Marching on...

March was lots of fun - especially as Ainsley is being awake more and more and as we anticipated spring's arrival! Ainsley says, "Bring on the sunshine, I'm ready!" Sunglasses compliments of Sadie Beth.
Ainsley lights up when David comes into the room. She sure loves her Daddy.

We've had some bathtime drama at our house lately....Sadie Beth became terrified of her bath toys floating under Ainsley's tub while they bathed together. After about 2 weeks of letting Sadie Beth bathe in the shower downstairs, new bath toys, and retiring Ainsley's tub for a bath seat, I think we are back in business. Shoo, talk about exhausting...every bath time was a total melt down/near panic attach for Sadie Beth. This has been our first "fear" experience with her and I'm thankful we survived. It's always difficult finding that line between genuine emotion and inappropriate responses requiring discipline with little ones. While Sadie Beth would be melting down (because she became anxious whenever Ainsley got a bath, regardless of what she was doing), Ainsley pretty much looked like this. Truthfully, it was hard not to laugh at that part. Sadie Beth would be screaming (again, b/c Ainsley was getting a bath not her) and Ainsley would be sitting in her tub just chattering and laughing.

My beautiful girl - this fall/winter was really the first season we've needed to go out and buy clothes for Sadie Beth. Until now, we've enjoyed lots of hand-me-downs and all of the gifts family and friends so generously bestowed upon us. It was kindof fun getting to pick stuff out! And fun hearing Sadie Beth's opinions. This curdoroy dress was my favorite, and it looked so cute with her polka-dot tights from Grandma!

Our first walk outside for the year! The girls love riding in their double stroller together. You can definitely tell Ainsley feels big. Unfortunately, the walk didn't end this happy. Sadie Beth had strep throat and was a cranky pants by the time we got home.

A new fun game. She is always asking me, "Mommy, can you shut the door please?"

My kitchen helper...

Ainsley loves this ball. She always "mouth attacks" it...pretty funny.

Mouth attack in progress!

yikes!

One of the highlights of Sadie Beth's week is Honeybees. She loves her teacher (Miss Anna) and singing the Honeybees song. Apparently she's one of the only kids still wearing her shirt. I figure we paid for the silly thing, might as well keep wearing it.

Sunglasses are pretty much always a must in the car these days - even on rainy days.

I know, this is probably the 5th exersaucer picture - I just can't get enough.

It's a special hair day - then again, the argument could be made that every day is a special hair day for Ainsley.

This box provided endless fun for whatever reason - I guess it is just the right size to play in. This is how I found her one day after nap.

My bigger kitchen helper! Sadie Beth thrives on getting to help in the kitchen. I try to let her help whenever I can and need to let her do more. She gets uncontainably excited. Funny how letting her help usually results in twice the amount of work for me....so worth it though. Here we were making taco cups - a great recipe from Kraft.com if anyone is interested.

Ainsley's wants in on the fun too.

I hope they are best friends. I'm definitely already hearing on a regular basis, "Mooom, Ainsley's touching me!" Sheesh.

Sadie Beth went on a very special date with Grammy - to see Sesame Street Live! If you know my kid, you know this was quite possibly the highlight of her short life.

She seemed so big walking away from the car with my mom. David, Ainsley, and I got to enjoy dinner at Spaghetti Factory during their show...(and by enjoyed, I mean waited for 30 minutes, Ainsley screamed for 15 in the restaurant and fell asleep just as we were getting ready to pack up our food, and then we rushed out to pick Mom and Sadie Beth up in time). Hey, it was sortof a date!

One afternoon while I was making dinner, I heard Sadie Beth in the living room talking to Ainsley about P.U.s...(Miss Anna's label for stinky diapers). I didn't worry too much but then went in to check things out when I heard Ainsley squealing with excitement. This is what I found. (Note: Ainsley did not, in fact, have a dirty diaper.) I clearly informed Sadie Beth that this should not happen again - and then I laughed and took pictures.

Just for fun....

Sadie Elisabeth- 5 months and 3 days old.

Ainsley Christianna- 5 months, 12 days old.

More fun every day...

....at least that is what Sadie Beth thinks about Ainsley. It is so much fun watching their relationship change as Ainsley grows. She's already starting to "boss" Ainsley all over the place. Unfortunately for Sadie Beth, I can't think of a single time this has gotten her anywhere. This little girl just melts my heart. That's all there is to it. I would do cartwheels and backflips just to see her smile.

