South Dakota

Grace had her first airplane flight Monday night. It was a late flight (we departed at 9:30 and landed at 11:00pm) and I was sure she would sleep the whole time. While she did sleep part of the flight, she was awake the whole time at the airport taking in all the sights. Of course Claire didn't sleep at all either. Despite exhaustion, both girls were great little passengers. As kids of a pilot, I would expect no less. :)

The girls and I are hanging out in SD until next week. Claire's loving all the extra attention. Grace, unfortunately has been a little out of sorts. I can't tell if she's not feeling well or if she's just feeling off since the routine and environment are different. She was really fussy all afternoon so I opted to stay home with her tonight, while everyone else is off enjoying Claire's favorite place- Peppy's Pizza. (The whole I don't have any extra milk nor did I bring my pump thing kind of makes me the one stuck home with her.) Although she hasn't cried once since they left, so I guess she would have been fine.

Claire has been enjoying time with her cousins and Grace has been meeting all sorts of relatives for the first time.

Happy

I just can't get enough of this happy babe!

Standing Tall

All she wants to do is stand. I'm afraid she won't learn how to sit, because she would much rather stand. She can now stand (holding on to something, of course) for several minutes without getting tired. And she must think it's pretty fun, because she giggles at me whenever I prop her up against the couch or chair. You would never guess her legs were so strong under those rolls of chub!

Sleep

Claire's nightmares and other nighttime fears have diminished greatly in the past couple of weeks. (I think her obsession with Halloween decorations played a large role in her issues.) While she still wakes up several times a week, it's no longer every night and it's easy to calm her down and get her back to sleep. Hopefully it will continue to get better.

I had finally decided Grace was ready to move into her own room, then she decided to start waking multiple times a night for about a week. It's so much easier with her right next to me. I can scoop her up, nurse her and get her back to bed all without having to leave my bed. But I think it might have just been a growth spurt, because the last 2 nights she's back to sleeping well. She's sleeps about 9-10 hours straight, wakes to nurse, then snoozes for another 2-3 hours (or until Claire wakes us all up!) I'll give it a couple more nights to see if she continues to sleep well, then it's on to the crib.

Get funky and shake your booty

...and I thought I signed her up for a ballet class!

My growing girls

Thirty

It's my 30th birthday. When I was younger, 30 always sounded so old. (Actually it still sounds old, but I don't feel old!) Is life as I expected at 30? Well...I'm not rich. I'm not famous. I don't even have a successful career. I'm not always able to afford the latest gadgets. And I haven't traveled the world.

But....I have a family that means the world to me. I have been happily married for 7 years and am still madly in love with that guy. I have two wonderful, beautiful, healthy children. I happily exchanged the career path for the chance to take care of my children everyday. I'm healthy and most of all, I'm happy. I'd say my life is pretty good. (And honestly, turning 30 doesn't bother me at all.)