5 on Friday

1. We have been married 4 years!  Wow, they have flown by. And yet so much has changed.

2. Genevieve had her first visit to day-care (and her second visit too).   Ellie had a dentist appointment on Tuesday, so Neve hung out with her new friends for an hour. She slept for most of it and was hanging out under the play mat when I went to pick her up. She visited on Thursday so Nick and I could have an anniversary lunch and run errands without the girls.   Her teachers said she did great.  She will start going half days next week.  Yes, that means my full-time maternity leave is almost over.  I am happy and sad.  Happy because I will enjoy the adult interaction of work and I really do love my job.  Sad because I will miss our Y&R cuddle time and because it means she is growing up.  I don't think I will have this much time off work until I retire (at least I hope it goes that way).

3. Nick had his first trail work day of the season for his mountain biking group (CITA).  It sounds like they had a lot of fun and got a ton accomplished.   Nick is a member of the CITA board this year and it is great to see him be even more involved in something he loves (even if it means more time away from the family).

4. Ellie was a super star at the dentist.   They usually have the kids sit on their parent's lap at this age, but sure enough Ellie wanted to sit in the big chair.  She opened wide when Dental Hygienist Amy  and Doctor Matt asked her to and loved having her teeth brushed.  Not to brag, but she had to be the easiest patient they saw all day.

5. Ellie also had her 1-year follow-up with the ENT.  Her tubes are still in place and doing exactly what they are supposed to.   Once again, she was a star patient--- even when her and Daddy had to wait 45 minutes to see the Doctor.

4 Years Later...

... we have this:

What a fun 4 years it has been.   Here is to many more!

Happy Anniversary to an amazing husband, daddy and best friend.  

I love you, Nick!

Growing Up

I cannot believe how grown-up Ellie has become, she is a little person and a great helper with Baby Sister.

 Daddy thought she needed a basketball and hoop.  She loves it!

She is also a fan of blowing bubbles.  Sometimes the wind helps her make it work.

 She sleeps in some crazy positions--- this one is pretty mild.

 Still loves bath-time.

And fits into the dress that my sister and I both wore when we were little.  My mom made it for us.

Blankie Time

It seems like each night there is a picture opportunity similar to these two pictures: Nick, Genevieve and Eleanor laying on a blanket or two on the floor.  Super cute!

Newborn Pics: Mommy and Daddy

We didn't forget to get a couple of just Mommy and Genevieve, as well as Daddy and Genevieve.  I also though it would be fun to have a picture of her little feet with the symbols of marriage and love that started it all.

5 on Friday

1. We had a spontaneous birthday celebration with Nick's Mom on Saturday.  Isn't it weird how you plan things with people so far in advance because everyone is so busy otherwise, but then there are days were you can get everyone together at the last minute.   Those days are great.

Happy Belated Birthday, Linda!    

2. The new Baby Wise routine seems to be working--- Genevieve has been sleeping 5+ hours straight each night and then getting up only to eat.   We had one night where either the storms woke her up or her cold was bothering her and she was up multiple times.  One off night in 10 days is very doable for Mommy.  What a difference a little sleep makes!

3. We started getting smiles this week--- real smiles!   Nick got one on Sunday and Ellie and I were getting lots starting on Monday.  Ellie is thrilled when Genevieve smiles at her.

4. In addition to smiling, Genevieve has also decided that she is done with her 0-3 month sleepers.  The body suits in that size still fit, but the sleepers are too short.  This was the opposite issue than what we had with Ellie.  

5. Today, Genevieve and I are joining a friend in going garage sale shopping at the Waukee Garage Sales!   Waukee always has really good sales and I have gone to them in the past.  I am VERY excited to go to them and then only have to drive a few minutes back home!    Genevieve is a little off from Ellie in terms of seasons and sizes, so we are looking for a few items to finish out her wardrobe for the next year.  Ellie is in need of a few summer items to wear at day-care as well.  It is hard when you have to leave 2 outfits per kid at day-care in case of an unexpected outfit change.  Those are 2 outfits they will most likely not wear (at least in Ellie's case) so I am hoping to find something really cheap.

The Girls- Newborn Photos

What is a newborn photo shoot without pictures of Big Sister and Little Sister--- this was a must when we were picking a photographer.  Needless to say, the pictures we got were exactly what I dreamed of and more.   Our friend, Emily, made the girls matching tutus and they were perfect for the pictures. The pictures do not do the tutus justice, as they are super cute with lots of detail in the ribbons.  Genevieve was not very fond of hers and proceeded to have her first blow-out in it.   Good thing I could wash it out so it is as good as new.