Enjoying the Nutcracker

I love this picture of Caleigh in front of the nutcracker display. She looks so mature and older than three! A beautiful show.

Preparing for the Nutcracker

Mama and Caleigh had a special outing on 11/21 to the local high school (Upper Darby) for a fabulous showing of the Nutcracker (it's 20th year). We met Kami and Elise (also 3) for a girls afternoon out. We strolled through the nutcracker display before the show, and enjoyed our eighth row middle orchestra seats for the ballet. Caleigh was impressed and sat very well through the almost 2 hour production (with intermission). She liked the tree 'growing' and the candy background. She noted that they were dancing a lot (I think she thought there would be talking). She wondered if they would drink while eating all that candy. She picked out her purple velvet dress from the closet to wear. She asked questions about the mice that danced around with the little girl. She showed Daddy how the girls danced when we got home. We had a great time!

Renovations

Off to DE to get a nice remnant, which was then professionally installed. Dan built/assembled the convertible bunk beds (we'll wait a few years to bunk them...). Add a mattress, safety gate and bedding and Caleigh is ready to move from her tent to her new bed. Zach is next as we've now bought everything we need to move him into the bed on the other side of the radiator. Naps and bedtime might be a challenge as we work out the kinks, but we think it's going to work just fine. Soon pictures of Zach's new bed and his big smile.

Caleigh wanted us to take a picture of her getting into her new bed. She enjoyed sleeping four nights in her tent (last used at the beach and lake!). And here are Caleigh and Zach measuring the pieces to 'help' Daddy.

Caroline at 7 weeks

Just laying around -- tummy time turned to nap time too quickly. She looks like she's doing a 70s dance in the 3rd picture. And the close up w/hat is our birth announcement for the Floyd Press. ;-)

More pics of Caroline

More from 11/16/09

Caroline thrilled Caleigh by taking a strong hold of her finger.

The girls

There are three of us here. It's fun to think how much fun the sisters will have together in years to come & the Mama-daughter adventures we'll have. But for now holding hands and resting together seem the right speed.

Up close at 6 weeks

She has grown so much already! It's hard to remember/capture the changes that happen at warp speed at this size. She likes to suck on her fingers/fabric over her hand. She snuggles into my neck after eating (and a good burp ;-). She is starting to coo/gurgle so babbling will come next I guess... Even having three this close together & I find myself unable to remember what I should be expecting when. Oh well...just enjoying instead.

Around the house

Nov. 11 '09

Smiling & sleeping. Little windows into our days. Zach still in PJs for morning nap (which often does happen by 9 a.m.!). Playing in Caleigh's room. Caleigh actually set up the props (3rd pic) and asked me to take her picture. Zach chimed in with a "cheese!" for the camera.

Soon they will share a room to make space in the nursery for Caroline. Carpet installed 11/16, bed(s) set up 11/17, purchase another bed gate for Z soon, and cross our fingers he'll be just as trustworthy as Caleigh not getting out of bed unbidden. (HA!) We are happy with the remnant turned wall-to-wall carpet, which looks like the same color & thickness the old might have been when new...

First tub bath

Caroline wasn't too sure of this whole immersion in the water thing. But she calmed down quickly and seemed to enjoy it. Caleigh helped scrub & was glad to do it.

Here she is in the cute hooded towel.

Caroline deserved a nice nap after the big bath.

Mamma and the kids

The kids enjoying the warm porch by cooking us a yummy treat and sitting on the bike (no room to ride in there!).

Mama and Caroline posing before church on Reformation Day/All Saint's Day (Nov. 1).

And after trick-or-treating...

back to the house for yummy snacks before bed. Cereal for one and an apple for the other. ;-) The kids have very short memories in some aspects of life. They never did ask for their candy again after being quite excited when they received some.