Last Day of School

Caroline is a first grader no more! I thought it was so cute that she decided to wear the same dress on her last day as she did last year. Here are yesterday's photos:

She chose much more appropriate shoes this year, you think?  In fact, she didn't even remember wearing those ratty old shoes last year, but it certainly is a hoot now.  When I told her about it she was almost embarrassed for her former self (as I predicted!).   You can see how much she's grown and how much she's growing up/changing.  Sniff.  I doubt she'll be able to wear the dress next year. (And thank goodness for no black eye this year.)

She had a truly perfect report card which made me cry because the comments from her teacher were so wonderful.  Her report cards had been stellar all year but I couldn't believe how good it was for the final quarter.  She just makes me so proud and we let her know it.

Last night she had her first friend sleepover at our neighbor's house with their daughter who is a year younger. We know our neighbors really well so it was a no brainer.  Caroline and Sophia get along so well and it's cute to see how well they get along.  I can't wait to hear how the night went.  It's 9:30 and I haven't heard anything yet, I'm guessing she's talking all their ears off.

Homemade Fail

I've gotten in the habit when the kids have a party or celebration at school, I volunteer to make cupcakes.  I think mostly because back in the egg allergy days, I could ensure that Bryce could always have a cupcake, even if there were other things he couldn't have. So Caroline's class is having a Halloween party on Thursday (that I'm helping with) and I, of course, volunteered to make cupcakes.  Caroline's teacher, Ms. B, emailed me to tell me that unfortunately, I can't bring in anything that is homemade per the Health Department new policy.  Damn. 

While I totally understand the policy coming from the perspective of a mother whose child had a food allergy it also bums me out.  I personally, don't really like store bought cakes/cupcakes and also know how much extra sugar and gunk are in those things.  Not that a homemade version is a whole lot better nutritionally, but it's GOT to be better than store bought ones that are probably made with things like LARD and way too much sugar and other preservatives.  Oh yeah, and they use all that nasty dye.  Barf. 

And then it dawned on me that this means I also won't be able to bring cupcakes in for Caroline's birthday or anything else homemade.  If you know me, you know I like to make things myself and buying something from a store when I don't want to is somewhat of an insult.  Clearly, if one of the kids in Caroline's class had a food allergy, I'd be happy to alter my recipe, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case.   And I also realize that this policy was put into effect for idiots who would put ridiculous things in a homemade goody and know NOTHING about food allergies.  I suspect it also has to do with ensuring a supposed high quality from store bought food as well since I've certainly had a bad baked good in my day.  However, I do understand that they have to make a blanket policy for a reason and making exceptions isn't necessarily fair, so I'll just be grumpy about it and comply. 

I told Ms. B that I would NOT be buying cupcakes (I refuse to spend my money on that and I'm not running all over the place to find them!) and what else could I bring.  We'll see....

I've looked on the school system's website for some kind of official policy and can't find one.  Not that I'm questioning Ms. B, I just want to read the official policy and see the wording and exact context.

No Purple

I am sooooo bummed!  I was all excited about Piper's costume and just got an email from good old Kmart.com to tell me my order was canceled.  I called to find out why and the woman on the phone told me that all 3 costumes were out of stock.  Um, really???????  WTH?  All THREE?  I'm not too worried about Caroline and Bryce as Wonder Woman costumes are easy to find and Bryce can be any super hero he wants, but Piper's costume, well, that was the ONLY purple crayon costume I could find anywhere online.  Well, for kids at least.  There's no short supply of the "sexy" Wisteria crayon costume.  (I do NOT get or like the sexy costume trend - makes me want to vomit.)   Plus, she's 2.  Try explaining that a costume is out of stock to a 2 year old.  Should be fun.

So I guess unless there is one in a random brick and mortar store, I'm not going to find one for Pipes.  She totally was excited about it too and kept asking me where here purple was.  Cry.  Back to the drawing board, I suppose.  At least I did it early enough that I have time to figure something else out.

And, yes, I realize it's a simple costume but I don't think I'm going to have the time or patience to make it.....I wish I had never shown it to her.

Now & Then

April 2009:

April 2010:

Any bets if they'll both fit on that bike next year?

