What's Been Up

FYI: Pictures towards the end.

Here are a few random things to discuss:

1) Lack of Blogging Lately: There a many reasons I haven't been blogging as much lately. Mainly, it takes a lot of time. I'm not complaining at all. I'm so glad I have this blog and I'm even more glad you all read it. If you have a blog, you know that it can be rather time consuming. And life with my two year old leaves me exhausted on some nights. Thus, no new blog post. I can't promise to do better. But I can promise that I will update at least every other night. Sometimes more.

2) AC's Hair: Wow. It's a mess. I'm sure you've noticed. She pulls out every ponytail or pigtail that I put in. So on most days, I will pull it up as quickly as I can and let it be. This usually means that I don't have time for a brush. Just my fingers. I just wanted to clarify that I do notice. Don't sweat the small stuff, right?

3) Things That Make Me Anxious: Potty training - I have tried to start a few times and haven't really been sure that she was ready. I think maybe it's me that's not ready. Deep down, I'm not ready for her to take another leap into "Big Girlhood". We're gonna do, just not tomorrow! Same with the paci (only it will be more stressful, I think). She doesn't use it a lot, but it does calm her down and keep her happy at times. I need to bite the bullet and just start weaning her from it. It's really more about me and less about her. Can I stand to listen to all that whining when I don't have a paci to give her? Yes, but I may need a few more weeks to talk my nerves into it. Teeth brushing: This child will let me floss her teeth, but not brush them. It's so strange. We are currently holding her down and trying to make it a funny experience. It will get easier, right? My house: It's a mess. There's nothing more to say. AC has 10 hours a day to destroy it. I would rather spend my time playing with her and teaching her things than cleaning up. This leaves quite the wreckage for me and Daddy at night. This whole parenting thing is all about finding a balance, I hear. We're still working on it.

4) Things That Make Me Happy: Her manners: She says, "Please" and "Thank you" all the time. I don't even have to prompt her anymore. My heart melted when she said, "Tank you, Mama" for the very first time. I want nothing more than for my girl to be loving and kind. Sure, I want her to be smart and funny, but more than that, I want her to be the one that others want to be around. The one with all that positive energy and kindness. I'm hoping 'please' and 'thank you' are just the beginning. Her words: What a jabber box she has become. I absolutely love it. She has around 150 words these days. I'm thinking when she's 13 I might wish she didn't enjoy talking so much. Whole Foods: Love it. Love it. I'm so glad that this place exists. I sleep better at night because of it. Weird, I know. I have lots of reasons but that's a story for another day.

Today:

We woke up, ate some breakfast, and went to church. After church we went to Target to pick up a few things. Just as we were about to go through the checkout line, I snapped this picture of AC. "Cheese!!!" she says.

Once we finally got home, AC didn't want to come inside. She knew it was nap time and was doing everything she could to avoid it. Finally I had to scoop her up and carry her in. She wasn't happy.

Yes, sister. I know I'm looking very Crystle Gayle-ish these days. It's on my to-do-list. I promise to look less Amish at your wedding.

A quick rock before nap.

"Daddy, we're trying to rock here! Knock it off!"

Doing a little cooking in her kitchen with Mama's running shoes.

Daddy made AC a dress after my trip to Whole Foods. She loved it! "Dess, Mama! Dess!!!"

I fighting a losing battle with the dog hair. Have been for a few years. A few times a day AC will get one in her mouth and makes this face.

"Rattie yucky, Mama," she says. Rattie is what she calls Gracie. Dog hair in the mouth (any hair for that matter) is very, very yucky indeed.

We hope you enjoyed your weekend! It's back to school time for you guys! Enjoy! Kiddos here still have 3 more weeks! We love and miss you all.

Drinking the Water

I'm sure everyone knows it is hot here. I'm also sure that everyone knows that we are a very pale bunch. The sun isn't kind to our skin. Especially that of a 2 year old. So we keep our pool in the garage. We just open the garage door, fill up the pool, and play. On most days, AC spends her time getting in and out of the water, throwing her toys in, and trying to splash me. However, she has days like today where she doesn't want to actually get in the water. Instead she plays from the edge.

She loves to lie down on the edge of the pool and splash.

Trying to splash me.

Today she decided to go in for a drink. If I had a video of this moment, you would hear me saying, "Don't you even think about drinking that nasty water. Don't do it! DON'T DO IT!!!!"

Apparently I'm not that scary. She did it anyway.

She got a big ol' mouth full of disgusting water. And seems very pleased with herself, for a moment...

Then she screams, "YUCKYYYYYY!!!!" You see, my dear, Mama is always right. Remember that.

After realizing that the water was not so fun to drink, she decided to make "toes" on the garage floor.

