19 Months

This month has gone by so fast with all of the holiday activities. Here’s what Lucy has been up to.

She is:

• talking, talking, talking! At her 18 month appointment in mid-December the doc asked me how many words she has. I had counted about 40. Apparently 10-15 is average, and she has added more since then…we have a gabber on our hands!
• starting to put words together, as well. “More, please;” “Daddy go?” “My tee-tee” (blankey).
• 30 pounds and 32 ¾ inches long. Still a big girl!
• fighting persistent red patches on her cheeks – doc says it’s dry skin, but every time we seem to clear it up, it comes right back.
• loving her “babies” and stuffed animals, and has to have about 5 in bed with her or in the chair when we’re reading books.
• starting to take an interest in the bathroom and has even requested to sit on the toilet a couple of times. (Right now we’re just sort of facilitating the interest and explaining things, but aren’t in a rush to break out the potty training just yet).
• answering a lot of questions or requests with “NO.”
• putting Mommy through some pretty difficult mornings lately…Miss Independent is getting harder to get out the door.
• scolding the dog on a regular basis – my favorite is “Buddy, GO!” as she runs him over to the gate and points downstairs. That being said, she is not very nice to him sometimes…and we are trying to correct that.
• enjoying all of her Christmas gifts, especially her bean bag, baby dolls, Little People Farm, tea set, and play food.
• doing a lot of running up and down the hallways, and jumping into her bean bag.
• a dancing machine. She's got quite the fancy footwork!
  
• A busy, busy bee. The girl rarely slows down, but when she does, it is usually for food, sleep, or books!

As always, Lucy keeps us on our toes – whether it’s chasing her around from one toy to the next, or being careful about what we say in front of her. There is always something new to explore. It’s a really fun time right now, as she learns new words and phrases and is able to communicate better with us. She amazes me every day!

Christmas Recap

We had a great Christmas at our house. Lucy really had no concept of what was going on, but she enjoyed opening gifts and talking about "Sata" (Santa). We had Husband's family over for the afternoon, so she got more presents and all kinds of attention. It was a blast. Here are some highlights:

A beanbag from Santa. I think she's got the hang of it, huh?!
A gas card for Brandon...driver's license is coming soon!
Grandma and Grandpa and the aunties and uncles showered both kids with lots of gifts. Lucy got some new babies and a little stroller to push them around in.
Of course, Lucy gave some love too! Here she is with her cousin, Miss H. Is this not the CUTEST?!
We travel to Iowa for another Christmas this weekend, and a special anniversary celebration for Grandma and Grandpa. Should be lots of fun!

Merry Christmas!

Hi, Nen-Nen!

Just Call Her Bruiser

Punky's got a black eye! She took a spill at daycare and landed on a toy truck. It hit just below her eye. It didn't look too bad at first, but bruised up pretty well. That in combination with her red, chapped cheeks have her looking pretty rough.

I hear the truck is in worse shape, though. :)

Stack 'Em Up

Stacking is one of Lucy's favorite pastimes. We don't have any proper blocks (holding out to see if Christmas brings any!) but she stacks cups, boxes, books...and even cans from the pantry. Go Lucy!

Ladies Weekend

Last weekend I had the pleasure of being invited to a ladies weekend at Grandview Lodge in Nisswa, MN. It's only about 2 1/2 hours north of "The Cities," and yet felt like a step into another world. I can't remember another time I have been away for a whole weekend since Lucy was born.

What a beautiful place. It was like walking around in a snow globe. The main lodge is a historic building, and I was charmed from the moment I walked in. The guest cabins are amazing, and we got quite a deal through a special winter weekend package.

Oh, and did I mention there is a spa on the premises? Glacial Waters Spa is an Aveda spa, and I spent almost the whole day Saturday there. I had my first facial and after a few minutes of, "OK, I'm paying a lady to rub stuff on my face..." it was actually very relaxing - I even fell asleep for a little bit! My skin felt amazing afterward, too. It's too bad I can't afford all the products in that 8-step process to beautiful glowing skin! After the facial I was able to sit in the Relaxation Room and finish a book, and then headed into my 60-minute deep tissue massage. Just writing that now makes my back ache for another one! It's a crazy feeling getting up from the massage table...I call it a "massage hangover." Your hair is all messed up, you've got marks on your face from laying face down on the table, and you're groggy from being so relaxed. I was able to take a shower and relax for a bit more before heading back to the cabin to rejoin my group.

