Happy Anniversary #11!!

We celebrated our anniversary this weekend. We had so much fun! Our anniversary is actually 10/2 but we decided to attend a special birthday party with the girls and celebrate the following week. Scott's parents were kind enough to come up and watch the girls so we could enjoy a day in the city.

It was a beautiful day. We enjoyed brunch at Balthazar and did some window shopping (including a stop at The Strand bookstore) and then we made our final stop at Eataly. We enjoyed yummy brioche french toast at Balthazar. Scott had some oysters too. Scott was then able to witness my addiction to children's books...well...books in general. I LOVE to buy books. We found some great stuff at The Strand. Our visit to Eataly was so yummy. They have several places you can eat inside but we went to this very casual area where you can have wine, cheese and antipasta and caprese salad...it was soooo good. We topped it all off with some gelato...of course!

It was so nice to just walk around the city and spend the day together. We don't get to do a lot of date nights or date days. I loved just hanging out with my guy. I am so thankful for the 11 years we have shared. We make a great team!

First & Second Day of Preschool

Over the weekend, I had gone to Madison, WI to watch my sister, Jen, compete in her first Ironman. I'll talk more about that trip later but because I was away I couldn't go to Lauren's first day of preschool. It was more of an orientation day for one hour with the parents. Scott and Jessica took her and they had a great time. Daddy had to get her all ready by himself. :-) I think it went really well having Jessica there too. I was sad to miss the very first day but I think it was special that Scott could be there for her.

I arrived back from my trip to Wisconsin later that night. The next day was another Parent/Child day at preschool which included the Mother's Tea. I was excited that I could go this time. Jess came with us again too!

She seems very excited to be a preschooler!!

First Day of Kindergarten 2010

Our little girl is now in Kindergarten! Today was Jessica's big day. Jess was excited and couldn't wait for us to leave. I don't have to drop her off until 12:05 for afternoon Kindergarten. It was a really hot day so we didn't put on any new fall clothes. Jess chose one of her favorite sundresses and asked for her hair to be braided. She looked lovely.

We started the day with a pancake breakfast. The girls played and relaxed for a bit. I had Jessica fill out this little page I put together of just a few things to remember this day. Lauren wanted to do a page too. She knew today was Jess' day for school but she wanted to carry her new tote bag around too...and carry a snack in it.

I told Jess how proud of her we are and that I hope she had a wonderful day. I gave off a few little reminders about being kind, respectful and to remember her manners. I told her that some children may be a little shy and not have a friend in the class and just to include them when she can and think about how they might be feeling.

Lauren was by Jess' side the whole time...including picture time. When Jess went into school, Lauren cried. She kept calling for her in the car. I didn't cry but seeing how Lauren felt about Jessica made my heart melt. Love sisters!

And of course we had to follow up the big day with some Rita's Italian Ice. Lauren was very happy to have her sister with her again.

It's Been An Eternity!

Well, it's been an eternity since I've posted to this blog. I haven't been sticking to my journal either so I thought I should revisit blogging. So much has happened since my last post. The most important event was the birth of our second daughter - Lauren Grace Clark. She was born on 3/28 and is now already 8 months. Jessica is 3 1/2 now. They really keep me busy and on my toes. It can be challenging but really fun too. Jess is in preschool now 3 days a week. I think it would be too much to try to summarize the last year and a half so let's just start fresh.

It's December 2 (my Grandma's birthday) - a Tuesday - and it was a somewhat tough day. The girls can be challenging in their own way. Lauren who is full of smiles and is totally adorable and is a little roly poly, can also be pretty demanding and fussy. She doesn't take a pacifier and she certainly isn't one of those babies that can hang out all day in a stroller. She's pretty good about playing in her playpen in the morning. She is getting very messy when we eat now. She wants the spoon and if she doesn't want anymore she pushes the spoon away w/ the food flying. I just gave her her first meat today - it was apple turkey cranberry and she loved it. We are still nursing. That's another story as I still try to figure out if we are on a good schedule. She nurses 4x per day. I hope that is enough. She loves to dance and she is very good at putting weight on her legs. We aren't crawling yet but she can hold herself up in the 'crawl' position. She has two teeth too. Jessica is going through a lot of stuff right now. She's my 'big girl' but also wants to be a 'baby' at the same time. She loves her baby sister but still craves that extra attention Lauren sometimes gets. Jess loves to sing and dance. She is so funny and beautiful. I look at her and can't believe how much time has passed already. Now 3 1/2 has also posed some challenges. We want to be very independent and somewhat bossy and we can be a little defiant too. Who knew? I feel so much pressure to raise her well and during the week I pretty much do it on my own and there are times when I feel like I'm really failing her. Having children really can reveal all your own weaknesses (in case they weren't already clear to you before kids :-P) It's funny how sometimes when I feel that way, Jess comes out of nowhere with "I love you mommy. You're the best mommy in the whole world." Ahhhhh - so nice. It's very easy to lose perspective and those words just help me so much. I feel like there is so much 'on the job' training and I don't want my missteps to affect her. I just want her to be happy and confident in herself. I pray for a kind and empathetic heart and a loving and generous spirit. I just hope she knows that I'm doing my best and I love her "oodles and oodles with lots of cheese doodles" (it's our thing).

Jessica Turns 2! 5/4/07

This year we celebrated Jessica's birthday with an exciting Dora Party at Donna's Kids. Jessica and her friends had a great time. We gave her her big gift the day before, on her actual birthday. It was an outdoor playhouse which she loves!

At the party, the kids went on a Dora adventure to find Princess Dora's missing crown. They were so cute. We served pizza for everyone and ordered fruit from edible arrangements. Jessica had steak and vegetables. Of course, we got her cupcakes from babycakes. She loves her cupcakes! It was a special time for all of us.

Crossing bubble river...Searching for Dora's crown...

Happy Birthday Jessica!! We love you!!

Let the Potty Training Begin

Well I finally jumped in with two feet. Yesterday I started to seriously potty train Jessica. She's been using the potty for months now (on/off). My fear was that maybe I would be starting too early...that my idea of her being ready and her idea of being ready were two different things. Her diaper had been dry after naps. I know she is comfortable on the potty. She can climb up on her own and knows to wipe, flush and wash hands etc. So I showed her her spankin' new Dora underwear and her eyes lit up but about 2 hours later I thought maybe I made the biggest mistake ever. :-) I was up to my elbows in pee pee puddles. After several accidents in a row I thought about going back to diapers but Scott said I was giving up too soon and I should just keep going. Well we had huge improvements on Day 2. We did have a couple of accidents but by the end of the day she was running for the potty on her own. I was still helping but she was going without me asking. She even called me after I put her to bed saying she had to go so I helped her to the bathroom and she went again.

She had me laughing so hard tonight. She wanted me to go potty too. So I obliged and when I went... her mouth opened up wide in disbelief w/a huge smile and started applauding my pottying accomplishment. It was hysterical. Everyone should experience a standing ovation for going #1. She also insisted that I get a sticker too. I think the stickers help. When we kept having so many accidents I decided to not give her underwear again (she would ask for clean underwear after every accident). I told her that she can wear underwear if she goes #1 on the potty. She was upset about not getting a new pair but I think this helped a bit too. I also think my incredible potty dance also provides much encouragement. I'm serious when I say that nobody ever needs to see this dance but it makes my girl laugh so hard out loud. The things we do for our kids.

I've been dreading this parent/child milestone and I know we still have a ways to go but just watching her start to get it and to be so proud of herself...makes my heart melt. She says "I did it." and I say "Yes you did, You did it!".