Life With a Baby on Board: June 2018

This past month has been a good reminder of just how quickly things change, both in life and minute by minute in a household. One minute Clara and Lily will be fighting like cats and dogs and the next they're laughing and having a fantastic time. We were able to get out of the house quite a bit this past month and were fortunate enough to have a few playdates and family come visit. We started fostering dogs for a local animal shelter. Our first foster was Leah who was sweet, active and cuddly. The girls were sad when she was adopted but are excited to see who our next foster puppy will be.

Overall we're doing well. Meal times tend to be a challenge. For example, last night I made a chicken pesto pasta dish with a sides of carrots and oranges. Lily ate only the chicken and carrots and wouldn't touch the pasta or oranges. Clara ate only the pasta and oranges and wouldn't touch the chicken or carrots. I have yet to find a recipe that both the girls will like.

Lily's May Update:

Lily's big event this month was her dance recital. She said she was nervous beforehand but it did NOT show on stage. She was very animated and big on improvising her own moves, adding her own flourishes and twirls whenever possible. On the drive home she told me that she wants to be up on a stage again. I predict that she will be a performer of some kind. I'm glad she enjoyed dance class but dance class was, in my opinion, a little too much for a 4 year old with a lot of expenses that we hadn't counted on. I'm ready to move onto other things. We're taking the summer off and in the fall she wants to play soccer.....Andy and I both played soccer for 10+ years each.....we can handle that.

Loves:

-sunglasses
-performing
-slip-n-slide
-dance party
-sprinklers

Hates:

-things ending (ex: movies)

What is Lily saying:

- (exasperated) "No Mommy I don't want any food that's round!!"
- "I'm going to count to 3. If I get to 3 you don't get any books tonight" (Isn't it great to have your own words come back to haunt you...)

Clara's May Update:

Clara, in general, is a smiley happy girl. She loves to cuddle when she's upset or hurt. She loves her daddy and cuddling with him whenever possible. She does have a storm cloud face that will come out when she is throwing a tantrum but luckily for us it doesn't come out very often.

In her class in school they kids have to line up and wait for their name to be called before they can go out to the playground....want to guess what Clara does at home now? Whenever were trying to get everyone out into the car we hear "WAIT FOR YOR NAME! OK Daddy you go. OK Lily you go..etc". She has also started talking about her friends at school and what she likes to do at school.

Loves:
-sunglasses
-bubbles
-swimming goggles
-dancing and dance parties
-the Zoo song
-sprinklers

Hates:

-getting water in her ears (luckily mommy works at an ENT office and has earplugs on hand)

What is Clara saying:

-"Wait for yor name"
-"Good job mommy you goin pee pee in the potty!! You get a jelly bean."
-"Mama you snuggle me on da couch."
-"We can't find the orange egg (toy). It's hidin'......daddy we need yor hammer to find it."

We went with some neighbors for a playdate at a new park. The girls LOVED IT and now want to take everyone to the "new park".