Things We Will Miss--Part One

Deacon.

Amelia has had a lot of play dates with Deacon and she just adores him. This smile of his has just gotten bigger and bigger.


We went over today to play and Deacon entertained us with his dancing. He has some amazing moves! Amelia ran to him and just pointed and laughed---so excited that we were there. Deacon tried to hold Amelia's hand today for the first time, but she wasn't really into it. I got tickled as she tried to pull her hand away, but it was still cute.
There was quite a bit of hugging today as well. It is sad to me to think of them not playing together. UGH. They ate grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch (of course Deacon had peas and applesauce with his---a real meal) and then we played a little more and headed home for a nap.

A very short nap.

And since she is already up, this post has reached its end.

Reptile Girl

We had a great service at church last night (more to come in another post about the message) and Amelia actually stayed in the nursery! I am always on edge waiting for a child call to flash on the screen, but she was good they said. That was a relief. We didn't go to Family Fun Night due to the wind, but we still had a great evening.

The weather was perfect for the zoo this morning and it was our best trip to date. We go to the zoo a lot since we have passes, but today was the first time ALL of the animals were out and alert. Amelia just loves animals so much that it never gets old watching her reaction to them.

A couple of special events today:

The prairie dog had just had babies and the mom came over to see Amelia through the glass.

The Lorikeet exhibit was open (has been closed for construction) and Amelia got to see them up close and tried to chirp.




The zookeeper had the African turtle out and Amelia got to pet it. She was quite upset when it was another little girl's turn. Ha.



We used to skip the reptile house, but Ross made us go inside it the last two times. This time Amelia saw the snakes and started saying, "Ssssssssss" and her favorite exhibit (cried when we left) was the Alligator Snapping Turtle.



A great day and a picnic at the zoo after we saw all the animals. Ross and AC are asleep and I might join them.

P.S. I might ask for a Springfield Zoo Membership for my birthday. Hint. Hint.

Storm Party

Last night we had a storm party at Joanna's house. Of course, she has a basement--no storm party would be complete without one. Adam grilled out and we had delish cheese dip. The food was so good. Amelia had a blast playing with chip bags. I brought a ton of her toys since this was a toy-free house, and she chose to play with chips.


It delighted her to bring everyone a bag of their own.


Then she had to sort out the varieties.She was delighted to get out and about since we had been inside watching the radar all day. In fact, she was so mesmerized with Joanna that she wouldn't look over for any pictures.



When there was a break in the line of storms we headed over there and stayed until 10:30. That was the all clear for the night. I was so proud of Amelia for going to sleep so well in a new place. I am also so proud that we stayed tornado free for the evening and the whole state stayed safe.

Seems that isn't the case for other states today. Boo.

The sun is out and the sky is blue, so we plan on going to Target, Family Fun Day, and church after nap and the zoo tomorrow morning. We shall see if that all pans out. Obviously, I will try my darndest since it is already "planned."

Funny

I wonder why Amelia is so tickled?


Still laughing. Any guesses?

Tada. Uncle D peeking through from the back seat. Hilarious.

Now, some things not as funny, but important nonetheless. I think everything I say is important. It bodes me well in life :)

1. I ran a 5k last weekend. Derek talked me into into it. For a non-runner, I did well. And, I was verrrry proud of myself. As I stood there silently tooting my own horn, up to the finish line comes a severely handicapped boy from my home church. His dad pushed him in his wheelchair the entire race and Collier got to finish the last few steps in his walker. There is someone who needs his horn tooted--not to mention his parents. Thanks for reminding me of how moving this was today, D.

2. Vaccines gross me out. I detest reading all that I read about them and then continuing to give them to Amelia. We keep waiting on her 12 m shots---there are so many. I know we will give them to protect her but sometimes I don't want to give them to protect her.

3. Ross is on a trail mix kick and I keep eating all the M&M's out. He said the other night, "Man, they don't put hardly any M&M's in here. I laughed very quietly. So, I found the best trail mix ever--with NO chocolate. Planter's Fruit and Nut Mix is todiefor. I just ate an entire bag in less than 24 hours.

4. I can't stop blogging. Perhaps I just miss people to talk to during the day? I mean Amelia and I talk, but about animal noises and pee and toes and songs. Not vaccines and trail mix. Amy, my b to the f f in Little Rock, is always passing on things that are so useful. We were discussing pesticides in our food and she found this informative link. I thought I would share. http://www.foodnews.org/EWG-shoppers-guide-download-final.pdf.

5. They are calling for a possible tornado outbreak Friday and Saturday. Shudder.

Run Like the Wind

Amelia likes to run now. She gets her arms and legs going in a semi-trot and it is so hilarious. And, she has a swing obsession. Good thing her Gammy and Gampy bought her one, right? Ha.


She is fourteen months old today. I'm not sure how that much time has gone by, but it seems there was never a me without her. And, I love it.

• Amelia checked out her first library books yesterday and she loves them. I cannot count how many times we have read Duckie's Rainbow. She loves it, and I think we might need to own it.
• Another first was an ice cream date. Don't worry, it was parent chaperoned. Owen was a perfect gentleman and Amelia loved my strawberry and cheesecake ice cream.
• She still is a baby food lady and I am okay with that, but I hope she broadens her "real" food repertoire soon. She is eating Ritz, Goldfish, grilled cheese and chicken fries. Oh, and an assortment of cereal.
• I finally put her in the regular bathtub and she loves it. Yes, I know other children have been out of their baby tubs since they could sit unassisted. Don't care.
• Amelia still loves books and is paying attention to every word and points to the pictures for you to say what it is. She has recently started "reading" some pages and moves her mouth up and down in a hilarious motion.
• She wants to go outside all day every day. It is fun to play at the park and slide and swing with her; one of my favorite things. However, it is not fun to deal with the arching back and flung back head when we must go inside.

