Booster Seat

Lauren had her first dinner in a booster seat. She did quite well, and we even noticed she was holding her spoon "properly" at one point, though there was more food on the floor tonight than ever before. She loved being truly at the table with her Mommy and Daddy though.

Such a big girl these days. Today was all about walking backwards, eating in a booster seat, and singing like an opera singer. She's just amazing.

Young Toddler Summer Pic

Oh gosh...we picked up Lauren's Summer pictures from the Young Toddler room...she is so serious! Not to mention, what happened to the sweet bow that I had in her curly hair that morning? Here her hair is straight, she looks like she was playing in her lunch instead of eating it, and she is solemn as can be! Todd says it's one of his favorites of her ever, and think she looks just stunning and beautiful. I dunno..I adore my smiley, happy-faced babe. This serious number she's got going on just doesn't seem like our Lauren to me.

So Proud

Today is Lauren's turn to bring books for Circle Time at her school. We picked out 4-6 books last night, and she brings them to share with her class in a special bag where they will be stored safely all week. She was so proud this morning, putting the bag on her shoulder and walking around with it (dragging along behind her). She really thinks she's such a big girl now...but she'll always be our baby girl.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Tonight as we came out of IHOP after our VERY fancy dinner out, we came out to the most perfect rainbow on the horizon. Neither Todd nor I could remember seeing one that was such a perfectly shaped rainbow. Unfortuately my camera isn't fancy enough to get the whole arch in the frame.

What a great way to end the weekend. Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday week!

Way Down Yonder on the Chattahoochee...

Todd and I took Lauren for a short boat ride tonight on the Chattahoochee River near our house. She was fussing the whole way over to the park, and we were starting to question if this was such a good idea. The second we pulled onto the grounds she grew very quiet and her eyes got very big. She was taking in the woods and the canopy of trees. She was a little uncertain when we first got in the boat, but when Todd let 'er rip, she started giggling and just let the wind blow her little curls about.

She really didn't mind her life jacket at all, which is good because once she started exploring, Mommy and Daddy had to grab on to all sorts of straps to keep her in place! She wanted to climb all over the boat, pushing buttons, pulling levers. She loved it when Todd would make it rock-- cracked her up! NO FEAR, this one...

She loved putting her hands in the cool river water. She really was ok as long as the boat wasn't moving. She had a really hard time understanding that when the boat was moving she had to sit with Mommy. Either that, or just she just didn't LIKE that she had to sit with Mommy when the boat was moving. She's got a bit of an independent spirit to say the least (no comments from the peanut gallery, please!)

She loved observing all the nature. We have a real outdoorsy girl for sure. She just loves to be outside, exploring on her own. We saw lots of ducks, and even got to watch a Blue Heron in flight. Here it is, a moment before taking off in flight.

We got Lauren home, fed, bathed, and she was sound asleep--- crashed out in no time at all!

My Southern Belle

This morning as Todd took Ladybug to school she looked into the office where I was already at work and said, "bah-bah" with this REAAAALLY thick southern accent. Todd and I were cracking up so hard. I told her BAH back. :)

Sex and Atlantic Station

Saturday I had a Girls Day Out and met some of my girlfriends down at Atlantic Station for lunch and a viewing of the Sex and the City movie. Our event was originally going to be Sex and Peachtree City, but we had a logistical nightmare trying to coordinate hooking up with each other from the 4 Corners of Georgia where we all live (long story...). So the locale changed, and we had a blast. We even got to celebrate Shanna's 30th birthday coming up this week (Happy Birthday, S!). The last to join Club 30...and here I am about to go into the next bracket (35!).

Kate, Jen P., Amy, Robyn, and the Birthday Girl, Shanna.

Sorry for the fuzzy photo. Blame our waitress!! We had juicy lunch chatter. Cheap(er) grocery story candy. And, the movie was enjoyed by all. We laughed, we cried. We anticipated our next Girls Day Out will be for the film previewed for us: He's Just Not That Into You. Of course, I am praying that we come up with another reason to go before October/November when that hits the theatres! :) Thanks, Ladies for a wonderful afternoon.

