Monday ramblings...

Today, you get a bunch of randomness...

• We are taking Blakely to the zoo tomorrow.  Weather permitting.  I am super excited about this.  The zoo is about an hour away from us and it isn't huge but I think Blakely is going to love seeing the animals.  We have a few other things we are doing in Little Rock so it should be a full day.  
• One of the things we are going to do is look at some swing sets.  I have been researching like crazy and I think we are close to a decision.  I want to see them in person and talk to someone about details before buying.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts on my post about this topic.  I'll be sure to pass along all of my research to you guys.  :)
• I am O-VER the weather lately.  We have been having terrible storms for a week.  We spent a good part of last Thursday in the closet downstairs due to multiple tornadoes.  We also hung out in the closet a lot of Saturday.  I am terrified of tornadoes but thankfully our house is pretty safe so that makes me feel better.  The back side of the bottom level of our house is built into a hill.  I took a new sticker book into the closet and I could barely get the child to come OUT of the closet because of that.  

• Since the weather is nice today we are going on the boat as soon as B wakes up from her nap.  I don't think people really understand how hard it is to entertain a toddler, who is obsessed with being outside, when it rains for a week straight.  It isn't easy to avoid the constant whines of OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE MOM-MEEEE.  

MIL gave B her old iPhone.  I wasn't too sure about this at first.  Then it rained for a week.  Mother in laws for the win.  

We played Blakely in a box.  

We strongly encouraged GranDi to come over and help with the entertaining of the toddler.  She taught B how to color.  

A lot of the time she sat staring out at the rain with her little people.  :(

• On Friday the rain let up in the afternoon so I immediately took this child outside to play.  She wanted her water table (which is BUH BUH TUH BUH in Blakely talk).  She splashed all around for a long time.  I took my eyes off of her for like 7 seconds and then glanced over and saw this.  

I mean.  She is a climber.  My first reaction was to get her down but she was so dang cute I just couldn't.  She climbed in and out of there probably 50 times.  I took a video that is hilarious.  She is standing there and dancing and smiling and all of the sudden she starts peeing.  She looks down and is a bit confused but then just goes right back to splashing.  Oh me.  I figure there is nothing wrong with a little pee :)  I would post the video but she's nakey...so ya know.  

• Have I mentioned that she hates the bath now?  All started about 2 weeks ago.  Bath time means screaming toddler being held down by one parent while other parent frantically washes toddler.  It really isn't fun for all involved.  I am hoping it is just a stage that passes VERY soon.  
• Are any of you watching the NBA games?  Game 7 of the Heat/Pacers is tonight.  GO LEBRON.  

That is all I have for today.  Happy Monday!  

Better than expected weekend

I didn't really have high expectations for this past weekend.  Lonnie was on call for the 3 day weekend so I figured it would basically be like any other day of the week!  Me+B

Fortunately he didn't have a terrible call.  He had to go in each morning but he didn't have to return once he came home.  He had to take a bunch of calls but that is so much better than having to go back up to the hospital for a case!  

So we got to have lots of me+B+Dad-DEEEE time. 

The weather was beautiful and not too hot.  The past few years it has been 100 degrees by Memorial Day.  That is Arkansas for you.  Anyway, the holiday weekend is pretty crazy on the lake here.  I don't like to get out on the boat just because there are so many people and most of them don't know how to operate a boat safely!  Damn...I sound like my mom.  Yikes.  But we did get out yesterday morning before all of the crazies made it out.  It was perfect.  Sunny with the perfect breeze.  Blakely fell asleep after about 5 minutes of riding.  The boat is a wonderful baby sleep machine.  I remember taking the best naps on the boat when I was little.  She slept for about 45 minutes just like this...sitting straight up.  

On Sunday B went to my moms per usual.  I consider that my "day off"...even though it is only a few hours.  I'll take it.  She had a big time swinging, playing cards and just generally entertaining GranDi, Jenni, CiCi, and Grandmama.  Lonnie and I took the opportunity to take a jeep ride.  We packed up a lunch and then took a long drive.  We stopped for lunch at a baseball park and then drove around some more.  I got too much sun but it was a great ride! 

