Keeping up with the Big Sister

It's totally true when they say the 2nd one grows up quicker. I can't believe how fast Lydia is growing up, I can hardly keep up with her and posting all that she is doing on my blog. She is almost 7months but when she turned exactly 6 months, to the day, she started crawling (Kate started crawling at 8 months). And by crawling I don't mean creeping which is what babies do pre-crawling that has been going on since before 4 months. So at 6 months I have this little crawler and just this week she has become really good at pulling herself up on furniture, her crib, really anything she can crawl to and stand up on. And just last night I saw her do a little 'cruising' before she crashed on the floor. I don't know if she'll be an early walker but I won't be surprised if she is. I need to get her 6months stats up here but I know she weighed in at 17lbs. I'll update this when I can with her stats. Here's a video (from Dec 2nd) of her crawling.

My Ballerina

Kate started ballet this week. I was hesitant for her to try this sport because she's never expressed an interest in ballet, and she is still pretty young for an "organized" class. But she surprised me, she did great. She followed the instructions of her ballet teacher, doing all the exercises. She was clearly the youngest ballerina in her class, but not the worst! One little girl was off in her own planet the entire time.

Dancing

She's doing her stretches with the rest of the class (she is all the way to the left, the girl all the way to the right was the little stinker in the class)

During the class
At the end of class she let me take a picture

This weekend we met up with some 'virtual friends' for dinner, I'm on a message board of October 2006 mom's and we all have really gotten to know each other really well over the years. This mom is from Georgia and is vising this week in our area because they are relocating here in a few months. It's fun to meet up with these mom's, I consider them all such good friends even though I haven't met most of them.

My cutie pie, is growing up so fast she is such a ray of sunshine

Halloweenie

For Halloween we ended up at our friends the Coleman's house for a Halloween party. We took the girls trick or treating around the neighborhood. Kate was just as cute as ever marching up to the door by herself while we stood on the sidewalk. She was so cute, thanking everyone for her treat, and if she saw a lollipop in the mix, she always asked nicely for it. She loves lollipops! Here are some pictures from our Halloween this year.

I love my bumble bee and flower

Brock worked very hard on this pumpkin

TUTU cute

It's fun to have girls, you can dress them up and do girlie things with them like these pictures. My friend gave me this idea.

Both girls were exactly 5 months when I took these.
Lydia

Kate

First Foods

At Lydia's 4 month appointment she got the go ahead to start solids. Normally a doctor would recommend starting solids at 6 months but she felt like Lydia was so strong and with it to go ahead if we wanted to. She's only had rice cereal and I try and give her a small bowl each night. She loves it and now when I'm holding her in one arm and making her cereal with my other hand she starts screetching and getting excited for food. She opens her mouth if she sees the spoon. Oh and don't eat in front of her, she gets so mad when you are eating and she isnt'. I forget she is just 5 months, I've caught myself a couple of times almost giving her a taste of my food. She does seem to be growing up faster then Kate did, but I think that happens when you start having more then one child. At her 4 month visit Lydia was just a delightful little thing and the doctore kept calling her spry! It was so cute. Then she got shots and it was all over. Just kidding she did wonderfully. Here is what Lydia weighed in at, I added kate's stats for comparison.
4 months
Kate
14lbs 110z
24 3/4" tall
16" head

Lydia
15lbs
25 1/4" tall
15 3/4" head

Some pictures of Lydia eating cereal for the first time. She didn't seem to like it at first, but a month later she is lovin it and can't get enough. I'm actually starting to feed her veggies, she ate squash for the first time last night and didn't like it at all. It took me 25 years to like squash so I really can't blame her!

Our Precious Lydia

On september 20th the same day Lydia turned 4 months, she was blessed in our church. It was a beautiful blessing. My mom made the blessing dress and Kate a matching dress for fun. I did get professional pictures taken of the girls that I need to put up here for you all to see. Here are a few pictures from her blessing day.

My Birthday Girl

On Saturday we celebrated Kate's 3rd birthday. I can hardly believe that she is 3 years old. She is such an amazing kid. Brock and I comment daily on how lucky we are to have 2 wonderful girls. Kate is special, she is very confident and independent, she does everything on her time frame but when she does it she does it well. She is also easy going as toddlers come. She really doesn't have any annoying traits (she does get whiny when she is tired but who doesn't). She is a great reminder to me to just enjoy life as it comes, nothing gets this kid down. My dad passed away on the same day she came into my life but 5 years earlier. She gives me a reason to never be sad on that day. She is a wonderful big sister and will be the kind of big sister that is friends with her little sister. She loves to share her toys with Lydia. And it's so cute when she tries to get Lydia to smile and when she does Kate says "oh she likes me". Oh if Kate only knew how much Lydia adores her. I feel honored and blessed to be a mother to both of my beautiful wonderful girls. Here are some pictures of the big day.

Muffins we made for the kids at daycare

On Saturday we had her party at 'Mygym' a kiddie play center, all the kids had such a great time and Kate got the royal treatment

Lydia is one that doesn't miss a beat, here she is looking onward probably wishing she could get down and roll around, her favorite thing to do!

The put Kate in a swing and let all the kids march around her

Kate's only request for her birthday for the last few months has been a cake with one red star and one blue star

Checking out her cake face


This is at her Nana's house, it's a tradition in my family to eat off the "you are special today" plate on your birthday. I also let her wear her halloween costume since it was her special day.