March for Babies - May 1, 2011

This is going to be my last plea for donations, I promise. We walk on Sunday May 1.

Supporting March of Dimes became near and dear to my heart 6 years ago when my first baby girl was born premature. Luckily, she was a "healthy" premie, but she did spend 17 days in the hospital as she needed to get stronger.

It actually wasn't in the NICU that I became aware of the March of Dimes, but at Motherhood Maternity. You see, I was not prepared to be a nursing mom at 33 weeks. I was still supposed to be pregnant for 7 more weeks. I did not own a nursing bra, so when I got out of the hospital, my mom and I went to Motherhood Maternity to get a nursing bra. It was there, when Leah was 3 days old in the NICU, that I first really HEARD about March of Dimes. I guess I knew the organization existed, but maybe, I just was not paying attention to what it was doing. So, back to my story. We were buying the bras and the cashier asked if I wanted to buy a March of Dimes bracelet. I said, I guess I better! That is when it all started for me. Yes, in the NICU, I did hear more about the March of Dimes, but it was Motherhood Maternity that really started it for me.

Leah was so tiny when she was born at 33 weeks, weighing 4lbs 14oz, but in the NICU, she seemed like a giant. So many babies there that were struggling to survive. Tiny babies with a lot more gadgets hooked up to them, and, believe me, Leah had a lot of stuff attached to her the first few days.

We were lucky, we left the hospital with our healthy baby girl after only 17 days. The baby next to her in the NICU had already been there for 3 months. I still wonder sometimes if he made it.

We have walked March for Babies for 4 years. I did not walk last year because Amber was too little, but I want to come back strong this year, so please help me reach my goal. I know I set it high, but I have wonderful family and friends!!:)

The money that is raised in March for Babies funds important research and programs that help babies begin healthy lives, and what is better than healthy babies?

THANK YOU for your support!

Click here to donate.

Easter

Last evening, we went to Perkins for dinner. It is kid's night and they had the Easter Bunny. Leah was very excited and not at all scared!! Amber never cried, but she did not take her eyes of the bunny. At one point, when the bunny was far from her, she did wave and say "hi."

Easter

Leah was the first one up (no surprise there) at about 6am this morning. Ugh. But this is normal for her, so it really should not surprise me. After I got up, she started "looking" for her Easter Basket. Really all she was doing was wondering around the house, as if the Easter Bunny was going to make it that easy for her! I suggested that maybe she start looking under, in and around things. It wasn't too long after that she opened the bench and found her basket. The Easter Bunny had left her candy, 2 baseballs and a bag for her bat and balls. She loved the bag. She is very excited to start T-ball soon! Leah did notice that the Easter Bunny only left 2 carrot crumbs on the plate!

Amber was up shortly after, the bunny didn't hide her basket, so she had no trouble noticing it. Of course, her sister made sure that she was aware of her basket!

Amber playing around as we get ready for church.

Decided to try to get a shot of the girls before the chaos of the day begins!:)

Church was nice, but Joe had to spend most of the time with Amber in the lobby. Why? Well, she just couldn't sit still. Usually I can get her to sit on my lap and chill, but not today. Not sure why, but she was hyped up!

After church, we headed over to my parents for eating and celebrating. Since we were the first to arrive, I decided it was best to get some basic photos. Not too great of a family shot, but it works. Love the grandparents with the girls!

After everyone arrived, we attempted a group shot. This one turned out pretty good, but Delila was a bit antsy, so I used photo shop!!!

Joe and his big girl!

The girls had a blast on their Easter egg hunt around Grandpa and Nonna's yard.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter day!

I am 14 months!

My mommy has been pretty busy, so she asked if I would write this entry. I am going to be 14 months in just 2 more days. My mommy says that is unbelievable. I just say, get used to it, I am growing up. I am doing so many new things since my mommy last updated you.

• I have a new molar, and I think that another tooth is coming in, but I don't let mommy check. I prefer she keeps her fingers out of my mouth!


• I said my first word (other than Mama and Dada) in the beginning of March. It was "Hi." I like to say "Hi" to everyone/everything. For example, I say "hi" to everyone around us when we are at church, I say "hi" to the pictures of me on my wall, I say "hi" to strangers, well you get the picture! I also now say "all done," "bye," and "ball." I also have signs for "all done," "eat," and "more." I will nod "yes" and "no" to express my feelings as well.


• I like to eat. I will eat anything. So far, the only thing that mommy tried to give me that I really didn't care for was grapefruit. Oh, and don't eat in front of me unless you are planning to share! I really like chocolate, I guess I take after my mom. I also really like pizza, which I guess I take after my dad! But, don't worry, I also like carrots and apples! Oh, and I don't use a bottle anymore - those are for babies! I am not a baby, I like to think that I am a toddler!