I am looking forward to the short week and then my honey is off all next week.  I really couldn't be more excited about that.  We are planning on taking B to the zoo and I know she will love it!

OH!  One more thing....  Look what we came up on when walking up to the house from our dock!  I knew the geese had eggs because I have been watching them for a while.  While we were in Florida they hatched!  I hadn't seen them so I figured either something got to the eggs or the babies didn't survive.  Then this!  3 BABIES!

How cute are they?  I wish I would have had my good camera but I didn't so phone pics only.  And don't get it twisted.  These geese are mean as hell.  We stayed quite a ways away and they were still all puffy and hissy.  I guess I would be too though...

All in all, this Memorial Day weekend was way better than last year even though Lonnie was on call.  Why?  This was my baby last year.  We were in the middle of salmonella hell... 

I'll spare you all the other pictures of saran wrap diapers and poop in red solo cups and just leave you with a sicky non-smiley babe.  Gosh...she was so itty bitty....AND BALD!  

19 months

On Monday May 13th Blakely turned 19 months old!  Here are a few things from this month.  

• Still obsessed with shoes. 
• Really wants to get her own self dressed.  She will spend the longest time trying to put her pants on, even if she already has some on.  She can now get them on but can't pull them up over her cloth booty.  She waddles over to me so I can pull them all the way up.  Then she yells OFF and takes them back off.  We do this A LOT.   

• She has started calling us Mommy and Daddy instead of mama and dada.  She draws it out too so it sounds like Mom-meeeeeee and Dad-deeeeee. 
• She is getting a really nice southern accent already.  I think hers is stronger than mine ;)  I need to get a video....
• She started sleeping with a pillow this month.  She kept grabbing them off the couch and putting her head on them and saying night night.  One day I just threw a small decorative pillow in her crib with her to see what she would do.  She loves it and cuddles right up on it every night.  Now I need to get her her own pillow so I can have the one for the recliner back!
• She loves ice.  She is always trying to steal the ice out of our water cups.  Daddy started this little love of hers.  He is always giving her the ice leftover from his water.  
• She likes to walk on her tippy toes.
• She is starting to get better about playing by herself for a little while.  I have been trying to make her have some independent play time each day but that doesn't always work.  She normally wants me to be RIGHTTHERE on the floor with her.  This means I can't get anything else done during the day and it also means that my brain is mush by 3pm from doing the same toddler things over and over.  We are getting there but it is slow going.  
• She still sleeps great.  She is in bed by 730 each night and she usually asks to get in her bed.  This month though she has started wanting to take things to bed with her.  It is usually the last thing she was playing with before bed.  So either her toothbrush, a pair of pants or shoes or just some random toy.  We always take it away and that equals meltdown.  Apparently Lonnie gives in sometimes because I have found her the next morning in bed with a dress from the day before.  Oh daddies :)
• She loves washing her hands.  Anytime she sees me go to the bathroom or do something at the kitchen sink she starts rubbing her hands together and saying HUH...which means hand.  She also likes having a little hand sanitizer put on her hands too.  
• She is very helpful when it comes to cleaning up her toys and books.  I have really tried to make her clean up before nap and bed time.  I think it has paid off because when I tell her it is time to clean up she helps me.  She doesn't do it all by herself but at least she knows to tidy up her damage.  

• I don't know where she got this but every time she toots she giggles and says tooooooooot.  Which, in her strong southern accent, sounds more like tewwwwwt.  It is adorable and I giggle right along with her.  

Sweet Blakely,  

I don't really know how this happened but you have grown up so much in the last few months.  You are becoming such a little person.  You have likes and dislikes and are able to convey those to us very well.  I love seeing your little personality shine through.  You are smart and spunky.  You love being the center of attention.  When you know people are watching you, you will perform and just try to make them smile or laugh.  You charm everyone that you come into contact with.  I can't even make it through one minute at the grocery store without someone coming over to talk to you because you were smiling and waving at them.  You are not really scared of anyone.  Sometimes, usually if you are sleepy, you aren't as much of a people person but you will warm right up after a few minutes.  