Another thing I was able to do on this weekend retreat was go out. Not that I never go out, but in this case I didn't have to drive myself anywhere, and I didn't have to worry about having to wake up at 6AM and put on my mommy hat. We drank beer out of pitchers at a townie bar and danced to a bunch of new music we didn't know, and cleared the floor of anyone but us when we requested tunes from the early '90s. We felt a little old at times but we also felt mighty awesome. It could've been the 3.2 beer but I'm sure it was more about some ladies cutting loose!

All in all this weekend reminded me that I'm a much better mom, wife, co-worker when I give myself a break. Even in packing for the weekend I realized I haven't bought myself any new clothes in a long time, and I don't have any good clothes that aren't for work or aren't for knocking around the house chasing around a toddler and doing laundry. And that reminded me that I work and I'm a mom, but there's also a little bit of me in between the two. That woman needs some time too.

I'll be heading back next year. :)

18 Months

Today I reminded Lucy that she is 1.5 years old. She was brushing her teeth at the time (i.e. sucking on the toothbrush) and she paused, then said "Mommy!" and gave a big smile. What a generous girl, giving me a gift on her 1.5 year birthday!

This month, Lucy has been:

• repeating and learning a ton of new words, and even stringing a couple together - "my daddy," "all done," "Buddy go?"
• identifying body parts and appropriately pointing to eyes, nose, ears, hair, mouth, teeth, chin, cheeks, hands, feet, tushie
• growing a head full of wild hair and pulling out pigtails and barrettes
• finally getting the concept of thank you ("tee-too")
  
• doing a lot of singing and dancing
• learning to say her brother's name (Brandon) - "Nen-nen"
  
• discovering blocks and spending extended periods of time stacking cups
• wrapping her babies in blankets, putting them to bed and leaning over to say "hi baby!"
• getting some new teeth - she has 12 and two eye teeth are currently coming in
  
• discovering snow, and being most enthralled by eating it
  
• climbing up on chairs and most furniture
• running into/falling off furniture
• giving good hugs and asking for a "kees"

All I can say is, Christmas is going to be a ton of fun!

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am thankful for:

• cooperative weather that allowed us to drive down to Iowa to visit my family
  
• a warm and happy place for Brandon to spend the holiday even though he couldn't travel with us (he had to work on Friday)
• big, boisterous extended families
• grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that are such a big part of our daughter's life
  
• the legacy of love and laughter that my grandparents left behind

What are you thankful for today? Happy Thanksgiving!

Colors

Tonight before bed Lucy and I were looking at a book that had several pictures in it with the words underneath. We were practicing identifying the different objects and saying the words. At the end was a page of colors.

As I pointed each one out, over and over, the only colors she would repeat were yellow and purple.

When I recounted this story to Husband, a little smile crossed his face.

Although the Vikings are not doing so well this year, I could tell by the look on his face that he was a very proud daddy.

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am thankful for:

• a new couch that is very accommodating to a tired body at the end of the day
• socks for cold feet
  
• my bed

It's been a long one folks...

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am thankful for:

• The workers downstairs again playing Guns and Roses' Patience, this time about 3:15pM when I really needed a pick-me-up
• Kisses and hugs from a little girl after a long day
• Warm November weather
• Co-workers who care about more than the bottom line
  
• The men and women in my family who have served and are serving in our Armed Forces

What are you thankful for today?

Cousins - Part 2

Lucy got to spend some time with all of her cousins on the other side last weekend, as we celebrated Baby E's baptism. Unfortunately we didn't get a photo of all four of them together, but we got three...sort of! Those little bodies just can't be convinced to stay still!

Thankful Thursdays

Lately I’ve been getting easily irked by little things…but also realizing that there are other little things that happen each day that make me happy. So in the spirit of the upcoming holiday, I’m going to take some time out this month to list out some of the little things I am thankful for, and in turn hope it helps to erase the gray cloud that’s been hovering above.

