Stealing this idea from another blogger friend, I thought I would give a little update on everyone in the Slavin household.

DILLEN. Wow is she growing up. Already, she's lost her four front bottom teeth and her two tops are on the way (in fact, she should lose one of them today or tomorrow). She is way ahead of the game having ALL of her molar teeth in (the dentist said this is a year and a half early) at the age of, what she will proudly tell you, 5 and 3/4. Her favorite things these days are karate (still), dance (she loves the jazz portion of class more then the tap), being a Daisy Scout and playing at the beach and with her friends. She loves to swim and would like a surf board for her 6th birthday. She excels in school emotionally - making fast friends and coming off still more "adult-like" in her choice of words and mannerisms. She has a very caring soul and is there for anyone if they need her. Sad movies affect her deeply and she will cry for over an hour sometimes when they are finished (Pocahontas and Marly and Me most recently). When I asked what made her cry about Pocahontas, her response was, "It just makes me sad that people who love each other can't be together." She loves snuggle time and kisses and she loves sharing her "favorite part of the day" at the end of each day. She is getting better with reading (tripping up on the confusing words) and is a surprising natural at math. She adds by touching her fingers to her nose and she reads by sounding out the words with her mouth close to the page in a whisper so no one can hear. She LOVES being the big sister to both Roxy and Piper - filling the responsibility role easily. When I asked her the other day what she would like to be when she grows up she said she wants to work at Sea World with the dolphins. She is getting taller now and can ride the roller coasters at the parks - which she loves. Her favorite food is Mac n Cheese from CPK or Chicken Fingers from Chief's. She likes to write her own letters/cards to friends and give them away with small gifts she's made at random (bracelets and necklaces, mostly).

ROXY. Still as spunky as ever, this little one is a constant source of entertainment and a bundle of non-stop energy. She talks to us in a very sing songy voice and uses her hands expressively while her eyes get wider and wider. She knows when she's being funny but doesn't over do it - always getting a laugh. Her favorite person to emulate is Shirley Temple. As long as she is getting 100% of our attention, she is the sweetest little girl. However, Roxy is at the stage where she doesn't like to share her mommy/daddy time with anyone else. She tests us like there is no tomorrow. Her stubborn behavior has landed her in more time-outs then I can count. She doesn't quietly lay down and tuck her head in her arms when she tantrums like Dillen did, she goes all out and let's everyone in the neighborhood know when she's not happy. Even so, she is a hoot. Even the tantrums she throws can be quite entertaining by the simple fact that she is being Roxy. And in being Roxy, we are realizing more and more how physically fragile (though agile!) she can be. Perhaps chalking it up to her early days in the womb when her umbilical cord did not fully attach to the placenta, she has wound up in the emergency room four times already. We had another scare last Saturday when she came out of her bedroom at 9:45PM drooling, bark coughing and barely able to breathe. We called 911 and had 10 big men in our house in under a minute (it is nice living one block from the fire station). Turned out it was a non-life threatening attack of the croup. Fifteen minutes in the bathroom with steam cleared her up. Still, that was one of the scariest moments of my life -- I thought she was dying. Hopefully that won't happen again anytime soon. Some of her favorite things are coloring, painting and anything having to do with art, dance (she LOVES her ballet/tap combo class with Ms. Gina and I am amazed by her natural ability to move -- her turn out and foot positions alone could make a member of the New York Ballet envious) and jumping around at open gymnastics. She loves to go with me to Dillen's school and to be involved in her sister's activities and, for the first time, I think she would actually benefit from going to pre-school. She loves to perform scenes from Annie with Dillen and she loves to sing songs from that same show as well as from Hairspray and Wicked. Both Dillen and Roxy are BIG TIME musical theatre fans. I wonder why. ;) Her favorite toys to play with are magnet dolls and doing imaginary play with her Little People. She also really enjoys dressing and undressing her dolls. She is a girly girl and still likes to dress herself in the mornings... and then dress herself again and again throughout the day. She loves to wear her shiny shoes and long dresses that "spin." Her speech still cracks us up saying things like "Where are him shoes?" or "Well, she not have any." But my all time favorite is still how she says the word "girl." It comes out sounding like "dullah."

