12 for 12 (September)

This morning my phone reminded me that is was the 12th right before faculty meeting started this morning, so I snapped a selfie.  

And promptly forgot all about my 12 for 12. 

Quinn had gymnastics this evening, so I took a photo of us getting ready to leave. The weather has been so crazy today. It felt like fall, winter, and summer at different points today. I had no idea what to put Q in for her class. I think the jacket was too much. 

And a comparison

And then Q fell asleep on the way to gymnastics. I was worried she was not going to wake up nicely. But I accidentally pushed the panic button on the key. It woke her up, and she started mumbling to herself about songs and brushing her teeth. And then was good to go. 

She was so good at gymnastics this week. I am torn about her coaches and the teaching style, but that is a story for another time. But the good news is she was well behaved and had a great time. Oh, and Dalan texted me about my 12 for 12, so I took a billion photos of the class. (She is in the blue and pink leotard.)

They were training two new coaches. There was a younger guy. He was so great with Quinn. 

She did so well on the beams today. 

And listened so well. 

We both left gymnastics feeling good this week. 

We went to my mom's for a little dinner and Project Runway. Quinn decorated her doll house with some gluten free stickers. 

Then got extremely tired. 

Got hungry (She told me, "I think I am hungry."  A first!) 

Wouldn't eat. 

Wanted milk. 

Wanted juice. 

Wanted water. 

Drowned herself with water when the lid fell off. 

Soaked her bed. 

Wanted to go downstairs   

Didn't want to lay in our bed. 

Fell asleep on my back. 

***And just some more proof Dalan is awesome. He sent me these adorable pics to add to my 12 for 12 in case I did f make it. They are from the other day, but they are so cute. And I love Dalan and his endless support of all my silly projects. 

First Day of Preschool

Today was Quinn's first official day of preschool!  She had a "practice" day on Tuesday for an hour and parents (Ali) stayed the whole time. But today, I dropped Quinn off and left her in the care of her teachers for three whole hours. She has never done anything like that before, especially for that long. And she did great!  

She was so excited this morning and made friends right away. Quinn is a hugger and was giving out hugs to her new friends. She also jumped right into to some rowdy play with some of the boys. She left with her teacher without a second thought about me. I didn't cry. I had to go meet my own class. 

I was a total creeper mom and spied on her through the window in the door during my recess. She was sitting on the rug, then stood up when asked, and looked happy. So, I took a picture (told you I am a creeper) and left. 

Dalan picked her up and she was happy as can be. She brought home her first projects and reported her day was, "good."  She later told us they had milk for snack and that is about all we know. 

We are so excited for Quinn!  I hope she loves school forever!  

(Mad about holding her breakfast)

(Coloring in my room before school.)

And of course a photo to show how far she's come- preemie to preschooler...

Fall Sale

It's that time of year again!  The time I start getting excited to fill Quinn's closet with fun new fall and winter clothes. Although, I get a little sad to say good bye to all her spring and summer clothes. I have always gotten attached to certain items of Quinn's clothing and the memories attached to them. Am I the only one?  Is this weird?  Should I have kept that thought to myself? 

The Hilltop Consignment Sale is upon us once again. You know it is where the majority of Quinn's clothes come from, along with anything I find on super clearance at the end of the season the year before. I can't help it. I love little girl clothes at a bargain price. 

The fall sale is always great, because Quinn seems to have a growth spurt right around Christmas. The prices at the sale allow me to buy two sets of clothes in two sizes without feeling guilty or like I am breaking the bank. The sale also allows me to buy enough clothes that I can avoid laundry for days and days. 

Here are some of my favorite outfits from the spring sale.

(Yep!  We totally got professional photos done in a consignment sale dress!)

Freeze Frame

We had a really nice Labor Day weekend. It was low key, but a lot of fun and relaxing. There were several moments these weekend when I was just filled with love and happiness. Cheesy, but still true. I wish I could have just stopped time and enjoyed this weekend a little longer. 

Letters

Quinn has known all her letters and sounds for a while now, and about a month ago she started blending together sounds to read three letter words. Now, she will only blend if she is in the right mood. If she is not feeling it, she just guesses and shouts out words- BAT, DOT, etc. 

