Noelle, you are so cute and fun!  Poppa and Rara have been in Japan for the past two weeks, and Noelle has really missed them.  She has worn her kimono (her penpal Yuuki gave her) and talked about Japan constantly.  She’s loved following their trip and always asks if she can be a "Japanese girl" when she plays dress-up.

Here’s a geisha the parents got to admire in Kyoto.

This has been the weirdest winter weather I can remember.  One day it’s freezing cold and the next day it’s short sleeve weather.  At least we’re getting to mix it up and keep things interesting!

Play land time!

Aww…

This is the first time I’ve taken my camera out in so long!  I had fun!

Noelle was being Miss Manners today and didn’t know what to think about silly Sam!

The real deal!  Noelle was saying, "Don’t squish me up!"  So funny!

Sam wants to start hockey lessons so bad!  I think his Momma may go for it — we’d have so much fun coming to his games!

Noelle loves her elephant towel the Prince family gave her.  When she wears it she turns into an elephant, and it is hysterical to watch (she doesn’t really get how they sound, so her elephant sounds are hilarious).

Noelle is eating apples in the first picture… see the look on her face?  She’s up to something!  Her favorite things to do right now are play dress-up, watch Tinkerbell, and listen to her music player (ipod).  

This was Noelle on Friday afternoon after we got home from the doctor.  She’s had a high fever since Wednesday and we found out that she has had RSV, a respiratory virus.  She’s feeling much better today (Sunday) .

See my apples?  That’s what she was thinking about doing in the top pic.  This pic was taken on Monday when Noelle was her funny little self and still feeling well.

Anyone who knows me will appreciate this picture.  Is she my daughter or what!?!  Just a pickin’ away at those fingers. 

We turned the pack-n-play back into a bassinet so Noelle would get used to the idea of not having her own little play pen in our room.  She’s done great staying out of it.  When she saw it the first time she said, "Aww… Anna Kate!  You have a little bed!"  So far, all of our "little" transitions have gone very smoothly.  Noelle is SO excited to meet her baby sister!

Noelle has been calling her slinky a "telephone breaker."  If she can’t find her slinky, she’ll ask, "Where’s my telephone breaker?"  Today she finally explained why she calls it that.  After I asked her why she calls it that, she touched the very tip of one end and said, "Look Mommy… the telephone broke off… can I have a bluetooth?"  I’m not kidding!  Pretty creative!

Wish we could go model in Japan with Anna tomorrow!  Noelle LOVES to show out for the camera and is constantly asking me to take her picture.

Noelle asked me to take her picture before dance class today.  She was SO excited!

She always has to put on "lipstick" (chapstick) before we go anywhere.  Dance class is no exception… see the shimmer on her chin — ah, close enough!

We are so excited to meet you, Anna Kate!  You fill our hearts with curiosity and excitement, and we already love you so much!  See you in March, sweet girl!

Rose is one of Noelle’s friends from school.  She had a strawberry shortcake bounce house party on Saturday.  Noelle loves her sweet friend, Rose!

Noelle LOVED her first day of dance!  She had 45 minutes of ballet and 45 minutes of tap.  She ran out of the studio and said, "I just had dance class.  It was SO much fun!"  She did really great for her first class.  I got to watch in the hallway through a one-sided window.  She looked so grown-up in there dancing with all the little girls!