The girls' first trip to the BEACH! Part 1

I typically don't have much time to type so I am going to post photos and a short recap, but we returned from Panama City Beach Florida on Saturday and if I don't share this now it won't get done!

We left after Lilli's Super Soccer Saturday - a day where she had 2 soccer games.  I was not thrilled to wait all day to get on the road (growing up my dad drove through the night) but it actually worked out ok!  The girls slept on and off and we only had to stop a few times.  Once to eat and too many times for Jason to pee, but I gave him a hard enough time about that so I won't post about it here :o)

To get to PCB from our house takes about 10 hours.  We did it in 11, so not bad.  We arrived at 1:30 AM and despite an issue getting into the gated parking garage (they didn't give us the code!) not too many tears were shed!

We were all excited to get into our condo!  We unpacked what we needed for the night and headed to bed - we had church early on Sunday!

 Yummy Mother's Day Brunch at Andy's Flour Power.  Beautifully written cards (with tracings of their hands, of course) made me cry, as always.  Jason should write for Hallmark.

Followed by a first sand experience and some photos in matching dresses on the beach -

I had planned for Lilli to take a nap but she was super eager to get back down to the beach.  Can you blame her!?

Scarlett liked it, too!

 The day was overcast and cooler, which was fine by us.  That night we headed to Sharky's to eat because it was close to our hotel.  Food was ok but the live music was great! Hit up the grocery store and called it a night!

The next day included more beach time and a trip to ZooWorld.  I had low expectations (we LOVE St. Louis Zoo!) but I was pleasantly surprised!  For one thing, the place was empty so we had plenty of time and space to look at the animals.  Nice shade and a great play area.  We were able to touch the animals in the show and Lilli  had her picture taken with a parrot.  All around good fun!

Here are some favorite pics -

We pushed through nap time so Lilli passed out in the car - while holding her souvenir photograph.  Adorable.

It was too late to head back to rest so we tried an early dinner at The Saltwater Grill.  Oh my it was the best food all week!  I had the beef tenderloin and Jason had Yellowfin Tuna and we both left happy and stuffed.  The early dinner prices made it that much better! :o)

We finished the night with a walk on the pier and some (more!) photos.

The next day included Thomas Donuts

 then shopping and playing at Pier Park.

I honestly can't remember where we ate that night - but we had some fun snuggles before bed!

We had a two bedroom condo at Aqua which was wonderful.  Scarlett had her own room and Lilli was able to sleep with us, something she always wants to do.  So Scarlett would go down as soon as we got in but Lilli was able to stay up later.  I wish that would have meant she slept IN later, but no luck there.  Oh well, who wants to sleep their vacation away?!

Posting now so I don't lose this...

Scarlett is SIX months old!

At six months, Scarlett:
*weighs 15 lbs 4 ounces (25%ile)
*is 26.5 inches long (80%ile)

*sleeps from about 7:30 to 7:30 with two wake-ups/feedings.  She wakes around midnight and takes a 6 oz bottle of formula from Jason and wakes at 5 am and nurses.  Sometimes she will wake another time for a pacifier but not every night.  We are hoping she will drop a feeding on her own soon, but thankful for the progress she has made over the past month or so.

  *Takes 2-3 naps a day, usually around 9:30 and 1 and then sometimes a catnap in the afternoon around 4 if I can get her to.  She can't get a consistent schedule because we are always out and about!  I usually get one good nap that is 1.5 hours or more and the others are 35 minutes and typically in her carseat.

*Sleeps in her crib with 2 pacifiers and a giraffe lovey. She likes to watch her Rainforest soother and that helps when she is wide awake to get her settled. She rolls around all over the crib though and will turn it on accidentally sometimes!  She likes to sleep on her side but I found her on her belly twice last night!  She hates to be on her tummy so I hope this isn't a new trend!

*nurses every 3.5 hours but is very distracted and doesn't seem to eat long.  I guess she is full but she is quick!

*Enjoys solid food, has had white fruits (bananas, apples, pears) and orange veggies (sweet potatoes, squash) but she doesn't like squash.  She does better when it is thicker so I plan to do small soft pieces soon.

*Diapers are everchanging.  If I eat dairy she has a yucky stool so I know she still can't tolerate that well.  Otherwise they are kinda thick and brown.

*Eyes are blue and hair is dark blonde - with a curl on top!

*Wears 6-12 month clothes and size 1 shoe.  Size 2 diapers
*LOVES to blow raspberries and soak her shirts and whoever is holding her
*Adores her sister.  Lilli can always make her laugh!

*Can sit up unassisted for a brief time and is getting better every day

*Loves to "gum" Sophie the Giraffe and suck on any stuffed animal.  She has found her toes and any clothes on her will soon be in her mouth
*Can "babble" a little bit
*Went swimming for the first time - here was her reaction:

*Eventually she got used to it -

*Experienced her first Easter

Lilli took this picture - she definitely doesn't look like my baby with that light hair and light eyes!

