Mia's getting really good at bringing her hands to her midline (very important developmental step-at least that's what the physical therapist said!). She's even started holding onto some toys-though not always purposefully-and bringing them to her mouth. These are her two favorites toy right now.

She also likes to chew on her bib, clothes, burp rags, etc....when her sleepers bunch up in the front like this one did, she'll chew on that too! This particular outfit is dedicated to Uncle Tony-when my sister was here last, she found this sleeper with little pink "24"'s and racecars all over it. Mia said, "I love my outfit and I love Uncle Tony, but I'm not so sure about this Jeff Gordon guy..." Thanks Aunt Cathy!!

On May 2nd, we decided that it was time for Mia to sleep in her own bed. She would have been in her bed much sooner, except, well, Mom just wasn't ready. But, then when she started making noise every hour or so and Mom stopped getting much sleep, well, it was time! Now, just so I don't get a bunch of angry comments, she is CHEWING on her little pink baby. She's not being smothered or anything. When she quiets down (yes, we let her cry herself to sleep when she needs to!), I check her to be sure what ever she's decided to chew on (usually her blanket) isn't on her face. She almost always kicks her blanket off, but it's warmer now and she's like a little heater (like Scott and Annie) so she does fine. She just looks so small in her big crib!

This is Mia on May 8th-the first day she went from her buncy seat to her highchair to eat. She hated it (which is why she looks like she's been crying), so we went back to the bouncy seat. What ever makes her happy!!

Curly Top with the Orange Belt....

Lately, Annemarie has been wanting me to curl her hair. It started when she watched the Shirley Temple movie "Curly Top" and then she also decided that she wanted to match her American Girl doll. But, she has been "blessed" with my super straight hair, so we were getting up 15 minutes earlier each day and curling it. My mom mentioned to Annie that her mom (Big Granma) used to roll her hair each night in squishy rollers. Annie said she'd like to try that. So, we bought some, rolled her hair (she only wanted the top done). She slept on them just fine...and then said she didn't want to sleep on them ever again!! So I'm glad I took a picture of her. But, the next morning, we still had to girl the bottom part, so we may just stick with the curling iron! Although, I may have her talked into rolling her hair first thing and then letting it sit while she eats breakfast! And no, I don't have the picture of the next morning....mornings are a little crazy, but I'll try to get one with her hair curly, soon.

This last Saturday, Annemarie tested for her orange belt in Karate. It took her quite awhile to get to her orange belt--she worked really hard, but she'd had some trouble concentrating, but we worked it out. So, the first thing they had to do was lay down and relax...thinking about how they will succeed, etc... Then everyone had to get up and perform one "move" in front of the whole class and parents. She bit her lip until it was her turn (that's what she does when she's nervous) but then she popped right up and did perfect! After many laps, jumping jacks, mountain climbers and push-ups (they REALLY work the kids!!), it was time to relax and reflect on the testing. At this point, I'd had to step out three or four times to keep Mia quiet. I finally strapped her back in her car seat and swung her until she fell asleep!! While the class was relaxing, the teachers placed their belts and certificates in front of them...

This is Annemarie receiving her orange belt....YAH!! They have to kneel while they put their belts on (even at home), then they take first postition (third picture), bow to their teachers, each other and their families. Then it's time to pose for all the parents. Annemarie worked really hard and Scott and I are very proud of her!!

Mia was in a pretty decent mood the other day, so I tried to get her to laugh.....this is as close as I was able to get. She will really laugh for Annie, Scott or my mom, but I think she gets tired of "performing" for me!

Finally time to blog....

Scott's parents visited with us for a week. It was so nice to see them. They had not been here since Mia was born. Needless to say, the girls got plenty of spoiling from Nana and Papa!!

Easter Sunday 2007

I was able to find Annemarie and Mia matching dresses (Annie is always asking to dress like her sister) and they looked so sweet. Of course, it was cold, but we just added tights and sweaters and everyone seemed ok.....

Mia slept right through the post-church photo shoot, but then she woke up....

with a pretty smile!

I know that it has been a very long time since I blogged--sorry!! The last month has been crazy busy!! My sister and nieces, Christina and Samantha, visited for 2 weeks and then a few days later, Scott's parents visited for a week. It was nice to see everyone!! This last Monday, Mia had her 6-month check-up. It's hard to believe that she's 6 months old!! She weighed in at 11 lbs., 8 ozs. and 23 inches long! She's in the 50th percentile for a 2 1/2 month old. Her doctor was very happy with her progress. She did receive her 6-month shots, too--she did ok-considering-but her legs were sore for a day or two. Mia's doctor did state that she will be getting the RSV shots next winter and that we will have to keep her in, again, and away from crowds. I figure that I'll revisit that with him this fall, just to be sure we know exactly what our parameters are. He also stated that we should not travel with her until she is at least 15 months old-corrected. However, since that is right in the middle of next winter's RSV season, we figure it will be at least a year before we can travel with her. We were hoping to see everyone in CA, but I guess we'll have to wait. The physical therapist visited Wednesday of the week and was so happy with Mia's progress! Mia is just about holding her head up all the way (with only the occasional bobble) and even thought she hates tummy-time, she's really strong on her tummy. She's not ready to roll over on her own, but we'll work on it! This next Thursday is (hopefully) her last eye appointment. At the last appointment, the doctor said that if she continued to progress as well as she has that this could be her last appointment until she's two!! I really hope so-we do not like eye exams!! The big news is that Mia is smiling ALOT, laughing and cooing and has cut her first tooth!! This is one of those things that apparently happens based on her actual age and not corrected. She's been drooling alot and chewing on anything she can. It's hard, though, because she cant' hold things in her hands so we have to hold the chew toys and such to her mouth for her. She is able to get her own hand in her mouth every once in awhile.

