Underwear!

We've been watching "Elmo's Potty Time" in our house this week and this morning Adeline was getting really excited about it. We decided to channel that energy into being excited about using "The Big Girl Potty"! I told Adeline if she went potty in the big girl potty this morning then today we would go out together - just Mommie and Adeline - and get some big girl underwear! She was so excited, and apparently the motivation worked, because she did it - "All myself!" - and we headed off to Target, singing the underwear song the whole way (don't ask...). We'll see what we can accomplish this week before our trip to California!

My Girls

Afternoon in the Park

Today was Hananh's daddy's birthday so we went to Huron Meadows Park to celebrate. We had pizza and cake and fun!

Daddy-Daughter See-Saw Fun-Fun

Our very own Totem Pole

New Chairs!

Those of you who have sat in our dining chairs recently (and by recently I mean probably the last two years...) know that they have been on their last leg (ba-dum, sch!) for quite some time now. You'll be glad to know that they have been replaced... voila!


It was kind of sad to throw out the old ones. Although they weren't in good shape we'd had them since we were married almost six years ago. Goodbye first set of dining chairs we ever owned... you will be missed and remembered with fondness :).

Adeline "Sleeping"

These are the sounds of Adeline entertaining herself before falling asleep (don't worry, there isn't supposed to be a picture, just sound :). Make sure your sound is turned way up.



Text: "Poly-poly... come a ball! Show Daddy." [she repeats this over and over again]
Translation: She's talking about how a roly-poly bug becomes a ball - we met one for the first time on our walk the other day. She says "Show Daddy" because we told Daddy about our discovery that evening when he arrived home from work.

Before this she was singing the entire "Winnie the Pooh" song to herself (she calls it "Neighborhood"), but I couldn't get to the camera in time.

Playdate

Today Adeline's friend Hannah came over because Hannah's mom is working feverishly on VBS at church! We thought we'd give Hannah a break from the nursery :).

Hannah and Adeline always have a good time together. Come play with us again soon!

Fun with Amma!

Today Amma came over to play for the day. We had so much fun playing that I forgot to take pictures!

Amma arrived around noon and we (Amma, Adeline, Evelyn and I) went to Brown's here in town for lunch. Local place with tasty sandwiches and root beer - really good root beer! We had never been so it was a fun and new little adventure.

After lunch we drove out to Ikea - a long enough drive for Adeline to catch her afternoon zzz's in the car. Basically we moseyed around Ikea for hours! It was so fun, and Adeline was so good. Evelyn slept in the sling the whole time. Most people don't even realize when I wear the sling that there's a baby in there. Anyway, we got some fun stuff - twixit clips, plastic tumblers, lotion, our favorite cookies and chocolate, not to mention 150 champagne glasses... really!


After that we had to make a stop at The Happiest Place on Earth where Mom bought me my dress for Grandmother & Pa's 60th Anniversary Party next month in California. Didn't plan on that purchase, but the dress was so cute! The best part is that I already own shoes to go with it, too ;-).


We got home just in time to head out the door to VBS Family Night at church.

Thanks for a fun day, Amma!

"Good Morning!"

Every morning that I greet Adeline in her room – and oftentimes when I greet her awakening from her nap – she recounts to me just about everything she can think of. This usually starts with, “Mommie, Daddy, Evelyn, Mommie, Daddy, Evelyn! Evelyn Ruth.” This is usually followed with a description of whatever books she has in her crib that she’s been “reading”. Finally, she will recount to me any number of memories she has which could be from earlier in the day, the night before, the day before, or even weeks or months before. Sometimes it astounds me what pops into her head. For example, weeks after Alan tripped over the gate we used to have up to keep Adeline out of the kitchen Adeline was telling me the story of how Daddy tripped and fell while holding Evelyn, spilled yogurt, got an owie on his knee, and how she comforted him by telling him that he was okay. (For days afterward she would ask him if he was okay. :)

Just one more thing that amazes me.

Evelyn's Checkup and Adeline's Stunts!

Today Evelyn had her two-month checkup. She weighs 10 lbs. (21%), she’s 22.5” long (46%), and her head is 15.2” (38%). She’s growing right down the middle of the chart and the pediatrician says she’s perfect!

She did need 5 vaccinations. She had three shots which included four vaccines, and the fifth was the rotavirus vaccine which was an oral medicine. The nurse was very good with her – quick, efficient and kind. I was able to snuggle her for a while afterwards, too. She got to be held for most of the rest of the day for her rough morning. Overall she was a real trooper.

Evelyn's badges of courage

This morning Alan and Adeline took Adeline’s usual daily trip to the park (keeps her happy and makes our afternoons better when this schedule is kept :). She’s become quite the daredevil! The following pictures are from her playing on the 5-12 year olds’ equipment. And yes, this slide is very high!

It made Daddy a little nervous, but by the third time she really had it down :).

Then they went to the “waaaaay top” (Adeline’s description) of the little hill in the park (great sledding in the winter!). She sat down and requested that Daddy sit with her. Here are some pics of Daddy and daughter.