Sadie Beth used to lounge on this blanket all the time, just like this and Ainsley HATES it. She immediately wiggles off.

I also happen to love crazy baby hair...pretty much one of my favorite things. Thanks God, for baby girls with wacky hair. It definitely suits their personalities well.

I've never posted many pictures of our house because, well, it's always a mess. One day I pretended to be on top of things and was "crazy cleaning lady" for a day. And while it's ridiculous how much I did not get done, here are a few pictures of our home. Crazy to think we moved in a year ago last week. Please excuse the beige closet doors with the white trim. I was hoping to replace them, but think I might brave a can of spraypaint since we just recently figured out how to take them off and put the back on (read: I accidentally pulled the door off and David figured out how to get it back in place).

I wish I had an updated picture of my kitchen since I organized my refrigerator because it seriously changed the look of the entire room. I felt quite proud of my accomplishment. I'm glad the walls don't appear to be hot pink in these pictures.

I think I was most pleased with the way our bedroom turned out of all the paint colors I chose for the house....Sadie Beth's room too.

I joke with David that it is our "swimming pool room" because of the way the light fixture makes the light reflections dance on the walls.

Meet Ainsley's bug friend, aka "Ralphie." If you pull on the end, it plays the sweetest music that fits Ainsley's personality perfectly. We joke that it's her theme song. It will almost certainly make her smile, even if she is mid-wail...which is quite a sight to see. Sadie Beth often pretends he is "Ralphie" a parrot parrot off of one of her favorite Sesame Street episodes.

Maybe I'm a terribel mother, but it never occurred to me to buy Sadie Beth a snowsuit for this winter. But, we were blessed to borrow one from one of Sadie Beth's most favorite people in the world, us and grandparents aside...Miss Anna. Anna is one of my good friends who has a little girl 7 months older than Sadie Beth. These were Reagan's snow close from last year and they fit Sadie Beth (just barely but we made it work)...it was much more fun playing in these than in the many layers I would dress SB in for the snow.
I think I've said it before, but I'm SO glad David likes to play out in the snow. That will be his job from here on out I think because I don't like to be cold or wet (unless it's 80 degrees outside), so snow play is not on my list of favorite things.

Though I reconsider that strong opinion when I look at these pictures, like maybe just maybe I'm missing out on something really fun and precious with my girl.

Maybe next year when Ainsley can be out too - this year I was inside with her.

Have I mentioned what an amazing daddy Sadie Beth has? Here he is trying to teach her how to make a snow angel. I laughed heartily from the deck with my camera.

I'm very thankful David can work from home sometimes when the weather is really bad. Here Ainsley was stopping by for a visit. Have I mentioned I love her hair?

And when it gets to cold to play out in the snow, bring the snow inside!

This was a pretty clever idea, if I do say so myself.

Once again, Sadie Beth was "sharing" with Ainsley, who was quite the sport about everything.

We've had a blast playing with Sadie Beth's new food baskets.

Both of my girls have LOVED this bouncy seat. I've probably said it before, but it's pretty amazing. It entertains, soothes, distracts... Exersaucer time! The person who invented the exersaucer should be given the mommy version of the Nobel Peace Prize. Seriously.

Talk about Ainsley becoming much more fun for Sadie Beth - this opened up a whole new world.

Another great baby item we borrowed from Miss Anna - the Bumbo. She's just about outgrown it, but it was fun while it lasted. Note to all concerned: Ainsley was never left unattended on an elevated surface while in the Bumbo.

Sadie Beth came up with this game for her and David where they would "play" birthday party. Not all-together original I realize, but the hilarious part of the game is she would INSIST that they play in front of every single door way in the house, and on the bottom of the stairs as well. They would follow the exact same "pattern" of play each time and then pack up all their supplies and move to the next doorway. In our hallway there are 4 doors - so that means....4 birthday parties! David is much more patient that I when it comes to this stuff.

How did this happen? When did she get so big?

One Sunday morning photo attempt. It didn't go so well. Ainsley doesn't love hats, as you can see. This is why we are always late for church. You can imagine how David feels about these impromptu photo sessions.