Both girls began dance classes the beginning of January.  I managed to get them into the same class where they practiced Jazz, Tap and Ballet, well as much as you can in 45 minute sessions.  Starting dance later in the session as we did automatically meant each class time was in preparation for the big dance recital coming June 1st.  Kenna and Elle were both very excited and with Elle being so young and never have danced before seemed very seasoned and far from having stage fright.

Our big day came. Hair was done just so, leatards just perfect, the right toast colored tights, dance bags packed with water bottles and snacks- we were ready to go.  Pappa Ed came as well as daddy, me , Lexi and Jeff.

We arrived on time-barely with new baby Ava in tow, let daddy and the girls out of the car while I parked it.  Little did we know daddy did not grab the dance bags and the girls would have no shoes, no water or no snacks.  Shoes being the biggest deal of course.  Jim manged to snag us some pretty descent seats as we all settled in for a long 2 hours.  I mean lets be real when you attend these things the only thing you really care about are your own kids.

Kenna and Elle took the stage 3 separate times and looked absolutely adorable.  We were such proud parents and were amazed with our just turned 3 yr olds moxie for getting out there like an old pro.  All in all it was a fun day, the baby behaved and the girls did not miss a beat- ok, maybe one.  We love you Elle and Kenna and look forward to the next dance recital! Great job.

Big sis Lexi holding me.

Well better late than never I always say.  Welcome to the Keenan family our newest and last addition Ava Rene.  This little princess was good and ready to come on her own terms.  We entered the hospital on a Fri night, April 2nd-which just coincidently happens to be Elle’s birthday with some signs of being in labor.  We arrived at around 11pm and were greeted by an awaiting wheel chair.  This was very foreing to me, having someone waitng on me like that, it felt awkward.  This is protocall for the ER if you have called ahead to let the DR. on call you might be in labor.

Shortly after being wheeled into my room, fully expecting to be sent home- I not only was at 4cm dialated but my labor had begun all on it’s own with contractions coming every 4 minutes!  I was staying, who would of thought?  We were in for a long night of contractions, some pain and a much anticipated epidural.  This continued on until about 8 am until my water, which for the record has never spontaneously broke on it’s own, did.  Now I was ready for my pitossin to get me over the 8cm hump which I had stalled at a couple hours earlier.  Once I had the pitossin and my water was broken it was time to go.

Lexi,Kenna and Elle were all in the room with me,along with Jim of course.  Once again as I did with Elle’s delivery I was forced to hold off on the pushing as my Doctor was still a half hour out.  Lots of pressure and really feeling the urge to push Ava out, this was a tall order asking me to wait.  Once all the players were in place I believe I pushed for about 10 minutes, or so I’ve been told.  Out of  nowhere this once again perfect little being in every way has made her way into this world and onto my awaiting chest.  Instantaneously I knew this baby girl came to us with a very sweet, and calm soul.  She never cried out in some obnoxious way like “Other” babies do, she just looked around with her big eyes ready to be here.  Ava was a pro at the nursing thing.  The second we tried latching on she was ready to go with no instruction.

We have been home 6 weeks now with Ava.  Life of course has changed a bit, not as much as one would think having another baby to add to the chaos.  We get a little less sleep,however, she does give us and has from her third night home a stretch of anywhere from 5 to 6 hours straight before her first feeding so we can’t complain to much.  We have to allot more time to get out of the house and make sure she is well fed or else!  Other than that we are all doing well and the big sisters are lovin’ the baby sister to death.  Jeff and Lex are a huge help and love holding her as well.  Thank God for older siblings!

I will  do my best to continue to add updates to our blog and keep everyone abreast of our families milestones.

I can’t believe it has been 3 years since we brought you home and added you to this crazy family.  Even though you are the “littliest” you are far from little. You for sure do not like to be called “yittow”, that’s Elle talk.  I must tell you, I’ve always  said you march to the beat of  your own drummer.  I love how confident you are in yourself even at your sweet young age.  Keeping up with big sister Kenna is your first priority and nothing will stop you from that. I love to watch and hear you two interract every day, at times fighting and then go right back to playing.  Even if  Kenna hurt you or started the fight you always tell her “sorry” .  I have never heard such a chatter box in all my life.  Even if I’m busy you manage to just keep on talking and telling your story as if it doesnt even matter.

The joy you bring to my life is indescribable!  Even though I adore your sweet angel voice and toddler ways it will be exciting to watch you grow up and carve your own way in this big world honey.  I love you with all my  heart and soul Elle-  Happy Birthday cutie.

