Preschool Christmas Program {2013}

This past Monday, Kensley and Avery had their preschool Christmas program.  It was so cute to see all the little kids up on stage singing their songs, doing their motions and waving to their parents.  The girls both did great!  Kens had been practicing her songs at home for us for weeks.  Avery was a bit more stubborn and never wanted to practice with us.  We were so surprised that there were actually motions to her songs and she knew them!

 

Kensley's class sang "Little Drummer Boy" and "Rudolph".  Avery's class sang "Jingle Bells" and "There was a Little Baby".  They also sang "Up on the Housetop" and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" with the whole school.

 

Here are some pictures from the evening.  Please disregard the quality of the pictures (red eye, darkness, etc) as we were pretty far away.

 

Kens was SO excited...Aves was a little unsure.

 

Ha!  Avery's classic face.  Not sure why she did it here.

Looking for us in the audience

Bad quality picture, but Kens and her best friend at school with their arms in the air.

A quick stop to see Santa on our way out the door.

Madelyn's Dedication...

Several weeks ago on Sunday, November 17, we dedicated Maddy to the Lord at our church.  We were fortunate to have some of our family in town to celebrate our sweet, Maddycakes.

 

We made the following promise in front of our church:

I promise to nurture my child in the Christian faith.
I will pray for my child.
I will teach them Biblical principles.
I will talk to my child about Jesus.
I will be humble and ask for help when needed.
I have dedicated myself and my child to Jesus Christ.

After church, we went out with family for a celebratory lunch at Jason's Deli.  What's not to love about free ice cream.  Maddy got lots of attention as she was passed between family members.

Here are a few pictures from Maddy's special day.

Madelyn: 5 Months Old...

It just doesn't seem possible that Maddy is less than a month away from being half a year old!  Time is definitely flying so quickly!

 

Maddy is the sweetest, little thing and she is so happy!  When she gets excited now, she opens her mouth up so wide, flaps her arms and bounces around.  She loves hearing her own voice and loves to make this throaty screaming sound.  She "talks" so much and it seems as though she wants to make sure she's heard!

 

Last week we started her on cereal.  We had planned to wait until we got through the holidays and finished potty training (Avery), but she definitely has started showing signs that she is ready.  She loved it and ate like a champ!  Since then we've given her small pieces of bread and also the baby Mum-Mum's, which she has loved. She got a taste of banana yesterday as well, but it wasn't pureed so she just sucked on it.  She is still nursing every 3 - 4 hours during the day and she continues to spit up some.  Size wise, she is wearing 3 month, 3-6 month and 6 month clothes and sleepers. She wears size 2 diapers.

 Maddy is trying so hard to sit up and can sit supported with the boppy pillow.  Today she sat on the floor for a short period of time supporting herself with her arms.  She hates to lay on her back or lean back on our laps. She is constantly pulling herself forward and reaching for things.  She loves to grab onto things and her sisters are her favorite target these days (especially their hair). 

Night time sleep has been a little off lately and we are trying to figure or what could be causing it (teeth, growth spurt, etc).  Some nights Maddy has been waking 2-3 times a night and it usually takes nursing her (or rocking a long time with Daddy) to get her back to sleep.  She doesn't wake crying anymore, but talking and doing her throaty screech as she rolls around in bed.

Naps have been much better, but unfortunately her schedule is not consistent from day to day.  Some days she takes 2 naps, other days 3 naps.  Most days at least 1 of her shorter naps is on the go.  We try to be as consistent as we can with timing of daily naps, but with preschool schedules and various activities it hasn't been easy.  I am so thankful though that she is finally over that 45 minute nap hump and is consistently taking a long afternoon nap that ranges from 2.5-3.5 hours.  She has learned to put herself to sleep and also get back to sleep.

Maddy loves interacting with her sisters and they can really make her laugh (especially Kensley).  She is so interested in watching them and doesn't want to miss anything.  She is really getting into her toys, grabbing for them and bringing them straight to her mouth.  She is still a thumb sucker and will usually only take her paci (or thumb) when tired.  She continues to suck on her hand and fingers throughout the day.

 

 Happy 5 month birthday, sweet Maddycakes!

 

Kensley's Dance Class...

This past Fall Kensley did another 6 week dance class.  It was pretty much the same class she did a year ago and she loved it.  I am sure that Avery was her biggest fan.  She loved watching her each week...I've never seen her sit so still for 45 minutes!

 

The last week of class the little dancers put on a little performance for us to show all they learned.  Here are some pictures and videos (sorry for the quality...everything was taken on my phone). I should also mentioned that Kens is the one in the black leotard and white tutu in each of the videos.

 

 

 

 



Thanksgiving 2013...

Thanksgiving weekend was a whirlwind this year, but we had a great time with all of our family.  The girls and I went up to Nana and Papa's on Wednesday to spend the day with them.  We spent Thanksgiving at my parents with Great Grandma and Grandpa Zurcher and Brauchler, Great Aunt Carla and the Lindvall family.

