Just Because...

{she loves when Regan snuggles}

{anytime she hears Emma's voice her eyebrows shoot up and she starts looking for her}

These two could not adore their baby sister more...and I can't stop taking pictures of it!

Paradise Bakery and the Tooth Fairy

Emma was less than pleased to end her Kindergarten year without loosing any teeth! What can you say to that? I didn't lose a tooth until the END of 2nd grade...and I remember how mad I was about it. But imagine her delight when she came home on one of the last days and "at least" had a loose tooth!

After wiggling it for about 2 weeks and not her wanting anyone to 'help' it come out I left it alone.

But one morning we went to eat at Paradise Bakery with Grandma Arlene and she pointed out that maybe wiggling it the opposite way might help it come out...so...Emma tried that, but she was nervous so she was hardly wiggling it! I told her to be tough and wiggle it harder and Grandma said, "Like this..." (just meaning to help) and it came right out!! Emma's face was priceless- about to cry, excited, and shocked all at once- and we just smiled and laughed until her shock melted into total joy. She'd lost her first tooth!

His Favorite Gifts

I was excited to get cute pictures of what went on at our house for Father's Day. Emma and Regan worked on their books for Brady all week long and they were so proud of them- they couldn't wait to give them to him! I usually don't care about these shots because I'm too busy enjoying the fun, but I had to make sure I captured their faces when he opened each one.

Emma wrote each page about a different favorite time she's had with him and Regan drew pictures and wrote her letters all over the pages!

Every time I have a baby I become more grateful for the active role Brady is happy and willing to take as Dad...he's there for all of it and I adore him for it.

Regan loves him because he plays hide & seek with her

and

Emma loves him because he takes her for bike rides and plays soccer when it's not hot outside!

I love him because he does those things and much, much more!

One Month Old

2 Girls Talk

We were in the car going to swim lessons the other day and I was asking about the kids in Emma's primary class (you miss that many weeks and you start to forget!) and she (switching into 3rd person for the first time ever) said, "Emma is T's friend!" To which Regan responds -with a very confused face- "Are you Emma?". Emma gets annoyed immediately and says, "Uh- yes." Brady and I couldn't help but laugh. Love it when kids can't help being funny!

Ponytails & Swimsuits

That's why I love summer! No more schedules and getting everyone ready every morning by 8:30am.

I knew that having a baby in May would mean a summer spent mostly inside with no more days lounging by the pool until we couldn't stand it, but what I didn't think about was what it would take to entertain 2 busy girls all day while taking care of a newborn. We've had our moments, but lucky for me we all enjoy being at home. Here is what it looked like this morning at our house...

In their swimsuits -ready for lessons that are @ 6pm- and doing a puzzle. I almost died when I heard Emma ask, "Regan do you know where North POTATO and South POTATO are?"!!! For as many years that we've been doing this puzzle I couldn't believe that she didn't know Dakota... oh well, I was glad for the good laugh!

Swim lessons start tonight and I am so glad they are in evening lessons. Emma will be in beginning diving and Regan's level is called 'Otters' so naturally she took it literally. One of our favorites at the zoo is the otters so she proceeded to show me how she's going to swim like an otter and then stopped to ask, "Mom- how else will my teacher make me look like an otter?" She was so sincere that I had to answer with my best serious face! Just glad she's not a 'shrimp' anymore!

Life is Great...Dance Makes it Better

Regan and Emma had their first dance recital last week! They both loved getting 'fancy' and being on the big stage. It was another "full-circle" moment for me to watch my girls do what I loved at their ages. I bawled as soon as they got on stage!

Lyla @ 5 Days Old

{Lyla was a good sport while we gathered up lots of pink props and played dress-up!}

Sister Love

As if having another baby girl couldn't get any sweeter...

I wasn't prepared for the love that has already formed between our 3 girls. Anyone who knows Regan & understands her love for all things baby knows how excited she is to be a big sister and have 'her very own baby'! Emma has been incredibly proud to be a 'double' big sister and loves talking about everything Lyla does.

Each time Emma or Regan said a prayer in the last 7 months they had always asked for our baby to 'be healthy and to grow strong'. Now every time they say a prayer its, "We're thankful for our baby sister." It never gets old to hear them say it either because we know how much they mean it and how long they have waited for her to get here!

Lyla smiled the first time Regan talked to her and she turns her head to try to find Emma when she talks! Never thought 3 could be so wonderful!

Kindergarten Grad

I still cannot believe our baby girl just finished her first year of school! Emma has learned so much and grown WAY too fast this year & she has loved every minute of it (I am still in a bit of denial about the changes!). It seems like just yesterday that Regan and I dropped her off for her first day and then sat in the car in the school parking lot and cried together. We have missed our Emma and we're glad to have her home for a few weeks before 1st grade steals her!