the Newest Member of the Family

Lately...

We've had a busy couple of days here ... Too much to write a long post about such things.

Lets see, for Amelia:

A trip to the Children's Museum with Lincoln and Aunt Julia

Monkey Joes with our playgroup... a huge bouncy play land.

For me:

a shower for my future sister-in-law, an Oscar's party where I won best dressed!

Planning two showers in the near future, church responsibilities ...

For James:

studying, working, studying, fixing our ceiling stains, studying, and

we have been looking at new cars... could be one in the near future.

Anyway, there is a quick update on us. Maybe once we continue to gather our bearings from the last 2 weeks, I can write more. Until then ...

Amelia Things ...

1. the new way she watches her cartoons ...safe? probably not .... does she listen? probably not.

2. We made cookies today and she was quite helpful by dumping everything into the bowl and not proceeding to stick her finger in while the mixer was on. progress.
3. She now says "love you" which by the is the cutest, especially when it isn't just a repeat of me or daddy. Other new speech things: she is now putting together short sentences, like "da's at work"

4. We miss the sunshine from last week. Hopefully soon we will see it again. Amelia each day has asked to go outside again ...

5. She has entered a new room at church. No more nursery, and there were several workers upset that she has moved on. Now in the toddler room, she will have more structured time, snacks, stories, songs-she did great on her first day!

6. We took our first trip to the Library. Amelia LOVED it! I planned on sitting and reading books there, I forgot that she doesn't hold still in new places. She was so excited about all the books. The only way she could have been more happy would be if she was actually a kid in a candy store. We borrowed a few and she has spent afternoons on the couch ... reading.
7. She has finally outgrown her 12month pants ... finally. Now that she's 19months.

8. She still loves to sing, the problem is she gets sick of songs fast and quickly vetos any options. When it is time for bed someone usually rocks with her ... "sing" she says, but most songs get a head shake. We are running out of songs. Da has also sang many more verses of 'Old McDonald' than really exists.

9. I am really starting to see her imagination come through. It is funny to see how her mind works and how she plays. I often find animals from her barn laid out in a way that suggests actual make believe. She has brought me a cup from her play kitchen saying, "coffee?" as she takes an sip. Wow, I can remember when play time was her staring at book or block. Now things have stories and action.

10. We have had some sleep issues arise the last couple of weeks. Suspicious of what it could be, I peeked inside her mouth ... yup, molars. For the kid who had NO teeth at one, she sure has caught up fast. Total? I think she's up to 10 maybe?

11. Speaking of 10, she now can count to 10, sing her ABCs, and we are working on colors - she's got purple down.

Growing, changing, still keeping us on our toes and surprising us all along the way.

Unseasonably Warm

With 60 degree temps and sunshine in February, you HAVE to take advantage and spend some time outside. So, I thought we would make use of our new zoo pass and take the first trip of the year. My friend, Kristen, joined me and Amelia. It was perfect. Wonderful to be walking outside in the breezy, mild, sunny weather and even more fun to watch Amelia get excited about the animals. She loves anything animal .. pictures, movies, toys; it was fun to see her seeing them in real life. She was saying 'hi' to everything that came close... fish, penguin, sea lions. And she kept asking to sit by the polar bear. Looking forward to many many more trips this year. And looking forward to many many more warmer days ahead!

Watching the fish. She could have stood here all day!

Watching the sea lions swim around with Aunt Kristen

She loved seeing the Dolphins swim above and around her... and she loved seeing the water.

The desert was harder to get excited about. Everything blends in and doesn't move around much... but she did love the turtles.

26

Well... I've reached the other side of 25. It sounds old. I know its not, but 26 really?

It was a wonderful day, actually we had the whole weekend of fun building up to Monday. Friday evening we had our 2nd annual Vday dinner party. I might have spent a good portion of the latter half of last week in the kitchen but it was amazingly fun and wish I could get paid to do that all day long. I made a 3 course meal, including 2 desserts. Maybe I've already started on next year's menu?

Saturday my whole family met at an arcade in a mall to spend the day playing games for free. This place was more than just a simple arcade; it had bumper cars, go karts, duckpin bowling, 3D theater, mini golf, and couple other small rides. It also had an area with smaller games and rides for toddlers. Instead of coins or tokens, you had cards to swipe to play anything and thanks to my dad, we had several cards with an obscene amount of cash on them so we could freely and thoughtlessly swipe away. We successfully used up our cards and enjoyed the pizza buffet. Amelia was content to run around and watch everyone, chase after her cousins, and ride the train where she could ring the bell.

The rest of that day was spent relaxing as a family, preparing for Sunday school, and watching fights with my husband.

Sunday after church, we had lunch with the Humphrey's and got a chance to catch up with Mom-mom and Dad-dad (james' grandparents). They actually came over to babysit Amelia while we went to small group. It was a wonderful help and Amelia had fun with her great-grand parents.

Yesterday, James came home early to spend time with his old wife for her birthday and then we went out to dinner at one of my favorites. It was a wonderful day, slightly more relaxed, and filled with emails, text and facebook messages, phone calls, and hugs from family and friends. It was a great birthday. Amelia even took a long nap for mommy. Anyway, feeling very blessed. Thanks again to all for the birthday wishes ... and heres to 26.

Valentine cookies for Uncle Michael.

Amelia likes wearing her hat and gloves... Mommy likes that it has been slightly warmer that we don't have to wear our hats and gloves.

This was one dessert from our Vday party ... Chocolate cake with a layer of bittersweet chocolate mousse, and then a layer of milk chocolate mousse. First attempt at homemade mousse ... so good, so easy.

A picture of me and my valentine with my new ipod touch before dinner, matching and everything.

Sweet Tuesday

Bug Cheesing for the Camera

Da and Amelia reading a bible story during bathtime

Nap time cuddles

18 Month Check up... Finally

Amelia finally had her 18 month appointment. It had to be rescheduled until this week. She is doing great ... healthy, healthy healthy! But short short short :) Not sure there is anyone surprised by that! Her weight still lingers on the 25th percentile level while her head still is a bit above 75th, which is the same as her 12month stats ... height however as dropped a bit... HA! Every time she has to be measured, they measure twice to make sure. I think they haven't gotten that she is small. Don't they see me standing right next to them? This child is short. We all have come to grips with that. Anyway... she has dropped between 10th and 20th percentile in height. I've told to her embrace her short legs ... :)

As for everything else, she truly has both beauty and brains. The nurse and Doctor were amazed with all she knows. I even overheard them talking outside the exam room about how impressed they were with all Amelia is doing and saying. You know I didn't want to be one of those parents who claims their kid to be the smartest, I'll reserve that right for grands and great-grands to proclaim, but hearing the Doctor's amazement too only confirmed our thoughts... Amelia is quick, she has a great memory, and very smart. I won't say 'the smartest'. After her shot, she whined once and said "hurt." She amazes me.

We left the hospital and decided to go have a little fun since we had been in the house all week long. I thought Amelia would love a trip to the pet store. She loves looking and talking about animals and points out every bird she sees. This would be a hit.

She loved running up and down the aisle watching the birds. They were her favorite. I think she didn't understand why she couldn't hold the kitties, and she didn't know what to think about the lizards. And the fish were cool but not like the birds. So there we stood for awhile watching them talk, fly about, and play.