Today I am thankful:

• for Brandon putting Lucy to bed lastnight when I was gone and Husband was not feeling well
• for the random woman who told me my pant leg was stuck in my sock on the way into my office building this morning
• for the workers on the floor below my office who cranked Guns N Roses “Patience” at about 11AM – it made me smile
• for Husband making an excellent dinner AND doing the dishes that had piled up
  
• that a spill in the driveway yesterday only resulted in a few scrapes that look worse than they really are:

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Halloween!

Thanks Grandma Betty for taking this cute photo!

17 Months

This month I have really been struck by how big our girl is getting. I was rocking her the other night and she just felt so long and big. Certainly not a baby anymore. Her little personality is emerging even more, too.

Lucy:

• is currently fascinated with the broom and mop and is constantly pulling them out.
• can appropriately point at Mommy, Daddy, Brandon, or Buddy (and some others)
• is a little monkey-see, monkey-do. If you do it, she will mimic it.
• repeats everything. The new words are stacking up!
  
• can point out certain animals and characters in books - her favorite is still Elmo: “Ma-mo!”
• is sporting new molars on the bottom. That was a fun week. Top ones are breaking through as well.
• is a total pro at “please” which has morphed from “Eeeee?” into “Peeees?” “Thank you” is still a bit of a foreign concept.
• likes to show off her tummy. It is an impressive specimen.
• has learned the word "no." And sometimes it is the answer for everything.
• can point out her nose, eyes, and belly button, and says “honk” for her nose and “beep” for her belly button.
• likes to “find” other people’s belly buttons, which is not always welcomed!
• still takes 2 naps a day, although on the weekends lately she sometimes drops the morning nap.
• is getting pretty handy with a fork and spoon.
• 

Cousins

Lastnight we had our niece Miss H for an overnight stay. She was very patient and basically let Lucy follow her around, climb on her, and mimic her every move with little complaint. They even conspired and joined forces to climb on Brandon! It never ceases to amaze me that at ages 17, 8, and 1...they all get along so well.

Morning Glory

Every weekday morning the little one and I get ready together, as Husband has to leave about 45 minutes ahead of when Lucy can be dropped off at daycare. So I dress her right away on the first diaper change, then we sit on the couch together for a few minutes while she eats breakfast and I check the weather. After that she plays on her own, either in our bedroom with me, or traveling between her room and our room, with me checking on her periodically. Around 7AM there is typically another diaper change. About 90% of the time there is a special delivery made just a few minutes before we need to head out the door. It is just part of her regular morning routine. For this reason, I sometimes let her run around in her shirt and just a diaper to start out with, as I know another change is coming.

So one day last week, I was in the bathroom adjacent to our room drying my hair. Lucy was coming in and out, as she usually does, toddling around in her t-shirt and diaper. I would greet her each time. About 30 seconds after the last greeting I felt a little tug on my leg, so I turned off the dryer and looked down.

There was my daughter, standing there with a naked poopy butt, and holding a poopy diaper in her hand.

This was a first.

It could have a been a lot worse, i.e. the poo was contained and she hadn’t sat on or rubbed up against anything (that I could find). So I lifted her up, suspending her at the appropriate length and angle so as to not contaminate my own clothing, and cleaned her up.

Just another day in the life.

Autumn Sunshine

Like the rest of you in the Midwest, we have been enjoying this unseasonably warm fall season. We spend time outside and have been trying to squeeze the last out of some fun outdoor places, like the zoo. But the best place we like to "visit" is our own deck, where the hammock and the furniture are still out, and Lucy can run free. It's not every October that little girls can wear a dress and sandals!

Still Reading

I'm on my third book since rekindling my love affair with reading. To continue the momentum I've also revamped my old book blog. Check it out...I'm off to read some more!

