At the beginning of the month I talked about how quickly Colette was learning to sit upright. Well our little one was a quick study for this! She's got it down and I can see her reaching for that next milestone but at this point she really isn't so sure how to go about it. She wants to be able to move and the look in her eye says that she knows she's capable of it but she hasn't put it all together. She hasn't yet rolled over from back to tummy as part of her strike on tummy time but we'll get there. She is now going forward onto her belly from sitting so that little movement receives lots of encouragement and clapping.
Along with this awareness is a desire to touch everything in sight. She's quick and her fine motor skills seem to be really good. She can grab something and have it in her mouth before I even see her move - maybe she's a magician?!
The day before Easter Colette and I boarded a jet plane and began our southbound journey. We stayed overnight at a hotel in Seattle and arrived in Phoenix Easter mid-morning. My girlfriend Katie picked us up and we got to spend a lovely Easter afternoon with Katie's family, and Tracy's family. Colette even got a special little Easter basket from her aunties. Tracy's daughter, Kenzie, is 2 and a half and Katie's daughter, Madi, is 1 year and a half. The two girls both loved the baby and Kenzie kept wanting to hold her.
The next day Colette and I headed to Casa Grande where we met Pops and Aunt Colleen at Great-Grandma Burke's house. We stayed and visited through the afternoon, Colette showed off her tricks and Pops took a little snooze before we made the drive to Tucson. You can imagine that by this time Grammy was growing a little anxious and we just couldn't get there soon enough, so around the saguaros and through the desert to Grandmother's house we went!
We spent the whole week visiting with friends and family, soaking up the rays and wearing as many adorable spring time outfits as we could! Friday we ventured to JCPenney for a professional photo session and ended up with some adorable shots. We were there much longer than we had anticipated (and wanted to be) so everyone was ready for a snack and a nap!
This is Colette and McKenna. Two cutie pies, hanging out
Lots of smiles and tickles with Grandpa
And bedtime stories with Grammy
Sunday there was a big family and friends gathering and lots of aunties and uncles came down from Phoenix. This was the first time for a lot of people to meet Colette and vice versa but we were also celebrating the beginning of Colleen and Matt's new adventures, starting off in North Carolina this summer. Through the summer they will be living on the Outer Banks and working at a fancy-schmancy restaurant when they aren't too busy learning to surf. At the end of summer they are continuing on a traveling adventure and really a new life style!
"Aunt Kati has the best necklaces!"
Aunt Elaine and Janet
Aunt Penny and Uncle Paul
(now happy grandparents too! Congrats and Welcome Connor!)
Aunt Margaret
Playing piano with Emma and Colette
On our way back to Petersburg we spent the night in Seattle with Uncle Dave and Aunt Marge. It was so great to round out our trip with one more family visit.
Grandpa Mike met us at our airport. These two were pretty happy to see each other again.
Nick returned home from his Guard training in Anchorage two days after us. It was so nice to be back together. That Friday while I was work Daddy bundled up his girl and headed out for a little fishing adventure. No luck with the fish but maybe next time!
Last week was the Spring dance performance. Although I wasn't able to teach classes this year I had been working in the studio office and helped out during auditorium rehearsals. Colette joined me and enjoyed watching all the action.
She even got to jump in one of the props backstage for an oh-so-cute photo op. You can't see her hands in this picture but she knew what to do, hands went right on the steering wheel!
I'm bummed this update has taken me so long to get posted. In the mean time, Nick has left again for another Guard training class, this time in Missouri. He has also started a new job and is beginning an electrician apprentice program! We're both very excited about this. It was really time for Nick to do something new and the opportunity came up at just the right time. He did a little work before he left for guard but he'll begin in earnest when he returns at the end of the month.
And another fun little tidbit - our little "Wildcat" said her first word . . . drum roll please . . .
"ma-ma!"
Two weeks ago we were just getting Colette ready for bed and all sitting on the couch together. Nick was holding her to say goodnight and she begin to fuss and whine. She looked right over at me and said "mama." It was a great moment even though we know that she wasn't intentionally calling me.
In just the past few days Colette has been clapping. She's doing it as an excited motion and usually in response to us. Yaayy!!!
Oh the fun things to come!
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