First steps!

The day finally came.

The day that I knew would come once Nick gained confidence in his ability.

With his higher braces and some parent coaching to take it one step at a time, he did it! Independent steps!

Of course I had to get a video and make him do it again

I knew that he could do it!
Nick is so proud of himself as well. As long as he stops and stabilizes himself I think that he can keep going. But of course he gets excited and just wants to get there and just goes.

Being able to take these 5 steps opens up new things for Nick.
He can do a lot by reaching and walking and holding onto things, but by taking independent steps and being stable enough to take those steps opens up possibilities!

I am so excited!
6 years and his first independent steps!

Lost Tooth

The day came today that Katheryn has been waiting for, for over a year!

Her first lost tooth!

All of her friends at school have lost multiple teeth and she wanted to join the toothless-smile club. But at almost 7 years old, her teeth are stubborn and just did not want to budge (Nick's are the same, not showing any sign of being loose at 5 1/2).

But a month ago whether determined by nature or accident (there was an incident with Katheryn holding onto her seat belt with her teeth) she finally had a wiggly one.

And at a family dinner it finally came out! Katheryn was on the lookout and said she thought it might come out because "Papa Bartley always makes lots of food".

And it came out with a mouth full of food. So I made her spit out her food (which grossed out Uncle Jamie) and we found it. (and yes that is an Elsa costume she is wearing... just because)

 Katheryn was very excited to put it under her pillow before going to bed. The tiny tooth is under there.

Kyle and I were not sure what the going rate for the Tooth Fairy is. All we could remember was the Modern Family episode where $100 was accidentally left by the Tooth Fairy (and this is a favorite show of Katheryn's).

I thought the Tooth Fairy would leave a loonie and Kyle thought $5. And of course a new toothbrush. So I googled it and found it is a common question (I think I got 25 cents). In the end the Tooth Fairy decided the first tooth is special and left a nice crisp $5 bill, brand new toothbrush and a certificate (in the shape of a tooth of course)

 The toothfairy was even nice enough to leave the tooth for mommy to keep.
Katheryn was very excited when she woke up and saw what the Tooth Fairy had left for her