Hard to believe you are 6 months old, Scarlett Jean!  Every day you show more and more personality and we just know you are going to be a joy (and possibly a little spitfire!)  You laugh alot and only cry a little and are so easy to take out and about.  We consider ourselves lucky to be your parents! All our love, sweet baby girl!

Lillian Brooke is THREE!

On Easter Sunday our sweet Lilli turned three years old.  I actually cannot believe I am about to type this post, shouldn't she still be my baby!?

At three years old, Lilli:
*weighs 32 lbs (75%ile)
*is 38 inches tall (65%ile)
*has dark blonde hair and hazel/brown eyes.  Her eyes seem to get more brown as she gets older

*wears a 4t shirt, 2t bottoms and size 8.5 shoes 

*is potty trained during the day (pull ups for sleeping)
*can run, jump, skip, hop, and do just about anything physically.  She loves to dance and be active.  She just started soccer and LOVES it! She can dribble the ball around cones and pass and score.

*sleeps well, she goes to bed around 8:30 and wakes around 7.  She still takes one nap on most days, anywhere from 2-3 hours. Other days we have "quiet time" in her room where she reads books or plays for a while by herself.

*eats well and loves all things dairy.  Milk, cheese, ice cream, you name it.  I try to limit it because she can get an upset tummy if she eats too much.  She prefers fruits and veggies over junk which is great.  She does love to have a sip of my sweet tea, though!

*loves cartoons - Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins and Dora shows and all the princess movies (Snow White being her favorite, but she also loves Tinkerbell and lately, Lilo and Stitch)

 *has so many toys but her favorites are little figures of the princesses and Snow White and the dwarfs.  She has "squinkies" that are all over the house!  She doesn't play with her babies much anymore but loves to find a "Mommy" for all her toys

*still sleeps and LOVES her "B" lovey bunny.  Seen here in the background -

B has to stay at home most of the time, except for special occasions.  Otherwise she would take her everywhere!
*can talk just like an adult, and says most things clearly.  I love to hear her little conversations.  Some of our favorite things she says are, "Lemme ask you a question" (to get our attention), "This is going to be a job!" (going to the bathroom!), "I do it myself" (of course) "Scarwett", "I'm so drinky drinky" (thirsty), "That is so beautiful/precious/cute/sweet", "MY Mommy" or "MY Daddy", and "B, I missed you SO much, you are such a good B!"
*chooses the sweetest names for her stuffed animals - Promise the Hippo and Lovely the Bunny

 *has a dog, cat, turtle and baby duck.  She loves all animals!

*is very polite and is a good rule follower, we get good reports from her teachers at church and preschool

*always needs to know what is expected of her and what is coming next.  She will say "are you going to be in the libin (living) room or your room??" every time I leave her for a nap or bed.  She cries easily if she loses me in a public place or sometimes even at home.  She likes to be near me or her Daddy at all times.

*loves her sister.  She really, truly does.  She is gentle with her and concerned when she is crying.  She is especially good at keeping Scarlett awake in the car by singing to her or getting her to laugh!

*can turn on the light in a room but has never tried to open a door - she just assumes it's locked (which is a good thing!)

 *doesn't like her bath when we wash her hair but likes to pretend she is the "Mean Queen" with a towel on her head after she gets out

*adores her grandparents (Nana and PawPaw) and her other family members and prays for them every night

*loves swinging in the back yard and sliding at the park

 *enjoys spending special time with her Daddy, riding in his Jeep or helping him wash the car

*cleans up her toys when we ask her (sometimes more eagerly than others!)

*sings "Jesus Loves Me" without the "Me" and loves to get tickled

*has the sweetest disposition and is so kind and gentle!  I know she is my daughter so I have bias but I think she is just the best kid in the world!

An interview with a 3 year old Lilli!
My favorite food is: french toast
My favorite sport to play is: soccer
My favorite TV show is: Mickey Mouse
My favorite movie is: Snow White
The coolest person in the world is: Snow White
My favorite thing about preschool is: painting
My favorite color is: pink
My favorite toy is: "B"
When I grow up I want to be a: beach ball
My favorite song is: ABCs
My favorite book is: "I Love You, My Bunnies"
When I was little I used to: play with Scarlett's toys (baby toys)
When I get big I will: play soccer game
**At this point she said, "Ok, that's enough questions!"
My favorite snack is: grapes and blueberries and strawberries
The food I don't like is: steam and yucky food
My best friend is: Bea
I love mommy because: I love you so much  (I asked her again and she said "because I don't know"
I love daddy because: he runs with me