Our Little Ballerina

Jessica loves to dance. She takes a ballet class with her friend Anna. Her teacher (this session) is Miss Connie. Jess also loves her ballet clothes. I think they are pretty cute too. I'm always trying to figure out what activity or class we should expose her to...dance was certainly a good choice.

Lauren ~ Month 8

Lauren is 8 months now. I really can't believe it. I wanted to jot down a few things about her at this age. She can't crawl yet but she is very strong and can hold herself in the crawl position and she really tries to reach for things. She rocks a lot when she sits. It's pretty funny. The other day she rocked so hard she did a face plant into the carpet. She didn't think that was funny. She can rock and get her tushy to slide forward. She can actually hold herself in a standing position, leaning against the sofa, for a few seconds. That is how I was able to take this priceless photo:

We are still nursing. We are talking about giving her a bottle during the day. She's been on solids for awhile now but I am just starting finger foods. I've been giving her those little puff finger foods. She's still coordinating picking them up and putting them in her mouth. She's done it a few times. I started her on the 'meats' baby food this month too. We give her a sippy cup with water and she likes trying to use it but she gets more on her clothes than in her mouth.

She loves to be held and she loves when you dance with her. She loves taking a bath and she loves looking in mirrors. She just started raising her arms above her head and she's working on clapping her hands. She's started to stick her tongue out a lot and she has cutest laugh.

She really is just lovely.

Who's Idea Was This?

Every day I see how different Lauren's 'growing up' environment is different from Jessica's. Jessica only had her mommy and daddy to play with on a day to day basis. Lauren has the great joy of having a big sister - a friend and playmate. The only problem is that at 8 months old she can't really defend herself if big sis wants to play princess with her:

I don't think Lauren really seems to mind. That's what sisters are for, right?

Thanksgiving 2008

This year we spent our Thanksgiving at Scotts' parents house (Grandmom, Pop Pop & Nana). This Thanksgiving was extra special because it was Lauren's first. The girls had a great time and we even managed to get Lauren to take a nap in the master bedroom. The food was delicious and I even managed to pick up some Delicious Orchards pies for dessert. Trust me - it's no small task to drive with the girls to Colts Neck in the rain, to enter a packed market looking for pies. But we were successful. A great time was had by everyone. We tried to get a family photo but this was the result:

We tried. :-)

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!".