Home

Amber and I made it home yesterday 2/22/09. Everyone is healthy. Big sister is taking it all in. She is hugging and kissing Amber regularly. It is very precious. At the hospital, Leah said that she would be "very nice" to Amber. Apparently, though, she told Nonna that she wanted to name her "Emily" but that I wouldn't let her. Funny thing is- that was the first I had heard of her wanting to name the baby Emily. Funny.

Here are some more pictures. I just put together a comparison of Amber and Leah. Definitely sisters!

Fun Times!

We have had some fun activities going on in the past few weeks. Here are some snapshots from our recent outings.

2/6/10 Nickelodeon Universe with the Preiner's (Leah's buddy Michael)

2/13/10 Bowling with the Yzermans' (Kaysee- on table, Leah, Kurtis, Kaylee)

2/14/10 Sledding with mommy (don't worry, I did not get on the sled)

2/16/10 "Leah Day" as coined by Nonna. This was her day for her 5th birthday. A trip to the Mall of America with a stop at the American Girl Store where she got to pick out her first American Girl- who we helped name, Lorraine (Leah's middle name), followed by lunch at the American Girl Cafe, and even a stop at the beauty parlor so "Lorraine" could get her hair done. Then, as if that was not enough, Leah got to go on some rides at Nickelodeon Universe. It was definitely a good day for this 5 year old. Thanks, Mom!

So, tonight I went to an information meeting for KINDERGARTEN!! Crazy that Leah will be starting school next year.

Leah is FIVE!

Wow, how time flies. I can't believe that Leah is 5. Leah is...

• a great communicator.



• a girl who still loves her "baby" and likes to bring her places (however, most of the time we now make "baby" stay in the car). Sometimes "baby's" name is "Morgan."



• a girl who loves to play dress up and to wear her mommy's shoes.



• a girl who LOVES to dance and sing.



• a girl who loves to do crafts and play with dolls, but also loves to play in the dirt with "boy toys"



• active in swimming, dance, and gymnastics. She is also excited to start skating lessons- even after experiencing a fall that caused her to break her right wrist!



• a big fan of music, especially Taylor Swift. She is a sponge when it comes to music- anything from rock to country.



• able to recognize all letters of the alphabet.
  


• able to write her name, along with all the letters of the alphabet, but does need to see some letters before she writes them.



• able to tell you her phone number and address (but still needs a little help with the house number)



• able to tie her own shoes.
  


• able to distinguish left and right.



• still afraid of people dressed up in full costume- but this is calming down. After all, she was able to sit next to Santa this year!
  


• DRAMATIC.



• STUBBORN.


• LOVABLE.



• so excited to become A BIG SISTER...she told me not too long ago..."Mommy, I will always be good to her."

Happy Birthday LEAH (1 day early)!!

Leah's 5th Birthday Party

We had Leah's 5th birthday party last Sunday (1/31/10). We had it at Jam Hops. It was really a fun place to have a party. This is also where Leah does dance/gymnastics class. They had open gym time, followed by cake a presents, followed by more open gym. They had a jumping castle, a tramp, a vaulting pit, many beams, floor, ladder walk, and other obstacles available to explore. They even had their own coach, Tara. Everybody had fun, everybody was tired, and Leah got some great gifts! I can't believe that she is already 5 (okay, not technically 5 for 7 more days)! Here are some pictures, courtesy of my friend, Sara. Thanks so much for getting some great pictures!