16 Months

Lucy:

• is a good little helper and can follow simple instructions...and is usually very proud of herself for doing so.
• repeats a lot of what we say and is working on some new words – her new favorite is MINE! (“MY!”) and we are working on please, which comes out "Eeeeee?!" with a big smile.
• likes to give hugs, kisses, and high-fives (and the kisses have gotten beyond head-butts and closer to the real thing). I think her favorite person to give all three is her daddy.
• is weaned off the pacifier, which actually wasn’t too bad (but kudos to Husband for initiating the process and taking the first night).
• rocks her babies and stuffed animals and covers them with a blanket.
  
• sometimes lays in bed at night singing and talking to herself.
• has a bunch of new teeth just waiting to pop through, which has caused some night waking and crankiness.
• learned Old MacDonald from Grandma Betty, and sings “ee-i-ee-i…” (still working on the “o”)
• has learned how to throw a good old fashioned toddler fit and there is a “tragedy” which seems to warrant one about once per day.
• climbs furniture and whatever else might look like it’s off limits.
• has taken to calling the dog “Dobby” (dah-bee). She just has the consonants turned around, but now sometimes I catch myself calling him that too!
• loves her fleece monkey jammies with the monkey feet.
• takes books and "reads" them aloud. The farm animal book is a hit at the moment (tests my animal sound skills – goat, anyone?)
• starts out with “Mommy!” if ever left to cry after a tantrum, but when she realizes I’m not buying it, she switches to “Daddy!” STINKER.
• definitely has a sense of humor and knows when to turn on the charm.
• is learning how to blink/wink, which is quite funny.
• really gets the waving thing and is also known to run up to us randomly and say “HI-ee!”
• is very good at signing “more” and occasionally “all done” and “milk.” We're trying to use a few more.
• is busy, busy, busy! She doesn’t sit still for long, and cuddle time is at a premium.

Although this month has definitely brought frustrations as my daughter starts to express her…independence…I often catch myself looking at her and thinking how lucky we are. However tired or frustrated I am, I still cannot resist that little toothy grin. And she knows it. :)

What, Mom?

Nothing is safe around here. A mom can't even put a box of diapers in front of a cabinet without putting a basket of shoes at risk.

Changing of Seasons

Labor Day came and went...we enjoyed a nice holiday weekend spent partly with my parents, who came up for a visit. They spent some time with my brother Josh and his family, and then Monday came back our way and we visited Minnehaha Falls. This is a favorite spot of ours because it's where Husband proposed. It's a beautiful little park, and the water was high, so the falls were in full force. As we enjoyed the park we commented on the cooler temperatures and how it felt that summer was making an exit and fall had started to sneak in.

As my parents left that Labor Day, my dad received a call that my grandpa was in the hospital. That call was the beginning of what was to be another change on life's grand scale. My Grandpa Leo moved on from this earth on Friday, September 10th. He passed quietly in the early morning; unassuming, quick...just the way he wanted to go, I suspect. He'd been having some troubles in recent months, but had been in relatively good health until entering the hospital that Labor Day.

It was very hard for me to believe at first, and I actually had a hard time getting in the car to make the drive to Iowa, because I knew when I got there it would be real. No more hugs, no more listening to he and my dad talk, no more mischievous grins...but the thing that kept getting to me was that nobody was coming back to live in that house. With his passing is the passing of a generation, the end of an era in this family's tree.

And yet with this sadness there is joy, because he is with my grandmother now, and he is in no more pain or discomfort. There is also a sense of comfort, because the generations march on, made obvious by all those who filled the church and called themselves children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. I have written before about this big bustling family, and couldn't be prouder of all of them than I was as we bid Grandpa goodbye.

As the season changed, so has life...my heart still hurts but time marches on, and now we have another special angel to guide us.

4 Generations - Leo, Mike, Jason, Dylan

Me and Grandpa

Grandpa meets Lucy - July 4, 2009

15 Months

15 months old, wow. We don’t have the 15-month appointment for a couple of weeks so I don’t have her stats, but rest assured she is still a big girl in both height and weight. She seems to be slowing down a bit though, at least in the weight gain (I think). As far as developmental skills, she going full speed ahead!

Lucy:

• is starting recognize that certain things go in certain places – she likes to put laundry in the washer, items in the shopping cart, and cups in the sink
• likes to help fold the laundry, and now even “shakes it out” before handing it to me to fold!
  
