Bigger every day

She's growing up and I never said she could

I always struggle with my babies getting bigger. Not in the way most people do though...as far as I know. I can't WAIT for them to grow up, because for me toddlers are easier than babies. But I'm always sad when they do grow up because I feel awful for wishing those sweet baby stages away.

Well...here we are at another milestone. Cait is now eating solids. She will never be that exclusively breastfed baby again (not that she was anyway...since she usually gets a bottle of formula a day). But still, who said this was allowed to happen?? I sure didn't. I AM happy that this means we're headed in the right direction...away from the hard baby stuff (that I can't handle all that well) toward the hard toddler stuff (that I can handle a TON better). But I'm a tiny bit sad that she's not quite the newborn I feel like she is. Maybe that's partly because I can't keep blaming the extra baby weight on having a newborn...I think people are starting to wonder where that newborn is.

Anyway...way to go Cait!! You are a champ! You LOVED that sweet potato we fed you! You gobbled it up and asked for more! You also LOVED having your big sisters feed you (and they loved it equally as much)

p.s. do you notice her left eye? It's a little droopy compared to her right eye. She was born with a condition called Ptosis. We've done some testing to determine the cause for her case of Ptosis...and came to the conclusion that there was no cause (other then a speedy speedy delivery that may have done some damage to her eye). So she may outgrow it (i.e. strengthen that muscle over time), deal with it (i.e. have a droopy eye her whole life), or have it fixed (i.e. reconstructive surgery). We don't have too worry too much though...and only need to get it checked out every 6 months...and then at around 3 or 4 we'll consider our options. Interesting though. 

Alone

It's a strange feeling being by myself...well mostly by myself. Hailey's in Kindergarten, Paige is in joyschool and Cait is napping. I'm ALONE! I feel so much like I want to have a nap...but I feel even more like I want to read a book. So that's what I'm going to do. It feels soooo nice.

Some girls in my ward have put together a little joyschool program. It's going to be fun, laid back and a great way to get our 3 year olds out of the house! I only have to teach once a month...and since we're all pretty easy going I don't have to stress too much! Plus I've done it before.

Paige was soooo excited to go to school...but was a bit disappointed when she realized it was just at some one's house. She wanted to go to an actual school! Next year. I decided to take the customary first day of school pictures with Paige...since she got to see her sister get hers done this year. The thing about Paige is she's equal parts shy, sassy, happy, grumpy, sweet, adorable, adventurous, and just plain old wonderful. The funny thing is she's not equal parts at all times. She chooses one persona at a time and commits fully...for at least a minute (or days). And that's why we LOVE Paige so much. I honestly feel like everyone needs a child like Paige in their family...you will never be shy of adventure, drama, cuteness or mystery. Something knew every day. And each day is just as exciting as the one before. Trust me. 

My Girls

It's funny how I sometimes see soooo many similarities between Paige and Cait...and most people think they look the most alike between the three girls. BUT when I look at Hailey's baby pictures I see soooo much Cait in them as well. Really, I think they just all look so much alike. Cait and Hailey have the same eyes and nose, and Cait and Paige have the same lips...and every other last detail they share. My babies come from one mould...and one mould only! But in these pictures...I think it's Cait and Hailey that are twins.

Anyway, I took pictures of my other two girls in their blessing gowns when they were three/four months old. But I forgot to with Cait. So this morning I pulled the gown out and put it on her. She barely squeezed into it at 5 months old. But she's still cute as ever.

Cait - 5 months

Paige - 3 months

Hailey - 4 months

Kindergarten

Kindergarten...yep. I've got a kid in Kindergarten! Wow. Where did the time go. I can't believe it!

Those are the kind of things I'm supposed to say right?

It's interesting how going to preschool was more monumental then going to kindergarten. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that her preschool was IN the elementary school and felt so much like real school to me. Plus she only goes to kindergarten two full days a week (with a Friday thrown in there once in a while). Next year will be a different story, I believe.

Anyway, we're all excited and happy to see Hailey excited and happy about Kindergarten.
 

Her first day was a success. She was happy as could be. Had no complaints or concerns. And really seemed to enjoy herself. We dropped her off at the crack of dawn...ok 8:30, but we haven't woken up before 9:00 am all summer. So it felt like the crack of dawn. So we dropped her off, she leaped out of the van and bounded off towards the school...and left poor Paige in her wake. Poor poor Paige.

Does this picture get any sadder? I mean besides the fact that Paige is still sporting some serious bedhead and is clearly dressed in rags. But the saddest part is how forlorn Paige looks.  Her big sister is off to bigger and better things...and that means Paige has to stay home with mom and the boring baby sister.

Anyway...Hailey was very happy about her class room. It's a brand new school with brand new everything. And she was especially happy to play with the littlest pet-shops. So we left her with her teacher and other kids. AND I didn't shed a single tear...how is that even possible?

 

We (Paige, Cait and I) then spent the rest of the day cleaning up from our last camping trip...relaxing, watching Dora etc. Later that afternoon we loaded back up in the van and picked Hailey up while we anxiously waited for her to share every little detail about her first day. Which she refused to share. So I'll assume it went fine. She said she loved it, but just couldn't remember anything.

 I did get this sweet little gem though...a picture she drew in class. A beaver and a turtle. So randomly adorable! That's Hailey for ya! We sure love that kid...she's the best!