping so I am done with that but thankful that our frozen stash should last us through March!

- She drinks 4oz each time, about 7-8x per day.

- Are you ready for this? For a week straight now she has slept either 6 or 8 hours per night.  Amazing!

- She loves to smile and coo at us.

- She is trying to laugh (see video below).

- She is in size 1 diapers but will be moving to 1-2s once this pack is gone. I am SO tired of the blowouts!

- She has the cutest little rolls on her thighs...so precious.  She's definitely making up for being so small when she was born!

- She is wearing 3 month clothes for a week or 2 now because she is so long the newborn clothes weren't fitting anymore!

- She started at Miss Jamey's house on Monday of this week and is doing so well.  She loves to watch the other kids and has adjusted well to a new caregiver. I miss her so much during the day but I am thrilled that she is with Jamey.  Jamey is a part of our family and I am so, so thankful that she was able to take care of  my sweet girls.

- Audrey is focusing intently on us now and will follow us across the room with her eyes.  She also loves to stare at the Christmas tree!

- She LOVES Emily and will stare and smile at her for ever.  Emily loves to come over and put her fingers or hair near Audrey's hands so Audrey will grab at her. It is so precious!

- She is getting much better at holding her head up...I think we may try sitting her in the Bumbo seat soon.

- She weighs about 11-12lbs now (my estimate).

Be sure to check out her pictures!  We are visiting Santa on Saturday so hopefully I will get some cute ones of the 2 girls with jolly old St Nick.  Cross your fingers for me!