Go Andrew!

So, most of you know that my husband is very laid back and chill about, well, everything. Most days I am grateful for his energy because it forces me to slow down, really evaluate what's important and step outside of my type-A MO. However, I am just so excited about this thing that is going on with him, that I can't contain myself. I am so happy for him and I feel like sharing it, of all places, here - on our little family blog. Andrew has lost 20 lbs.! He would never share about this, or even talk about it, but I am so proud of him. Despite my over-indulging on icecream and french fries while pregnant, he is eating heathly and exercising everyday at lunch. He even got me interested in this class at Lifetime called Total Body Conditioning -- until he demonstrated some of the exercises! Anyway, I just wanted to share my excitement for him. As an avid runner and basketball player, I know that really 'being inside' his body is important to him, so I'm happy that he's working toward this goal. I'm proud of you, babe.

Sweet Baby #3

We are excited to welcome baby #3, due 2/3/11. For the first time all summer, my body is starting to feel pregnant. I've been sick since the get-go, but this week marks the first week that I haven't felt so comfortable in my regular clothes. I am officially 16 weeks. This Thursday in yoga class, I felt the baby move for the first time. Earlier that morning, I had my regular ob visit with Dr. Schneider and expressed that I hadn't felt the baby move yet. She reassured me and reminded me that most ladies in their first pregnancy don't feel the baby until week 20. The third time around, we have the hang of it and expect these milestones to come earlier. And then just an hour later in the middle of camel pose, I felt the small stirring of a baby stretching. It is amazing to me that I'm already finished with my first trimester and in 5 months we'll have another sweet baby in our family.

I am already looking forward to the sweet snuggle time and even the middle-of-the-night feedings. Am I crazy? After hearing in my early 20s that conceiving was unlikely for me and struggling to keep a pregnancy through my late 20s, I am so thrilled to witness the growth of our family. It is a miracle. At times I feel overwhelmed by balancing it all, but then one of my girls calls me back to the present. My business coach reminded me this week that having multiple children finds a way to force women into making the hard choices about priorities in life. What is most important to me right now? My family. My husband, who always seems to see the best in me and the best in life and my sweet girls -- Charlotte with her endless dance parties and dreams of being an astronaut and Finley with her contagious, loud laugh and the way she simply lights up a room. I am so eager to embrace this new little addition to our family, to open our hearts to a BIG being in a small body as Carrie Contey would say. Everything else can wait.

Arkansas

We took a trip to Arkansas to visit Andrew's grandparents in Bella Vista. They live on a beautiful lake and it was wonderful to visit in the summertime. We had a fun time swimming in the lake, boating and visiting with family. Grandma Ginny cooked great food and the girls loved playing with their cousin, Emily.

Finley and Emily playing together.
Our family with Grandma Ginny and Grandpa Bob.

The Greatest City in the World

Anyone who knows me knows that New York City is my happy place. This may seem obvious or cliche because most artists would agree that NYC is Mecca. There is just something magical about this sparkling, energetic city. I love it! Sure enough, I left feeling charmed yet again.

Every summer I attend a dance conference in the big apple. As a benefit to my staff, I invite them to come along as well. It is such a good time. This year we attended the Pulse -- a convention put on by Broadway Dance Center. All of the SYTYCD peeps were there. My favorite class was with Mia Michaels. Anyway, the weekend was grand and for a moment I stepped outside of my life and partied like a rock star.

I missed my family like crazy! It was so hard to be in NYC without them b/c they always come with me. But, it was really great to have time to re-connect with old friends, hang out in the city that never sleeps and get my dance on....Can't wait to go back!

Grand Central Station with Elizabeth, ADC instructor.
Out to dinner with Jaime.

Going to the new Twyla Tharp show, Come Fly Away. Absolutely fabulous -- she is my creative role model and I love her choreography. The dancers were incredible.

Our lovely hotel room at the Waldorf Astoria -- thanks Seth!

My favorite place to enter Central Park.

Welcome Baby

I was so excited to meet my dear friend Staci's little girl, born June 6th, 2010. She is precious! Staci and I have been friends since freshman year of highschool at Westlake. She was new to Austin and was in my Spanish class. Apparently, I started chatting with her and we've been friends ever since. Anyway, it was so wonderful to get to meet her sweet bundle, baby H. Jana and I went together to hang out with Staci. We had bar-b-que and played at Staci's beautiful home. I love you baby!

Sweet sleeping baby.
Outside our dinner spot in Fort Worth.

Mom & Dad's Trip to Hawaii

On June 23rd, we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary with a romantic trip to Maui. We honeymooned on Kauaii, so it only seemed fitting to celebrate on Hawaii. This was the first time for us to leave the girls and they had a wonderful time without us -- I think it was all of the activities and field trips that Gigi planned! It was so fabulous to reconnect and enjoy each other's company -- long, uninterrupted dinners, sleeping in, watching the tide come in and out and going hiking. We're ready to go again!

On our lanai at our beautiful hotel.
Our secret beach that we found -- fabulous snorkeling and calm waves.

Twin falls hike and swimming hole.

Andrew summitting.

The river we hiked along in Iao Valley.

Charlotte's Big Recital

Charlotte had her big dance recital over Dad's Day weekend. She danced in two routines -- one with her class to "Over the Rainbow" and with her Daddy to Rod Stewart's "Forever Young." I wasn't expecting to be so moved by seeing my little girl for the first time on the big stage. It was so meaningful. During her rainbow dance, she turned around and looked at the magical lights during the first minute of the dance. It was precious. Ms. Karen and Ms. Kara had designed a really cool rainbow across the cyc. It was so fun to see Andrew and Charlotte dance in the Daddy Daughter Dance with all of the other pairs -- over 60 dads and girls onstage for ADC's annual routine. We were so blessed to have Gigi, Papa, Seannie, Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Dave all in town for her big day. We were so proud of our little bear!!