PIPER. At 14 weeks old today, this little one (who Sean has nicknamed Smiley) is growing like a weed. It's hard to believe we can feed her cereal for the first time in two weeks. She sleeps through the night (only latching on a few times for a snack but never waking up) and catches whatever naps she can throughout the day (really, she is jipped). She is trying desperately to find her thumb but ends up sucking on her whole hand. She loves to coo and smiles REALLY big but has not laughed out loud yet. She pushes sound through when she wants to laugh but hasn't quite figured it out. There is a definite twinkle in this one's eyes just like her sisters. She loves her "fishy friends" on her bouncy as they spin and make bubbles and her favorite toy is a little giraffy looking thing. Every time she sees it she lights up. She can pick up her head and turn it both ways and if we give her a head start, she can roll herself over to her tummy. She has VERY strong legs and can straighten them to standing and even takes some steps forward if we hold her under the arms. I barely hold her for balance, however, when she just stands. I have a feeling she will probably walk early like Roxy just to keep up with her big sisters. She doesn't like car rides but I think it's more about being restrained in her car seat then the actual car ride. She is JUST like her sisters in this regard. Dillen and Roxy both gave us a hard time whenever we would want to drive someplace before the age of 6 months. She loves her baths but hates the cold when getting out. And she loves being held more then anything - especially by Sean. She is definitely a daddy's little girl already giving him the most and biggest smiles and cooing to him more then anyone else.

Speaking of SEAN. He is doing well in his new job but still enjoys photography. Though he still shoots family sessions and will book weddings, he has changed his photography focus back to his original inspiration - the ocean, the waves, anything surf related and some pretty awesome documentary work. He just created a new book on his Samoa adventures that is available here: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/534425. He is also on the adventurous path of getting another very artistic tattoo. Though it is going to be big and sit right on his arm (only to be covered by a short sleeved shirt), I am looking forward to seeing the outcome. He describes it as a dragon holding a scroll and on the scroll is the Japanese family bond symbol with all of our names on it. It seems all of Sean's tattoos focus on the family and his love for all of us. How could I ever complain about that?!? This tattoo will go on his other arm. Pictures to follow (his first session is February 5th to have the outlining done). He is also getting better and better at Tae Kwon Do and is already on his 3rd belt. If you read one of my recent blog posts, you will see pictures and video from his first competition. It has been very exciting to see him excel at this and to watch both he and Dillen move up in rank.

ME. I, too, jumped on the Tae Kwon Do bandwagon at the beginning of December and will be testing for my 2nd belt at the end of this month. I have to say, it has been a little humbling. I absolutely love it but I am having to scare away the spiders and cobwebs from my 38 year old, 3-baby-body to find the balance, strength, flexibility and coordination I expect from myself. It is very similar but also very different from dance. Though I am still body aware (like riding a bike), I have a long way to go to feel comfortable in a gee. The classes (about 3 per week) have helped me lose a lot of the baby weight. Considering I AGAIN got up to 183 pounds (from 110), I am doing quite well now at 130 just 14 weeks after having Piper. Still, having 20 pounds to lose is a lot and until they are gone I cannot fit into any of my old clothes or feel quite myself. Don't get me wrong, I know it's still early... I just want to have the old body back to keep up with these THREE adorable girls and kick some karate butt!! :) -- On another note, I am enjoying playing the role of Room Parent to Dillen's kindergarten class and only wish I could volunteer more in the classroom. I know I will return to the stage but do not feel the pull yet. I have such a responsibility to the girls (especially Piper) right now that it still feels more important to be with them then to take that much time away for myself. Perhaps in about 6 months I will look into auditioning for something. Really, I am just thoroughly enjoying watching the girls discover new things and develop into beautiful people... and I find my love for Sean just grows more and more each day we are together - not bad for 9 1/2 years of an amazing marriage! :D

Life in the Slavin household is good. Very good.