I wasn't a fluke!

So today Kayla figured out how to roll from her tummy to her back. We have been working on tummy time to help with developing her neck and arm muscles like the doctor said. She has been doing really well today with keeping her head up. I think she got annoyed with how much I was putting her on her tummy and wanted to do something about it. She put her arm up, laid her head down, and all the sudden the back of her shoulders were on the ground and her knees where twisted and on the ground as well. She was all twisted up. I kept watching and saw her legs follow the direction of her shoulders. She laid there on her back looking at me. I could tell by the look on her face she was thinking "What just happened?" and "I hope mommy doesn't get mad". I looked back at her and smiled one of the biggest smiles of my life. I was so excited I picked her up and hugged her, kissed her, and just kept clapping. She just started smiling from ear to ear. I put her back down on her tummy and after a few more minutes, she did it again! It wasn't a fluke! Todd got home about 10 minutes later and I told him what had happened. He said I was making the whole thing up. We watched her for a while and nothing. I think she was tired from the previous times. She mustered up some strength and rolled. Todd just smiled and encouraged her. Later we had Laura and Roger over and we were doing more tummy time and just kept rolling from her tummy to her back. I think she was showing off her new trick for them. I'm not sure how we are going to keep her on her tummy to help strengthen her neck/arm muscles if she keeps rolling over. Just got to keep telling myself that she will figure it out and to just wait for her to be ready.

Hester the Easter Bunny & the Zoo

Yesterday, Dede, Kayla, and I went to Somerset Mall to see Hester the Easter Bunny! After Kayla and Todd came to see me at work, we made the short treck over there. By the time we got there is was around 12:30. There was a line of parents and children of varying ages in the 'Easter outfits' waiting patiently to see Hester. We took our place in line, to find out that Hester takes her break at 1 for her carrot juice and carrot muffin and they had already decided where the last kid was going to be before her break. Sad to say, we weren't it. So we had to make the choice to wait it out or to come back at another time. We decided, this was the reason we were here so we waited it out. We figured out that she would be seeing Hester around 1:30 when she was going to need to eat again. While Hester was on break, we decided we should start feeding her so she wouldn't scream and cry while up there. She didn't eat as fast as she usually does so we had to stop to get her picture taken. She is not one to stop once she starts. For some reason, she was ok with it today. She was able to finish up her bottle afterward and we on with the rest of her day. Here is her picture.

Later that day, Todd, Kayla, and I went to the Detroit Zoo. Of course, everyone else had the same idea. We got there just after 4 and the zoo closes at 5 so we just started walking. We were out of there by just after 5. For her first visit, she didn't really seems to care. She started out sleep but then was up for almost all of it. Here are some pictures of the day.

What A Day.....

Where to start? It has been a crazy busy day. Lets take it one at a time.

Kayla's first tooth popped through! When I picked her up at daycare they said that she had been crying. Well, come to find out it was because one of her teeth finally popped through. It is in the front, middle, and on the bottom. We knew it was coming and we are all excited it finally happened.

Then we hurried to the doctor's office for Kayla's 4 month check up. She got 2 shots and one oral medication today. She did GREAT!! She got the shots and only cried for literally 15-20 seconds. After that, she was back to her happy cheerful self. Here are her stats:
current (previous)
13 lb .5 oz (10 lb 7 oz) - 25-50%
24.5" long (22.5" long) - 50-75%
42.2 cm Head (39.4 cm Head) - 75-90%
To sum up, we are lower in the weight scale, average in height, and have a big head!
Also while at the doctor, she wants Kayla to work more on tummy time. We need to strength her neck muscles. Also, her head is starting to round out nicely. Her flat spot is still there but less prominent. We need to work on both of those things before her 6 month appointment.

Lastly, it was so nice and warm that we took the coat off Kayla's car seat. In Kayla's mind she is thinking "Now that the thing is off I can finally play with that darn bird that has been dangling from my car seat handle for the last 4 months. Who knew that the thing vibrated. I can catch his foot and pull. He is great to play with."

Tomorrow we are going to go see the Easter Bunny with Dede and then the Zoo with daddy and mommy. Pictures to come. Check back for more updates!

Dedication went well

Well, we had Kayla's dedication to the church on March 21st. It went great! we finished up our bottle, burped, and tooted all before going up in front of everyone. While we were up there, she was a perfect little angel. She held her head up, looked out at everyone and I think even gave a little smirk. Once we sat back down, that’s when she decided the milk wasn’t going to stay down. It wasn’t bad but enough that if we were caught up there when that happened, it would not have been good.

It was nice to have a lot of our relatives come and support us. My grandparents came all the way from Indianapolis to share in this occasion. Thanks guys! Afterward, we went to Sheild’s for a lovely lunch and some socialization. Lucas and Charlie play well together. I think it helps that all the kids go to the same day care.

Tonight we are celebrating Brian’s birthday! Whaaa Whooo! We are going ‘Feather Bowling’. Something that none of us have tried before. Should be fun and interesting to see how we do. Kayla gets to go spend the evening with cousin Charlie, aunt Lisa, and Uncle Craig. Then tomorrow spend the whole morning with cousin Lucas. This girls gets around.

Kayla is sooo close to rolling over. You can see it in her face that she is determined but at the same time, happy with the way things are. She lays on her side a lot and I sometimes ‘help’ her get to her stomach. My little TV watching daughter was laying on her play mat and wanted to see the TV so she started to roll on her side and couldn’t quite see so she arched her back and kicked again and got a little further. Her foot then felt its way to a pole that is attached to the mat and pushed off. I just stopped what I was doing to watch b/c I thought it was going to be her first roll. It wasn’t. She sprang back to her original spot and just stared at me thinking ‘what just happened?’

As for us:
Todd is still working hard during this tax season. In addition to the account firm, we has increased his hours at the jewelry store. I feel like I hardly get to see him during the week. He can’t wait for softball to start up soon and maybe some Monday night street basketball (since he doesn’t have school to worry about anymore!). Apparently early morning basketball isn’t enough for him.

As for me, I learned how to knit. My sister recently learned and taught me how to do it as well. It’s fun, relaxing, and easy to pick up and put down. I am working my lovely full time job and doing some freelance work on the side when I can.

Starting Out

In just under one week, our baby girl will be dedicated at church! This is very exciting for us. Family members are coming in from different areas to celebrate with us. Here is a great way of describing what it is to dedicate our baby girl.

"As believers we are called to recognize that children belong first and foremost to God. God in his goodness gives children as gifts to parents. They not only have the awesome responsibility of caring for this gift, but also the wonderful privilege of enjoying the gift. Because children belong to God and are given by grace as gifts to parents, it is only proper and appropriate that children be dedicated back to God."

Sunday will be a special day for her dedication as it will also be her 4 month birthday. What a better way to celebrate then to giving her back to him? She is the joy in our lives and we couldn't be happier. As we watch her grow, we are amazed each and every day at the new milestones she is accomplishing. When she first started sleeping through the night (at 4 weeks old believe it or not) to finding her hands to her first smile to her first giggle to recently learning how to roll on her side. We are only inches away from learning how to roll over. For some reason, she is really angered when she is put on her stomach. Even with having tummy time everyday, she is still not fond of it.

We went to JC Penny for her 3 month pictures. Here are a few-

In addition to all these milestones, she is becoming a very talkative little girl. She loves to laugh and play with anyone that will spend time with her. Family, friends, and even strangers. We can be changing her diaper and she will be all smiles and giggles.

Thats all for now. Check back for more updates on the Caruss Clan!