 

Thursday evening we headed back down to our house and my mom, sister and I geared up for our annual Black Friday shopping trip.  This year we started on Thanksgiving evening and shopped for several hours, took a middle of the night "nap" back home and then went out shopping again early Friday morning.  I had the opportunity to have a girls afternoon out with Grammy and Aunt Kym on Friday as we headed downtown to see Wicked.

 

Saturday evening, Jeremy and I had a quick double date out with Ashley and Scott to dinner and a movie.  Then Sunday we had Thanksgiving with the Roberts family.  It was definitely a fun, packed weekend!

 

Here are a few random pictures from the weekend.

 



Waving a Santa during the Macy's parade

Hanging out with Great Grandma Brauchler

Papa and the kiddos with all their baby dolls

Chatting with Nana

  

Avery: 2.5 years old..

Dear Avery Leigh,

 

I can't believe you are 2.5 years old!  You are growing up so fast and you don't want us to forget it!  You often say "When I get bigger, I do..." or "No, me baby.  Me, big girl".  When asked how old you are now, you say "two-half".

 

You make us laugh daily!  You have the biggest personality for such a little girl.  You are full of facial expressions and have no trouble letting us know how you feel!  You know you are funny and I think that's part of the problem!  You are very dramatic!

You love to sing and are full of songs all day long.  Most of the time you like to mix your favorite songs to come up with your own tune.  You also love to dance with your big sis.  You enjoy coloring, crafts, playing with babies, puzzles and playing outside.  You are not really into TV much and will really only sit still for shorts amount of time (if at all).

 

You definitely have a mind of your own and can be a little stubborn.  You usually don't like to do things when you are asked (sing a song, pose for a picture, etc.)...it has to be your idea.  You are super independent and are adamant about doing things on your own.  Just this week you realized you were tall enough to reach the light switches in the bathroom (if you stand on your tippy toes).  You have been showing us your "new trick" all week and you are so proud of this accomplishment.

You still love to be held and snuggled, which your mommy still appreciates.  Heaven forbid I call you "baby" though, as you quickly remind me that you are a big girl.  You have adjusted rather well to being a big sister and you love to shower Maddy with hugs and kisses.  You are a great helper in bringing Maddy toys or helping me with diaper changes.  You told me last week that you want to have another baby like Maddy (and no, that won't be happening).

You still love your paci and you often tell us you want to give it to Maddy, but by nap or bedtime you want it back again. Fortunately we are down to only 1 paci (from the 8 or 9 you had in your bed this summer!) for you. You've been biting holes in them so we keep throwing them away. We plan to get rid of it soon once you are fully potty trained (one thing at a time).

You can wear a variety of sizes.  You are mostly in 2T, however they are quite roomy in the waist.  You can still wear some 18-24 month shirts and pants, but they are a little short in the legs.  You are wearing size 6 and 7 shoes (you are def more of a 6, but you hate your shoes to be too tight so you prefer larger sizes).  You wear a size 4 diaper at nights.

 

We are in the thick of potty training with you and you have been catching on rather well.  You mostly are full potty trained with #1, just a few accidents here and there when you get busy playing.  #2 is a different story and sometimes you make it to the potty and others it ends up in your panties or diaper.  You still struggle with going potty in new situations and with someone you aren't familiar with (at school, church, MOPS, etc.).

You seem to love going to "school" once a week.  You love to show off all of your papers and crafts.  You have adjusted really well.  The only downside to it is you seem to be the one bringing home (and sharing) the germs this year.  Sicknesses hit you pretty hard and you are a rather difficult patient (you come by it honestly...so was your Mama).  This fall you have had several fevers and colds, croup, ear infection and a stomach bug.  We're hoping you stay healthy for a while!

 

You are definitely keeping us on our toes.  The 2's can be tough at times, but it is also a hilarious and fun stage!  So many days I just wish I could keep you at this age forever.  We love you, Avery Leigh and we're so thankful for all that you bring to our family.

Happy two and a half, big girl!

Stats: Kensley {4 years} & Avery {2.5 years}

We had well check visits today for Kensley and Avery and they both did great.  I am definitely thankful for a quick and easy visit this time around.  With the number of times we've been at the doctor this fall (Maddy's well checks, sick visits, etc.), it's nice to have a visit with healthy kiddos and no shots or tears!

 

Kens was super social with the doc and nurses...giggling when tickled and striking up conversation.  Aves was a little skeptical, but followed big sister's lead and did so well.  The doc was pleased with the girls' growth and development.  I figured Kens had hit a growth spurt this past year...grew 2.5 inches and gained 3.5 pounds!  Aves continues to be our little peanut.

 

Here are their stats:

 

Kensley {4 years old}:

Weight: 34.5 lbs (43%)

Height: 39.25 in (35%)

 

Avery {2.5 years old}:

Weight: 25.5 lbs (14%)

Height: 33.75 in (9%)