• has a new favorite word in “Daddy” which comes out either “DAH-dee” or “Da-ee” and is so. stinkin’.cute.
• points at him and smiles when you ask “where’s Daddy?”
• holds a cell phone up to her ear
• will sit down and “read” a book aloud to herself
• has 8 teeth, and I suspect more may be coming soon
• can pull herself up on the ottoman and get back down, and is now trying to tackle the couch
• says puppy/Buddy (we’re not quite sure what it is), and is also known to bark, which I have to get on video sometime!
• likes to sit on people - especially sitting on Brandon when he's on the floor. She even tries to sit on the dog (he is not amused)
  
• is a total carnivore – she likes hamburger, deli turkey, chicken, turkey dogs, roast beef, tuna, and chicken nuggets
• learned how to go down the stairs backwards
• loves to carry bags and purses around the house
• is getting a little better at using a spoon
• will go get her blanket when asked, or will retrieve unasked if she’s tired
• says ball (“bah”), Laura (“Wa-wa” or “Lo-la” - daycare provider) and the occasional “HI-ee!” (hi)
• will do just about anything for an animal cracker
• sometimes has a hard time letting go in the morning when getting dropped off at daycare, but has been known to give the cold shoulder when it’s time to leave daycare
  

In a nutshell, we’re having a ball with Lucy. She is really watching what we’re doing, and repeating a lot of words. She’s already the queen of this house, but soon enough she’ll be bossing us around too!

First Day of Senior Year

Hard to believe, but it's here...

I Finished!

Remember when I told you all I was going to start reading again, and began with an old favorite, Lonesome Dove? Well, I finished it! All 945 pages, and it was totally worth it. It had been long enough since I had last read it that I'd forgotten bits of the story, and Larry McMurtry's writing was as engrossing as ever.

Mostly though, I have learned that it is possible to carve a little time out for myself now and then, and still get things done. So I definitely plan to continue this habit of finishing books...it will make book club a little more productive for sure!

"Lucy, Give Buddy a Kiss"

Careful what you ask for, Mama...

The Duggars - Ready for More

Oh my.

I was in Target tonight and saw a People magazine screaming at me from the register -
"The Duggars - Ready for More."

The Duggars are a family with a reality TV show which chronicles the day-to-day life wrangling their NINETEEN (19) biological children. The kids range in age from early 20's (one is married with a child of his own) to the youngest, Josie, who was born last year.

Over the years I have seen a show or two here and there and found the family relatively charming and a little bit crazy (19 kids, hello). But last year the mom, Michelle suffered pre-eclampsia and delivered little Josie very early. This little girl struggled for her life for months. I couldn't even watch the show, it was just too much. I have to admit I was a little disgusted with these people. Enough was enough.

Without getting too much into religion and whatnot, I just have to say that I don't agree with all of this baby-making on many levels, the least of which is jeopardizing health. I am fully in support of a woman owning her body, and this particular woman has chosen to own hers by being constantly pregnant for over 20 years. Not a choice I would make, yet still, her body. So I respect that. But when it starts interfering with the health of the babies, I get irritated.

But let's just put that aside and assume these issues could have happened with any one of the 19 kids, or anyone else's kids for that matter. OK. How much attention do each of these kids actually get from their parents? Would the parents be able to financially support such a family without having a television show and receiving donations? In a world where so many children are cold and hungry, why not adopt?

I understand wanting to have your own children. I made that choice. I guess the Duggars have a choice too...but I hope it ends up being that 19 is enough.

Let me have it - how do you feel about it?

"Helping" With the Laundry

-

Nevermind that pizza box under the chair...another hobby of hers is to raid the recycling.

14 Months

Another month has passed, and Lucy changes every day! Here's what she's been up to this month.