Love and Kisses,

Mommy.

Wow, here we are….baby girl is due to arrive on April 5th.  Here what seemed like a pregnancy that would never end is indeed coming to an end and very soon.  I have to say this has been by far the toughest pregnancy I have ever experienced and this is for many reasons.  Abnormally tired for the first 16 weeks, very emotional at times, major hip pain throughout the day-worse at night to the point of keeping me up about every hour or two to change sleeping positions, basically feeling old!

You really  do not know the meaning of sleep deprivation until you experience it for yourself and this is by far the worst symptom I have had to deal with.  Nothing can prepare you for the emotional roller coaster that is coming your way under these circumstances.  Let’s just say having a newborn who has her days and nights mixed up sounds much more appealing to me, I will at least get two straight hours of sleep!  Crazy.

We have a very busy last week ahead of us here in the Keenan house hold.  First and foremost Elle turns 3 on April 2nd, we will celebrate with a party on the 3rd.  Easter then follows the very next day- Hello, the bunny is coming to our house.  Ok then the very next morning at 5 am we check into North Suburban Hospital to be induced.  Hmmm, that’s not too crazy is it?  Mom has a double whammy coming once the baby comes I get to keep my epidural only to look forward to a tuba ligation.  What shines at the very end of all this “ick” stuff is the very fact that I will be holding my sweet, fresh, soft, adorable little baby girl.  Nothing beats that and truly makes it all 100% worth it all.  I even have to admit the finality of not ever being pregnant ever again is an odd concept and a bit sad to me.  I am at the age where it is no longer going to be my choice, but my bodies.  You just think you will be young forever and have all these choices to continuously make about your body when you want to make them.

My time has been an amazing trip and would not change a thing.  I have or will have 5 beautiful children and have been blessed enough to become pregnant right away, then go on to have healthy pregnancies as well as smooth deliveries- no cesareans.   I am officially “done” and feel ok with it.  Now I have the next couple of years to get to know this baby inside of me and I can’t wait!

Kenna and Elle love the Easter Bunny at the mall. Every time we go, even in fall, Elle asks; Where is Mr. Bunny?

What blows me away is how much the girls can change in one year.

Look at how much they’ve changed. Especially Elle. Where does the time go? Before you know it they’ll be too old to want to sit on the good ole Easter Bunny’s lap.

2010

Either Jim or myself read to the girls just about every night before bed.  One of the girls favorite books are “The Little Critter” stories.  A couple of nights ago I was reading “Just me and my dad” to them.  One of the pictures shows the dad and the little critter in their tent for the night reading.  On almost every page of this book you can spot a familiar spider and grasshopper hanging out somewhere.  When I asked  Elle what kind of bugs they were she answered “Pider”, and the cutest one “A jumpy hopper” translation- grass hopper.   Of course I  being mom about melted at her creativity and sweet little mind.

My girls continue to make me laugh and bring me joy each day!  Thanks girls.   I  Love you- Mommmy.

After skiing the traditon is to stop at the Park Hyatt outdoor fire and make smores. It’s a blast and the girls love it. Nothing like a sugar and marshmallow high after an entire day of skiing!

The girls and I spent 4 days in the mountains together last week. It was just the three of us. We had a fantastic time. I had to work, so the girls went to ski school each day. I posted about that a few days ago.

I would get up early each morning, lay out their ski clothes, wake them up, make them breakfast, and get them ready. We’d be on the hill by 8:30 every morning. At the end of the day, I’d pick them up and we’d take a few runs together. It was like magic.

My time with the girls makes me smile. They make me laugh. Kenna is a nuclear power plant, constantly creating energy. Elle is a lone wolf, lurking just outside of the pack, picking and choosing when to jump in and when to watch. Being with the girls is not like being with kids, it’s more like being with little people. They are sharp, inquisitive, engaging and emotional. Me and the girls are connected when were together and it is a wonderful feeling.

I’m loving every minute of this. It’s almost impossible to imagine it getting any better.

I love you Kenna and Elle. Thanks for the killer 4 days.

Love Daddy

Kenna had her first day of the 09/10 ski season today. She had a lesson in the morning and we got to ski in the afternoon together.
This will be Kenna’s second full year. She is a BC III (3) which means next level she goes to the top of the mountain.

Cant wait to ride to the top with her.

Stay tuned, Elle is next.

Getting ready to see A Christmas Carol in 3D, with Jim Carey as the Scrooge.

ya gotta love the new 3D glasses. A little Elvis Costello-ish. I’m gonna keep these bad boys!