last night/ first night

On May 1st, Shelby spent her last night in her crib.

On May 2nd, Shelby spent her first night in the toddler bed. 

Princess at the park

thirty minutes of misery for ten minutes of joy

Because Shelby took swim lessons in April, we couldn't go to Gymboree on Saturdays.  So instead of cancelling or postponing our membership I signed up for a replacement class which was music on Tuesday evening at 5pm.   While the class is meant to be fabulous for us it was (trying to think of the word....ummmm) a chore.  Shelby had been in school from 7 to 3 then sat in the car from 3-3:30 to go home for 45 minutes for a snack and to change to get back in the car and drive to Gymboree.  While I think the class WOULD be great under some other circumstances, Shelby was usually the only child or one of two children there.... and being close to her "witching" hour, Shelby was well, less than cooperative.  (Gasp- I know this is hard to imagine but believe me it is true).   She was tired and cranky and honestly I hated every minute of the class. (Keep in mind the class itself is great.) Shelby would not do most of the group activities, or sit on the mandated square, or act interested in the least.   She was good at one thing and that was cleaning up.  She was doing what toddlers do best, moving, running, playing.  Like I said I was literally MISERABLE the whole time from trying to coax her into PLEASE SHELBY JUST DO THE RIGHT THING.    And then the last 10 minutes of class I got to feel like the worst Mother in the world for the feelings I had in the previous 30 minutes of class.   Look at the joy in this little girl's face when they get the drums out.
* sorry some of these are blurry- this fast mover plays drums with her whole body!

Now music is over and we are back to our regular Saturdays at Gymboree.  We might try music again after we mature a bit more.

swim lessons

Future swim team member:

 Every Saturday in the month of April, Shelby took parent/child swim lessons at the Y.  Mr. D. did the first and last lessons, I did the two in the middle of the month.   Shelby liked the lessons.  She likes splashing, kicking, blowing bubbles through a water noodle.  She did not love being dunked under water and also disliked floating on her back.   Here is her certificate, which is actually the first achievement certificate that she has ever received. Yay Shelby!

front yard fun

With the days getting longer we have started playing more outside.   Here are some scenes from one night that we played in the front yard. 

 This is something super funny that she does.  If a car were to come she has to stop whatever she is doing to wave and say hello to them until they are out of sight.  EVERY CAR!

Shelby's Adoption Day Surprise

April 14th was the one year anniversary of Shelby's adoption finalization. Mr. D and I have not really formulated what we would like for this day to be. We were discussing if it should be celebrated with a gift, or special activity. We never really came to any sort of conclusion and I got a email letting me know this baby had been ordered by Mr.D and was on it's way....so I guess for this year it is a present.

I am sure Aunt Meredith is tickled that it is a Barbie power wheel...even though Shelby still has no clue who Barbie is...yet.

and finally.....EASTER!