Busy Ballerina

This morning concluded the first 8 weeks of Elliana's ballet/hip-hop dance class. To celebrate and wrap up the class, the teacher invited parents and grandparents to watch all the kids had learned during the past two months in a little mini- recital.

Before signing Elliana up for class, I admit I was a bit nervous. Nervous that she was the youngest in her class, that she wouldn't be able to keep up, or that the 30 minutes of instruction without me by her side would be too much for her. Wow, was I ever wrong! Elliana flourished in her class and kept up with the bigger kids. Each week she ran into class, barely looking back to where I sat outside waiting for her return. Occasionally, I would get a run to the window with a wave and a "Hi Mommy!", which I'm sure was distracting for the teacher, but made my heart skip a beat with excitement that amidst her fun and learning, she still had time for Mommy.

For Elliana's big "recital", Elliana eagerly got dressed in her leotard, requested make-up and her hair curled, and of course I had to comply. Grandma and Nana came down to watch the busy ballerina in action as well and Daddy made a big fuss this morning about his little girls big day. And of course, this Mommy couldn't help but capture some video and pictures of her little girl in action. So, if you have 3 minutes to spare, and want to capture the joy and elation of a three year old dancing to her own beat, then I strongly encourage you to watch this video of my little ballerina.

Elliana and her best buddy Macy were showered with flowers after their recital

Best friends celebrating over lunch...

Tie Dye T-Shirt Party

For some reason I have had the urge to tie dye shirts with Elliana since last summer, but since it seemed like a summery project, I thought I would have to wait until this summer to actually make shirts (since I never got around to it last summer). However, thanks to Pinterest, I found a tie dying technique perfect for young kids and relatively mess free! You can find it here.

The realization that I have only 4ish weeks left until I am officially a mother of two began to sink in and my craft itch was strong.... so over the weekend, I was prompted to initiate a t-shirt tie dye party with a few close friends and our kids. Just an impromptu, crafty day full of fun to fill a winter day and kick off the week on a fun note.

Normally arranging a date between all of our schedules and commitments takes at least a week of planning, but this time, it was coordinated via email in just a few short emails. Before I knew it, everyone was able to come, I had the supplies needed and our craft day was ready to begin!

Six children, three years old and younger would sound like a recipe for chaos and mess, but the kids did a terrific job of decorating their shirts and followed directions so well!

We are so blessed to have such great friends to do fun things with! Oh, and did I mention that lunch and dessert was brought by these awesome friends!! How lucky are we?!

While we waited for our "dye" to dry, we ate pizza, snacked on cupcakes and played. And boy, did the girls play hard! There were chasing contests, hairstyling events, playing in the fort, having tea parties, and reading stories to each other.

Elliana snacking on a cupcake, and Jay showing me his messy icing face.

And what kind of play-date would it be, without all the kids in a group shot wearing their new homemade tie dye shirts. What a fun morning!

The little things...

Yesterday I was feeling blah. Periods of happiness followed by tears that wouldn't stop flowing. Climbing the stairs, making decisions or even getting up from a sitting position was more than I was willing to do. Perhaps it was hormones, pregnancy fatigue or just the constant demands of raising a child, I'm not sure exactly, the point was that I was worn out!

A short nap on Elliana's part didn't help. But...amazingly, my mood started to change. A sweet phone call from my husband. An encouraging text from a friend. An hour of snuggling with my baby, okay 3-year old, on the couch. I felt the funk slowly dissipate.

Elliana then happily played by herself for more than an hour, allowing me to sew a few projects I had on my to do list. My handsome husband came home, relatively on time and for the first time in more than two weeks, didn't have to work from home. I watched my husband and daughter laugh and play, removing even more of my funky mood. And then, I was spoiled with a take out meal from Montgomery Inn, a craving that T.J. insisted on fulfilling.

This morning, I woke up somewhat grumpy again because I was feeling sick. A sore throat, swollen limbs, a wedding ring that officially no longer fits and overall body aches. A happy, very much awake toddler announcing she was "all done" at 6:40 in the morning, and an overwhelming feeling of having no concrete plans for the day that lay ahead. But somehow, those things just didn't upset me today. I relished in them. I soaked in the freedom of staying in pajamas and cuddling my daughter as she nestled her head upon my swollen belly. And, before long, the body aches, and sore throat were gone too.

Our day filled with last minute errands, a trip to the library and an impromptu lunch date with dear friends and our high spirited girls. Watching the joy of the girls hugging, laughing and sharing my daughter's electric green hair was infectious. Not to mention the screams of delight when they all received a lollipop for a meal well eaten.

As my daughter naps, I sit sipping a homemade mint chocolate chip milk shake, watching my stomach move with baby kicks and punches, feeling abundantly grateful for the little things. The things that make up my life and fill me with happiness, even when hormones try to hide it from me.

Date Night

This past weekend, we were blessed with a date night. An opportunity to apply make-up, shave my legs and even put on maternity pantyhose (yes, I splurged and finally bought some). An evening on the town with no responsibilities but focusing on each other and our relationship. An evening of finishing our dinner while it was still hot, at a restaurant without a kids menu. An evening of culturally rich music at Music Hall, listening to a sold out Beethoven concert. We were gone just a few hours, but they were a few precious hours of relishing in each other, knowing our daughter was happily playing at home with Nana. It was marvelous.

Although date nights or even alone time are few and far between, our conversations were dominated talking about Elliana, her latest accomplishments and funny things she has done. About the ways our family will grow and change with the addition of our baby girl in just a few weeks. Our future, hopes and dreams. And it was absolutely perfect.

It was perfect to take the time to hear everything my husband had to say. To truly hear him. To complete a conversation and actually begin another one at the same sitting. Amidst the cleaning, cooking, disciplining and baby making that has consumed my time and energy lately, I realized that I have been giving my husband what's left of me, rather than the best of me. I've been working harder at this week, to truly listen, help and support the amazing husband who has made me the wife and mom that I am.

Our lives will be getting more busy very soon, a good kind of busy, but busy nonetheless. Days filled with dirty diapers, countless feedings and sleepless nights. Days filled with abundant joy, laughter and memories in the making. I am looking forward to each and every day ahead of us. Days with the daughters I cherish, and the husband I adore. All because of date night.

Our Royal Family and a Princess Play

This past Christmas, we were blessed with tickets to the Disney Live Princess play at the US Bank Arena.

And so, last week we made it a day of adventure for Elliana. We went dressed Elliana in her favorite new princess shirt, tutu, headband and purse. She accessorized with mismatching princess earrings and her favorite princess lip gloss. Our little girl was truly playing the part!

We went to lunch at one of her favorite diners (Steak & Shake), ordered milkshakes for dessert

then went to the toy store where Elliana picked out a new princess doll. We were all giddy with excitement at this unique and special day.

Watching Elliana wait for the show to start was humorous and hard to watch. She refused snacks, games or songs we offered to pass the time. Instead, she kept her eyes focused on the stage waiting for the slightest hint that the play was starting. I did manage to get a single photo of her posing with Mommy pre-show.

Once the show began, Elliana's eyes were glued to the stage and she sat motionless except for a few shouts to the princesses and eager waves to her favorite characters.

After the play, I went home with my very own Prince Charming, who continuously treats me like a Queen. Together, we created a little princess, who reminds us of our blessings each and every day.