Tough Girl

Lauren had her three year old check up last week.  She is 32lbs (almost 50th percentile) and 37 inches (60th percentile).  For days leading up to her appointment Blake kept asking "hey Lauren, do you have to get a shot?".  Hey, thanks Mr. Helpful.  Blake cried his eyes out at his last check up.  They day of Lauren's appointment arrived and she asked "I see Dr. Schreuder today? He give me shot?".  I explained that yes, she'd probably have to get a shot.  Then she said "I get shot, I not cry".  When the moment of truth arrived I asked Lauren if she wanted to sit on my lap or up on the table.  She picked the table, stuck out her arm and didn't even flinch.  She looked down at her arm and was happy to see the "sticker".  When Blake came home from school she told him "I brave girl". That's right!  I was so impressed.  We'll see how Blake's appointment goes in July...

The After Party

It was such a beautiful day out we decided to have Lauren open her gifts outside.  After the gifts were opened Grandma Jean fixed a giant dinner for all of us - Todd, Lisa, Gage, Jake, Grammy, Grandpa, Grandad, Chad, Lauren, Blake and myself! It was SO nice to have someone else do the cooking, thank you Jean!

Our little party lasted late into the night...last call was at 2 a.m.! (I was in bed far before then.)

More Celebrating

Before Lauren's much anticipated Little Gym birthday party we all attended Blake's t-ball game.   Blake got to have all four of his Grandparents at the game, it was quite the cheering section.

 Blake, Lauren and Cade

 Grandad giving Lauren a few pointers

Finally it was time to party!

 Lauren, your parents are NERDS!  We left the house at separate times...and clearly didn't consult one another on our birthday attire.

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Lauren started out her birthday with some pancakes and presents.  

Blake got Lauren a Polly Pocket airplane...he just loves it. 

 Grammy and Grandpa came by to wish Lauren happy birthday before we headed off to the zoo.

It took Alison and I a few minutes to get everything organized for our adventure.  Twenty minutes later Leo was ready to get going.  He got a little fussy, but he had these three to tend to him! 

Ready for some fun!  Lauren insisted on bringing her "packpack" with her teddy bear in it.  She carried it almost the whole time.

 There were two baby lion cubs, they were so cute but all of our kids were more interested in the baby ducklings...

 Waiting for cupcakes

 sassy birthday girl

 Chad got Lauren a Barbie fishing pole

 everyone decided to do a little backyard fishing

Three

Happy birthday my baby girl!

Lauren,
Your dad and I love you so much.   You are so much fun and have such a great balance of "sugar and spice".  You LOVE your babies (most of which are named "baby Waren") but you can hang with five year old boys like you are part of their crew. The other night you and Blake were playing Peter Pan.  Blake said he was Captain Hook and you immediately said "I'm Mr. Smee!" (Hook's sidekick). No Tinkerbell for you my girl.  You are full of confidence and rarely feel shy. I love hearing you shout "GO BLAKE" at the top of your lungs at your brother's t-ball games.  I am always amazed at how much you know about the world.  I'm sure so much of that comes from having a big brother, but nothing gets by you.  You know your baseballs from your footballs and which lingo goes with which sport.  You think you'd like to go on the bus to kindergarten with Blake and the neighborhood kids next year. And the other day you asked "I drive car when I'm five?" Um, no.
Your language is getting more grown up as well.  Your baby words are fewer and fewer.  You still call your self "Waren" but you can now clearly say "Pittman".  Every time we are at the store you still like to stop and check out the "monsters" (lobsters) and I practically beg Blake not to correct you.
"Jow-ga" (Georgia) is your best friend and although you are working on mastering her name, you still call her GG most of the time.  You are acutely aware that when you have a cold you can't see her.  The last time you had a cold you'd wake up each morning saying "I all better, I see GG now?".  It makes me happy that you two have a special friendship.  As much as you and Blake THINK you'd love another sister, it's not happening, so GG is going to be the closest you come in that department :)
Lauren, you are the icing on our cake.  You are our sweet, sweet girl and we love you very much.  Happy THIRD birthday.

Love,
Mom

S'mores in May!

80+ degrees in May? We should do this every year. We took full advantage of this perfect weather, Blake had t-ball, Chad went shrimping with some buddies, we barbecued and made s'mores.  

 excited for s'mores!

 Showing the kids how to use your fingers in a fire... 

soaking it all in