ETA:  I didn't plan this updated shot at all - I just looked out and there was Caroline and Piper on the bike.  Caroline even said, "Hey look mommy, this is just like last year!"  I think someone has inherited my memory.  I love that they are both barefoot in both photos although it was much warmer last April at this time than it was today. 

Pink Polo Girls

This pink polo dress that was Caroline's is probably one of my favorite little outfits she had as a toddler. So now that Piper is growing into her 12-18 month clothes, I was very excited to pull this one out of the bin of her big sister's clothes. Caroline was about 17 months in this one and Piper is 14 months, so a little difference in age, but not too much. Hard to believe that when this one was taken of Caroline she was still an only child. I barely remember what that was like.

What's also funny about these two photos is that Caroline looks so serene (which she mostly was at that age) and Piper looks a little wild (which she also can be). They each truly have their own personalities and it's so cute to see it coming out in these photos.

Dress Compare

I finally found the photo of Bryce in the dress, so for a laugh, here are my 3 kids in the dress:

Caroline in June 2005 (a little over 2 months before Bryce was born) - she was 18 months old:



And here is Mr. Bryce in the dress in April 2007 (he was 19 months old) - I put it on him as a joke and we all had a good laugh because he is so obviously a boy!:




And lastly, Ms. Piper - August 2009 - 13 months old. It will be a bit chilly for her to wear this when she's 18/19 months old:

Caroline vs. Piper

Jason saw the next to last photo of Piper above and immediately thought of this photo of Caroline at about 15 months old. I definitely see the resemblance! Sisters! :)

My Clone?

Jason says Piper looks just like me in these photos. I know she looks a lot like my baby photos and I don't disagree that we look alike, but what do you think??





Oh and here are some photos of me taken around the same age - we definitely have the same hairstyle even if the color isn't quite the same.

Piper - 10 Months

Oh Miss Piper, we're in the double digits now! Hardly seems possible. You're growing into such an independent little rascal all of a sudden and you certainly seem to know what you want to do with yourself - play, play, play. You're always seeming to get into something and we have to watch you all the time. Whether you're digging in a plant to try and eat the dirt or you're sitting and waiting - the little opportunist that you are - for the fridge or pantry to be open so you can get in and explore. You have a penchant for your older siblings smaller toys too which always seems to get you in trouble. And while you're fully capable of standing for a full 30 seconds or more unsupported, you aren't quite ready to take your first steps even though I know you probably could. You also LOVE playing in the play kitchen that Pop Pop made for you guys in 2005 and mouthing all the play food. You can sit and contentedly play back in the corner with those toys for a good bit of time, much to our delight since there usually isn't anything in there you can't have.

You are still a mommy's girl even though daddy can always get some cute smiles out of you but you've recently started crying every time daddy picks you up from Ms. Teresa's in the afternoons. We thought maybe it was just because you didn't want to leave, but on the odd occasion I do pick up, you just smile and give me a kiss.

You're babbling like no body's business and you can be as loud as your older siblings. And while you seem to want to eat everything, you don't have any teeth yet. But I think that makes you look like a baby still and that is what mommy likes right now.

I'm already starting to plan your 1st birthday party and still don't want to acknowledge that my baby is growing so quickly. You're a joy to have in our family and I can barely remember life without you.

Here's Bryce and Caroline's 10 month old shots to compare - I seemed to have been a bit of a slacker at 10 months for both of them and I didn't have an "official" 10 month shot, but these were taken right around 10 months for both of them. It's funny because Bryce looks older in some of his other 10 month shots because he had 4 teeth already but not as much hair as his sisters did at that point.

Inside Out - Happy 9 Months, Piper!

Today, Piper is 9 months old which means she's been on the outside as long as she was on the inside. It just doesn't seem possible!!

I'll post her 9 month photo later (along with comparisons) but I wanted to note a few funny things about my sweetie pie:

- She loves to yell! Oh my gosh, she's a yeller. I think she has to be with loud older siblings. Most of the time they are happy yells, but when she gets mad, WATCH OUT!

- Her favorite thing to "say" is "BAP!" This morning she crawled around yelling "BAP BAP BAP BAP!"

- She still doesn't have any teeth but I see bumps on the bottom gum, so it's soon, I think (hope).