First Big Girl Toy

Lauren has been cruising her baby dolls around in their own little umbrella stroller. She's only tried to get in it herself once before realizing that wouldn't work so well. She just loved it!

Just Another Friday Night at the Cantina

After we went to see the pups, we had to bring something to Todd's mom who lives out that same direction. We decided to go out for Mexican with Mimi and PapaFish. Jamie and Stephanie live in the same neighborhood, so they decided to meet up with us too, and Jamie's folks (Martha and Gene) also live out that way and joined the crowd. It was so fun...we don't get to see all these folks nearly enough!

Lauren is always flirting with Jamie. She just loves him and Stephanie! Know what else she loves? SALSA. She was trying to dip her own chip and when that didn't work she was putting her hold hand in and licking the salsa off her fingers. Needless to say, she had her own bowl...ahem! I think we've got a spicey one on our hands...

After dinner we went back to Mimi and PapaFish's house to hang out with everyone for a bit. Jamie and Steph's daughter, Haylie, was finally awake so we could spend some time with her.

Look at that sweet face. She's looking more and more like a mini-me of Jamie! She's getting so big and yet still has the tiniest litle feet...something that we never quite experienced with our BIG little girl! [Big Feet, Compliments of Mommy]

How Much Is That Doggie In the Window???

Our friend Bill has begun breeding his Welsh Terrier (Masie) and his West Highland Terrier (Annie). We took Lauren to see the first batch of pups from Masie last Friday. At first she just stood outside the pen and peeked through the mesh fencing at them.

She was standing kind of far away at first when we took them out of the pen. Not so sure how this all worked. Here she is lookingat Todd like, "hmmm...he's actually going to let me touch this little thing..."



Ooh! Ooh! Three at ONCE...which do I pet first?!

She wanted to kiss the puppies...

Mama, she feels just like the doggie ear in my touch'n feel book!
Gentle Touch...

Here is Lauren with Masie chasing her around the floor.

I am waiting for Annie's pups (similar look, but brown and white) before I start pushing Todd for a dog...they are beautiful little dogs and they don't shed! :)

Like Father, Like Daughter

It's kind of a running gag in our circle that when Todd tells stories he assumes the voice of the person he's talking about. Our fishing friends all know his "Pat" voice, his high school friends all know his "Huck" voice, and his family all knows his "Grandpa Herb" and/or "Dan" voices.

Well, Lauren is really starting to get quite a vocabulary, surprising us every day with new words. She's starting to recognize her favorite Sesame Street character, ELMO. At first, I though she was saying MAMA because it sounded like MAMO to me. Finally I realized she's saying AMO (ie. ELMO, minus the L), but she says it in this funny little voice...just like the REAL Elmo does!!

Funny stuff, these kids.

Shout Out to My Peeps!

I can't believe the news the past couple weeks. Both of my "home away from homes" have been impacted by flood waters! First, my parents called when we arrived in FL to tell me that the Root River in Racine had flooded. Those pictures were shocking to me. I can't ever recall seeing the waters so high in my hometown. Fortunately, my parents did not even have water in their basement, etc.

For pictures of the Racine Floodwaters, check out my Aunt's blog: www.caringbridge.org/visit/melissahuck

Then, one morning I noticed that Sam Champion from GMA was reporting from Cedar Rapids, IA. This is where I went to college- Coe College. I actually recognized the scenery as CR before I comprehended what had happened! The whole community is just devastated. Many of my dear friends, former co-workers, and their extended communities and townships....just in ruins. Even Coe's campus had some damage, with 12 ft of water flooding into their Physical Plant. I find myself awestruck, dumbfounded, & speechless when I see the pictures and hear the stories. The sense of uncertainty as the flood waters move down the Mississippi and the sense of helplessness that these people must all feel....

