Dance Recital

I've always wished that I knew how to dance.  Sure, I can fake it like everyone else in a club (at least I think I can), but it would be nice to actually have some rhythm. Growing up in a small town, there was never really an opportunity to participate in it or much of anything else besides little league softball (which I was never any good at).

When I found out that I was pregnant with a little girl, I began dreaming of all of the things that I could do with her.  Putting her in dance was definitely near the top of my list.  I know that we shouldn't live vicariously through our children, but this was something that I we really wanted her to be a part of and hoped that she'd enjoy.   Fortunately, Kaitlyn has always been very girly and was extremely excited about starting dance.  

 About a month before her fourth birthday, we enrolled Kaitlyn in a ballet/tap combo class at The Studio - Liberty Dance and Glee.  She was hooked after the first class.  She loved her instructor and was excited to be in class when with a couple girls from preschool.  Ballet was her favorite (still is) and she loved performing at her recital.  

Since Kaitlyn loved dance so much, we decided to enroll Madi in it as so as she turned three.  We debated putting them in separate classes, but ended up putting them inthe same one.  We thought that it might make it easier on Madi if her big sister was with her.  I think we made the right decision because it took Madi a of couple months to really get into dance class.  While she was excited to go each week, she didn't want to participate until about half way through class.  This eventually improved and she began dancing the entire time.  It definitely made it easier on us having them in the same class, but next year we will separate them.  I'm pretty that their teacher will thank us for it.  (There were several times that they got in trouble during class due to pestering and fighting.)

This year's recital was titled "Be Our Guest" and all of the dances were food related.  For ballet, they danced to Cotton Candy Land.  Both girls are a little better at ballet, but I think they enjoyed their tap number a little more.  After all, who doesn't enjoy a little Mickey Mouse.  For tap, they danced to a mix version of the Hot Dog Dance.

Before the show

Kaitlyn is on the far left and Madi is at the far right next to the boy.

Katilyn is on the far left and Madi is in the middle.

After the show

With their flower from Grandma Kathy and their trophies

I'm not sure if we qualify as dance parents yet, but I think we're well on our way.  

9 Months Pregnant with Baby K #3

If you had asked me two weeks ago, I would have told you that I didn't think I would make it to my due date.  My doctor had me convinced at my 37 week checkup that since my blood pressure was up and I was already dilated 3 cm and 75% effaced that I would deliver early.  Things changed a little at my 38 week appointment.  My blood pressure was back to normal and there was little change in cervix.  He also didn't think there would be until I went into labor.  He did offer to induce after 39 weeks, but I really don't want to be induced.  I've heard that labor is easier without pitocin (I needed it with my previous labors) and am hoping that I can avoid needing it.  So for now, I'm going to try to take my mind off of labor and enjoy these last few days of my last pregnancy.

How Far Along: 39 weeks, 5 days

Size of Baby: Watermelon 

Gender: Boy

Weight Gain: 26 pounds

Food Cravings:  None

Food Aversions: Nothing that I know of, but I haven't been brave (or stupid) enough to try mushrooms again.

Movements: He still moves a lot, but not as much as he used to and most of them are uncomfortable. There's just not enough room.

Sleep:  Horrible.  I'm up almost every hour due to pain or discomfort.  I just can't get comfortable when I'm laying down.

Other Pregnancy Symptoms:  My legs are sore a lot and the varicose veins are getting worse.  I'm hoping that they'll go down a little once I'm not carrying as much weight.   I had a few leg cramps too.  I've also pain in my groin and pelvic area.

What I Miss: Sleeping through the night and my energy

Best Moments: Getting to see the girls dance at their dress rehearsal and at their recital.  They were adorable in their costumes!  Kaitlyn absolutely loves to be on stage.  It was  It This was Madi's first time and she thought it was pretty awesome too!  They were both excited to get a trophy.
It was also great to see my sister, Sarah, and nephew, Ethan.  I hadn't seen them since Christmas.

I was also pretty excited to get our maternity pictures back. They are sooo good and we actually got a family photo with Madi looking some what happy.  (She didn't want to smile for any of them.)

Summer 2017 Bucket List

Just because our summer is starting off a little lot different than usual, that doesn't mean that we can't have a lot of fun.  David and I are hoping to pack a lot of fun into July and August and maybe even a little in June.  

