NICU Reunion and Ice Cream Social

Every year the hospital where Gabi was born has a reunion and ice cream social for NICU graduates. It happened to be today, so we went. (Who can turn down free ice cream?)

It was very nice. They had a couple of inflatable bounce houses. One had a dinosaur theme, and the other had a caterpillar/butterfly theme. The caterpillar one had a tunnel, then a climb up a ladder and a slide. Rachel LOVED it. She loved it so much that when I asked her if she wanted ice cream, she declined telling me she was having so much fun. Gabi wanted to go into the caterpillar tunnel, but she was too scared. She made a move toward it a few times, but each time she changed her mind. Finally I took her in myself. She was not amused. Gabi did have a lot of fun in the other dinosaur bounce house. It was wide open.They also had cupcakes (which is finally what drew Rachel away from the caterpillar bounce house), games, popcorn and water bottles.

The girls came home filthy (covered in melted ice cream) and happy.

Last Swimming Lesson

Yesterday was Rachel's last swimming lesson. It was a good experience and she had a lot of fun. They gave her a report card. There were 3 grades. A meant that a skill was introduced (meaning she didn't really do it well). The letter S meant that the skill was completed in a satisfactory way. A meant that the skill was completed in an outstanding way.

Personal Safety
Know pool and class rules -
Walk away from wall, turn & grab wall with assistance - S
Back float with float belt for 20 seconds - S
Recover from back float - S
Secure and take off an IDF (flotation device) - S

Personal Growth
Participate in activities for self-confidence -
Participate in discussion about core values (caring, honesty, respect & responsibility) -
Show enjoyment -

Stroke Development
Paddle on front for 10 yards with float belt -
Paddle on front 2 yards without float belt -
Paddle on back 10 yards with float belt - S
Paddle on back 2 yards without float belt - S
Paddle on side 10 yards with float belt -
Paddle on side 2 yards without float belt -

Rescue Skills
Know when to yell for help - S
Be able to go to an adult for assistance - S
Know how to dial emergency number (911) - S
Know first and last name -
Perform a reaching assist -

Water Sports & Games
Climb up and down pole in shallow water - S
Dribble ball 15-20 feet - S
Pass and catch ball with one or two hands - S

Swimmer's Attitude
Confident -
Listens to instructions -
Follows direction -
Demonstrates caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility -

Instructor's Comments: Rachel does well in her swimming when she tries to focus. Continue to practice skills.

Overall, she loves swimming. Listening and focusing are not her strongest skills, at least at this point. It could be because she's 3. I wasn't sure if taking swimming lessons was going to be worth it, but I think she really did learn some things. At the end of the last lesson all of the kids got to go down a water slide. Here she is right after she landed.
She wanted to go again, but after going to the top she changed her mind. She told me it was too dark in there.

Yesterday in the afternoon we went to the pool to beat the heat. I watched Rachel on her own float on her back and kick.

When I took Gabi to the pool for the first time this year she really loved the water. With a little life jacket and arm rings she can manage pretty well in the pool herself. In spite of the look on her face, she was really having fun. The only bad part is she really doesn't like it when I put her arm rings on. Once they're on, though, she's fine with them.I expect that we'll be going to the pool a lot this summer.

Rachel and Gabi on their new trampoline

More to come later when Noelle gets a chance to edit this.

Last Day of School

Yesterday was Rachel's last day of pre-school. To celebrate they invited all of the kids and their families for a picnic. Jeff couldn't go because of work, but Gabi and I went.
After eating lunch all the kids played on the playground for a while. We took some pictures, and a little after 12:00 we all went home. And thus ends school. Until fall.

We even got an informal and spontaneous class picture.

Rachel really loved school. When I told her that there was no more school she got a really concerned look on her face and said "why?" I explained that school will start again around her birthday. That made her very happy.

The Week In Review

Last Monday Gabi had her 2 year old check-up. It went very well, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Gabi didn't need any shots. In fact she has 2 years before she needs to get any more shots. Unfortunately, that means that Rachel's next appointment (4 year old check-up) is going to have shots. I've heard that it's not going to be good.

Anyway, Gabi's stats are as follows:
weight: 27.4 lbs. (50 - 75%)
height : 33.75 inches (25%) She's a shorty.
head: 19 inches (50 - 75%)

Monday night we had Gabi's family birthday party. It was a simple affair. The only picture I took was of her and Jeff's dad who was reading her a story. I thought it was sweet, but the picture quality isn't perfect.
We've finally started to see some improvement in the weather. At least we've seen the sun more frequently. We're still getting rain, but it has come over the past couple of days as afternoon thunderstorms. My mental health is grateful for the improvement in the weather.

We've had these costumes for a couple of years now, and Rachel has often enjoyed putting one or the other on. Now, though, Gabi is almost big enough to fit in them, so it's fun when they dress up together. Unfortunately Rachel is almost too big now, and she can barely fit in them. I don't know where I'll come up with another cute costume for her to wear next.