You have always been a daddy's girl and you still are for the most part.  You hear the garage door go up when he gets home and your eyes and face just light up immediately.  You take off running for the door yelling Dad-DEEEEEE.  He swoops you right up and pretty much carries you around the rest of the night.  You go to the bathroom with him (thank god I'm not the only one who never goes alone in this house!), you read the paper with him, and you snack off of his plate all night long.  Daddy also usually puts you to bed.  Since you have spent most of the day with me, he likes to have that special time with you.  

One night Daddy got called back into work after only being home for 30 minutes.  She just kept standing by the door with this sad look on her face.  Sweetest and saddest thing ever.  

Even though you are a daddy's girl, you love some mom-meeee.  When I get done working out and I come pick you up at the daycare there you get so excited.  You point at me and start saying mom-meee over and over.  You are looking around at all the other kids and teachers while you do this.  It's like you're proud of me and saying LOOK! THAT'S MY MOMMY!!!  When you wake up in the morning you come into the bed with me and snuggle.  You don't snuggle anyone like you snuggle with me.  When you get up from your daily nap you always want me...even if daddy is home!  We are best friends.  

You are sweet and kind.  You love giving kisses and hugs.  You are brave yet timid.  You will try anything but I need to be holding your hand the first few times.  After that you will do things by yourself.  I love this about you.  I actually love everything about you!  You are the light of my life Blakely Ann.  I can't even tell you how much I look forward to watching your personality continue to emerge and to watch you continue to blossom.  You are beautiful my dear and I am so proud to be your Mom-MEEEE!  

Swing set

This is sort of a random post but this is always where I come when I need some advice.  So here goes...

My MIL wants to buy Blakely a swing set for her birthday in October.  But she wants to get it now so that she can enjoy it all summer long.  I am thrilled about this and so very thankful that she wants to do this.  My problem is that I have NO IDEA about which swing set to get.  I started researching and OMG...over-freaking-whelmed.  There are so many different kinds!

So here are my questions for you.  If you already have one, what do you thing is a must have on a swing set?  Anything that you dislike about it or that you think is a waste of space?  I know most of you have toddlers Blakely's age so maybe you are researching now too.  I would love to hear anything you have to say!  

Here are the things that I know I want.  

• wooden
• at least 2 swings
• slide
• not HUGE but not too small either.  I want her to be able to play on it for a long time.  

Other than that I really don't know.  If MIL hadn't mentioned this then we would not have purchased one until probably next year.  Not because I didn't want one but because Lonnie doesn't think she needs one.  Whatever daddy...  

I always feel like I need to research every single thing and read all reviews before buying something like this.  I mean it is going to be in my backyard for a very long time!  

Thanks so much for any advice or ideas!  

water weekend

Blakely spent this entire weekend playing in or with water.  I imagine that is how most of our summer is going to be spent.  

Saturday we went to my MIL's house and played in her pool.  This was the first time B has been in the pool this year.  She was unsure at first but quickly decided she liked it.  Her favorite thing was to ride in the "boat".  She got pretty brave in the pool so I am gong to call about swimming lessons as soon as she goes down for a nap.  I think that will make me less nervous about her "swimming"?!

We got in the pool again Sunday before heading home.  Blakely was really brave and tried running on the reef.  I was right there but she lost her balance and went under.  Like full on, head completely under water.  I had her arm even when she fell but she still went under.  I yanked her up and expected her to be choking and screaming.  She was smiling and saying EYE EYE.  I wiped the water out of her eyes and she was just smiling away.  I, on the other hand, was trying to calm my racing heart.  I think swimming is going to make me go gray.  I didn't realize she would be so brave since she HATES water on her head in the bath.  

We stopped at a store and picked up a water table on the way home.  Since we normally have 100 degree days all summer long I thought a water table would be a great way to still be able to play outside and keep cool.  If insta.gram is any indication I wasn't the only one thinking about water tables this weekend!  

This child loved the water table.  She played WITHOUT ME for an hour straight.  I actually had to make her come inside so I could cook dinner.  She wasn't too happy about that.  Then after dinner we went back out and she played for even longer.  B loves the water table but mommy may love it more.  ;)

IAMSOHAPPYMOMMY!

she drank the water...

she splashed...

she sent her people down the slide...

she concentrated on carrying the water...

and just had a great time!

 only stopping occasionally to point out a boat going by...

