Dance! Dance! Dance!

Taken after Charlotte's first dance class. She looks so little. One of my favorite pictures by far.

Back in the beginning of January 2012 Charlotte began a dance class. She was one of the youngest in the class, kids usually don't start taking this class until they are three, but since the teacher is my darling sister in law's mom, she allowed Charlotte to take the class. Miss Margene's dance class is amazing. I love the philosophy of their studio. It's all about teaching children about movement, coordination and body awareness. It's not some studio that has my little girl, dress inappropriately, teach her risky moves to perform in 

front of an audience. They teach children HOW to dance not JUST A DANCE. Make sense? 

Anyway, I love Miss Margene. She is heaven sent and made my Charlotte feel special and loved each time she walked into the classroom. I could not have asked for a better, first experience of dance. I'm just so heartbroken we've moved away and Charlotte can't continue taking dance there. Maybe in three years we will move back to Utah and baby girl number two will have the chance to take the class. I hope! I hope! 

Now to be honest, Charlotte did not take to the class right away. Being so young and being such a momma's girl, I was in class with her every week doing all the moves. But once again because Miss Margene is absolutely wonderful, so in tune with children's needs and wants her class to be a positive experience, she allowed me to come to every class and participate so Charlotte had a good experience. 

Charlotte was so timid and shy at first and literally would not get off my lap to begin with. But week by week she warmed up and started to really enjoy class. 

Ellee on the left, Charlotte on the right

One of the best perks of the class was Charlotte's cousin Ellee was in the class too. Having Ellee there helped Charlotte feel more comfortable and cute Ellee was always so nice to Charlotte.

The dance class lasted from January to the studio's big spring performance in June. This performance is a big deal! I wasn't sure I even wanted Charlotte to be in the performance. I was still going to class with her every week, and although she was doing the dancing on her own, she still wanted me in class by her side! I thought there was no way I was going to get on stage with her, and I didn't think she would go on stage and dance without me. I felt torn to be honest. Luckily after talking to my sister in law Tracee who also teaches at the studio, she said she would go on stage with Charlotte if she needed to, so Charlotte could participate. That put me right at ease knowing Charlotte would be taken care of. 

The first night of the big performance came. (It's a two night show. I told you it was a big deal!) Charlotte was all dressed and ready to go. I'm not sure who was more nervous. Charlotte or me? Probably me. 

Charlotte and her cousin Ellee. 

Charlotte putting the moves on her other cousin Derek. She loves him. 

Mike took Charlotte back stage when it was her classes' turn to perform. They found Charlotte's aunt Tracee and waited to go on. I sat so nervously. The music started and all these darling three and four year olds came bouncing onto the stage. I waited and waiting and all of the sudden my sweet Charlotte came onto the stage, the last of the class, with even a smile on her face! She was glowing as she did her thing. She may or may not have actually performance the routine they had practiced, but she was up on the stage dancing and smiling! I was shocked and amazed. Honestly, it was a humbling moment for me as a parent. I knew Charlotte was capable of performing but I did have my doubts just because she is so shy and timid. Shame on me!! Charlotte was awesome and exceeded my expectations!

Luckily the second night of the performance my talented, beautiful, older sister came and was able to take some amazing pictures of my bug. 

Waiting for her turn on the stage. After such a successful performance the night before, Charlotte could not wait to get on stage again. 

Waiting with her aunt Tracee for her turn to go on stage. Tracee is such a gem. 

On the stage doing her thing. Look at that face? So happy.

 I had no idea my shy, timid girl could be such a performer!

I can't get enough of these pictures. 

Now she had learned a routine, of skipping, jumping, sliding and turning that they had practiced and practiced and practiced. But all my darling daughter did was the skipping part. Once she started skipping around her circle on the ground, the skipping didn't stop. It was hilarious and endearing. I couldn't have cared one bit that she didn't do the whole routine like the other little girls. I was just so pleased she had been brave, gone on stage by herself, and was having the time of her life. It was one of the most rewarding moments as a parent thus far. 

It was a good lesson for me as a parent. When she first started taking dance, and was not enjoying it, I thought about just quitting. I wasn't sure it was worth the fight and struggle. She cried each week and I did not want to force her into something she just didn't want to do. I'm finding as a parent it's such a fine line between pushing and encouraging your kids to be their best and forcing them to be something they are not! In end, after seeing her so happy on stage, and actually having her ask for another turn, made me realize it was worth taking the class. Taking dance totally pushed both Charlotte and me out of our comfort zones. There were days that were hard, emotional and frustrating but I learned that's part of the process of accomplishing something greater! I'm so pleased with how this experience turned out for Charlotte. Who knows maybe we'll have a little dancer in our family. 