- She LOVES bathtime with a passion. I have never seen a happier Piper than when she is in the tub. She gets so excited when I take her in and turn on the water before getting her undressed so she knows what's coming and she cannot contain herself. She loves to splash (a lot!) once she's there and thinks she's so funny when she gets me wet.

- She HATES being dressed. At least she hates when her top half is being dressed. She screams and yells and cries when I put things over her head and then have to get her arms into things. I think summer dressing will be a little easier since short sleeves are much easier to get on a baby. I will say too, that she complicates things and prolongs the process by splaying her hands when I'm trying to pull a shirt on. I'm afraid I'm going to seriously sprain one of her fingers one time.

- She is a very accomplished waver and kisser. If she loves you, you will know it because she will wave to you and kiss you with a passion. She also will snuggle her head on your chest to give you some love too.

- She does NOT like being in the pack and play - I think she thinks it's a cage that divides her from everyone and she will YELL until you take her out.

- She already loves the play kitchen Pop Pop made for Caroline and Bryce a few years ago. If you put her in the playroom she goes right back to it and loves to sit and play with the play food.

- Diaper changing is interesting. Many times as soon as you start changing her she does this funny butt/lower half wiggle that makes it VERY hard to contain any messes. Caroline and Bryce didn't do anything quite like this, so it's definitely something that makes me laugh because it's an "original Piper" move.

Caroline at 9 months:


Bryce at 9 months:

8 months old!

Piper is 8 months old! How in the world did that happen? She's 17 pounds (thanks WiiFit balance board!) and as sweet as can be. She's a crawling, pulling up on everything maniac. And her newest skill? Giving kisses! She comes at you with a big, wet open mouth and will plant one on you. It's kind of gross in the sense of how wet and slobbery it is, but it makes up for it in sheer cuteness.

Also, I'm without my good photo editing software at the moment, so the color is a bit off too. Man, this changeover to the new computer is rough!

Here's Caroline at 8 months:



And here's Mr. Bryce:

7 Month Comparison

So here's Miss Piper's 7 month shot - you can see what a good sitter she is now. And I think I can say that yesterday, she officially crawled. Caroline saw it first and then I did. She got some forward motion going but then stalled and hasn't done it since. Not that I'm wanting to rush her since I know how much trouble she'll be into with the way Caroline and Bryce leave things lying around. But she just loves to be on the floor these days rolling, rocking, and touching everything she can get close to.

Oh and I was so right to start her on the antibiotics on Friday evening. We had a rough night Friday into Saturday, another 101 fever Saturday morning with extreme congestion. Once we got her back on the Tylenol/Motrin cycle she was okay, but just sooo stuffed up and snotty. Then she seemed a little better but did get another fever at bedtime. But this morning, wow, she is on the mend!! No fever for the first time since Tuesday and through the day I've noticed an improvement. While her appetite wasn't great today, when she did nurse, it wasn't like she was trying to breath through wet cotton. You can still hear the congestion, but it's sooooo much better. I'd be willing to bet she had a sinus infection. And I think now that she's better, I realize how bad she was really feeling. She's just been the sweetest thing today and I just marvel at how much I love her babyhood - especially when her older siblings are exhibiting not so attractive behaviors.

Piper:


Caroline @ 7 months (July 4th!):


Bryce @ 7 months (should have put Piper in this sleeper since all 3 kids have worn it)

Piper is a 1/2!

Caroline and Bryce are obsessed with half birthdays these days and when you can officially call yourself 3 1/2 or 5 1/2, so you can guess their excitement when I told them that today, Piper is a 1/2! (They didn't quite understand that.) But once I boiled it down for them Caroline decided we should sing to her and have cupcakes. We did sing to her but we didn't do any cake.

So Miss Piper is growing too too fast! She's regularly up on all fours rocking back and forth. She doesn't really try to sit up but if you position her, she can do it for a second or two. I think she's more interested in moving - especially in the direction of her big sister and brother. She watches them intently and yells at them all the time. Just this week she figured out she could grab onto things and either bang them or really jerk something around to make noise.

