The Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland really IS the happiest place on Earth. No really. Every person, young and old was in a wonderful mood and the joy that runs across every child's face is infectious. We had an ammmmazzzing trip. We decided to do Disneyland instead of throwing a birthday party for Shelby. Clearly the trip was more moola, but sooo worth it! This post could be 4,000 words if I detailed all our adventures, but in total - we had a wonderful time.

We got rained on for a little while the first day, but it wasn't too bad and we knew it would be temporary. Jack and I both thought that we'd spend our trip on kiddy rides and in princess castles, but much to our delight, Shelby had a need for speed and did ALL the roller coaster that she was tall enough to ride.....even the pitch black Space Mountain and the 50-foot drop Splash Mountain. We have a video of Shelby on Splash Mountain and she giggled all the way down the shoot!

We opted to not take our big camera into the park, but we got some great photos on our phone. HUGE shout out to Jack's parents who came with us and took care of Sienna and another shout out to Jack who did all the research and arranged some great memories including lunch with princesses, breakfast with Goofy and an official Bippity Bobbity Boo makeover!

Shelby was over the moon just to be in a hotel. Going to Disneyland, meeting princesses and seeing fireworks were all gravy!

I think she was most interested in the "mean witch" in the window of Snow White's castle and was rather impressed with the Jungle Cruise and Thunder Mountain. She kept saying things like "this stuff is pretend, right mom?"

5 Months

This is the face of happy, chubby 5 month old baby girl.

Holy smokes is this baby full of joy. She is the BEST and I think the favorite at school....I am just going to go out and say it!  Here is what five months is looking like...

Clothes -  9 month
Diapers - Size 3
Sleep - 11 hours....and then I have to wake her up! On the weekend she can go 12 or 12.5
Giggles - ALWAYS!
Best Friend - Shelby
Favorite Toy - Plastic "cell phone" from Liffey and Sophie the Giraffe
Favorite Discovery - Her footsies
Eating - Only milk. We tried cereal a few times, but it did not go over so well, so we'll wait
Bottle Nipple - Stage 2
Rolled Over  - A few times, back to front only
What makes me MAD as a hornet - Being awake past 7:45 p.m.
Naps - 3 - 4 a day
Other: slobber monster who makes the CUTEST sounds in the world.

Here is Shelby at five months.

Dance Recital

Shelby participates in her school's dance program. Last weekend they put on an end-of-year recital. I had no idea what to expect, and I have to say - it was pretty darn cute. There were moments when Shelby was totally into it and others when she was so scared and shy. The whole thing was precious though. I am so glad that we live in an era where it is so easy to capture this type of thing.

I present: My Tiny Dancer

1st Water Balloon Fight

I think Shelby might have a new, favorite outdoor activity - water balloons! I will tell you, filling them up is a MUCH easier process than it used to be! It was a joy to watch these two. Naturally, the took a cheap shot at me too and I ended up soaked as well :)

And here is one of the cutest onlookers that you ever will see!

Sister Sister

4 Year Check Up

Shelby had her 4 year check up on the same day that Sienna had her 4 month check up.....so I took the day off work and also got my hair highlighted! I took Shelby in the morning and we spent about two hours together.

The four year check up was a big one. They tested her blood (with a finger prick!), her eyes, her urine and of course, she received multiple shots. These shots were extra sad though because she knew what was happening. Fortunately, she doe not have to get more shots until she is 11.

All in all, Shelby is a wonderful, thriving, healthy 4 year old. As anticipated, she was very curious about the process and had LOTS of questions for the doctor (this will serve her well later in life). Her vision test revealed 20-40 vision, so she will be coming with me to my next eye exam at the end of May...sorry Shelby; hat one is probably mom's fault...

Height: 43.75 inches -- 96%
Weight: 40 lbs - 82%