Dancing Queen

Maiya officially started her dance class yesterday. It is a Ballet/Creative movement dance class for 45 minutes every Tuesday. She had a great time. And told us that she learned how to 'tip-toe, tip-toe' (she says it in a really cute kind of high pitched way, if you can imagine.

Little miss thing, showing off her ballerina moves.

 

I just thought this picture was cool because Quincey was caught jumping in the air. 

My little Artist

We borrowed this really cool little white board desk from the toy lending library that we have here in town.  And Quincey has been showing off his drawing skills.  This particular picture is of blues clues.  Blue and Steve.  I really see the resemblance!

Miraculously Cured!

So, I realized that I never updated about how Quincey's speech therapy went.  He went 30 min. every mon and wed for about 1 month total and is now pretty much cured and graduated on August 3rd.  We saw such an improvement after even the very first appointment.  He really just liked his therapist, and the environment and responded to all of the resources that they had there. 
She taught him a lot of techniques to help when he got stuck, like "Stop, take a breath, start over."  When we first took him he just got so frustrated because he had so much to say, and it wouldn't come out fast enough and there was so much tension all over his body, but especially in his face and neck.  I've noticed that he has been able to transfer that tension to his hands now, so he is a bit of a hand talker ;)  (which just runs in the family).
It isn't completely gone though, with Quincey his speech problems are highly influenced by his environment.  Especially, really exciting ones, where he feels like he has to compete with the noise.  Like when we went to Vegas with my sisters family, I noticed that he regressed a bit.  But, we just remind him of his speech tools and he responds like a champ.
I have been hearing a lot from people that know him how amazing the change has been. Life is a little better now all around.  Quincey is much happier, a lot less frustrated, and G and I too.  So glad we were able to get some help, and hope it lasts!

Quincey with Kandy practicing smooth, and relaxed speech with a swing.  I was amazed at how well that worked. 

22 weeks

I have such a majestic pose ;)

On the phone (not so majestic).

I am still feeling really good! I love the second trimester.  I have got my eating a lot more under control.  I eat a lot more often throughout the day so I am not so ravenous around brownies and the like.

We found a book called 'The Wild, wild Inside: A view from Mommy's Tummy" and my kids really like it.  The book is narrated by the baby that is inside her mommy's tummy and she talks about how people will always ask her mom what the baby is doing and she always says the same things.  Like, sleeping, eating, kicking.  And the baby explains that she isn't doing just those things, she dances like a ballerina, or plays baseball, or cooks food for hungry puppies, or does yoga and flies rocket ships.
Q has really gotten into it, he is always coming up with things that the baby is doing.  And even though he still says he wants a brother, he always calls the baby she.
So today I tried to tell the kids that the baby was sleepy so I needed to take a nap, and Quincey said, "No, Mom the baby isn't tired she is wanting to dance."  Ahhh man.  

Maiya is Three!

My baby girl turned 3 yesterday!  She is such a fun little girl.  She is very independent, she loves to wrestle her brother, and LOVES the color pink.  She also loves to paint and color, which we do a lot of.  Her most favorite thing to do though, is to take out all of the blankets and towels from the inn closet and puts them in a big pile on the floor (inside or outside) and "make a house." She then brings her babies, and other toys of choice and will sit there and chat with them.

(for example...)

I was looking at cake ideas on the computer and she saw this pink pony cake and she fell in love with it.  So, we had a great time making it.  And when I asked her what her favorite part of her party was, she said, " My Pink Pony Cake!"

We had so many friends come to her party on Friday night. We all had a great time.  Here are some pics of present opening. 

On Sunday morning (her actual birthday) Quincey and I got up and decorated with balloons and streamers.  We also had birthday muffins, and she got to open some presents.

She loved wearing her new dress and jewelry to church. 

20 weeks

Yesterday, I hit 20 weeks.  I am more than half way now!  I am most definitely feeling pregnant now.  I have to sleep on my side to be comfortable (I am normally a 100 % back sleeper, so I always dislike giving that up).  My number one craving for this pregnancy so far is BROWNIES!!!!  And normally, I am not crazy about brownies or chocolate in general.  So, this baby's middle name is probably 'Sugar'.  I have been having heartburn which I never had with my others... that isn't much fun.  But other then that, All is well!  It really surprised me when they said the placenta was in the front, because I feel lots of kicks.  G was even able to feel a kick the other night already!