Testing, Testing

As we pull out new pieces of equipment and toys for Kate to use, she is so lucky to have a big sister who is willing to test everything out first.  Audrey just wants to make sure it's safe for Kate, and we do so appreciate that.  The only problem is that Audrey sometimes gets wedged into things. :)  Oh, Aud!

Yes, the mirror is still reflective.

Yes, the seat is sturdy and can still spin.

Kate, you should be good to go!

Reading

Not surprisingly, reading continues to be a huge part of our time together at home.  Audrey loves to read and be read to, so she is often found carrying around a huge pile of books.  She has found that she can even squeeze into the chair when Kate is being fed, so that we can read to Kate while she eats!  It's a wonderful addiction, though, and she definitely gets it from her mom.  We'll be in trouble when she finds out it's fun to read while taking a bath!

Audrey had to have the burp cloth on her shoulder, just in case Kate spit up (which she rarely does).

Swimming!

We were able to sneak away this weekend to Cedar Falls, where we enjoyed a fun night of swimming and relaxing.  Audrey loved being in the water so much more than last year at this time, when we went to Grand Harbor.  The hotel in which we stayed had a zero-entry spot with a few areas that sprayed water, along with a large fountain.  Audrey had a blast!  In fact, she took a three-and-a half hour nap this afternoon to recover from all her fun.  Kate watched in anticipation and can't wait until she's able to get in the water this summer!

Audrey especially enjoyed a ride on the cart!

Kate felt really disappointed she wasn't able to get in the water, so she emotionally checked out of the weekend.  :)  She did, however, sleep for ten straight hours in her pack 'n play.  Thanks, Kate! 

Gum Cookies

Audrey was introduced to Thin Mint cookies for the first time this year.  As many of you know, Audrey is a lover of gum and asks for it constantly.  When she smelled the Thin Mints, she said, "Mmmmm, gum!"  Like her mother, she was instantly in love.  One box is all we will get each year, and now we'll have to split it!

 

Kate: Three Months

Happy Three Months, Kate P.!  What a smiley girl we have in our family!  Kate's awesome personality has continued to develop and delight us this month.  She is so smiley and talkative and shares many stories from her days.  I also swear I've heard a couple giggles when she's been talking.  A full-belly laugh is not far away!

She still loves to eat and has begun to "hold" the bottle while she's eating.  Her hands are almost always heading to her mouth right now, and she also likes to clasp them in front of her face.  Kate is definitely growing, as her 0-3 month stuff is slowly getting packed away as it gets too short for her.

Kate still does not enjoy tummy time, but we do force her!  Sometimes we trick her by laying her on our chests, and that seems to delay the scream for a little longer.  She loves to stare at the animals on her play mat and has begun to reach out for them while they dangle in front of her.

Sleeping at night is still great!  She typically goes down at 8:45, and I wake her up a little before six each weekday morning.  The time change threw her off a little last week, but we're sure she will adjust soon.  We haven't gotten on any kind of napping schedule with her yet, which is due in part to switching back and forth between home and daycare.  Summer will be a better time for working on that!

Here are some pictures of our beautiful lady, including one of her first date.  The girls and I visited Kevin and Erica, some friends of ours from UNI.  They had a baby boy two weeks after Kate was born, so we've already entertained the possibility of a marriage on the UNI campus. :)

It was a supervised first date, so there was not even any hand holding!   Kate wore her new outfit from Valentine's Day, and Matt wore a Hawkeye jersey to impress her.  

Our beautiful Audrey at three months!

Dance-a-Thon

We had a Dance-a-Thon at school on Thursday afternoon to raise funds for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).  Jeremy picked the girls up early from daycare, so that they could enjoy a little dancing at school.  They wore matching outfits for the first time! :)  Audrey wore her "dancing shoes", and Kate wore her "dancing socks".  The loud music and flashing lights were alarming to Audrey at first, but she did end up joining in on a few songs.  Like her mom, she enjoyed the good ol' Cha Cha Slide.  Between elementary, middle, and high school, the dance-a-thons raised over $12,000.  Go Pirates!

Audrey's Salon

Now that Audrey is currently tackling the whole potty-training thing (dry since Sunday morning!!), she's decided her next challenge is looking ahead to her career choice.  She's currently trying out the idea of a full-service beauty salon.  Here's what she has so far:

Her manicures include stick-on nails.  Thanks to Grandpa Ihde for being a good sport!

Next, the styling of the hair!

Wow!  It turned out wonderfully!

Then there's Kate...she's keeping her fingers crossed she doesn't have to be a test subject soon.

Underwears

Our big girl has gone both days of daycare this week wearing "underwears" and staying dry all day!  Yeah! We had an accident at home this morning in our busy transition to school, but those will happen.  She's off to a great start!  This morning I said to her, "What a great start to our day!  You're wearing underwear, and Kate's so smiley."  Then she said, "And Mila and Belle not getting sick!" :)

These pictures are the girls this morning.  Kate's wearing her very first hair accessory and felt very stylish.