And she's 3.

Milena turns three today.  

I think she's relieved to have woken up to find all her teeth still in her mouth, and all her diapers still in the closet.  These two things have been causing some anxiety the past few days as she realized her birthday was getting closer and closer.  A few months back Claire explained to Milena that she'll lose her teeth when she gets older. Milena assumed 'older' meant 'three', and she's been afraid that she'd wake up on her third birthday without teeth no matter how many times we assured her she would not.  The second issue, with the diapers, she brought on herself.  She's insisted she'd start wearing only underwear once she turned three.  She does great using the toilet at home, but she's a little iffy when we are out.  Public toilets can be quite loud, and they throw her off.  As the big day came closer, she started worrying that in the night I would replace all her diapers with underwear, because she said she'd wear them. It didn't happen.

Today we have spent the day finding all the 3's I hid around the house and playing board games. She requested a Brewer cake (because it has a blue 'M') and dinner at Market Street Diner. The big double birthday party with Annesley is at the zoo, like always, this weekend. Its been a great day, and I'm sure she'll sleep easier tonight.

Milena is Two!

Milena turned two last month.  We had such a fun time partying at the zoo with Annesley, Hollie and Tom last year, we decided a repeat was in order.  Hollie was smart and made a cupcake for Milena without frosting, though I did bring a poncho for Uncle Dave, just in case.  A lot has changed over the past year, but Milena's dislike for cake was not one of them.  She actually requested a 'rainbow cake' and I made her one for her actual birthday.  She didn't eat it.  Hollie made a sweet monkey cake for the party.  She didn't eat it.  I've got to say, if there are any two cakes that could tempt a person to change their mind, these would be it.  She's firmly against cake.

The day started out pretty chilly, but things shaped up nicely and we fully enjoyed everything a second birthday party should be.  Eating, pink glitter crowns, bubbles and the zoo.  

Happy Birthday, Milena and Annesley!

Faking It.

A little bump on the head by the swing means some tears, if...wait, is someone ...watching?  Yes?  Definitely worth a fake cry.

It wasn't that long ago.

'"Mom, do you remember a long time ago Milena's room used to be Dad's office?"

Comparing Photos at One Month

I really liked the side by side Claire/Milena pictures at five days old, so here are two more. Both were taken right around one month old and right after a bath. First Claire, then Milena, if it wasn't obvious.

Also, Monnie sent some super cute leg warmers for Milena (as well as a box of goodies from her ArtFire store. Thanks Monnie!). Claire found them and figured they'd be perfect on her arms, especially when she's dressed up as 'Gymnastics Girl'. Turns out she can jump quite a bit higher with leg warmers on her arms. Who knew?

Growing

So Milena is putting on some weight and being much more alert lately. I was even able to get a real smile out of her today (the first I've seen), not a half asleep reflex smile. She likes to make noises, she likes to lay around naked, and she likes to sleep. Who doesn't, right?

Tonight I was on my own with Claire and Milena. Its not the first time, but it is rare enough that it deserves mention. Mike has been able to be home a ton, especially during higher stress times (such as Getting Claire Ready For School Time and Bed Time), and it has been awesome to be able to divide the responsibilities. Still, tonight was great just the girls. We had some popcorn and watched Wall-E, during which Claire very sucessfully held Milena for quite a while. It doesn't always go so well. Usually Milena starts squawking and Claire insists "I don't mind! Really, I don't!" She is very sweet about it.

Claire is in bed now, and Milena and I are soon to follow. I'm hoping for a repeat tomorrow night.

Kite Flying and Baby Pictures

We have been having the most unbelievable weather, so we've been spending a good amount of time outside. Earlier this week we went to the Bug Light to fly a kite. We weren't exactly in the same league as the others with our $4.99 hardware store kite, but we didn't let it stop us. Claire loved it. Milena slept.

She sleeps a lot. But when she's awake she's pretty good natured, and she looks like this:

Or if Claire is around, she looks more like this:

5 Years Between

Here is Claire at 5 days old...

And Milena yesterday, at 5 days old...

Definitely some resemblances going on there.

Making Faces

I forgot how awesome some of the faces a newborn can make are.

Lots of Love.

A Sister.

Introducing Milena Rose. She was born at about 3am on April 18th. She is 7 lbs 9 oz and 21 inches long. She has the same thick head of black hair that Claire was born with, though Milena's looks like it might have a little curl to it. Labor was short, and pushing was even shorter. Just like Claire, Milena was ready before anyone else in the room was.













Sisters meet for the first time.













Its been a very special day.