Here is Charlotte on her last day of class -- wearing her rainbow costume and enjoying the end-of-year class party. Now she graduates to ADC's Twinkle Stars class. Look out tap dancing....here she comes!

New Pool

We are saving for a real pool at our house. But in the meantime, we got the girls a little pool for the garage play area. When they woke up from nap today, we had it set up and ready to go. It was like Christmas at our house this afternoon. Such excitement!

One of Finley's birthday presents from Gigi. Swinging is her favorite.
Playing together in the pool. Charlotte loved splashing her sister and making her laugh. Finley scooted and crawled all over the place.

Charlotte practicing her dance moves in the water. Always choreographing a new dance routine....wonder where she gets it?!?

Sisters sharing toys.

Big Girl Food, please

Finley has totally outgrown baby food. She wants big people food only these days, which makes us realize that our baby is growing up! She loves meat (any and all kinds) and cheese and most fruits. Veggies are okay, but not her favorite, so we sneak 'em in through carrot juice, lilypad pancakes (made from green peas)... you get the idea. She's never met a bean she didn't like and this weekend she tried her sister's all time favorite, chicken potstickers and loved them! Cheers to kids eating well.

Afternoon snack - strawberries and ham.
She loves to feed herself.

Russell's Bistro

We've developed a fun little family tradition over the past couple of months. Every Saturday morning we go to Russell's Bistro on Kerbey Lane. It's the same Russell that owns Russell's Deli - the yellow deli right by our house. Anyway, we happened upon the other location quite by accident. We were scheduled to go to Kerbey Lane (one of our local favorites since I was a kid) one Saturday morning with Papa. The line was outrageous, so we decided to try Russell's next door. We had a lovely time! The atmosphere is relaxing and the food is incredible, not to mention the fabulous cappuccinos. We decided the pancakes are even better than next door! It has become one of our weekly traditions. We hope you'll join us one weekend!

Raisins - fin's new favorite food.
Making 'cookies' with the playdough that Ted gave Charlotte for her 3 year old birthday.

Daddy and some strong iced tea.

I don't think I want to have my picture taken....;)

Cuddle time before the brunch comes. We love the outdoor patio with fans.

Beach Fun

Playing at the beach.

Splashing in the water.

Covering our bodies with sand.

Hanging out with Daddy in the new tent!

We are so lucky to live 3 hours from a beach! Yes, it's a Texas beach....but when you have sun, waves and good times what else do you need? This Memorial Day we took the girls to Mustang Island near Port Aransas. We stayed at Gigi's wonderful beach condo. We played at the beach, swam in the ocean, played at the pool and watched movies. It was great to spend time together as a family. Andrew and I are both approaching burnout as the end of the school year is coming to a close -- his job is really heating up and ADC's dance recital is in 2 short weeks! You'll notice that most of our recent photos are of Fin; Charlotte is NOT at all interested in having her picture taken these days. It's sad, but I've decided to not push the issue. We are very much looking forward to slowing down this summer during the month of July and spending lots of time together as a family. Slowing WAY down...doesn't that sound lovely?

With the studio closed during the month of July, I'm looking forward to fun adventures with the girls during the week and family time on the weekends! On our upcoming summer agenda -- a romantic trip for C & A, New York City dance training conference, driving trip to Arkansas to see Andrew's family and our family of 4 trip to Utah to visit Uncle Seth! Looking foward to hiking in the Mountains of Park City. It's going to be a fantastic summer and we're ready for it!

Sweet Berry Farm

Our annual berry-picking trip to Marble Falls. This year the strawberries were a bit picked over and the blackberries were just coming into their own. We had fun, though.

Finley's 1st Birthday Party

Daddy helping Finley with her first cupcake. We had a decorating bar loaded with candy treats. Each child (and grown-up!) got to decorate their own cupcake.
Birthday Girl

Can you see Charlotte and her amazing wings? Ms. Victoria painted her face like a butterfly and made her balloon wings.

Fun treats

This year we decided to invite family and friends over to our house to celebrate Fin's special day. It was relaxed and really fun. Everything was pink and we had a jumpy jump and Ms. Victoria (our fabulous facepainter).

Green Pastures

Fabulous
Hello, gorgeous!

What a perfect day! The peacocks were out in all their glory. And they even hung hot pink laterns in the trees. Perfect.

Mother's Day 2010

Annual tradition of brunch at Green Pastures continued this year (thanks Gigi for getting advance reservations!). We love, love, love this Kubicek tradition and are so excited to have our girls included in this. Yummy food, great conversation and a relaxing day!

Finley, Carissa, Uncle Sean and Gigi

Charlotte with "Pineapple Punch"

Fin enjoyed the food, too!

Having fun - Charlotte said, "Let's battement in this picture!" Love my little dancer!

Andrew, Carissa, Sean and Fin chillaxin'

Catching Up

Happy Birthday Finley Claire!
First time to try yogurt at our favorite shop, Berry Austin.

Yummy!

We've been going in full gear these days and are so looking forward to summer and slowing WAY down. Doesn't this time of year always seem to be the busiest? And one of the most exciting? Anyway, I am looking forward to taking some rest and relaxation from the world of Austin Dance Company and focusing solely on my other two babies...charlotte and finley. I feel so LUCKY that I've created this life where I can explore my passion (dance) and have plenty of time to enjoy my girls.