She's also started dabbling in non-cereal dishes this week and has showed she really likes sweet potatoes but peas are just okay. We'll try some fruits this weekend. But overall, she seems to like the new addition to solids to her diet and gobbles up her cereal very quickly. She's still downing her usual amount of breastmilk every day too - she's definitely on a growth spurt of some kind. Plus, I KNOW she's teething. Drooling, gnawing, on/off crankiness. It's just a matter of time. Caroline didn't get her first tooth until almost 10 months but Bryce got his at 4 1/2 months - I think Piper will fall somewhere in between.

So without further adieu, I give you Miss Piper's 6 month photo along with a comparison of her with her siblings.


Caroline @ 6 months:


Bryce at 6 months:

5 Months

Well, Miss Piper is 5 months (and counting) already! Looking back at pictures of the big kids, it's apparent that 5 months is when they're still laying around and not yet sitting so I wonder what Piper will be doing at 6 months. I was able to dig out the sleeper that Caroline was wearing at 5 months but it's a little big so I'll just keep it aside for a bit. She's still fine in her 3-6 month clothes. She such a fuzzy little joy these days. She generally only wakes up once a night to nurse and hardly ever cries. She's such a happy little girl and smiles and screams with delight all the time. She's really into using her hands all of a sudden and really likes to examine them and grab things. When she's in the exersaucer now, she really likes to handle objects and manipulate them - she can entertain herself for a little longer too. She still rolls from back to front with ease, but only occasionally can get herself back to her back. But she can get up on those arms really high now and will lay on her belly in an upward dog sort of pose and interact with you. Makes me nervous to realize how truly close we are to having a mobile baby. (PICK UP THE SMALL TOYS, KIDS!) I'm still swaddling her at night with my trademark double swaddle and it's helping to put her right out, so we'll continue that until it stops working so well. I think I stopped swaddling the other kids when I could no longer contain them, but then, I hadn't figured out the double swaddle yet. I also think the other two might have mastered the back/front and front/back roll sooner so they weren't stuck if they rolled to their front and wanted to go back like Piper is sometimes. Although my memory (and blogging) is fuzzy about that.

So here is Miss P in her 5 month glory:


I think this one shows her mischevious personality that is developing:



And for kicks, here's a comparison with Caroline @ 5 months:


Bryce @ 5 months: (I never realized how much he looks like my brother in this shot!)

4 months: Piper vs. Bryce vs. Caroline

Here's a comparision of all 3 kids at 4 months old:

Piper:


Bryce:


Caroline:

3 Months Old

Piper, how can you be 3 months old already?


Just such a precious little girl! (Details on what's "up" with her are below.)

Here are some 3 month sibling comparisons below:

Caroline: (are you impressed I remembered what Caroline was wearing in her 3 month photo?)


Bryce (with terrible eczema and a funny hat!):


And a cute sister photo....had to crop Bryce out, he was picking his nose.

Piper vs. Mommy

I showed this photo to my kids earlier and asked them who it was. Without hesitation (and without knowing anything about why photos taken in the 1970's turned such strange colors) they both answered, "PIPER!"

Clearly, it's not something that I've imagined. This photo was taken of me at 7 weeks old in February 1977 and I'd say there is quite a resemblence to my 3rd born. My mom tells me all the time that she feels so lucky because it's like she's gotten a 2nd chance to have me as a baby. I guess as a mom and grandmother, it must be a strange delight. I know for me, sometimes I look at her and it's almost eerie because I feel like I'm looking at my own baby photos. She's even got my hairline - the widow's peak (which Caroline actually has too). You'll also notice the dark hair which turned much lighter as the months went on. It really makes me wonder what she'll look like a year (and more) from now. Although I'm not really sure what color her eyes are going to be. Somedays I think, definitely blue and other days they're almost hazel. So the verdict is still out on that.

Here are 2 photos of Piper for you to see to compare:



And while so far, Piper seems to look like me the most out of all 3 of my kids as babies, here are a few other photos of a young me. Here I am at 3 years old and while I've never thought Bryce looked like me at all, something about this photo shows a resemblence:


And here I am at 4 1/2 years old, almost exactly the same age as Caroline is now (you like how well I drew myself?):


Caroline's resemblence to me has always been interesting in that she's got Jason's coloring but the shape of my eyes (large!). I'll be very interested to see how she changes as she grows.