• I love to take baths. My mommy and daddy don't use that word around me anymore unless it is time for my bath. Otherwise I just get mad cuz I want to take a bath! When they ask if it is bath time, I run to the gate and start pounding until they move the gate so I can climb up the stairs to the bathroom. When I get in the bath, mommy gets frustrated with me cuz I like to stand up over and over and over and over again! It's fun.


• My mommy and daddy are starting to understand that I am a creature of habit. I like my routines. I know that it is time to eat breakfast shortly after I get up (around 7- earlier on days I have to go to daycare). I like to eat again around 11, just before I take my nap (which is 1-2 hours), then I like to eat around 5:30. It is time for me to get my jammies on around 7:15, then I have some milk before bed at 7:30. If my parents don't follow my routine, I will let them know. I go to my highchair and pound on it to let them know I want to eat. I will go to the gate to the stairs and pound on it at bedtime. I make sure that I am taken care of.


• I like to climb. Enough said. You will see some pictures later that my mommy has taken. I am pretty darn smart when it comes to figuring out how to get somewhere that maybe I shouldn't be. I climb up the stairs like a pro, and now I am starting to come done the stairs by myself.


• I love to follow my big sister around. She is pretty good to me. She definitely keeps me entertained.

This is me at my 1 year photo shoot. This is the first time I at a whole apple slice with the skin on. My mommy tried to give me diced apples with no skin, but I wouldn't have it. I wanted what she was having!

This is me chilling on the couch. I like to relax from time to time.

See, I told you I like to climb!

This is at my cousin Thea's birthday party. I had fun with the tissue until the adults took it away from me cuz I was trying to eat it!

Yep, I like to climb!

My daddy painted this rocking horse for me. I really love it! I can get off of it by myself, but I still need a little help to get on it.

Did I mention I like to climb?

I figured out that if I bring this toy bucket over to the couch, I can use it as a step. That gave me the leverage I needed so I can get on the couch now all by myself! I am even good at getting off of the couch by myself.

Well, it is way past my bedtime, and I have daycare tomorrow, so I better go to bed now!

Love,

Amber

Dying Easter Eggs

So, we had a rough start to the morning. Leah went into some sort of rage at church and this lasted for about 30 minutes. When all was said and done (after about 20 minutes in her room), she came down to apologize. Still not really sure what set her off, but, hopefully we will get these under control soon. She never did go through the terrible two's, so maybe she is going through the terrible 6's (but that just doesn't sound as good)! After the morning chaos, we had a very nice afternoon. It is just us girls this weekend. Joe is off visiting his buddy in Iowa. While Amber was napping, Leah and I were able to dye Easter eggs.

Spent some time this afternoon sorting through Leah's school work. I couldn't resist taking photos of the following ones.

I find it interesting that I am always "mom" and Joe is always "Joe." Not sure if this means something or if it is just that she prefers to write "Joe" and not "Dad."

Seriously, I am going to have to use this for proof that she did love her sister at one time!! :)

I am finally getting caught up...

The last couple of months seem to have flown by. I just got caught up with getting all of my pictures off of my camera since the girls' birthdays in February. So, I wanted to take an opportunity to share some more of what has been going on over the last few months. Leah has finished another session of swimming. She can actually do some true swim strokes now. She loves swimming and I hope that she sticks with it. We are taking a break this session because she will be starting T-ball in a few weeks. This was taken on Leah's birthday (2/10). I think it might be the first (or at least one of the few) where they are both looking and smiling! Leah just loves being Big Sister. She "takes care" of Amber. Leah does fuss a bit when she has to pick up Amber's mess! Amber has started to follow Leah around, hold onto her. It really is adorable. I have to remember these wonderful moments in the times that aren't so wonderful (like this morning at Church- ugh)!

This one of Leah and Nonna was taken after Leah's bowling party. We had to bribe Leah for that smile, but the picture turned out great!

So, I did get video posted of our skating trip with Tiffanie, Thea, and Delila the end of February, but here are a few pictures.

I have decided that until they are older, it is going to be impossible to get a posed picture of these girls! When we celebrated Thea's birthday just this last Sunday. I spent some time trying to get a posed picture (none of those turned out), then I noticed that they were all looking out the window together, so I ran outside and snapped some pictures, not the greatest quality, but they are all looking!! :)

Leah just finished a session of gymnastics. She is mastering her handstands and cartwheels and loves to flip on the bar. She would do this and swimming year round if we would let her, but she also wants to do other activities as well. We have decided that she has a 2 day activity limit, so she will have to do sessions for now! Not sure what we will do next year because she also wants to go back to dancing.

Yeah, I know, we are in BIG TROUBLE!

Last night we went to see Annie at the Minneapolis Children's Theatre (the last show for this season). It was fantastic. I highly recommend it to anyone with young kids. All the girls really enjoyed it. Thea fell asleep toward the end and she was completely out for the count! Leah said her favorite part was "everything, but when 'she' came in." The "she" that she is referring to is Miss Hannigan! She did have to come sit on my lap when Miss Hannigan was around.