Third trimester here we come!

Well we are officially in the third trimester of pregnancy and I can't believe it! 

This pregnancy is flying! I'm pretty sure when I was this far along with Charlotte, her room was all set up and ready to go. Yeah, we are not anywhere near being ready for baby girl #2. I'm actually starting to panic thinking that this babus will be here in less than three months. Don't get me wrong, I'm so excited for her to come, every time she moves I get butterflies thinking of having another girl join our family, but I so don't feel ready! Everyone says the second baby is much easier than the first, but I don't remember a thing about newborns except they eat all the time and are super fussy at night. Oh yes, and they poop all the time. I'm hoping and crossing my fingers maternal instincts will kick in again and I'll remember how to swaddle and bathe a newborn and that is truly is an easier adjustment than the first baby. 

Currently 28 weeks along               28 weeks pregnant with Charlotte

About the same size. Once again, carrying low and looking pointy. 

I feel huge all around. Why is it that my can, and thighs have to get so big during pregnancy too?

As far as pregnancy goes, this has been so similar to my pregnancy with Charlotte. I feel great, just tired and have horrible, horrible heartburn. This babus better be born with lots of hair! ;)  I'm still running and riding my spin bike. Not as often as I should (dang it! my motivation is lacking!), but I'm I feel great when I do and feel lucky my body has allowed me to exercise as long as I have. I'm not sleeping great, but I'm ok with that. It's good prep for when the baby comes right? I have the same achy, uncomfortable spot right under my right rib that I had with Charlotte. I can't sit for too long, or the ache will creep in and I get so uncomfortable. It's only on my right side and so funny it's in the exact same spot I had when I was pregnant with Charlotte. Overall things are so good with this pregnancy. Can't complain one bit!  

Now we just need to put this girl's room together! 

About 2.5 years old

Since moving to Cincinnati both Mike and I have commented several times that Charlotte seems so much more grown up. We are settling into our new home and love being here but I do get sad when I think about the grandparents missing out on seeing our sweet Charlotte so often. I love the little person Charlotte is becoming. She is still quite fiesty at times, and sure knows how to throw a fit like any 2 year old, but she also is such a sensitive, shy girl who can be so sweet and thoughtful.

So for posterity and for the grandparents this update is for you. (Although I'm sure both Mike and I have already told you all these funny stories, now you can read about it. :) )

Charlotte loves to be a doctor. Mike's old stethoscope has accompanied us many places. She loves listening to her toys and make sure they feel better. 

If she hears or seeing someone crying she'll say, " Someone sad. Need a hug, they'll feel better."

I had a few hard days since being in Cincinnati, not many, but I have, I blame it on pregnancy hormones, anyway when I've had my tearful moments Charlotte without asking or prompting will come up to me a give me a big hug and say, "You happy now mom." I love the way she is beginning to recognize feelings and emotions of others and wanting to them feel better. Such a sweet girl. 

On the other hand, Charlotte tells Mike all the time, "he's fine." Sometimes when Mike asks Charlotte for a hug or kiss, or pretends to be sad, she'll just tell Mike, "you're fine." Quite funny. I'm pretty sure she got that from her dad and is giving him a dose of his own medicine. 

She is still obsessed with listening to Lion King in the car. Although now she likes to listen to the instrumental songs on the soundtrack. She calls the instrumental songs, "Simba Sad" songs. We have branched out to Sound of Music, some Primary music, A Whole New World from Aladdin and A Spoon full of Sugar from Mary Poppins. I've got to be honest I easily get sick of her music. So I put her playlist on my ipod and sometimes she listens to it when we run together or when we are in the car. She loves listening to music on "her phone". (She calls my ipod her phone)

All Charlotte wants to do all day is play hands. She'll bring me a toy and say, "be hands!" and she'll want me to pretend I'm that toy, doing their voice, moving their hands etc. She is obsessed. It's so fun to see her imagination come to life. Charlotte is really starting to play pretend and I love it. 

Clean hands. Charlotte loves to wash her hands. And she always wants to do it by "SELF!" Charlotte grabs her stool, stands up and washes her hands all by herself. It's such a nice habit to have and sure is nice that she can do it by "SELF!"

We bought Charlotte a bike and she seems so grown up riding it. We bought her a STRIDER bike, so it's taking some time to get comfortable on it. But she does enjoy riding it and is getting the balancing thing down. 

