Paige Signing

She is so close to crawling.  We were letting her "practice" when she decided she was "all done."

A gymnastics birthday, Kindergarten, and an 8 month old

Olivia has been asking to have her birthday at gymnastics since last year.  We were a little hesitant, since gymnastics is 35-40 minutes from Dayton, but several people came and it was great!  There were 2 guys working the party and they did everything- decorate, set up a gift and cake table, show people where to go, etc.  All we did was bring food- awesome!

We had the whole gym to ourselves for 1.5 hours, then 30 minutes in the party room.

Showing Pappy how to walk the beam:

We had so much fun and the best part was we hardly lifted a finger!

Her party was a few days before her birthday, so we saved a few presents from us to open on her actual birthday.  Michael had been looking for something special to get her- this is a big birthday!  She had confidently told me that she knew he was getting her a fairy.  Ha!  Good Daddy that he is, he drove over an hour to find a Tinkerbell snow globe:

The backpack and lunchbox she picked out for school:

We sure love this little girl!

The Friday after her birthday was her first day of school:

I was pretty proud of myself, I held most of the tears back until I got home.  It helped that she was very excited!  That lasted a day or two and she now asks me why she has to go to school every day.  Paige and I have eaten lunch with her twice and I am amazed at how fast they are moving and the fact that she has homework tonight.  Kindergarten has changed a bit since I was there!

Not to be outdone, this little pipsqueak turned 8 months old:

Note the drool.  She celebrated 8 months with her first tooth.  It's just barely there, but she is drooling and chewing like a mad woman.  Also take note of her hair.  This was after a bath and combing.  It sticks straight up all over her head.  I think there might be some curls in her future!  She is such a sweet, happy, into EVERYTHING baby.  She is quite attached to me still, but has recently taken a liking to Daddy and reaches for him as soon as he gets home.  She also signed "all done" today for the first time!  I have been signing to her for a few weeks and today was the first time she signed back.  Love it!

Last weekend, we took an impromptu trip to Huntsville, AL.  The US Space and Rocket Center is there, which is something Michael (and I!) find interesting.  Olivia is always up for a trip, especially one that involves a movie and a hotel with an indoor/outdoor pool!

It was really neat.  We spent about 4 hours walking through all the exhibits.  There was even a place for little kids with a  play area and a Shooting Star-like ride.  Olivia loved it.

I even got to take a picture of some astronauts:

Paige finally passed out in the sling:

Which meant Olivia got to ride in the stroller:

Michael and I could have spent more time there, but the girls were done!  It was a fun little getaway!

Party Time!

In true Olivia fashion, we had many birthday celebrations.
We kicked off her birthday in Elizabethton with a party at Granny's house.  She is set for our Disney trip!

 
 

Paige fell asleep on Lilo and stayed asleep through pictures and transfers, ha!

Needless to say, she was pretty happy!  After we left granny's we headed to Stoney Creek to Pal's house for dinner. 

Dad's friend has a baby donkey, so we went to visit them.  Olivia and Paige found an assortment of animals!

She had a great day!

Later that week, we let Olivia pick out her birthday present from us.
It's a boy!
Introducing "Little Red" Wexler:

She has been asking for a pet and almost convinced me to buy a bunny, but settled on a beta.  Her first beta, "Little Blue" didn't survive the ride home.  Fortunately, Pet Smart has a 14 day guarantee on fish.  We have grown to a 2 pet family, as Michael's parents brought Bodine to Dayton for us last weekend.  Sweet little Rambler had to be put down a few weeks ago after having uncontrollable seizures one day.  Bodine seems to be adjusting well- he goes from laying on his bed in the garage to laying on the front porch.  Great retirement home!  He has also claimed a spot on the couch when we feel sorry for him and let him inside:

Paige is demanding attention, we'll save the gymnastics party and first day of Kindergarten for the next post!

Five...

Five years ago tonight:

- we were touring the NICU
- we were scared about lung maturity
- I was having contractions that could only be stopped by medication
- we saw a 5 pound baby and couldn't believe how tiny it was
- I was scarfing down as much food as possible before my 12 a.m. cut-off (ha!)
- we were watching our baby's heartbeat on the monitor
- we were told our baby only weighed 3.5 pounds after an ultrasound
- we were packing up my room on the ante-partum side after a 2 week stay
- we were TERRIFIED

If I could go back to that night, I would tell us:

- your lives will never be richer
- your hearts will never be fuller
- the love for this child is immeasurable
- the joy she brings is indescribable
- you'll be OK

I would tell us that in 5 years, your heart will be breaking as you prepare to send your baby to Kindergarten. 

And despite your worries and fears, she is amazing.

She has her moments (naturally), but you would be hard pressed to find a more gentle soul.

And whatever you imagine life with a child is like, you're wrong.  It's better.

Your worries are misplaced, for this child is meant just for you.

 

She got the best parts of each of you.

 

 

Any insecurities about parenting disappear when she tells you she loves you.

There will be times when you KNOW you messed up.  That you said the wrong thing or lost your temper.  She'll forgive you.  Every time.

You will not believe what you will do to make her smile.

And you can't imagine the pain of seeing her cry.

I would tell us that this child is everything you wanted.

And even during the tantrums, whining, and tears, your love only gets stronger.

That you don't even remember life before she was here.

And watching her with her baby sister is enough to break your heart into a million pieces.

But most important of all, I would tell us that we are doing something right.  This child knows she is loved.  She knows that there are many, many people that would do anything for her.

And in the grand scheme of things, that's what really matters.

Happy 5th birthday, darling girl.  We absolutely adore you and love you so much!


*Slightly less sappy post about birthday parties coming soon!