What's been going on lately...

I really have to get better at keeping up with this blog but finding time is a real challenge now. As Mimi would say, "so anyway..." here is what has been going on in our lives.

Mimi started dance class. Right now she is in a toddler tumbling-type class, but we will enroll her in Princess Ballet in the fall. She is LOVING it so far so I can only imagine how she will feel once she gets into the leotard and ballet slippers with the other "big girls" next year. They start each class with some stretches and some simple ballet-style moves - introducing some of the terminology. Then they do some animal actions and practice tumbling and walking on the balance beam.

 

 

After that they move into the tumbling room and have some free play on the trampoline track, the wedge, and the bar.

Nate is getting so big. He's been playing in his exersaucer lately. He doesn't like to stay in there too long but I think it's mostly because he gets frustrated that he can't get all the toys in his mouth.

Emilia likes it too. She's climbed in a couple of times (how I'm not really sure) and she likes to put her baby dolls in it when Nate's not using it.

Nate has been trying so hard to roll over. He has been rolling belly to back since about 3 months and now he's on his way to mastering back to belly. He sometimes gets himself twisted like a pretzel though.

Here he is mid-roll from belly to back...he looks a little surprised! As you can see he spends very little time wearing pants these days - he's just happier that way.

Mimi got her Power Wheels Jeep. Brian got it on Black Friday and meant to give it to her for Easter, but he couldn't wait (plus Mimi spotted it in the garage). She really loves "driving" around with her foot on the accelerator but doesn't feel that steering is necessary. Most of the time she has her foot on the pedal and is holding a cup of milk in one hand and her baby in the other. Too funny!!

Finally Nathan has started eating big-boy food in his big-boy highchair. He has only eaten avocado for his "real" meals so far but he's also had some of my banana a couple of times. In a couple of days I will give him some banana and then we're off and running!

Sunny days

It's been pretty chilly for the last couple of days and I was longingly looking through some pictures from our beautiful sunny St. Patrick's Day at the park. It was warm and Mimi and Nate both had a great time! Springtime and sunny summer cannot come fast enough for this family!

Because everyone can use a smile...

...here are a couple from Natiebug...and a couple of giggles, too!

ER trip...

We made our first (definitely not our last) late-night trip to the ER on Thursday night. Mimi slipped in the bathroom while getting out of the tub and took a dive into the edge of the base board heater. After stopping some of the bleeding we were able to see that it was more than we could take care of at home.

Wendy was so wonderful to come over and listen for Nate (who thankfully was already in bed). Brian and I went to Loudoun ER around 9:30 pm. We waited only a short time to be called back and the staff was great! Emilia played in the waiting room like nothing had happened.

They admitted us quickly and our nurse came in to see us. The doctor was right on her heels and confirmed that she would need stitches. While the lidocaine was working they gave her a movie to watch (appropriately enough it was Lilo and Stitch)! She was such a brave little lady while the doctor was stitching her up. Unfortunately because of the location of the wound they had to cover her eyes with the drape. I held her hands and she cried but didn't try to squirm away. She held so still and let them do what they needed to do! The doctor said that she was one of the best suture patients he's ever had, especially considering that it was on her face.

The nurses gave her a book, a handful of stickers, and a stuffed animal to bring home. Mimi acquires an entourage wherever she goes. They were quick and efficient and had us out of there by about midnight. I was really impressed with Loudoun! At home she's been wearing her Dora band-aids and is very concerned with when it needs to be changed.

She was little upset with me when I told her that she didn't need to wear the band-aids anymore, but it looks like a million bucks now!!

Someone LOVES his sister!!

HP Winter Partayyy!

On Saturday we went to the HP Winter Party at the beautiful Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in DC. The kids had a great time in childcare and we had a wonderful time with some great friends, great food, and of course plenty to drink!

As always the night started out pretty tame and we enjoyed cocktails and appetizers. Dinner was delicious and then the band started with the dancin' music! I'm usually not a big fan of a band, but this one was really good...they had a whole brass section!!

Here's Brian looking a little on the short side...

...but they took mercy on him since they announced his promotion at the breakfast meeting and let him be the big dog for a moment!!

Very few people know how to have a good time like the Broadways!!

It was great to see Jourdan come out even though Travis is already out in SoCal.

And here they are...the dynamic duo! We'll miss Mike while he's in California but we look forward to getting him back ASAP!

Valentine's Day

I haven't posted in a while because my computer was down and out. It's back up and running now so here are we go. We had a little Valentine's Day fun at the Fish house. Mimi had a heart-shaped breakfast.

and then we did a craft project - Nate even joined in a little.

Our wonderful day ended with Brian bringing home a Kindle for the two of us to share. What an awesome device!!! We are loving it!