ahh!

These really are the days, aren't they? They are going by so quickly. I can't believe how much Ainsleigh has grown up, even in the time since Paige has been born. Yesterday I held Paige as she slept and thought about our day. Tim had to come home early from work with stomach flu, or something like it. I ran errands with Paige while Ainsleigh stayed home to be "daddy's helper." I checked on the girls as I got ready to leave and walked into Ainsleigh's room to see the two of them laying in Ainsleigh's bed next to each other. Ainsleigh was holding her big girl book above her head, quietly reading to Paige as Paige looked back and forth at the book and at Ainsleigh. It was a really sweet, peaceful moment. (I took photos that I will have to add later!)

It is finally starting to feel real. I have two little girls growing up together. Ainsleigh is adjusting to the routine we have and helping so much to take care of her baby sister. She helps me bathe her, dances for her as a distraction when I need to get supper made, and has frequently been saying, "I can't believe it! Baby sister is really here!"

Now I have two sets of little girl clothes to wash, fold and put away. Two little girls to entertain in different ways. Yesterday I explained fingers and toes to one of them and electrical currents and the function of fuses to the other. Two little girls who like to read books in bed together, with Mommy and without. Two little girls who need to be bathed, dressed, and fed, not to mention the potty/diaper situation. And in return I get baby smiles and proud big sister smiles, lots of sweet baby cuddles (which include getting my cheeks sucked on these days), and hugs, kind words, and some serious artistic inspiration from my grown up four year old. Sometimes, I even get to just sit and look on and experience the joy of watching them grow up together.

Just the passing of one ordinary day and another realization of how blessed I am.

first sounds, matching outfits and a dancing Ainsleigh

Paige is changing and growing everyday. She's just starting to do her little baby talk. It seems to have started when she began sitting in the bouncy seat. She does the most talking there! It seems like she likes the feeling of her voice changing as she bounces. We think that most of the time, especially if it is while we are holding her, her talking must be complaints since it usually turns into crying. Still, it's pretty cute and makes her seem like more of a little person to us now that she can communicate a little more. Her voice is kind of low and raspy like Ainsleigh's. Here's a video of her talking to the television and a little to Mommy and Daddy too.

We also think she is working on teeth since lately, she never stops sucking on her hands and opens her mouth as wide as she can anytime it gets close to our faces. It is so funny! Apparently there must be something there that would be nice to suck on, like noses and cheeks.

She's definitely establishing her place in our family.

She and Ainsleigh had fun wearing matching outfits the other day. Ainsleigh thinks that's so cool!

She is such a good big sister and a good helper to me. There are days that she just draws all day long while I take care of a fussy Paige and she hasn't complained. She was excited to get away Saturday morning and do her dance lessons though. She told me the night before that she was a little nervous. She said, "Mommy I'm a little nervous about going to dance lessons. But just this nervous (holding her hands out a few inches apart). But I'm this excited (holding her hands a few feet apart)." So I guess that in the end, the excitement won out. She wasn't nervous when we got there. She went right in, introduced herself to the teacher, and sat down with the other girls. I didn't even get a goodbye. It is a class for ages 4-6 so she's one of the youngest. She's doing really well though. I thought it was funny when, in the middle of the class, the teacher brings them all out, holding hands, because apparently they all had to go to the bathroom.

I love the way she posed for me in her tap shoes before she we left home. She told me, "I love that these shoes have high heels Mommy."


She bounced right over to the other kids when we got there.


I had to sneak peeks through the window of the door! I only looked a few times though. The other parents were MUCH worse than I was at watching! Okay, I admit that I would have looked more, but I had Paige to look after! Here she is doing some stretches.


She is really looking forward to next week when she gets to do tap!

This video doesn't show her best moves, but I thought it was so funny to watch her jumping! She did some perfect plies afterward.

a comparison ~ Ainsleigh at three months

I have pictures of Paige, maybe even in these outfits. Not the naked one. Yet...

They look so much alike! Paige just has a little extra chubbiness. I'll have to follow up with the Paige photos to compare.

At 12 weeks, baby girl is 14 lbs, 13 oz

I can't believe it. Paige is a much bigger baby than I am used to but it's kind of nice. I don't worry about her being healthy or getting enough to eat. Last Thursday she had vaccinations and we made it through somehow. Three shots and one oral vaccination for rotavirus. That was a new one to me. It is like parent torture. I felt like I was participating in some strange, tribal, cultural ritual in which we hope the spirit gods will protect our children if we inject them with that which could make them ill. Yes, I know. Its much more scientific than that and its good for them...

Still. It is hard to think so clearly at the time. Ahh. Pure parent torture. All I can say is: we survived.

shhhhh....

Warning! If you are one of my neices with a birthday this month, stop looking now!! Spoiler alert!

Today Paige slept just long enough for Ainsleigh and I to work on some valentines and finish some birthday presents. Isn't she sweet when she's sleeping?! I just bought her this little outfit last weekend and I think she's already outgrown it.

 
Ainsleigh cut out hearts and did some glueing. Hopefully we actually get valentine's sent this year.

I have three neices with  birthdays this month. Can you guess who they are? I made these little bags for them, and had to make one for Ainsleigh also, an early valentine's gift. I plan to fill them with some candy and little gifts. I am so glad I got these done. When Paige falls asleep, I always feel like I need to make a mad dash and shower, make lunch, get Ainsleigh dressed (she's still in her p.j.'s right now) or do laundry and clean. It was nice to actually get to do something a little more fun and creative and also have gifts completed too. I have the sweetest neices and nephews. I always have good intentions and big ideas for birthdays but rarely get anything done so this was extra special. Hopefully they like them, or at least see the thought behind them. Thank goodness for naps.

she laughs!

Paige turns 11 weeks old today. Time is going by so fast! It seems so long ago that I was pregnant, and that Ainsleigh was singing lullabies to the baby and feeling for kicks. Tonight Ainsleigh helped me give the Paige a bath in the baby tub. Paige is finally starting to really enjoy her bath in her tub, rather than screaming before/during/and after. Now she kicks around and makes little splashes. She really likes it when we sing to her. It's been "you are my sunshine" and tonight it was "raindrops on roses." Ainsleigh feels like such a big helper. She got the tub out and wash clothes for each of us. I had been taking Paige in the shower with me. She seems to really like the sound of the water and calms down a lot for it. The shower was nice, but is much easier using the baby tub in the sink.

Today we were playing with Paige on my lap, getting as many smiles out of her as we could. Ainsleigh decided to ram her head into Paige's tummy. I began the protective lecture..."be careful...she's a baby...be gentle." But as I did Paige grinned and let out a sweet squeak that was obviously a laugh! Ainsleigh and I couldn't believe it. Ainsleigh was so proud of herself! She did it several more times and, each time, Paige laughed! Ah! I love it!

Paige is definitely my most observant baby. She loves to stare at things and gets angry if you move her when she's looking at something interesting. She likes the mobile over her crib and Ainsleigh likes to keep it moving for her. Tim says she's like me because she's so easily distracted by staring off at things. Only time will tell.

mini photo shoot

So much for taking photos of the girls at home. I'm trying to get a good picture for a birth announcement and this is what I get. It's pretty funny though!



Cute little baby toes. Had to get a picture of those.