Charlotte is still very much a wheeler and dealer. Sadly she has learned the phrases, "just a second," "hold on", "two more minutes" from her busy momma. She now uses these phrases with Mike and I all the time. The other night she wanted Mike to snuggle with her before going to bed and she said, " Just snuggle with me, two minutes." Of course Mike couldn't resist an offer like that. Whenever I ask her to do something whether its bringing her plate to the sink, changing her diaper, getting in the car etc I hear one of these phrases! Seriously sometimes it's so maddening but I can't be upset because the poor girl learned it from me! Dose of my own medicine. 

Oh my little princess. One day, probably about a month ago Charlotte announced to Mike and I that she was Princess Charlotte. What? Truly I have no idea where this came from. We don't really push the princess thing at our house. I haven't wanted Charlotte growing up thinking she is this spoiled, entitled princess,  but it was so endearing when she called herself Princess Charlotte so we've altered the idea of what a princess is. Mike and I tell Charlotte princesses help people, they are kind to others, they love to share, and they ALWAYS obey their parents. So since that day we've altered the idea of what a princess is and run with the idea with Charlotte. It's been to our advantage for sure. Her Grandma Carol and Papa Steve sent Charlotte a little princess package and the girl is in heaven. Princess dress ups and a princess duplo set. What more can a girl need? 

It's been a long time coming but Charlotte actually enjoys going to nursery now! Hooray. Our wonderful new ward and fantastic nursery leaders have made all the difference. We are so grateful to them and appreciate how much they love our daughter.  Charlotte now runs to nursery, not kidding runs, and walks in by herself without tears! This is a huge milestone for us! Hooray! Our girl is growing up. 

Another big milestone Charlotte has reached is that she is officially sleeping and NAPPING in her big girl bed. She's recently had a fear of monsters and bad guys that we've had to battle with before bedtime and nap time which made the transition to a big girl bed a little tricky but so far so good. We had to completely take her crib apart and put it in the baby room so she knew sleeping in the crib was no longer an option. We spray for monsters each night and she sleeps with a night light but as of right now  she is sleeping well and is loving her big girl bed. Phew. 

One last thing. Charlotte seems to be getting so excited to be a big sister. She talks to the baby, tells us se is going to teach the baby things such as jumping, shapes and how to play with toys. Charlotte even talks about sharing with the baby and wanting to hold her. It's so sweet and melts my heart knowing she is going to have a sister to love and play with. However I'm still a little nervous and preparing myself that once baby sister is actually here to stay and soaking up momma's time and attention, all this sweet talk will be a different story. I guess time will tell.

Thanks for indulging me on the longest post ever. As you can tell we are quite obsessed with our Charlotte and feel blessed to have her in our family! 

Another birthday has come and gone for my Mikey. 

He is now a dashing, handsome 33 year old. 

We had a nice day celebrating with our little family. 

I took one for the team and did not go running Saturday morning so Mike could sleep in. I took care of Charlotte and Mike slept until his heart was content, only until about 8:30. Remember the days of being able to sleep in until 10? 11? Neither of us can do it anymore, really, we just wake up earlier. Sigh. Anyway we ate delicious donuts, pounded chocolate work and then out of Mike's choosing we worked out in the yard for a bit. Yes my dear, hard working hubby choose to do yard work on his birthday celebration day. After working in the yard I surprised Mike with some birthday activities. We put on our swimsuits and drove about 20 minutes north from where we live to one of the amazing parks Cincinnati has to offer. We rented paddle boats and explored a (very) mini lake. So much fun to rent a paddle boat, Charlotte loved it too! 

 Isn't it gorgeous? I love all the trees so much! The freeway wasn't far from the lake we were on, but you would never have any idea. All the trees make you feel like you are far away from it all! 

After paddling for an hour we were wiped out and DONE. (Mostly me, pregnant girl gets tired easy!) 
The lake had a paved trail surrounding it so we walked on it a bit and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
One of Charlotte's favorite things to do is ride on anybody's shoulders. Mike is a good sport to let her do it so often. This is by far one of my new favorite pictures of my babies. They both look so happy. 

 Skipping and having the time of their lives. 

 The park naturally had a playground there too, so we of course let Charlotte play for a bit before heading home. Such a looker, even with a flat squished nose. 

We headed home and all crashed for naps that afternoon. Perfect birthday present for Mike. Thank you Charlotte for still napping! 

That evening we went out to eat and tried to hit up downtown Cincinnati for a Red's game. 

Although the game was slightly a bust, due to my super awesome, pregnancy brain and planning, we still had a good time and got to catch the game for a bit. 

