Busy Busy Busy

Phew, it has been a very busy few weeks! I went back to work last week - I can't believe how fast 13 weeks went by! Caitlin started daycare and is doing great. She is in the same room Maddy started in with the same teachers. She also seems to be following in her big sister's footsteps when it comes to eating and sleeping -loves to eat, and is sleeping through the night - she is typically asleep by 8 PM and we often have to wake her up in the morning around 7:15 so we can get out the door on time! Last night she actually woke up around 3 AM (I heard her on the monitor) and cried a bit but then got herself back to sleep which is awesome. She is growing like crazy and is very happy and content most of the time. She smiles a ton and is now belly laughing which cracks me up. She loves the baby bjorn (Maddy never liked it much). She definitely knows what she likes and what she doesn't like and does not hesitate to let us know! Maddy has been such a great big sister and really genuinely loves her baby sister. I caught her peeking in at Caitlin one night and whispering "I love you Caitlin" when she didn't know I was watching. It brought a tear to my eye.

Since the last update, we've had a gymnastics class, 4 birthday parties (2 for Maddy, one for Jenn & Shawn, and one for Maddy's friend Harrison), countless Halloween parties and events, and signed up for swimming lessons (for Maddy, which start on Nov 21st). We also had a nice visit from Grandma and Grandpa Myers before they left for sunny Florida- it was great to see them and Maddy and Caitlin loved all of the attention they got :) Maddy has her 3 year check up this week. She got flu shots last Monday (both seasonal and H1N1). There is so much information out there both for and against these vaccines, but we decided it was best for her to get them to protect her and Caitlin (who is too young to get the shots). Given Maddy's reaction to very minor bumps and bruises in the past (crying, wanting kisses for her boo boos, etc) I expected a dramatic scene at the doctor's office. To my utter surprise, Maddy proceeded to sit perfectly still on my lap and watch intently as they washed the area on her little arm with alcohol and jabbed her with a very large needle. Not even a flinch or a peep from her. Then they repeated this on the other arm - two separate shots. Same reaction. The doctor was so impressed she gave Maddy two lollipops instead of just one. Maddy was very proud of herself and loved the shiny silver band aids. She hasn't had any reaction to the shots that we can tell, so that is good. Hopefully we all stay healthy and it was worth getting the shots. It will be an interesting year with two kids in school and all of those germs they will be exposed to.

On to the pictures (they are in reverse chronological order - not sure why blogger uploads them that way...)

Marin enjoying her cupcake at Maddy's party

Maddy, Devin, and Annabelle having fun with the hoola hoops

Maddy on the jumping mat

Maddy and Caitlin lounging around

Maddy in the wheelbarrow

Me and my girls (notice the choke hold Maddy has on Caitlin...LOL)

Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

Maddy loves her Cinderella dress from Grammy and Bubba

Making her wish, and attempting to blow out the candle (she got some good practice at her first party and only took one huff and puff at the second party)

Looking a bit like Pippi Longstocking, or an Amish girl maybe? Very cute nonetheless :)

Our littlest chicken

Our chickens

It was a very windy day at Harrison's birthday party at an outdoor park, and I happened to peak in on Caitlin who was chilling out in the stroller, and this one leaf had blown in and settled right next to her. She was like "yeah, me and this leaf are just hanging out..."

Maddy and Alexis looking cute at Jenn & Shawn's Birthday/Halloween party

Happy Birthday Auntie Jenn & Uncle Shawn!

What a nice looking family.... oh, it's us!

Grammy with the girls

Caitlin had two costumes this year - here she is as our little chili pepper

Maddy and Greg on the hayride at the Fall Festival in Billerica

Maddy and Greg participating in the costume parade at the Fall Festival - Maddy won cutest costume (I think there were only like 8 kids total, but she was cute - I am biased though!)