June purge

Lots of updating has been happening around here. I got a new phone which was pretty needed (my storage was always full and it was incredibly slow; plus I have been coveting Siri for awhile). Additionally, all of my work computers were updated. I'm a little nervous I'll lose iPhoto on my laptop so I decided I should post some of the pictures I had been hoarding for the blog before I try uploading my most recent ones. So, in the spirit of updating, here is the latest post.

I feel like I say this on a regular basis but A is just immeasurably sweet. Seriously. She is just a kind little girl. And that makes me happy (I am not saying she is easy--she's not--or that she is not grumpy; just that she is sweet and kind). I really want her to be happy and do whatever is best for her. I know that it's best not to put too many expectations on your children but I just really want her to be kind to others. Though if she does decide to be a doctor, that's okay, too. ;)

Speaking of doctors, we took A in to the clinic last month. We know it is very common for toddlers to have lots of bumps and bruises. However, A's seemed a bit excessive and was a little worrisome (I'd show you the photos but we really don't want anyone to call CPS). We took her for bloodwork and everything was normal, though. She just bruises more easily than some kids. Chad and I both bruise easily and my mom's side of the family has a number of bleeding/platelet problems (which may have been the cause of the bleeding difficulty following A's birth) so it's probably that. She did a great job at the doctor's office. She cried before they even got out the needle but it went much better than the last time and she liked her pink bandage.

This summer we have had so much fantastic weather. June was amazing.

Baby A had so much fun playing with the water pump at the botanical garden. We discover something new every visit.

She has been loving tea parties lately. She says and does the cutest things. Her latest is saying "mama, I funny." She has great comedic timing and often says that right as we are about to enforce a limit she knows she has broken...

Chad and I took her for gelato and she insisted on having her own bowl and spoon. 

We are trying to hit up the farmer's market some this summer. She enjoyed playing at the playground at the park. The equipment all seems so big.

 

Sometimes, certain things just don't feel worth the fight. So despite all of my knowledge about car seat safety and items in a car being potential projectiles, I did give in one Saturday and let her bring a gazillion babies with her.

The smile seemed worth it but now I'm enforcing a "no more than 2 babies" rule. Fortunately, they are fairly soft.

So we are doing fairly well. I hate that summer is 2/3 over but I am glad it is July because things have slowed down just a bit for me at work so now I am playing catch up. I'm also trying to relax a bit, get to bed at a more reasonable hour, and exercise. Exercise includes going for fun walks when it is nice out, of course.

Miss Independent

I hope everyone had a happy 4th of July. We had a good weekend. On Friday, we had my sister and her family up to visit.  Baby A and I had fun making patriotic food. She expressed distress at the mixer but this was much better than usual so I am hoping she is growing out of this phase with appropriate support and exposure. I think that as she is making the connection that mixer = yummy, it is getting easier. 

On Saturday, we laid pretty low and didn't even make it to the grocery store or farmers' market. She had a lot of fun with bubbles in her water table. 

On Sunday, we met the Beasleys and the Lawsons at Myriad Gardens to play in the splash pad. Unfortunately, A got car sick. It was kind of my worst nightmare. Fortunately we had arrived at Lana's and she took over as the responsible mom who knows how to handle a crisis! Baby A was feeling totally fine before and after. She's such a sweet girl. She kept looking at me and saying "mama it's messy. I messy." She immediately started playing with Ben and Grace once we got out of the car. Once we (/Lana) got the car seat (& A) clean and sanitized, we all joined cousin Avery at the park. Much fun was had by all. Though A did face plant and her whole side of her face is swollen, bruised, and has road rash on her cheek. It's difficult to capture in photos but really painful to see in person! She's a trooper. 

It's hard to believe there is less than 2 weeks between these kiddoes. A is a peanut and Ben is a big boy!

Being back to school today was a little tough I think because she was really attached to me all night. I tried to enjoy the extra cuddles rather than get frustrated. I don't know how she gets sweeter everyday. But we love it. :)

Apparently belly freedom is really important to A on major patriotic holidays. These made me laugh.