All in all a good day, packed with fun, new activities. Most importantly Mike was pleased with the day, and enjoyed himself! 

Happy birthday my love! So glad you are mine! 

24 weeks

Well things are definitely progressing in this pregnancy. It was huge to find out that our baby was a girl this week. My attitude and perspective on this pregnancy has changed since finding out the sex of our baby. I'm so much more excited knowing our baby is a girl and the wheels in my head are turning as I'm beginning to plan for another girl. I feel so much more connected to my baby knowing the sex. I don't know how people go their whole pregnancy without finding out the sex of the baby. I applaud and admire them, I don't think I could ever do it! 

And I'm beginning to pop out more and more! I'm still in the kind of awkward pregnancy phase, where people I don't know question whether I just have a gut or I'm actually pregnant. But I'm for sure feeling much bigger when I'm pulling up my pants and can't zip them up. :)

Here's the comparison of 24 weeks from this pregnancy to my last pregnancy. 

(PS I really need to start using my good camera instead of iphone to take these pictures. The quality just isn't great with an iphone but it's just so convenient!)

                         New Baby Girl                             Pregnancy with Charlotte

I would say close to the same size, maybe a little bit bigger with this pregnancy?

Here's another little comparison. Same dress, just four weeks later. 

Navy cardigan 24 weeks, coral cardigan 18 weeks. 

My oh my 4 weeks sure makes a difference. 

 

I always carry so so low. I'm just not one of those cute pregnant girls with the perfect round belly. Always pointy and low. Weird. 

We bought a big girl bed for Charlotte on Saturday from Ikea. She was so excited to sleep in her bed Saturday night. She slept pretty well in her big girl bed. She slept in it until about 5 a.m. when we heard her crying. We are thinking she woke up a little out of sorts unsure of where she was so we put her back in her crib, and she went right back to sleep until after 7 a.m. Maybe putting her back in her crib was our downfall because for naps and bedtime on Sunday she wanted to be back in her crib. :( Sadly and probably pretty naively, I thought it was going to be an easy transition into her new bed. 

Any tips or tricks you have to share? Would love to hear them! I want to make the transition to a big girl bed ASAP so it's one less transition Charlotte has to deal with when baby sister arrives! Help!

MORE PINK

After waiting for what felt like FOREVER. We finally had an ultrasound yesterday to make sure everything is on track with our babus. I've been so anxious for this ultrasound. With our big move and so much change going on I wanted to make sure all is well with our sweet babus. I have been feeling the baby move a lot, so that has been comforting. Although I feel like I'm really starting to show,  I guess to most people I'm still very small and not showing much. I did in fact have someone ask me if I lost the baby since I'm not showing that much. So you can imagine my slight paranoia that everything really has been ok with the baby. 

The OB/GYN group I see went ahead and scheduled my ultrasound appointment without checking my schedule. They just called and told me when my ultrasound was scheduled to take place. I was happy it was just a week after seeing my OB/GYN for the first time last week but bummed because I had no say in the time and was pretty sure Mike wasn't going to be able to come since my ultrasound was scheduled for right in the middle of the morning.  I of course took Charlotte to the appointment and wished Mike could have been there. Well we had a tender mercy yesterday, towards the middle of the appointment there was a small knock on the door and Mike walked in! Hooray! Luckily he was able to slip away from the clinic where he was working, which so happened to be right across the street from where we were, and pop in. What a blessing to have my little family all together. 

Yesterday confirmed all is well with our baby. Strong heart beat, measuring on track to be due Dec. 2nd, 47% percentile in weight for how far along I am. All is well with our sweet baby. What a relief and such a joy to see the little bug be so active and healthy.

Annnnnnndddd our baby was of course being stubborn and modest but finally at the end of the ultrasound the tech was able to get a decent enough shot showing we are having another GIRL!!!!

I've been so back and forth with this pregnancy. The beginning of the pregnancy I was thinking the baby was a boy, then towards the end of my first trimester feeling like it was a girl. Went on another boy kick for a couple of week but I would say for the last 3 weeks or so, both Mike and I have been thinking our baby was a girl! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to have another girl! 

I'm so excited for Charlotte to have a sister. I love my sisters so much. They are my best friends. I talk to at least one of them EVERY DAY and I'm so glad Charlotte has the chance to have that same kind of relationship with a sister. Sure there will be fighting, and the teenage years will be rough in our house no doubt but there is nothing, NOTHING, like the bond between sisters! 

So as I said when we found out Charlotte was a girl. Let the shopping begin! 