We love and miss you all! Try to find a pool to cool off this weekend. Just don't drink the water!!

Paint

AC wanted to finger paint today. So we dug out the paints and filled up our paint cups. Only about 30 seconds had passed when I heard her asking for more paint. "Which color do you need?" I asked. "Booo," she said with her finger stuck in the blue paint.

Next she wanted green. How is this child using so much paint?! I thought to myself. And then I looked at her mouth.
Apparently she had been eating it. Yummy. When I told her to stop eating the paint and threatened to take it away, she started chuckling. It seems she has entered the phase where it is comical for the toddler to make her mom angry.

Back to painting she went.

But not for long. After I put a load of laundry in the dryer, I turned to see this. It was in her hair, ears, mouth, teeth, and nostrils. And she thought this was the funniest thing she had seen in her little 2 year old life.
Finger painting was officially closed after this.

On a random note: Yesterday, AC was carrying around her sippy cup just like this.Someone wants to be just like her Daddy.

2 Years Old!!

Friday was the day our little girl turned 2 years old. She was greeted with balloons and a big chocolate muffin as soon as she woke up.

She only ate a bite before running to pull the sheet off this big present.

A kitchen! Her face seemed to say, "Mom, is this for real?!?"

Thanks Bob and La!

She got lots of other toys including this MegaBlocks table that Daddy picked out.

Unfortunately, she wouldn't hold still long enough during the day for me to get any really good pictures of the Birthday Girl.

Then when Daddy got home from work, we ate dinner and had a birthday cake. She loved when we sang "Happy Birthday to You" and getting to blow out the candles.

She loved the candles so much that we had to put them back on the cake (after it we had eaten some) so she could blow them out again.

It was a really good day. Our girl is beyond blessed to have amazing people in her life. To each of you that sent a gift or a card, we thank you. Your generosity and thoughtfulness never go unnoticed or unappreciated. Thanks for helping make the first two years so wonderful! We love and miss you all!!

1st Trip to the Zoo!

We decided to kick off AC's 2nd birthday celebration by taking her to the zoo for the very first time. As most of you know, she is an animal-lover. I just knew she would love the zoo. And she is old enough now to actually understand what she is seeing (which is why I haven't taken her sooner). Nina, Papa, AC, and I left home early Thursday morning in hopes of beating the heat. After a few minutes and miles down the Expressway, we were ready to take it all in.

Strapped in her stroller and ready to go.

Taking a little break from her stroller to walk with Nina and Papa.

Watching the monkeys with Papa. They were swinging from the trees and yelling.

She was mesmerized.

Her very first carousel ride. I wish I had taped this experience. She was screaming and clapping with joy. It was the highlight of the week, I think.

It still makes me smile just thinking about it.

Next we made our way to the Children's Zoo section. There was a petting zoo which she absolutely loved. Be able to get up close and personal to real animals, are you kidding me?

She was loving it.

On the way out of the Children's Zoo. She wasn't very happy that we had to move on.

We took lots of water breaks. Needless to say, we weren't able to beat the heat (or the mosquitoes). We were all sweaty, itchy messes by the time it was all over.

After the petting the goats at the Children's Zoo, she wanted to pet every animal we saw. Especially the gigantic elephants. This was as close as she got to petting an elephant. I think she was satisfied with this little guy!

Taking a quick picture with Nina and putting her best cheese face for the camera.

Another first = Dippin' Dots. And chocolate ones at that!

Yummy!

Before leaving we stopped at the gift shop where AC picked out this little giraffe, or 'baby raffe' as she calls it. We also tried to get a quick picture together.

"Mommy, hug? Kiss?" How could I refuse?

She was exhausted by the time we started for home. We all were, I think.

It was a great day at the zoo! Daddy and I will definitely be taking her back! We might just try the aquarium next time. At least it has air conditioning!

Gator Hunt

On Tuesday, AC and I hopped in the car and drove to the airport. Nina and Papa were coming to stay the week and we were so very excited. AC was so excited that as soon as she saw the first plane from the car window, she started yelling, "Papa? Nina?" as if they might hear her from the car and come running. After a lots of hugs and a few M&Ms, we back in the car and headed home.

This was Papa's first visit to our house. We wanted to show him around so we decided to take an air boat ride across the Everglades on Wednesday. We decided against actually getting on the boat but we had fun just hanging out and looking around. Besides, we took our own little Everglades tour by driving down a deserted road where we are certain we saw a least one alligator.

Nina and AC getting a closer look at the boats.

Papa and AC shared a chocolate covered frozen banana. She thought it was really 'yummy'!

AC loved looking at all the alligator souvenirs in the gift shop. I'm surprised we made it out of there without a tantrum or a stuffed alligator.

It was so hot and the mosquitoes were out in full force but it was a great way to kick off our week.