Reaghan's Big Day {Tiny Tot Choir + Dance Recital}

Remember when I wrote that Reaghan was starting dance class this fall? Her Winter Showcase was last weekend and it was a-dorable.

This entire fall I've had so much fun taking Reaghan to dance class every Thursday evening. She gets so excited when she wakes up from her nap and I tell her its time to get ready for dance. I was worried about how she would do in the class without me there watching since she is not very outgoing but from day 1 she hasn't hesitated. I love watching her walk in to class confidently taking her bag to her little cubby and sitting on her blue dot on the floor and then emerging 45 minutes later so proud of herself and eager to tell me all that she did! It's been fun as a mom watching her enjoy something that's building her confidence and her independence. 

Along with dance class we've also being doing a Tiny Tot choir at church on Sunday evenings practicing two Christmas songs to share with the congregation during the Christmas Season. My sister-in-law Ann and I have been leading the class and wouldn't you know that the day to sing fell on the same day as the girls first dance recital!?! Thankfully the girls show time was in the evening so the times didn't conflict but it made for a fun, busy day! I made sure we got some pictures that morning of the girls in their Christmas dresses. (That I snagged at the consignment shop right up the road from me. I don't always shop second hand, but when it comes to holiday outfits, its the best way to go because they're always in great condition!)

This was another area I wasn't too sure that Reaghan would do well in. She does great in class singing her songs and doing the hand motions when I'm in there leading it but I worried that when she got on stage to sing in front of the whole church she wouldn't want to go through with it. She totally surprised me and wasn't phased a bit! I can't believe how much she's matured this past year. 

After church we made sure we came home and got a nap before her second "performance" of the day. She doesn't always need a nap any more, but I know being center of attention takes a lot out of my introverted toddler so recharging with a nap was definitely a priority. I didn't want any melt downs at the little recital.

Cousins waiting together backstage!

I almost grabbed our nicer camera but then decided I didn't want to lug it around... ugh, I should've brought it because the iphone just couldn't capture great pictures in the darkened room. 

When they first came out I was a little worried because Reaghan (second.. well really 3rd... in line) had her head down and finger in her mouth. Her classic nervous habits that we've been working on overcoming. I thought oh no, this isn't going to go well.

But once they were all lined up and the music started playing she perked right up!

They did a little dance to "Let it Snow" and it was precious with their twirls, plies and passe's. 

I thought I might die of cuteness. (I literally almost did die of cuteness when another 3-4 year old class came out dressed as reindeer and did a tap dance routine! I don't know how I made it through that one.)

You can't have a dance recital without the daddy bringing the little ballerina some flowers!

She also got a little ballerina doll and a rose from her Grammie and Pop Pop.

Her aunts and uncles came to see her dance and Mark's parents were there too of course for both of their grand-girls. They brought the girls a little ballerina ornament for the tree. 

Mark and I talk a lot about what we want our kids participation in things like dance and sports to look like as they grow older. We love the opportunity for character growth and personal development that comes along with these types of activities but we want there to be a realistic balance between their activity of choice and our family life. Of course, that's looking quite a few years in to the future! We're just now getting our feet wet in this world of extra curricular activities with our 3 year old and right now we are completely enjoying this new season watching our Reaghan become a big girl!

See Lilly Grow! {10 months}

I am 2 weeks late in posting this... her ten month "birthday" was 14 days ago. This Christmas season has been so busy so far even with all of attempts to keep things slow. I guess its just the nature of the season with kids! We've been having fun, but hopping on this blog here with updates has been low on the totem pole of priorities! I have a lot of updates to try and squeeze in before Christmas, but we'll see if it happens!

Size

She is wearing mostly 12 month outfits, I bought her a 12 month Christmas dress at a consignment shop the other day and it was almost too small for her! I couldn't believe it. She even wears some 12-18 month shirts, and size 3 diapers.