Lucy:

• has gotten three new teeth this month for a total of seven (one on the bottom is being a little stubborn in poking through)
• is taking more interest in stuffed animals and "babies"
• is starting to climb on anything she can get her leg up on
• shows some reddish highlights in her hair again
  
• loves to play outside, especially to pick up sticks
• has a little summer color despite all the sunscreen...which hopefully means she has her mama's skin vs. daddy's
• still speaks in a language only she can understand, with a few exceptions
• finally figured out how to eat spaghetti noodles...and likes them
  
• enjoys the pool, but spends more time getting in and out of it than sitting in it
• likes to brush her teeth
• throws her hands in the air and says "gah" when something is "all gone"
• has learned how to turn around and back herself off of couches or chairs
• throws a pretty good fit when she doesn't like something
• thinks it's funny to climb up the stairs, even though she knows she's not supposed to with out a big person (since she hasn't figured out the "down" part yet)
• is highly entertained by any sort of container, and loves to empty them and fill them up

Ice Cream!






I love that last look..."Is it really all gone?"

Happy 17th Birthday, Brandon!

Dear Brandon,

SEVENTEEN. Is this possible? For some reason this seems so much more grown up than 16. Maybe that suits you, because I think you've grown up quite a lot this past year.

This was your first year at Hopkins High School, and you seem to have done pretty well. You pulled some great grades the first part of the school year, so you were finally able to take Driver's Ed! You're getting some good time behind the wheel, and I think you're waiting patiently for the six months to pass so you can get your REAL license. You also played rugby this year, which was a surprise because we thought you'd go for lacrosse. But rugby seems to suit you, even though you may not look like the stereotypical rugby player. The height and the red hair certainly made it easy for us to find you on the field. It was so exciting to watch you in the state tournament...and to see Hopkins WIN!! You had a whole cheering section of family there to support you. Dad was so proud.

The grades suffered a bit toward the end of the year, but I think you know how important it is to regroup and tackle your senior year with a little more focus. SENIOR YEAR. I know, I can hardly believe it either. The football coach has been after you, so we'll see how that plays out in the fall. It's going to be a very good school year for you, I can feel it.

The thing I have enjoyed watching the most over the past year is your relationship with your sister. She is at the point now where she reaches up for people, and when she reaches up for you it melts my heart. You are very patient with her (even when she tries to steal your pillows). It's just wonderful to see the two of you together.

A couple of weeks ago you started working at Target, and you seem to like it. Although you tell some weird stories about your time as a cashier, I think you enjoy the interaction with people and of course, making a little cash. I imagine we'll be having a car conversation soon enough. :)

All in all it's been a good year, and it's hard to believe that one year from now you will be 18...but we won't think about that so much right now. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Love,
Jess

Reuniting With an Old Friend

A couple of weeks ago I took a road trip, and beforehand I asked Husband to burn me a CD. I didn’t care what was on it, I wanted him to surprise me - the present day version of a mixed tape. A little something to break up the monotony of highway pavement between here and Okoboji, Iowa.

He did well, serving up some standby favorites and some tunes I hadn’t heard in a long while. One of these was a Garth Brooks ditty called Lonesome Dove, a song that tells a story about a town on the Texas border, and inspired by a book of the same name which happens to be one of my all-time favorites. The Wild West tugs at something in me, it always has…and damn, I love that book.

This led me to start thinking (another hazard of long road trips) about the last book I read cover to cover, and I am ashamed to say I’m not sure what it was. I haven’t done much reading lately, and I can tell you pretty much exactly when my somewhat voracious reading habit stopped. It was around May 2009.

Which some of you may recall, coincides with the birth of my daughter.

Before she was born I was reading Ines of My Soul, by Isabelle Allende. I know this because I am one of those nerds who keeps a spreadsheet of the books I read. I had not finished the book by the time the book club meeting came around in mid-May, but I continued and was determined to finish. However, as some of you know, when you’re toting around a bowling ball encased in a bag of water, it can make you pretty tired. This didn’t leave a lot of time for reading anyway, and then the bowling ball decided to come almost 2 weeks early. I never did finish that book.

