Dancing the Months Away...

Haddie--5 mos w/ Squirt

Well, we've been in survival mode and our blog is evidence of this. I have lists in my head of "must do", "want to do" and "may never get to do for a few years"... the blog falls under the second category. (:
Haddie just turned FIVE months old this week, which is crazy. It's going by way too quickly. She is such an amazing, mellow, happy baby, we keep wondering how we got so lucky. She goes anywhere, smiles at everyone and is content 99% of the time. Seriously. I didn't think such babies existed! She's healthy, happy and growing like a weed. She started rolling stomach to back two weeks ago, and within days started rolling back to stomach. She rolls off her play mat and across the living room rug rather quickly. She's taking 2 long naps (most) days and is sleeping 11-12 hours straight through at night. We tried feeding her some solid foods last month, but she had some tummy issues so we figured she wasn't ready yet, so we're holding off a bit longer. We thought 6 months was a good time to start, but her doc recommended 4 months... we're back to thinking 6 is good... but she watches us eat and tries to grab our food, so she is definitely interested. She does great in the gym daycare and really doesn't seem to care who is holding her, as long as she can smile at someone. Her hair is growing in, but it's so blonde she still looks bald. Her eyes are still bright blue and we're starting to think they may stay that way. She ADORES Harper and will smile at her all day long. (:

Harper & Mommy at the dance recital.

Harper completed 16 weeks of dance class and had her recital a couple of weeks ago. As one mom said, "It's the cutest train wreck I've ever seen!" Yup, that about sums it up... but it was so stinkin' cute. They did a 30 second tap dance, a 30 second ballet dance and 30 seconds of freestyle at the end. There were other kids dancing too, so the whole thing was about 1 hour long... Harper watched all the other kids intently, sitting on the edge of her seat and clapping enthusiastically after each one was done. She was acting too grown up for words... hard to believe she is 3 1/2... She was having some behavioral challenges (not listening, tantrums and just generally disobedient) but she seems to have turned a corner. We realized much of it was us being too serious and expecting too much of her. We decided to get silly and give her more time and attention instead of rushing her all the time. It seems to be working well. She is super helpful and is amazing with Haddie--never rough, always super sweet. She talks to her in a high pitched voice and will say things like, "Hi sweetheart! Oh, are you drooling? Oh, how cute, here let me get a burp cloth." Adorable. She's been very imaginative lately... playing with her "children" in her room, cooking for them, changing diapers, cleaning, taking them to the doctor and setting up play dates. It's hilarious. We have good quality time when Haddie takes her morning nap and I think Harper really likes that. She also has time after Haddie is down at night for her bedtime tea and books with Daddy or Mommy. She is not napping these days, but will have Quiet Time in our room while Haddie naps in the afternoon.

Harper all ready to dance!

Haddie & Granny at The Old Mill

We ventured home for Easter weekend and Memere & Pepere put on quite the production! It was packed with family, tons of great food and an egg hunt for the kids. Uncle Jeremy dressed as the Easter Bunny, which was a huge hit. That was always Gramps' job, so it was nice to have his legend live on. Harper had a blast with her cousin, Analyse, and Haddie was held by people other than us for the entire day. We kind of had a nice "day off" to chat with friends & family. Analyse is coming to visit this summer (but doesn't know it yet) and I think it'll be such a great time for the girls!

Colleen, Scott & Kellan came to visit for a week and we had a blast! We played at the park, went to the Zoo, Pearl Street, Farmer's Market, out to dinner/ice cream, played here... we also traded date nights... Tom and I went out together for the first time since September! Yikes! Long overdue... and I got to go out w/ Colleen for pedicures and dinner. Tom and Scott golfed and went to a Rockies game. Harper and Kellan played beautifully together and she is super bummed they left. We are definitely missing having them around!

We are still using the Y a lot and their outdoor pool just opened up, so I see us being there a lot this summer. Pam, Lily & Michael just joined too, so we can all hang out together, and drop the babies in child care so we can take the older kids swimming. It's gonna be fun!!!
I'm getting ready for my first 5K this Saturday to qualify for the Bolder Boulder 10K on Memorial Day. I just want to get in a wave with my friend, so I have to run it in under 31 minutes... fingers crossed. I've been working out and running 5 days a week on average... getting stronger and the running is improving slowly but surely.

We're gearing up for our big vacation this summer... heading to Holden Beach, NC with Dad at the end of June, then spending a few days in Charlotte... then flying to Boston for a week. It'll be fun! We're all really looking forward to it.