First Time in the Nursery

A couple weeks ago we decided it was time for Anna to go to the nursery at church. Both Claire & Anna were right around 6 months when they HAD to go. They got to the age where they were becoming very verbal and becoming a distraction to those around us. To keep from being a disruption I was having to leave the service with her, which means I don't get anything out of church. This is when we know it's time! Anna did great and when I went to pick her up she was asleep in the swing!

Sound asleep!!

Anna must've heard my voice because she woke up within minutes of getting to the nursery to pick her up!

"Hi Mamma... where were you?"

To the POOL!

One evening last week Ben & I took the girls to the pool. We go to the pool for swim lessons, but we wanted to take them just for fun. It was a really nice night and there weren't very many people there which made it even nicer! It's a super neat pool with slides and waterfalls and wading areas. We had a great time and both girls seemed to really enjoy the water!

Bottle Feeding

Recently I allowed Claire to feed Anna. Not just hold the bottle for me, but actually hold her and feed her! I was right there in an event Claire decided she was done, and when she's done there in no warning. She just pushes Anna away and tries to get down. I was surprised when I had to force Claire to let me finish the feeding. Claire was giving Anna lots of air. She doesn't quite get the concept of tilting the bottle up yet!! Claire is going to be a very good mommy one day!

You could tell Anna was confused with Claire feeding her. She was very distracted by that fact and stopped eating to look at Claire and laugh. Claire got a little frustrated by this and told Anna several times to "eat baby Anna".

This is very serious business.

"Claire... you are doing a very good job feeding me!"

"I know Anna, I'm a BIG girl!"

LOVE my Cousin!

Claire absolutely LOVES her cousin Caroline. She talks about her all the time and when they are together they are like glue... always with one another. It really is so sweet to witness their obvious bond. Claire loves kids in general, but there is definitely a different connection with Caroline! They love to play and so many times when they are together they'll hold hands... totally spontaneous, never because we ask them. They sure do love each other and I can't wait to see their relationship continue to grow and blossom! I know they will not only be cousins, but lifelong friends!

Sooooooo sweet!!!

CRUNCH!!!

I am a little late posting this... Deanna & Heather have had this blogged for a while! Anyway, we took the kids to Boonshoft (one of our favorite places) to see the special exhibit of Crunch, the oldest Alligator Snapping Turtle. He is 150-200 years old and weighs 165 lbs. On average, these turtles gain about 1 pound a year, which is how they approximate his age. It was so neat to see such an old creature. I think the Mommies were more intrigued with Crunch than the kids. He wasn't a very lively animal, but my goodness... he's like 200 years old!!!

And here's CRUNCH!!

Wow... so impressive. Definitely not the prettiest creature alive, but fascinating nonetheless!

Claire was more interested in this little box turtle than Crunch!!

The turtle in this picture is a 9 years old Alligator Snapping Turtle and about 9 pounds. His name is Crumb!

The girls loved playing with the bunnies! They were very sweet!!!

Going down the slide!

"Pretending" to eat the fake fruit. When I told Claire not to put the play food in her mouth she said, "I pretending Mommy" ... okay????

Having fun digging for fossils!

Recently, Claire is really into coloring. I was surprised though she took the time to stop and color a dinosaur.

Landon & Caroline liked playing with the microscope. Claire... well, not so much!!

Claire coaxed Landon into giving her a hug. Poor boy! He is surrounded by affectionate little girls! He puts up with a lot!!

I think by far, this silly truck is the group favorite at the museum!! Aren't they adorable!?!?

Anna was with my parents, but little Olivia came along and she was sound asleep next to her Mommy in the sling the whole time!! Look at those cheeks!

Anna's First Solids

I introdudced Anna to her first solids last week. I've given her rice cereal so far and will gradually introduce veggies & fruits. It was so funny watching her response when she tasted the cereal for the first time. She did a lot of spitting... not sure how much she actually ingested and as evidenced by the pictures, it was quite messy!

Swim Class

A couple weeks ago, we began swim lessons with Claire and Anna at our Rec Center. Anna is in the same class Claire attended last year (Baby Bubblers) and Claire has graduated to ABC Come Swim with Me. It worked out that we were able to schedule the classes on Saturday mornings and the classes are right after each other. Ben and I switch off with the girls. He is in the water with one and I am on land with the other!! It works out really well. Both girls are doing great and seem to enjoy it, although it did take Claire a little while to warm up to the water (literally!!). She is learning to jump to Daddy on the count of 3, hold on to the side of the pool and some very basic swimming skills. Anna is just learning to be comfortable in the water and lay on her back and belly in the water. We just want our girls to be safe and enjoy swimming!

My crew hanging out together before classes began.

Anna goes first, then Claire. Claire is very patient as she waits her turn. Her favorite thing to do while waiting is talk to Anna and watch her in the water! She always says "look at Anna Mama, she swimming!". It's so sweet!!!

More waiting...

I have my pictures out of order a little. Anna's pics should be first! Anyway, Claire is learning to jump in the water from the edge of the pool.

"One, Two, Three... JUMP!"

And in she goes!!

Claire is good about letting her instructor hold her!

Look at that cute, little face peeking over the pool! (I'm talking about Claire!!!)

Anna is a natural in the water. She is barely old enough to be in the class, but seems the most comfortable of all the babies. She is already kicking and splashing! I was so impressed and relieved that she enjoys it so much!

Anna is swimmimg after the ball that Ben threw!

"I Got it!"

The instructor thought she was too little to do this exercise on the floating dumbbell, but she proved her wrong! Anna is my little fish! Maybe one day the girls we swim competitively! I think it's the best sport... it's proven to be the best work out for the body, easy on the joints, no contact with others to get harmed and it's FUN!! What more could you ask for!

Play Date!

Last week my cousin Cindie came over to play with her foster girls, Ahleya & Aerial. We had a great time hanging out with them and Cindie brought delicious food from Dorothy Lane Market (YUM YUM!!). Claire just loved playing with the girls and they were very sweet! We are looking forward to our next playdate!!

Claire really likes holding people's hands. Here she is showing Aerial around the house!

Cindie holding Anna!

The girls enjoyed the pretty weather and played outside on the swing set!

Claire did a good job sharing her toys with Ahleya & Aerial! They were very well mannered little girls and even picked up after themselves!

More Father's Day

More Father's Day pictures...

My dad, me and my brothers (Shawn & Scott).

All the Dads!!

Dad, Ben, Shawn & Scott

I love to get a "Cousins" picture whenever possible!

Lauren, Anna, Caroline, Jillian, Connor & Claire

Grandma McDowell with Claire & Anna (my Grandpa McDowell passed away in 1999... I miss him so much and wish he could've seen and held my girls). Happy Father's Day Grandpa... you were the best. We'll see you again, and then you can hold Claire & Anna!)

Papa, Anna & Claire

Aunt Heather & Anna. Heather is due at the end of July with a little girl!

Aunt Kristen & Heather talking to Anna! Anna was all smiles for them!!!

My Mom & Dad! My mom is doing great after her surgery!

Look at this adorable face!! Bella is my parents new dog. They adopted her from a rescue a couple months ago and she is the sweetest! She is part Lab and part Husky. She fits in perfectly after my parents had to put their elderly Lab to sleep in December.