Grandma Kris comes to visit

After being in Cincinnati for 2 weeks my mom came for a visit. She arrived the afternoon of July 4th and stayed for an entire week. It was pure heaven while she was here! I love having one on one time with my mom. I guess that's one of the perks when you live away from family is when they come to visit you have them all to yourself! We were busy exploring our new city the entire time she was here. Mike had started work the Monday before she came so it was nice to have a partner in crime to explore and check things out. After her being here for a week, I felt so much more at home and confident in my new surrounds. I think it was because my mom and I drove around and visited so many places together. Like I said it was heavenly to have her come visit and it meant the world to me.  

One of the first places we took Grandma Kris was the zoo. It was seriously one of the hottest days we've had since being in Cincy but we didn't let it stop us for going out and having fun! 

Charlotte got such a kick out of feeding the goats! Thanks to Grandma Kris for buying the food so Charlotte could do that. ;)

The animals were active despite the heat. Almost makes me nervous how a thin piece of glass separates you from dangerous, wild animals. 

I think the highlight of the zoo was the train. Charlotte enjoyed sitting next to Grandma Kris and riding a real train. What a treat! PS how grown up does my daughter look in this pic? I swear since moving away she has seemed so much older! 

One of the things I love most about Cincinnati is the park districts. There are so many fun, nature perserves filled with playgrounds, splash pads, lakes and even one has a farm. We drove up north about 25 minutes to check out one of these parks with a farm. Another big hit with Charlotte and another place I feel comfortable going, after checking it out with my mom. 

While at the farm Charlotte got to ride a small pony. Sometimes I'm amazed with how brave this girl is. She wasn't nervous to ride it at all and multiple times told me to move my hand away from her back. She wanted to ride it ALL. BY. HERSELF.

The farm was very kid friendly, which we all loved. It has a small petting zoo where you could actually go in, pet the animals, and brush their hair/fur/coat...what would you call it?

Again Charlotte was not afraid and got right in there close to the animals!

The farm also had a large garden where kids could water the plants and pick some vegetables. All Charlotte wanted to do was play in the cabin. Fine by me, kept her entertained forever! 

Just chillin with Grandma in the garden, at the farm. 

It was so hot and humid while my mom was in town. Every day was suffocating heat! My mom was such a good sport and wouldn't allow the heat to stop us from doing things. Saturday was an especially hot day so we took my mom to one of our favorite places, East Fork State Park. The water is surprisingly warm and we found if you go to the lake earlier in the day it's quite peaceful and not too crowded. We love the lake, it's a great way to get a little someone wiped out so they take a nap too! 

My mom and sisters will be coming to Cincinnati to visit in October (hip hip hooray)! So my mom wanted to take a day and go downtown to check out some of the things we can do in October. We went to Fountain Square where there seems to be something always going on. We were pleasantly surprised, while we were walking around a bunch of dancers randomly started doing some street performances. It was quite the free show! I wanted to jump right in and dance with them. 

Fountain Square is decorated with fancy, ornate pigs. I know there is something to do with the history of the Cincinnati and Pigs. I need to read up on my history and find out. 

We went to the top of the tallest building. I do not do well with heights. It made me so nervous when Charlotte wanted to get close and look over the ledge, can you tell?

Trying to get a good shot of the bug and me. She was too interested in looking over the side. Yikes.

Pretty view of downtown Cincinnati. 

Our little family infront of our home. 

I loved being able to have my mom see our home and our neighborhood.

Please don't mind the pregnancy chubbiness. Blah. 

Visiting the famous Graeter's Ice Cream was a must. 

(I guess I shouldn't complain about pregnancy chubbiness if I'm willing to eat so much ice cream)

Other highlights of the week included:

Playing games at night. We love some banana grams. 

My mom showed me how to make homemade bread, homemade sweet rolls, homemade chicken pot pie, and pumpkin spice cookies. Nothing like your mom's homemade cooking! 

And of course we got to run together. Loved this. Charlotte even wanted to get in on the action. 

We also tried Cincinnati's famous chili. Cincinnati is known for it's chili. The chili has a bit of a sweet taste to it and it's usually served over noodles smothered with cheese on top. I tried it over a hot dog, Mike and my mom had it over noodles. The verdict, we liked it enough. I don't need to eat there every month but once in awhile it's a tasty meal to indulge in.

The week was over all too quickly. I loved having my mom in town. It really did help me feel more comfortable in my surroundings. I loved talking, running and having her all to myself. Thanks for taking the time to come visit us! It was such a treat for all of us! Please come back soon Grandma Kris. We miss you so much!