Jillian’s First Ballet Recital
This year my mom signed Jillian up for ballet lessons. It has really helped with her motor skills 🙂 Her cartwheels have greatly improved! Jillian’s recital was super cute! It’s fun watching her on stage. Unfortunately because of my school’s schedule, Jillian will not be able to continue with ballet. (time conflicts). So this will be her one and only ballet recital for some time. If she asks to join again I’ll look for a class that fits our schedule.
Jillian’s Ballet Recital from Sarah Barnes on Vimeo.
Jillian’s Last Year of Preschool
Today Jillian received her award for completing preschool!  It’s still hard to believe that she will be five on the 13th and will start Kindergarten in July! (She’s coming with me to my year round school)
Everyone tells you to cherish the time because it goes fast, and it truly does! Some days it may not seem like it because the kids challenge your patience but it is important to cherish those happy moments that make you proudly smile at your kids!
Jillian is so full of wonder and creativity! I cannot wait to see what she can accomplish as she grows up. My goal is to foster her creativity and curiosity and hope that it continues to grow inside her.
Claire – Dreaming, Smiling
Claire, smiling
Welcome Baby Claire
On May 28, 2013 at 12:07 p.m. we welcomed Claire Elizabeth Barnes to the world. She is our largest baby yet at 7 lbs. 2 oz and 19.5 inches long. We are totally in love!
This birth was a fairly easy one. Contractions began at 2:30 a.m. on the 27th, we went into the hospital around 4 a.m. At about 5 a.m. I was given my epidural and everything felt much better… except for the fact that I couldn’t feel my right leg at all 🙂  The labor continued to progress and she was ready to come at noon. The delivery went really well, no complications at all.
She was so wide awake and alert, it was great to look into her precious eyes. She is a hairy little one, everyone has commented on how much thick hair she has on her head. We think she looks a lot like Jillian did as a newborn. It’s always amazing to see how much they look like Adrian when they arrive. It will be interesting to see how she develops these next few weeks.
My Sister-in-Law is the best and brought me sushi to the hospital. She did this for me with Olivia 🙂 Best present ever!
My parents and my brother came a few hours later bringing the girls to see their  baby sister. It’s cute seeing my brother holding a baby! The girls were so excited to see their sister! They brought their presents for Claire and Claire had a present waiting for her big sisters. (A baby doll, baby doll diapers, baby bottles, and big sister books) Olivia was, as expected, way more interested in the baby doll than Jillian.
The first night was a little rough. She didn’t want to be put down and was feeding constantly. Then when she finally was sleeping for a good stretch the nurse came in to give her the first vaccine. :/ so much for sleep. I did let Adrian sleep most of the night, poor guy only had a very uncomfortable chair bed to sleep on.
We are just so happy to have Claire here with us, happy and healthy!
Mother’s Day
I had a lovely Mother’s Day this year 🙂 it would have been nice to have our new little one today but she’s taking her time. :).
Yesterday we tried to make breakfast reservations for my mom but they were all booked up. Adrian and I decided just to make breakfast at home. I spent the evening getting things ready sights Adrian could take over in the morning.
He and my dad did a great job for breakfast! They made eggs Benedict with chorizo instead of Canadian bacon. It was delicious. I also prepared a French toast casserole that was yummy too! Adrian’s family came over for breakfast too which was very nice. Adrian’s mom got us some very cute items for the baby 🙂
In preschool, Jillian made me a cute card with a bookmark. The teacher also interviewed the kids about their moms. Apparently I am two years older… Which isn’t too bad, I think I was three last year 🙂
This morning I woke up to two very cute hand made cards.
Most of the day was spent lounging around which I thoroughly enjoyed! At the peak of the day it was so hot, so Adrian took the girls swimming at my aunt’s house. Olivia has a little scare when she stepped off the seat in the spa, luckily Adrian was right there!
After swimming, the water babies spent another hour playing in the bath.
For my gift, Adrian bought me a MammaRoo from Buy Buy Baby. Our swing was perfectly fine but this thing is the latest and the greatest :). It rocks the baby using natural movements, I love it! Haha I hope the baby does too!
I also mentioned to Adrian I wanted to go to the movies, so he bought tickets for our local Cinopolis. We’re seeing Gatsby at 10pm after we put the girls to bed 🙂 we might as well take advantage of my pregnancy insomnia!
Teacher Appreciation Week
Jillian’s preschool room mom has been fabulous this week showering Jillian’s teachers with love. I wanted to do something a little extra to show them that we appreciate their hard work!
Thanks to Pinterest I came up with a cute little inexpensive gift 🙂
We found the cute tea light holders at Michael’s. there is a candle at the bottom. I filled the holders with Starbursts. I also included Burt’s Bee’s lipgloss.