I love that I have learned so much in these fourteen months, but that I learn something new every single day about being a mom. Usually lots of somethings. It is humbling and encouraging and invigorating and tiring.

Amelia,

Thank you for helping become a much better person. One who loves unconditionally and has more patience. Thank you for that huge toothy grin each morning when you are ready to wake up. Thank you for that mischievous look you flash over your shoulder when you are pretty sure that you should not be doing whatever it is you are about to do. Thank you for the sheer delight that you take in seeing a bird, a tree, or a leaf blow across the pavement. Thank you for the way you cause my heart to literally burst at the seams with pride and love.

Mommy

Too Hot 2 Handle

I wish that I didn't look at OMG's web page. And, I wish that I didn't steal the title of this blog post from my favorite section of theirs. But, I did. And, I do.

Fire Pit 2010 was super fun. We roasted Smores and the weather kindly dropped to near freezing for the pit's debut. Thanks for all your hard work getting it ready Derek. And thanks for showing up Ross :)

I love my sister and brother-in-law. Loads. And, I love their little baby. Can't wait to meet her.

Birthday Bash

This weekend was a blast. Total blast.

Up first: Birthday party for my pretty Mommy. We had it at Steph and Derek's house which was fun for something different (and their house is just gorgeous to look at). My idea--so, of course it worked out beautifully. Hehehe.
We had dinner at Devitos and it was as delightful as I remember. Best chicken parmesan I have ever eaten--period. Amelia was so good. Thank you Dad for playing with her until the food came. She loved seeing the fish down at the Trout Farm after we ate. She is leaping out of Mom's arms to get back to the fish I think.

Back for dessert. Oh man, you should try this Turtle Pie from TCBY.

Hope you had a great birthday Mom. We all love you so. Even Ross--who missed the whole party. Prior engagement...blah blah.

Yiikes

Amelia has been in a great mood this week despite her seasonal/cold/allergy garbage. We went to the zoo with Deacon and had a ton of fun. All day I was saying that I hoped the bears were out of hibernation because we haven't seen them the last several times we went. Well, I got my wish. And, they hated us! As soon as we walked up with the strollers, they ran to the edge of their exhibit and acted like they wanted to jump over and attack us. So, we did what any sensible parents would do--freaked out and sprinted by with the strollers.

Amelia Claire drank out of a straw for the first time this week and was slightly into it. So into it that she had to watch herself drink from it. I could not peel her from the mirror.

For several days she would not take off the pearls she got from G for Easter. Hilarious.

She also loves sunglasses and wore these (and her sunhat) around the house long after we came in from our walk. This is mid-strut.



However, this is the mood she was in today.
Possibly because I had her in that long sleeve dress in the burning sun. Or possibly not. I do not know what her deal was. Maybe all of the sudden the snot/cough bothered her? She whined. She cried. She tantrumed. Nothing I did suited her. No toy was fun. I don't have many of these days, so I am not complaining, just stating. A lot of days I don't want her to go to bed so early because I want the fun to continue. This was definitely not one of those days :)

Going home this weekend for Mom's birthday!! And a hair appointment! And family time! And insurance buying! And friend dates! Of course I have each moment planned to the second. No, it won't all go exactly according to my plan. Yes, I will get upset if it doesn't. Honestly, I see a lot of changes happening within myself as I age and they are mostly positive if I do say so myself. Flexibility is not one of them.

A Ross tidbit before I close. I buy Amelia saline wipes for her nose because 1. they are soft, 2. they smell delish, 3. they dissolve dried snot on contact. Ross decided they were too pricey and said the following tonight, "Can we just get cheap wipes and pour contact saline on them? Is that the same thing?" Yes ladies and gentlemen, he is going to be a Dr. in a mere matter of weeks.

Going to the Chapel...

Adam and Joanna are getting married!!!

We went to a surprise engagement party for Adam and Joanna on Saturday night and it was a great time. I am so happy that they are getting married and will move to Ohio together to start Adam's residency.

On Sunday, for some reason, Amelia was into the Masters and just sat in her little chair and watched with her Dad. She was probably just dazed since she only took a 45 minute nap. This child requires no sleep. I made her go to bed at 7:15 and she wasn't ready, of course.


A first that is little, but big to her mama:

1. Amelia blew her first kiss to her Gammy on Skype :)

We are soo into this 81 degree weather in the Rock. As in shades and sandals baby.

In that last picture, our bee fell off his hanger and the mouth open is her dramatic reaction. :)

Lil Slugger

We went to Reed's birthday party today and he was pretty tickled to turn one.



Everything was decorated so cute that I could hardly stand it. Half jealousy and half adoration of course. Andrea should be a party planner. The theme was Ballpark and there was a concession stand sign with loads of food and popcorn and baseball placemats. There was a photo op with a cheerleader and baseball player (her husband painted it himself) and inflatable baseballs for the kids to play with. The treat baskets were insanely cute with personalized pennants. There was even cotton candy--Amelia's new favorite food. Here--you can see for yourself.





We napped when we got home (everyone did, due to the roughest of rough nights last night) and she woke up and immediately put on her pearls from G and Pa.

A great day---really great. Oh and Amelia's nose is running again. Dripping uncontrollably. But still a great day.