Happy 3rd Birthday Kates!

We celebrated Katie's birthday a week early.  We headed up to Whidbey to enjoy some time as a family.  Katie hasn't really been into attention on her or her birthday, so we decided to just have a small, casual celebration.  Little did we know that she would EAT IT UP and she decided it would be fun to celebrate her birthday for a week.  

Katie now is convinced she is a big girl and often says, "No, I do it, I a BIG girl."  She is tentative at first approach and can be quiet and reserved when in a new situation.  BUT...once you get this girl comfortable, she is all sass and spice with a big loving heart.  I love her personality and her sense of humor and she seems to be growing up by the day.  Slow down sister!!

We thought that the magical "3rd" birthday would convince Katie she is a big girl and ready to use the potty...but no luck.  She does look pretty cute in her new underoos though : )

Kate requested ice cream cake with cookie dough and chocolate ice cream.  We had a little celebration and a BIG gift.  Kyle made a dollhouse from scratch (Katie calls it her "girl-house").  After we found out Katie was a girl at our ultrasound, we were driving home in the car together discussing the news.  Kyle stated that he was going to make his little girl a dollhouse...and he followed up with his promise.  Kyle put so much thought and love into this house and it turned out perfectly.  Both Andy and Katie LOVE it - and Kyle and I have found we enjoy playing with the kids too - it brings back fond memories of our own houses as kids.

We ended the day with s'mores on the beach.  A fun day for our Katie!

The birthday girl enjoying "appsaw" in her new hand-me-down Dora Jammies

Playing with her lambies tags...something she's done since she was about 1 year old.

Abi's first time in the high chair

Excited about her new "My Little Pony" underwear.  She is trying to go potty and her mermaid is going next to her.

More fun to just wear underoos!  I love how you can see Katie's complete adoration for her brother in these pictures and Andy is putting up with it.

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Birthday dinner time

Abigail - 7 months

Abi is doing great!  We'll go in next week to see how much weight she's gaining, but she's happy and thriving.  Based on our scale at home, she doesn't seem to be gaining at the rate she was before, which isn't surprising.  We have been able to start solids.  She's not a big fan of rice cereal - but is actually leaning in to eat sweet potatoes now.  We have to start introducing food slowly - one food a week - but it's a start.  

Abi wakes up around 7:30 and drink about 8 ounces.  She'll stay up and play and process her food, have rice cereal until about 9:30 and then will go down for a nap for about 1 - 1/2 to 2 hours.  At around 11:30 she'll drink about 6 ounces, play and then go down for another nap around 1 for 3 or so hours.  When she wakes up she'll drink another 6 ounces, eat some sweet potatoes, drink another 4 ounces and then head to bed for the night around 7:30.  

She likes to play with toys that make crinkling noises and can put her binky in and out of her mouth on her own.  She talks quite a bit and can be very loud.  She says dadada, agoooo, ahhhhh.  She likes to stick her tongue out and make raspberries.  She's constantly grabbing for things, her giraffe, her blankie, my hair, a blanket, her binky.  She's recently discovered her feet and will put them in her mouth.  Mostly, when I think of Abi, I think of her BIG smile.  When she makes eye contact with you, she explodes into a smile, cocks her head to the side as if she's being coy or shy, and then looks back with a giggle or another smile.  Her eyes just light up.  She would rather stand than sit...and would rather lie down than sit, so sitting on her own isn't happening yet.  She is rolling both ways, but sometimes gets stuck on her tummy in her crib and gets frustrated.  When on her back she likes to thump her feet up and down or kick, kick, kick.  It brings flashbacks to how Katie and Andy used to be.  

Abi is a sweet and happy little angel.  We hope she is just finding her own curve and that she continues to thrive.  We love you sweet girl!

Kicking Off Summer

Nothing says HELLO SUMMER like eating fudgcicles in the nude : )  These two crack me up.  I kept asking them to close their legs so that I could get a picture that was somewhat decent - and they have no clue what that means.

A good ending to a fun day!

Bribery

Andy has loved participating in Lil Pirates so far.  As soon as he gets his speedo shorts on - he is rearing to go.  He loves wearing his goggles well before practice starts.  It's pretty darn cute to see him in his little speedo, but mostly fun to see him as excited as he is about being a part of the team.  He's not quite able to swim on his own across the pool and gets some help from the coaches, but he still gets excited to go every day we have practice.

Kyle was able to join us at this practice.  When Kyle shows up Andy and Katie fight over who gets to go home with him.  They literally cry when they lose and "have to go home with mommy."  I had to calm Andy down from hyperventilating when he "lost."  So, I decided to show him who was fun ride home with.  We stopped off at the Madison Park Bakery and picked out frosted cookies.  This is a memory I cherish from when I was about his age.  It pays to go with mommy!

Beginning vs. End of School Year

This was the first day of school in September vs. the last day of school in May

Last Day of Preschool

Andy finished preschool at the Coop by performing his Singalong - "Singing in the Rain".  He had been practicing for weeks - something new for us to witness.  He not only practiced, but he "performed."  It was pretty darn cute.  Even though he didn't actually perform the "5 Little Monkeys" song - he practiced it with gusto.  I almost peed my pants watching him.  During the actual performance, he was SO proud, a little more reserved, but did great.  It was a huge improvement from last year.  Andy's singalong also was the same day as Bapa's shoulder surgery (which couldn't have gone better - thankfully!).  Right in the middle of his performance, Andy turned and whispered to me, "I really wish Bapa could be here to watch me."  He was very concerned about how Bapa was doing.  The singalong is our official start to summer!

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day Weekend up on Whidbey opening the place up with the Warmes and Ka and Bapa.  We scrubbed and organized...and had some time for play too.  I didn't get my camera out once...but captured these tired boys after a hard day's work.  And miss Abi - who enjoyed watching the cousins in action.

End of Coop

Katie's last day of Coop was a month ago...I am a little behind : )  Although we plan to head back to Coop when Abi is the right age, it was a sad day to be done with Katie's Coop experience.  I really have enjoyed the time with Katie and will miss the group of kids and parents from this past year.  The last day of class was a celebration of everyone's birthday.  Katie was quite shy when everyone was singing to her - it was pretty cute.  

Watch out big brother...

Katie calls herself a princess.  She loves all things ballerina or princess related.  She loves shoes.  She loves purses.  She loves dresses.  She calls herself BEA - UUU - TIFUL.  But...she thinks she is as old as her brother and therefore can do all things Andy does.  Andy claims that he can't put his own shoes on (only when he's with mom or dad).  One day, Katie was quiet in the corner and then walked into the kitchen like the picture below.  Wearing Andy's shoes.  Watch out Andy - Katie's going to keep you on your toes!

Abi Update

Abi gained 20 ounces in 20 days.  We were ecstatic   With this news, I made the emotional decision to be done breastfeeding (or really pumping...so it shouldn't be emotional...it's just so FINAL).  It is such a relief to know that we hopefully are on the right track.  The only issue is that Dr. Allen recognized that the formula concentration (Nutramigen to water ratio) seemed incorrect.  He was right, and we were actually dehydrating Abi.  The Nutritionist comforted me by saying, "well, at least it wasn't medication."  Hmmm.  Now, we're on a "safer" concentration and hoping she still gains, although she seems to be holding steady at her 12lbs 5 ounces.  I never knew this could be so exhausting and emotional, but big picture she appears to be HEALTHY.  Counting our blessings!