Tuesday, September 9, 2008

I've Waited Three Long Years For This Day....

I grew up dancing. My Mom put me in dancing when I was three and it was the best thing she ever did for me. I loved it. As an only child, being on stage felt right at home for me. I thrived there. And when my Mom decided to put me on a competition dance team, even though I resisted with every ounce of my being, I quickly found my love. My passion. It gave me a reason to walk proud. Hold my head up. I was good at something. And I loved it!

So when I found out I was pregnant with baby number three, after having two rough and tumbly boys, I secretly hoped for a little girl. A little dancer.

When I went to the hospital to be induced that Wednesday, 3 years 3 months and 28 days ago, I crossed my fingers....

And much to my surprise, I got my wish! My own little 8lb. 8oz. bundle of pink prettiness. I was thrilled!

So was her big brother!

I began whispering to her about ruffles and tutus... smiling and performing... leaping and bopping. And I began the countdown. Once she's three, I'll start her in dance lessons.

In May, with dance lessons looming right around the corner, I hit a bump in the road. Potty training. UGH! She can't go to lessons in a diaper. So we started working on potty training. I never thought she'd get it! As days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, I was sure September would arrive and she'd still be dancing in her diapers.

Ten days ago, she surprised me. She started getting it. Running to the potty. Preferring panties. Ballet lessons, here we come!!

Monday was her first day. She was almost as excited as I was. We got her dressed in her new dance clothes and put her hair up "like a ballerina"...

and she took a look. And I saw it in her eyes. This might just be her thing.

and with her ballet clothes on, she danced for herself in the mirror. A sure sign of approval.

We arrived for dance classes and they got started right away. Point, flex. Point, flex.

Touch your toes.


Stretch! (Look at those pretty ballet arms!)

Her brothers and I stood and watched every minute through the one way window. (He's not as excited about having a sister as he was that day 3 years ago, but he sure was proud of his ballerina sister.)

She squatted like a frog and...

jumped into the air!

She learned her positions...

and how to do plies.

Even in second...

Then she bourree-ed...

and glided across the floor. Ballet was looking pretty good.

Then is was time for tap. And she discovered her shoes made noise!

Tap, tap, tap, goes the teacher. STOMP, STOMP, STOMP goes the Doodlebug.

She walked across the floor going, heel, toe, heel, toe, heel, toe....


And came back again.

And then she was done. It was a GREAT first lesson! And well worth the 3 year wait.

3 comments:

Chera said...

I got goosebumps! I know how special this was for you! ;o) Kalyn has been talking about trying dance lessons again...she tried when we lived in Houston briefly but had a hard time with separation. Might have to try it again!!

Anonymous said...

How fun! She looks so cute...

Congrats on the potty training!

Holly said...

Well, I will have to live vicariously through you, and I did just that. I enjoyed every photo out there.

Congrats on potty training. That is always a huge relief.