Annemarie is doing great. The warm weather has FINALLY arrived (it's 75 and GORGEOUS today), so she's very happy about not having to wear the winter gear. Of course, the bugs aren't out yet, so......Scott's working, working, working. he and I are both trying to finish school and are looking forward to having the summer off! He's turning 40 on June 8th--but I think he's ok with it. We're thinking of putting in a driveway this year (we just have gravel right now) but we'll see what we can afford. Life is finally taking on a somewhat more normal feeling-Mia and I take Annie to school everyday and then my mom comes over to entertain her while I try to get schoolwork done!

This is Mia in her CUTE bikini!! When my sister was here visiting we went swimming at the indoor pool at Tamarack with Kari and ALL the girls!! This was Mia's first time in a pool and she loved it. It was warm and probably just felt like a big bathtub to her. (Note the double chin!! She's very rolly--which I love!!)

Our Girls....

Annemarie at about 10 weeks

Mia at 5 months

I had been meaning to do this for a few days. There is no doubt that these two are sisters!!

Time for an update......

which I know is long overdue!! So the first question is always the weight...as of March 9th (the last time she was weighed)....8 lbs., 11 0zs!! In 11 days she gained 1 lb. 3 ozs!! Not too much less than what she weighed at birth!! She is growing so fast! On March 9th, she had (hopefully) that last of ther liver function blood work done. We haven't received the results yet. Tomorrow is another visit from the physical therapist and I think Mia's doing great in that department! She's getting better about tummy time and is really doing well holding her head up and bringing it to the center of her body. She's finally sleeping flat on her back (she was on her side) and that seems to be helping with her toaster head. She has another eye exam this Thursday. Please keep that appointment in prayer-someday we hope to not have to go at all! The first picture is Mia in an actual newborn outfit! It makes her look so big and grown up. Yes, those are her feet-very big! It's not just the slippers, either. Her feet fill up a good amount of those things!! The next two pictures are Mia in a pram that Grammy and Grampy bought her (thanks Dad and Diane!). She was able to wear it the last couple of times it snowed. It's starting to warm up, now, but I keep it handy--you never can tell what the weather will do here!! The last picture is Annemarie reading her sister a story. Annemarie looks so grown up. And she's acting all grown up, too! But, not just in the attitude department. She's such a great helper! She's been waiting for a sibling as long as we've been waiting to give her one! She loves to hold Mia and is very careful wtih her. Mia loves her sissy, too. There are many times when Mia is fussy and Annemarie will take her and Mia will stop fussing. Annie can't wait until Mia is able to crawl and walk and talk....I can. One, because I'd like her to stay little as long as possible, but two, because then we'll be hearing, "She touched my stuff! Mom, make her stop!", etc, etc, etc......

Bath Time!

This is Mia after a recent bath. I was trying to figure out how to take a picture of her to show off her rolls that she has on her arms and legs (very exciting!!). But the only way to do that is to take a picture of her in the buff....so, this is as close as I could get! (I LOVE baby rolls!!)

And this is the last Preemie outfit that she was able to wear-and this just barely fit! So, now she is in newborn clothes and has quickly grown out of some of those and into 0-3 months! She's growing so fast--just like any other baby!

This is as close to a smile as I can conjour out of Mia right now. This is the first dress Annemarie wore and I remember taking a picture of Annie on this same blanket when she was just a week old. I guess I should have tried this dress on Mia a while ago...it's a little short!! It was about 20 degrees this day so I just cranked up the heater!! These pictures were taken on March 15th-the day Mia turned 5 months!!

Annie Fannie Doo-Dah

I finally got around to scanning Annemarie's school pictures. This is Kindergarten......

This is First Grade.......

and this is Second Grade. She's definitely lost her baby face. And I think she has decided to grow her hair long, finally. We'll see how long that lasts! She's doing great in school. Her Parent/Teacher conference is this week so we'll see what her teacher says! I have a feeling it will be the usual: "She's an excellent student, HOWEVER.....she's very social." :-) That's really teacher-talk for "She's a talker!"