Science city

Zoo

Worlds of Fun 

Sheridans

Saturday morning donuts 

Spinning park

Swimming 
Visit new parks and splash pads

Sprinkler 

Zip line park

Paddle boats at SM park

Picnic at the park

Deanna Rose

Fire pits 

Smores

Sleep overs at Grandma and Grandpa's

Farmers Market at the City Market

Pajama parties

Hopefully, we'll be able to mark most of these off our list by the time school starts for David and Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn's Pre-K Graduation

Preschool ✔️

5 year old shots ✔️

Pre-K graduation ✔️

Kaitlyn is ready for kindergarten.

The last two years have been so beneficial for Kaitlyn.  She has learned so much more than just letters and numbers.  Honestly, I could have (and did) taught her all of the that.  What I couldn't teach her was how grow socially without me and how to make friends.  Before preschool, she was completely attached to me.  I could hardly go anywhere without her crying.  Preschool helped her to gain independence and grow into a confident and (very) social little girl (who sometimes still needs her mommy).  She is so excited for what the future holds.  She is constantly reminding us that she will be in kindergarten, will be riding the bus, and will be able to do all kids of things that Madi cannot.  

So, here's to the start of an exciting new adventure!  But, first let's enjoy one last summer before you are officially a kindergarten.  I love you Kaitlyn and am so proud of everything that you have accomplished!

3 1/2 years olds

4 1/2 years old

4 1/2 years old

5 1/2 years old

 She has grown so much physically, emotionally, and academically.  

Before graduation pictures 

I hope that they always love each other this much!

Sorry, Kaitlyn.  I couldn't leave out little sister.

Graduation!

Oh, Madi.  She insisted on being in the picture, but then refused to smile.

Flowers and a cake from Grandma Kathy

8 months with Baby K #3

Kaitlyn's preschool graduation was yesterday and David has less than a week left of school.  This means two things: summer is almost here and so is baby boy.  I'm not completely over being pregnant yet.  However, I would like a few of the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms to go away.  My body handles being pregnant pretty well so I hate to complain too much and I know it could always be worse.  I am finding it harder and harder to do the things I need to do and chasing kids isn't making it any easier.  Who would have thought that running a daycare while pregnant would be so hard?  Not me.  I was sure that being a chemist would be harder.  At least, with this job I can sit when I need to.   I'm grateful that the weather is finally nice enough to let the kids play outside more and I can sit and relax.

This week, both my mom and David had surgery.  I'm a little nervous about having both of them out of commission for the next few weeks. My mom has been so helpful with daycare and doctors appointments.  She won't be able to drive for at least three weeks and David has a 20 pound weight restriction for four weeks.  I have a feeling that this month will be worse than the last in more ways than one.  

How Far Along: 35 weeks and 4 days

Size of Baby: Coconut or a bag of chips

Gender:  Boy!!

Weight Gain:  24 pounds.  

Food Cravings: Cherry donuts from Lamars.  That's all I wanted for Mothers's Day.

Food Aversions: Mushrooms.  I wasn't sure what made me sick the first time I made them.  I made them again the next week and was even sicker.   

Movements: He is almost always moving, especially in the evening.  It's uncomfortable about half the time.

Sleep: I am still waking up every couple of hours, sometimes every hour throughout the night.  Most nights I have to get up and walk around due to back pain, round ligament pain, or acid reflux.

Other Pregnancy Symptoms:  My energy has taken a dive.  Everything makes me tired.  It doesn't help that I'm not sleeping well.  I still have terrible acid reflux all day and night. I've been dealing with Braxton Hicks contractions for a few weeks, but now I have them all the time.

What I Miss:  Sleeping through the night and my energy

Best Moment:  Finishing the nursery, baby shower, and celebrating Mother's Day with everyone.

Worst Moment:  It always makes me worry a little when someone is under anesthesia. I'm glad David and my mom's surgeries are over. 

What I'm Looking Forward To:  The girls have a dance recital the weekend before I'm due.  This is Kaitlyn's second year and Madi's first.  It would be much easier to still be pregnant for this.  Of course, I'm most excited about meeting our little guy!

Showered with Love

A couple weekends ago, baby boy was showered with love by friends and family.  Since this is my third (and last) baby, I don't need much baby gear.  However, almost everything else is either pink or purple.

The shower was held at my mom's house and was fairly simple, just like I wanted.  She decorated with things that he will need.  Clothes, books, and toys. We had a light lunch and some blue cupcakes.

Kaitlyn and Madi were really excited for the shower.  Much to my surprise, they were not upset that the gifts were not for them.  They are both excited for their brother to get here.  I'm hoping that their excitement continues once he arrives.

The girls opened all of the gifts.

My sister in law, Jillian, Mom, and me.

We are seven weeks apart.  Boy/ girl cousins

I think it's safe to say that he is one lucky and loved little boy.
Thank you all so much!!