Laundry day, and I was folding clothes. The girls were excited to help, if you want to call it that. Rachel put on one of her daddy's shirts, and Gabi put on his pajama pants.
Next they both climbed into a pair of my pajama shorts. They are so funny!
I finally remembered to take the better camera to Rachel's swimming lesson yesterday.

Gabi turned 2 years old today

It is hard to believe that Gabi is 2 years old today. But she is.

Because today is Sunday we did not do too much to celebrate. Her real birthday party is tomorrow. But we did have cupcakes and opened one present.

Also tomorrow is her 2 year old check-up.

Enjoying a powdered sugar coated mini donut

Ready for church

Make a wish!

That was a good cupcake!

For her birthday, Gabi got a baseball tee with a bat and a ball. I have high hopes for her future athletic career.

Rachel took some swings too

Stay tuned for the continuation of Gabi's birthday celebrations as well as results from her doctor's appointment.

"I am so beautiful!"

I wanted to write this yesterday, but blogger was having problems, so I couldn't until today.

Yesterday I had an appointment to tune a piano at 9:30 in the morning, so I needed to get out of the house by 9:00. I was a little lazy, so I was trying to get everything ready kind of at the last minute. The girls were eating their breakfast when Rachel announced with some urgency that she had to use the potty. So I got her going in the right direction, and went into my room to get dressed myself. When I came back Rachel was still in the bathroom. Now the bathroom is a great place for Rachel to cause trouble so I decided to check on her. I said out loud "I'm going to see what Rachel is up to." I heard some pattering feet, and I knew that I had better get up there and fast.

I went up to the bathroom door, and when I went to open it Rachel was blocking it, holding it closed so I couldn't get in. I said "Rachel, what are you doing?" Rachel confessed "I need to cut my hair."

Oh no! Please not that!

I pushed my way into the bathroom, and there was Rachel with the hair cutting scissors, sitting on the floor.

While Rachel did succeed in cutting some of her hair, fortunately it was done in such a way that I couldn't even tell where she cut it from, but I could see the evidence on the floor, 3 locks of hair, about 3 inches long. It's a good thing she has such a fabulous hair dresser who gave her a style that is so forgiving.

Rachel was so proud of herself. She said "I am so beautiful!" Well, I couldn't argue with that, but I did tell her that she is not to cut her hair anymore.

We're a bunch of losers

Today was the Kentucky Derby. We had a Derby Party at my in-laws' house. In keeping with tradition, we each drew the name of a horse in the Derby. Then we all have a horse (or 2) to cheer for. The winner gets a prize, the person who comes in 2nd gets a prize, the person who comes in 3rd gets a prize, and the person who comes in dead last gets a prize. Well, Gabi's horse (Comma to the Top) came in dead last, but what was really funny is that Rachel's horse (Watch Me Go) came in 2nd to last, mine (Twinspired) came in 3rd to last, and Jeff's (Midnight Interlude) came in 4th to last. The four of us managed to get the last four horses. What are odds of that happening?

Just in case you missed the race, here it is:

Finally!

We have had a pretty miserable spell of weather. Rain, severe weather, more rain, cold, more rain, more rain, more rain. Yesterday the rain finally gave way to sort of blue skies, but it was pretty cold. Today, though, it was a BEAUTIFUL day.

This afternoon we started by going for a bike ride.

Next we did some work in the back yard. I prepared my garden boxes and planted my tomato plants.

Jeff came home early (Derby Parade), and he helped finish the garden.

Then we got out the sprinkler for the girls to play in. It was maybe a little too cold for that, but they didn't seem to mind.

Swimming Lessons and some other items.

Rachel started taking swimming lessons at the YMCA yesterday. She was in the group for children ages 3-5. Each child took a swimming test to place them at the appropriate level. Rachel really did a great job. She loves swimming. Okay, when it comes to listening and following directions maybe she wasn't exactly perfect, but all things considered she did great.Sorry for the horrible pictures. My blackberry does not impress me with its camera. Next time I'll bring my real camera (if I remember) and get some better pictures then.

Yesterday afternoon we went to Lexington to Jeff's sister Trish's house. The recently completed their basement, and they had a combined open house/birthday party for their daughter, for Brian (Jeff's brother) and Amber (Brian's wife), all of whom celebrate birthday's within the same week. Anyway, the new basement is BEAUTIFUL. Rachel and Gabi had a really good time. They have a work-out room with a heavy punching bag. Rachel and Gabi enjoyed beating up on the punching bag.
A few more pictures: Last Monday on our way to piano lessons, Rachel fell asleep in the car.

At the home of our student, Gabi managed to acquire a red vine licorice. Her clown lips are evidence of her enjoyment.
That evening we went to Chuck E. Cheese for Brian's birthday party. That was my first time ever going there. Rachel and Gabi both enjoyed it a lot, and Rachel professed her love for Chuck E. Cheese for the next few days.