For pictures of the Cedar Rapids Floodwaters, check out my friend Kerstin's blog:
www.bubbaandsister.blogspot.com

Please keep both of these communities, and all the others impacted by Mother Nature, in your thoughts and prayers. I am thinking of you all!!

Kate

What I Did Over My Summer Vacation.

Well, your voices have been heard! I'd hate to disappoint my loyal blog stalkers...I am so pleased that you all were clamoring for shots of our family vacation that you checked on my first day back for a posting! :) We had a fantastic family vacation to Ponte Vedra, FL with Todd's sister and her family, Todd's parents, and the three of us. It was so wonderful to get away from the daily grind for a week and enjoy the sun, surf, and family.

FIRST NIGHT

Never has changing into PJ's been so fun for these two cousins! They were giggling and rolling around on our bed. SO EXCITED to see each other again...

FIRST DAY ON THE BEACH
The first night Lauren was clapping her hands, raising her arms above her head, and running and screaming with joy. She made a beeline for the water and just loved it. The next morning...not so much.

Such a sad little face... but our Ladybug sure does look cute!

Here Ladybug was happier in the sand. MUCH BETTER! Thank you to Aunt Lisa for the adorable swimsuit!

Such a little bag lady! She and KK love their handbags. This one was actually for all the beach "tools", but she carried it like it was her pride and joy. Is it just me or does she look like an old lady at the bus stop here?!

Here she is playing in the sand in her fish swimsuit (of course!). This was a calm moment on a day of many meltdowns. Lauren's ears were both killing her and her antibiotic was just NOT working. She was trying so hard to be a good sport, but you could tell she was just miserable.

FEELING BETTER:

Lauren wore herself out running in the surf once she was feeling better. This was the day after we switched to a new antibiotic to fight her double ear infection. She was a new child and just loved every second on the beach! She was playing in the waves, running in the sand, and laughing like crazy.

Mimi was a tireless playmate for her beloved grandchildren on the beach.-- and off! Somehow this wasn't a relaxing vacation for her, though the extra set of hands to help made it dreamy for the rest of us! (THANK YOU, MIMI!!!!)

Here is Mimi with ALL her babies.

Todd, Lisa, Jonathan, Barbara, Lauren, and Kaitlyn.

Our family on the beach catching rays.

Kaitlyn does her best "Scrunchy Face!". Cracks Uncle Todd up every time...

Daddy's Girl...though I think he's equally smitten!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love these two yahoos?!?

I Want To Do It MYSELF!!!!!!

Lauren has gotten very independent as of late! Sunday she was very insistent on feeding herself her yogurt with her own spoon, and with NO help. I mentioned it at school on Monday and they said she feeds it to herself every morning (with some help when it starts to get messy...). She's actually pretty agile with the utensils now!

When's she's really talking I foresee lots of conversations starting with, "Mommy, ME DO". :)

The Georgia Aquarium

We had visitors from Minnesota last weekend. My old friend and roomie, Jasmine arrived with her husband Terry and two boys, Anthony & Alberto in tow. Alberto is just one month older than Ladybug, and they are just the same size, so they had too much fun chasing each other around. On Friday we went to the GA Aquarium. It's a pretty spectacular place, and one of the

largest aquariums around.

The jellyfish are always pretty cool to check out.

She loved the aquariums that went overhead.


Lauren was very serious about checking out some of the Big FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF's , as she called them.

The Tropical Fish were her favorites. I have to admit, it's pretty neat. Lots of natural light, and the overhead part of the tank mimics the tide coming. I think she could have stayed there all day!

Mama! Look at the FFFFFFFFFF's!

Lauren & Alber running around after the fish.

Lauren, Anthony, and Alberto. Trying to get them all to look at the camera with those awesome fish tanks behind then was a mission impossible!

Alberto and Lauren had so much fun together all weekend. Here they are holding hands!

All ready to go home!