Saturday, January 28, 2012

3 Months!

Oh my, this is going fast... Our little Anna so sweet and pink...love her!  She is becoming so animated with more awake time, lots of wiggles, lots of smiles, and new noises added to her daily repertoire.  The things she likes to do most include looking out a window while sucking on her hands and fingers, "talking" and smiling back-n-forth with someone, playing on her play mat and listening to her music in the crib.  She can sleep anywhere - crib, car seat, stroller, baby bjorn, swing, play mat, or our arms (my favorite).  She is much more of a cue ball than when she was born which is exactly the point when Kate lost all her hair too. She has been sleeping 5-6 hours most nights and cluster feeding morning and night. She takes good daytime naps especially if we go on a walk or I put her in the swing. She is a wonderful little baby and I just want to squeeze her to pieces every time I pick her up!

She has made a smooth transition into our lives.  Kate is thrilled to make her smile or "talk".  Max still calls her Baby Anna and wants to know where she is at all times.  We continue to be surprised at the patience both have for their baby sister and her evolving needs.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Robots

Max's newest obsession!

Foster's Market

We are very spoiled this week.  We received a gift certificate for two weeks of Family Dinners at Foster's Market.  This is such a heavenly treat - no planning, no cooking (just warming), new recipes, lots of veggies, OMG dessert, easy clean-up.  Hooray, I love this concept!

Here is our menu for the week:
      • Sausage and Rigatoni Broccoli Rabe and Roasted Peppers
      • Crispy Roasted Whole Chicken 
      • Tequila Lime Flank Steak with Green Chile Salsa
      • Creamy Broccoli, Mushroom and Rice Casserole
      • Eggplant Parmesan
      • Sides: Greek Salad, Focaccia Bread
      • Dessert: S’mores Brownies

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Gymnastics

Oh my goodness, I can not tell you how much the kids love going to gymnastics each week.  Their teacher, Ms. Nicole, is fabulous.  She runs this three-hour gymnastics camp each week and usually it is just Kate, Max, Anna, and her two girls.  They spend time doing gymnastics, crafts, reading stories, snack, and more gymnastics.  They absolutely amaze me with all they are doing and learning.  Kate bounces around the place, jumping on and off mats, trampolines, bars, and balance beams.  Max is so proud of himself and loves that he can run, jump, and fall anywhere anytime.  His favorite area is the PIT full of foam blocks that they just run/jump/roll/flip into. One day they wanted me to see them on the rings...so Kate hops on the rings, Max hops on opposite her and hooks his legs around her, then they start swinging back and forth, finally they drop and just start giggling like they are in their own little world. 

Forward & Backward Rolls

 Balance Beam

 Hand Stands


Bars - Monkey Swing and Flip, Spider Swing and Flip


Three Musketeers!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Farewell

Lana and Charles said their final farewells last Wednesday.  We had one last day together Tuesday and we all enjoyed every little minute of play time, cocktail hour, and a wonderful Moroccan dinner made by Lana and Charles.  

The entire visit was so memorable. Some of the highlights include meeting Anna for the first time, Christmas, Wilmington, last minute wedding shopping and details, dinners, wine, target, late night talks, Brazilian waxes, eclair cake, soy lattes, walks around the lake with all three kids, a trip to Yolo, and the final farewell with bag lunches in hand.  It took a while to dry up the tears but Max shared his fire truck with me and Kate let me borrow her scooter and life seemed a little better. :)
I can not thank you two enough for all the time and effort you put into spending time with all of us.  We love you so much!


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

10 Week Hump

Ten weeks seemed to be Anna's magical week - she started seeping from 10pm-4am - yippee!  Feedings continue to go well.  She cluster feeds in the morning and evening and goes a little longer during the day and night. Her naps are resembling a predictable schedule with about four naps during the day, less screaming in the evening, and then a long stretch at night.  I do love a schedule!


Anna is now 8.5lbs and 22in long.  She got an oral vaccine and three shots.  She did well with them all after she puked the oral one up all over the nurse.  Since Christmas she has been smiling every time I talk to her. Now she will smile for anyone who will talk, sing, or dance for her!  Daddy is thrilled that she smiles just for him whenever he wants her to.  She gets so excited her legs and arms are wiggling all over the place while she grins and tries to make noises. Her excitement and grins just light up my day.


She is getting more interested in "playing" either on her play mat or with any of us talking or singing to her.  I can put her on her play mat for 30 minutes straight when the kids go down for their naps and she just wiggles, smiles, and "talks" to her sunshine.  She recognizes when I step out of her line of sight and is quick lets me know she is not happy.


I love hugging and kissing all her soft, cuddly, sweet smelling parts any time of day (or night)!


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Resolutions

 Kate 2012: This Year I want to have fun with my Dad!

Max 2012: This year I want to play with my toys!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Family Time

We took full advantage of a little nice January weather and headed to Bond Park.  Everyone else in Cary had the same idea.  The kids had a blast feeding the birds, digging in the sand, running free, chasing remote controlled vehicles, and rolling down a hill (Max rolled UP the hill).  I am so thankful for these family moments - they mean so much!










Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!

Wishing you and your families health, happiness, and lots of wonderful memories in 2012!