Her first fitting

Every mother dreams of taking her daughter to her first dress fitting - trying on gowns, imagining what she'll look like when she walks down the aisle.

But I have to say. I didn't think it'd be happening so soon.

Lindsey had her first dressing fitting this weekend - for the flower girl dress she'll be sporting at her Uncle Dave's big day!

Even more exciting? The whole Bachman clan is in on the action. Ryan will don a tux as ring bearer, daddy gets the honor of being best man and I've even been asked to be a bridesmaid. We're so thrilled for Dave and De and so excited to be a part of their special day.

But today - today is all about Lindsey. Nate even asked to come along for this one, because it's not every day your little girl gets measured for a princess dress!

She was so excited to go to the dress maker. Unfortunately, the excitement wore her out and she fell asleep right before we got there. So her demeanor was a little subdued (and rosey cheeked) throughout the appointment.

Nonetheless, she was a pro. And afterwards? Aunt De bought Lou some food. And food makes Lou smile.

The Celebration Continues

It seems the older you get, the more drawn out birthday celebrations can become. What starts off as a day of taking cupcakes to school, becomes a weekend sleepover party, which turns into a birthday week celebration, that somehow evolves into a month-long event.

Lindsey's ahead of the curve. She blew right by the cupcake day, skipped the weekend sleepover and has moved right on to the birthday week celebration. It began on her birthday, which included cupcakes at school and the Beauty and the Beast gift. It continued with the tea-party event on Saturday with friends and family. That carried over into Sunday, when Nana, Pop-Pop and Uncle Gene made it down (since a mild snow storm up north kept them at bay for the party). Lindsey got to indulge in more cookies and cake (and attention) and got to open even more cool gifts!

Finally, a little over a week later, it culminated with a surprise birthday gift in the mail from Uncle Dave and Aunt De!

It's been quite a birthday celebration. But the best part? With all the attention focused on Lindsey, Ryan has been such a supportive big brother - unequivocally thrilled for his sister, never asking about his own gifts, and so proud of her becoming "a big girl." Which, in the end, gives us as parents all the more reason to celebrate.