 I love this picture.  I feel like it sums up exactly how I want her summer to be.  Wet, sweaty, pink-cheeked, dirty, crazy-haired and just HAPPY!  

We finished the water weekend off with a bubble bath!  Trust me...she needed it!  

Happy Monday!  

Beach girl.

If you have followed this little blog for a while then you know that the women in my family take a beach trip every year.  I have been going with my mom, Jenni, Casey, and Grand forever.  A few years ago we switched it up and took a few more people...my cousin Jan and her mom (my Grand's sister).  Last year was the first year we took Lonnie.  What a trooper going to the beach with 7 women and a baby!  He had such a good time and couldn't wait to go again this year.  

We drive and it is a 12 hour trip.  I drove while Lonnie was in the front seat and my mom was in the back with B.  I packed a car bag full of activities for her if she got bored.  Would you believe that we only got ONE thing out of that bag?  She was so good!  

This was when we first got to the condo and she ran onto the balcony and kept saying OH!  

The first 2 days were overcast and cold!  Which really doesn't bother me because we just hang out in the condo and play cards.  

Wrapped up on the balcony.  

Sharing coffee...  This all started a few weeks back when she wanted his coffee so bad and would not give up.  He finally gave her a taste thinking she would hate it and move on.  No.  She loved it.  So now she gets to dip her finger in his coffee a few times on the weekends...and on vacation :)

Blakely entertaining everyone.  

Learning how to play UNO with Jenni.  

Finally it was warm enough to go to the beach.  And let me tell you it was absolutely perfect.  Not too hot and the perfect breeze.  I really didn't know how B would like the sand.  I was prepared for her to hate it, just in case.  

Long story short...she loved the sand.  And the water.  And the sea gulls.  And the beach chairs.  All of it.  This girl is a beach baby.  She would have stayed out there all day if we let her.  She even loved having sunscreen put on her every 43 seconds.  

Lots of sand play with daddy.  

She's a people watcher just like her mama!

such a climber...

It was actually so amazing because she would sit (or squat) and play at our feet and we could sit back and read or just watch her.  She was perfectly happy entertaining herself.  

The water was still pretty cold so I didn't think she would like it but oh she did.  Every time a wave hit her legs she would say MORE!  She spent a loooong time with her legs in the water with daddy.  

Taking a little walk with Jenni.  

The only family picture we have from the whole trip.  I know....I'm so mad about that!  

Here is a little video of B on the beach.  Her favorite thing to do was to have her bucket full of water and she would add sand a little at a time and then stir.  We called it sand soup!  I love this video...

I did get a couple of pictures of me and B.  That never happens since I am the one with the camera usually.  

Such a silly girl!

We went to dinner every night.  You just never know how a toddler is going to do at a long sit down dinner.  I was so impressed with her and her eating.  Her favorite thing?  Fried crawfish tails.  She ate them at multiple places and loved them.  There was only one night we had to get her out of her seat and take her for a little walk.  

Daddy was teaching her how to make a wish!  

Even those few times when she was "over it" she was still good sitting at the table and coloring or playing peek a boo with someone.  

I feel like this is the look of a teenager!  

me and my guy....

It was a great trip with many memories.  I have to say the best part about it was my family getting to spend so much time with Blakely.  Especially my grandmother who I call Grand and B calls Grandmama (which sounds eerily close to mammy!)  She was in our condo so she was able to see B a lot.  She enjoyed watching B put on her shoes, attempt to put on my shoes, play with a billion stickers, run around like a crazy girl, play with daddy, and just generally make a mess.  You know...the normal stuff.  B lights everyone up.  She makes them all smile but none smile bigger than my Grand.  Yesterday Blakely got a letter in the mail from Grand.  I cried while reading it to her.  She wrote to her all about the trip and all the things she enjoyed seeing B do.  It means so much to me that she did that.  I will keep that letter forever.  

And just in case you are interested...
Florida 2012
Florida 2011