Abigail plays soccer!

Since dance class didn't really work out for her, I wanted to try something more active. I thought soccer would be a perfect fit. She loves to run!

Chris took her to get some apparel the week before her first practice. She looks so adorable in her headband!
















She was amazing! With help from Dad, she listened and followed directions. She had a great time, Audrey loved cheering her on, it was hard to keep her off the field, lol.


There was only one other kid there (another girl!) But she was so shy and didn't really want to participate. Abby was by herself for the second practice the following week, so Coach Chris invited Audrey to play along. The girls loved it, but I *really* want something Abby has for herself. Audrey has such a big personality and pretty much takes over every situation...I want Abigail to be more independent of her. Every time Audrey took a water break, Abby would follow her out. If Audrey laid on the field, so did Abby. I love that Audrey is so encouraging and that Abigail looks up to her, but I'd love to see how she does by herself.

SOOOO, we are going to try a different group. There's an earlier class on the same day and it does not require parent involvement. There are a bunch of kids Abby's age and it's with the same Coach (Abby really likes her!) I can't wait to see how she does in a group (a STRUCTURED group.) I've seen her play with other kids. She does her own thing- and other kids join in. We were at dance class last week and families were invited in to see the recital routine. Abby literally ran around the room, singing and acting out scenes from Frozen the whole time (not at all "shy" in front of all the adults and kids.) When there was downtime for the adults to talk, the dancers were chasing her around, trying to play with her. When we went to Kite Day at Audrey's school, the kids swarmed around her, showing her the toys and trying to play with her. She's pretty indifferent, though. She can take the company or leave it.






Look at that adorable jersery!! She's number 9 :)





I'm excited to see how she does and if she has fun!

Annie's 6 month photo shoot

That face! These were so much fun to take. She's such a happy little lady!





























Family pics:

Anne Elizabeth is 6 MONTHS OLD!

That's half a year, folks! I've been waiting for this age since the day she was born (maybe even before!) I LOVE this age. Our relationship is 2-sided and she gets SOOOO excited to see us! She's stationary, but loves to lay around and interact with people and toys. She's finally on a great schedule. She's observant and completely lights up our lives!



Chris was talking about how much he loves it when she lays her head on him as he's carrying her to bed. He said something about how crazy it was that she is our last baby. He said, "We definitely needed to have her." He is SO right. We weren't exactly on the same page when Abigail was born. Throughout the pregnancy and even after she was born, I never thought of her as our last, but Chris was very content with having just 2 kids. Annie was a true surprise, apparently one we didn't even know we needed!

Knowing that she is our last helps us to enjoy everything so much more. I'm not as sad as I thought I'd be. Three must be my lucky number, because I am super content with being done with all the baby stuff (good bye baby swing! So long, 4 ounce bottles!)

Annie is taking all naps in her crib (YAY!) After about 90 minutes-2 hours of wake time she starts to show signs of being tired. I close her curtains, turn on her sound machine and sea horse. I lay her down and offer her a paci (sometimes she takes it, sometimes she doesn't.) She turns on her side and falls right to sleep. She actually sleeps on her belly 90% of the time. Her naps can be as short as 45 minutes to as long as 2 hours. I'd say she's taking 3-4 naps a day. She goes to bed between 7-8 pm and still wakes before midnight at some point to eat. She wakes again between 2-3, then 5-6 to eat. Luckily she has no problems going back to sleep after her feedings!

She loves her doorway jumper and exersaucer. She LOVES to be on her belly and pushes herself way up. She has pretty much outgrown her Rainforest bouncer...she likes to push down on her feet and her head goes all the way to the top! She can sit straight up in her Tiny Love Rocker and she arches her back in the Bumbo. She's not sitting up by herself yet, so we're in a very weird transition stage, lol.

At her appointment she was 26 inches long and 16 pounds :) She's wearing 6 month clothes. Again, sort of in a weird transition stage...too big for 3-6 but too small for 6-9. She just started wearing size 3 diapers! She drinks 5-6 ounces of milk and we've started giving her real food. So far just oatmeal, bananas, and toast (dry and with jelly.) Introduced the sippy cup with water, but she hasn't gotten the hang of that just yet.

Her stranger anxiety is MUCH better! I took her to my school for Pride Day and wore her in the Bjorn. She wouldn't smile at anyone. Then we went to visit Chris at work and of course she was ALL smiles :) However, she did let Grandma hold her later that day. She actually smiled at people at dance class the next day and at brunch with my siblings the day after that! Progress is being made :) She's been giving half-smiles to everyone, lol.

The lovely big sisters, at 6 months old:

Audrey:
15 lbs 9 ounces, 24 inches




Abigail:

18lbs, 27 1/2 inches (WOW!!)





I'm so excited for her to start sitting up in the next few weeks. I want to do a photo shoot as soon as she does (like we did with the older girls.) It doesn't feel like time is flying by and I think that has a lot to do with getting to stay home. I do miss school (confirmed by my recent visit- I miss it SO MUCH!!) But I also love being home and spending so much time with the girls. I am very grateful! In 5 short months I'll be going back to work. When Audrey turned 6 months (June), I was getting out for the summer. When Abigail was 6 months (Oct) I was two months back into work (that was tough!) Being able to spend so much time with Anne during her first year has been a blessing!