How did we get her to this point?

1.  She loves letters and books. It is a total interest thing with her. She enjoys it and has always been interested. She would watch Wheel of Fortune when she was 18 months just for the letters. 

2.  We read to her.  Her grandmas read to her. A lot.  We read to her in her isolette in the NICU, and not a day goes by without books. 

3.  She loves PBS. She watches and absorbs things from shows like Superwhy, Word Word, and Sesame Street. 

4.  She loves preschool apps. She can play Starfall and Monkey Lunchbox for hours. 

5.  We play with letters. She has letter magnets, electronic toys with letters, and foam letters in the tub. It was actually in the tub where she started to sound out words. I have videos, but there is a lot of full frontal nudity. 

BUT, mainly she is just interested, and likes playing with and learning about letters. I view it like a kid who can name all kinds of cars, or A kid who is super physically coordinated. All kids have strengths and interests. Quinn's just happens to be one that is valued from an educational point of view. 

Due Date 2013

Dear Quinn, 

Happy Due Date Day!  I am always amazed and a little surprised with how much you grow and change between your birthday and your due date!  I am also always a little shocked at how much time there is between mid-May and the end of August. It just reminds me you were born very early, and you were very small and very sick. It also reminds me of your incredible strength and will. You are truly an amazing little girl. You have done some mind blowing things in your three years, and I have no doubt, that you were continue to amaze us for the rest of your life!  

A snapshot of you on your due date 2013:

You are a chatterbox. Your speech has just exploded since spring. You are smart and hilarious!  

You have imaginary friends. They are all characters from your favorite tv shows and movies. They come to our for dinner and parties all the time. 

You are so excited to start preschool next week! 

You are helpful and kind most of the time. You love your family, and especially love playing with Alice. 

You requested broccoli and peppers for your due date dinner, but decided on spaghetti and meatballs. 

You love peanut butter. 

You love to watch movies, especially the Artistocats, Monsters, and the Muppets. 

You love to play kitchen, blocks, read books, play outside, and take baths. 

You love to go to the zoo, swimming, and the playground. 

You wear size 18 months on bottom, and 3T on top. And weigh about 25 pounds. 

You still love all animals, but you especially love Piper Jean. You also love to play rough with Hazel. 

You are scared of dragons and giants. 

You know all your upper and lower case letters, and all the sounds. If we catch you in the right mood, you can sound out three letter words. 

You can spell stop, go, cat, and Quinn. 

You can count to 20, with a few numbers skipped here and there.

You are smart, silly, stubborn, sweet, strong-willed, sassy, and spectacular! 

We love you so much! 

Love, Mom and Dad

Super Saturday

On Saturday morning, I took Q to the library return books/ get new books. Upon arrival I noticed that they were about to start the kids' job fair they do every year. We had so much fun last year, I didn't want to miss it this year. 

And I knew Dalan would want to come too. So, I went to call him. No cell phone.  I had to use the library's phone right next to the information desk. The librarian at the desk heard me leave a message and made a comment about hoping I could get a hold of him. 

I decided to just run back home and get Dalan. Quinn and I head back to the car. No keys. But the car is unlocked. No keys in the car either. Quinn and I head back into the library. I am feeling quite embarrassed that I might have to use the phone at the information desk again. Luckily, I find my keys in a random pocket in my purse. 

We get back in the car. Quinn insists on buckling her chest clip. We head back home. Dalan is ready to go. I discover Quinn never finished buckling up. Bad, bad mom. And I am such a carseat rule follower too. I felt awful. 

Anyway, we made it back to the fair and had a great time. Then we headed up to the zoo since that was our original plan. Later that night we had a nice time visiting with friends at a BBQ. It was a super Saturday!  

Race car driver

Truck driver

Helicopter pilot 

She was terrified of this hippo. She called it a crocodile/dragon. 

Golfer

Farmer

News Anchor (she was so excited to be on tv). 

Cosmetologist 

And then she didn't think she could use her arm with the tattoo. Ha, ha! 

And on to the zoo. 

Quinn wanted us to all ride the merry- go-round.