Fridays have turned into family errand-running day. We went to The Happiest Place on Earth (where we usually end up on Fridays at some point at least :). Adeline always helps push the cart – and always needs reminders about holding the cart or Daddy’s hand “or Daddy will hold you.” When she sees us pulling into the parking lot she always shouts, “Shopping! Cart! I walk.” It’s very important that she gets the opportunity to walk, and usually she’s behaving well enough for that to happen :).

One thing I’ve learned about parenting – especially a toddler – is always having some sort of trick up my sleeve. Usually this is in the form of fishies or pretzels in a bag and some juice on hand. Oftentimes I’ll also have some books and/or stuffed animals for longer car rides and things. I’ve truly come to own the truth that my child’s behavior has very much to do with my behavior towards her. When I begin to get frustrated or lose it, she will inevitably get worse and misbehave more. If I have something to preoccupy her or give her other options, she is more than happy to go along with my way of doing things. When she gets to exercise her opinions and wants, she’s a much happier little person. And when she gets to do things all by herself she is very satisfied and proud. I have the responsibility and privilege to help make that happen. Every day is filled with “I did it!” with an added “all myself.” It is such a joy to watch my precious girls grow up.

In Health

Happy Birthday (Great) Grandmother!

Today I finally feel like Adeline is well, and really well, for the first time in months and months. She doesn’t have a fever, she has an appetite, she isn’t cranky, she's snoozing well and waking up happy... I feel like I have my little girl back. Hurray!

Adeline has a birthmark!

We never noticed before because she’s never gotten enough sun to make it show. But sure enough she has a little spot on her left arm near her elbow that has no pigment so it doesn’t tan. It’s pretty cute. I tried to get a picture but it didn't come out, so you'll have to take my word for it :).

July 4th at Amma & Papa's, Part Last

Happy Birthday, Mom/Amma!

Breakfast with Papa

We left Amma and Papa’s house at about noon today – just in time to get some Steak and Shake burgers, fries and a malt on the way out of town. We got home in time for Alan to head to work for a few hours and Adeline to take a snooze. We had a great weekend with our family.

July 4th at Amma & Papa's, Part IV

Alan left early this morning to make it to church back at home. We decided it would be best if he went by himself, rather than packing the whole family into the car at 6am. He came back in time for dinner together this evening. More family time – and even some more time with Aunt Beckie today!

This afternoon Adeline went out kayaking with Amma and Papa. She's the little white dot in the pictures sitting in front of Amma :)

Ah, life on the lake!

Tomorrow we head home.

July 4th at Amma & Papa's, Part III

Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!

Today we got to spend the whole day as a complete family – Amma, Papa, Megan, Peter, Amy, Sophie, Abby, Rob and our little family of 4. Even Aunt Beckie made it up from Indiana to spend the day! We had some tasty barbecue ribs and chicken for dinner, followed by more s’mores for dessert AND The Great Marshmallow Sparkler Experiment of 2009! Did you know that if you stick a marshmallow on the end of a sparkler and light the sparkler the fire goes straight through the marshmallow and makes it glow from the inside out?? It was very cool :). See my Facebook page for the video my sister took.

We originally planned to go down to the neighbors’ boat at the marina and watch the fireworks from there. In the end – given Adeline’s state that afternoon and evening and considering our own sanity and out of fairness to our children – we all decided it would be best to stay home and just spend time together rather than battle the crowds at the marina. Although the fireworks would have been great, the good times had by all with the family were far better.

Rockband2 Dominated the weekend

Adeline out for a morning swing - still in her jammies!

Evelyn tanning...

Happy 4th, everyone!

July 4th at Amma & Papa's, Part II

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Today we felt better about Adeline’s state so we didn’t even bother to take her temperature. By the evening she was running around and playing with her cousins, so she was definitely feeling better.

Today Amma and Uncle Rob built a swing on the upstairs deck for Adeline. Best idea ever!! Adeline could swing forever and never get sick of it :).

Uncle Rob entertaining a smiley Evelyn

We had a great meal on the deck outside for dinner. Kinda feel like the all-American family! (nevermind we had brats... ;-)

At the end of the evening when Megan, Peter and the cousins arrived we went down to the edge of the little pond my parents live on where they have a little fire pit and made s’mores.

The cousins entertained us with some songs, until Adeline wanted to hold the camera :)

July 4th at Amma & Papa's, Part I

Adeline went to bed last night with another fever (probably was that trash can she licked in Ohio!!). This time it was 103.5. We brought it down with some Motrin, but she woke up this morning and it was back in the 102 range. We gave her some more Motrin and played the morning by ear since we were supposed to leave for Amma and Papa’s today for the 4th of July weekend. We ended up leaving at noon when the fever had come down to 99-100. I could tell she was out of sorts, but she did very well for the rest of the day, considering.

We had a nice dinner tonight with family and some friends, neighbors of my parents. It’s nice to be on a little vacation :).