Pretty Girl

Our first rite of passage as parents of a baby girl...Randy and I debated many times about piercing Helaina's ears as an infant/toddler. With slight reservation, we went ahead and made an appointment this past Sunday at Carnival Cuts to have them done. Randy and I actually feel a bit guilty about having it done at such a young age, but she's so darn cute that it melts our heart!
Hopefully you can enlarge the picture to see the pretty girl in the beautiful earrings.

Our next venture for Helaina will be her first HAIRCUT!

Superior Family Dental Open House

Yesterday, Randy and Jeff officially celebrated the Grand Opening of their dental office by hosting an Open House for family, friends, and colleagues. It was a great event, and we are looking forward to the office growing in the new year!

www.superiorfamilydental.com

Our Deepest Sympathies

Yesterday in a tragic car accident, a dear husband, son, and friend lost his life at the age of 31. My cousin Jessie lost her husband, Jeff, after just 19 months of marriage. Words can not express our sadness for Jessie and their families. Their life together was only beginning and now life as she knows it has changed forever. Please join our family in prayer as we offer comfort and support in this time of grief.

www.keysnet.com/212/story/190431.html?story_link=email_msg

Wednesday Swimday

Another Wednesday night swim class for Helaina. Each week she continues to make progress with swimming, floating, and increased comfort in the water.
She always has her index finger pointing at something! Laps in the pool

She's seriously fearless. She just walks right into waterfalls and stands directly on top of the water spouts, comes out for air, and then goes right back for more.

A short clip of Helaina underwater.

Learning to Walk

Helaina has been practicing for awhile, but the past few days she's really had an interest in walking! We finally were able to catch a few steps on video!

Friday Play Date

Today Helaina had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Isabella and Adam, while I was able to visit with Christina and Lana. We've been trying to set up play dates as a group for awhile and just now were able to make it happen.
Isabella will be 3 this April. Helaina turns 1 next month, and Adam will be 6 months next week. As a mom, I really enjoy seeing the kids in the different stages. Isabella is very much like a big sister to Helaina. Helaina just follows her around the room and throughout the house. Helaina doesn't really "play" with her just yet, but she does parallel play by just wanting to be by her side.

Isabella is GREAT at giving hugs!

Waiting at the door for Lana and baby Adam to arrive...they were both so excited to get more company.

Baby Adam

The best photo I could capture of the 3 of them together. Minutes later Helaina grabbed and ate Adam's rattle. I have a feeling we may have boundary issues in the future!!!

Sweet Dreams

Every night we tuck Helaina into bed around 8pm. We lay her in the middle of the bed and tuck her covers neatly by her side. Randy and I will check on her about an hour later to make sure she's still covered. Usually she's still covered but has creeped up the bed a bit. We make a final check before we head to bed around 10 or 10:30. By this time, Helaina has usually found her favorite sleeping position. Her head pushed snugly into the corner of the bed, and her thumb is definitely within close reach.

Our little sleeping beauty...see you in the morning :)!

Underwater Swimmer

Unfortunately no picture for this post, but this past Wednesday at swim class, Helaina officially went for a swim UNDERWATER!!! Randy and I had been delaying dunking her, but we got brave, and during the "Ring Around the Rosie" song, we submerged all of her pretty little head. And SHE DID GREAT! She swallowed a little water, choked for a few seconds, and then clapped for herself. We are so proud of you little girl!