Health

At 9 1/2 months she got her second bottom tooth! She also had a horrible cold that lasted 12 days. She was so stuffed up and congested and even spiked a fever to 102 the first day. We had to raise one end of her mattress up to help her sleep, suck her snot out before every sleep which she hated! I basically had to put her on the floor and "sit" on her to keep her still to do it effectively. I even took her in to the doctors on like day 10 because she started wheezing. Dr said it was just congestion so.... I'm never taking this girl in to the drs again because every time I do its really nothing. *rolls eyes* but I guess I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Feeding

Last month I was really worried about my supply and being able to nurse until 12 months but I did buy the Fenugreek tea and it totally helped! Oatmeal for breakfast and the tea boosted it right back! It's still less overall but that's normal because she is nursing less. She usually nurses around 4 times a day, Morning, Pre-afternoon nap, post nap and bed time. She basically eats everything. She loves deli meat, and any type of chicken that I'll share with her. Still loves her graham crackers. Likes to gnaw on pizza crust and soft pretzels. Reaghan loves to share her oatmeal with her in the morning. She can hold her own pouch to eat out of it. She loves to drink water from a sippy cup or straw.  

Sleeping

Thankfully still sleeping through the night 90% of the time. The couple of weeks that she was sick through her off a bit but of course I fed and snuggled her when she woke up since she wasn't feeling good. We took an overnight trip to Williamsburg and she did not sleep well in her pack n play so slept in the bed with us and she spent the night with Grammie recently and ended up in her bed too. Sooo.. apparently she needs her own crib to sleep all night. She still takes morning cat naps and great long, afternoon naps though so I will not complain! She will not fall asleep in a stroller or in your arms. Falls asleep on her own in her crib.

Likes

She basically loves to get into everything! She is an explorer and oh so curious. She likes to find remotes and the key to the gas fireplace *facepalm*.  She loves to try and crawl into the bathroom... I have to make sure I keep the door shut so she doesn't try to get to the toilet! Always trying to get into the dog dish, Always trying to pull sissy's window stickers off the window. She goes right for the pantry if I leave the door open... especially loves to pull out to the plastic cups and canned goods. Goes right for the dishwasher when I'm trying to put dishes away. She loves when I let her pull out all of my plastic storage containers while I fix dinner. She likes to sing "How big is Lilly?!" but can't lift her arms on her own yet. She is getting better at letting me read her books and likes to reach out and touch the touch and feel spots. She loves when Reag and I crawl around on the floor so she can chase after us. She thinks it so funny when she hangs upside down and she loves to give ni-night kisses to sissy and daddy. She likes when daddy dances her to the cha cha slide! She likes to be carried in the ergo carrier.

Dislikes

She still refuses to do sign language! I know she can do it but she's totally choosing not too. She does not like to sit still for anything... bath time, diaper changes, just in general! I am trying to practice with her at home because she is having a hard time making it through a church service because she is so squirmy and chatty! She is not interested in TV like her big sissy was. She doesn't like to go running with me in the stroller which has really discouraged me from running as much as I want to because she fusses the whole time. I think its because she'd rather be running. haha You can tell how much she likes to sit still from our monthly pictures this time! : )

Milestones
She can finally clap her hands!! She can give high fives and loves to do it! She started taking a step or 2 at a time!!! We love to practice with her every night. We thought she'd be walking by Christmas but she can't seem to get past the second step... really its like a step and a half. She is so close though. She stands really well on her own, especially if she's holding something in her hand.

Sibling Love
Reaghan is teaching Lilly how to share... "let sissy have it." She is working on trading toys with Lilly if Lil takes something she was playing with, so she can get her toy back. Lilly can be a little rough sometimes with grabbing faces and hair but Reaghan always takes it like a champ and gives sweet reminders... "Be nice Lilly, be nice. Don't hurt big sissy." Reaghan still calls her sweet heart and always makes sure she has a toy to take when we leave the house or that her sun shade is pulled up on her car seat.

Special Events/Outings
She celebrated her first Thanksgiving and loved all of the food! Decorated her first Christmas tree and Christmas cookies. She's done way better with the tree and presents than I thought she would. I was not looking forward to her terrorizing the tree all season but she's actually been so good about it! We have to tell her no every once in a while but she's mostly left it alone! Went to Christmas Town twice and she enjoyed Aunt Nin Nin carrying her in the Ergo carrier almost the whole time. 



I always feel like her monthly updates say negative things about her... I mean, Lilly Jean is our crazy girl but we sure do love her for it! She brings all the spunk and attitude to our family that we could ever need right now! I can't wait to celebrate Christmas morning with her and can not believe she is getting so close to being a year old!