I have completed a couple of books since, mostly to satisfy my book club obligations (which is a loose statement – I’ve showed up many a time to discuss a book I had not finished or had not even read – it’s more about the wine and the company, and the wine). Other books I have started but not finished, which over my lifetime has not happened very often until now. I remember feeling relieved when we recently chose a book of short stories for book club, because I knew I could get through at least one of them. A couple of books over the past year is pretty sad for someone who had typically read a couple of books each month. Most of my reading has usually been before bed, but I just can’t do it anymore. I am so tired by the time I crawl into bed that I can barely keep my eyes open and end up re-reading the same page over and over. It takes me a week or two just to get through a magazine, let alone a novel.

All this being said, I do miss my books. Even though I think I don’t have time, on occasion I do seem to find myself messing around on Facebook or watching a repeat episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey (that show drives me crazy, why do I watch it?). That time could certainly be spent reading a book.

So for my foray back into the life of a reader, I went to my bookshelf and chose an old friend. Hello, Lonesome Dove. I’m thinking you, me, the hammock, and extended daylight hours can get this reading train moving again.

Wish me luck.

13 Months

Hard to believe Lucy is 13 months old already! I'm not going to do the monthly photos anymore, but I'll give little updates each month on what she's up to.

Lucy:

• weighs 26 pounds and is 31.5 inches long - both 90th percentile.
• toddles around like crazy! It only took her a couple of weeks to really get it down.
• loves watermelon.
• has two new front teeth up top, and two more working their way in.
• is getting more hair and even some curls in the back.
• recently had peanut butter and it's a hit.
• knows what the brush is for and likes to "brush" her hair.
• has gone swimming in her little pool a couple of times and seems to like it - so much that she sat in it with her regular clothes on one night!
• babbles with a lot of inflection and expression.
• startles us every once in awhile by repeating something we say, clear as day.
• likes to dance, and seems particularly fond of blues music.
• switched to whole milk with no problems and is now totally on cups - no bottles!
• loves the Violet stuffed dog she got for her birthday.
• had her one-year photo shoot and did GREAT!
• is crazy about shoes - hers or anyone else's. She carries them around.
• will hand things to people, but doesn't always let go.
• loves to be the center of attention and totally hams it up!

This is a First (and Hopefully the Last)

Tonight after dinner I was getting ready to bathe Lucy. I still do it in the kitchen sink, because I find that the tub is frankly a pain in the butt, so I'm prolonging it as long as possible. Plus, being somewhat confined is not a bad thing for a wiggly one-year-old.

I stripped her down right in the livingroom, diaper and all. Let me just tell you, this kid loves to be naked. It's like suddenly she's really, truly free...like that flowy dress she had on all afternoon was just too confining, and she's got to let loose. Does she run around the room? No.

She giggles.

It is the funniest thing, and tonight was no exception. She stood there in the corner, looking at me, giggling uncontrollably, waving her arms in the air and bouncing up and down. It was a riot, and we all got the giggles. She wouldn't come out from the corner behind the chair, so Husband and Brandon couldn't see her, only I could from my spot sitting on the floor. She would stop, be silent for a moment, look at me with that glint in her eye, then start giggling again.

This was repeated a few times. As I watched her I giggled and waited with anticipation for that peal of laughter after she "teased" me by staring me down. But then I saw it. In that moment of silence, there it was. It cannot be mistaken for anything else.

It was The Poop Face.

No sooner did I spring into action than she delivered the prize, laid the egg, whatever you want to call it. Right there on the carpet. I was gagging and giggling at the same time. Gaggling.

The episode was brief, and could have been a lot worse, but the final salt in the wound came in the form of Husband's "I told you so." Because you see, almost immediately after I had stripped her down moments before, she tooted (it's that whole letting loose thing I guess). Husband commented that pooping in the bath would be better than pooping on the carpet.

Touche.

Happy Father's Day!

From two kids who don't have any of their dad's genes at all. Not a bit.

Play Ball!

Thursday night Husband took me to a Twins game at the new ballpark, Target Field. This was an anniversary/birthday gift, and we had a fabulous time. Before the game we had dinner at one of our old favorites, The Loon, and I have to say it was nice to see Downtown hustling and bustling, and it was nice to be in the midst of it again too! Since we moved out to the 'burbs we don't get down there as much, and we both commented that we have to remember some of the great restaurants when we're thinking of places to go.

The Twins lost, but the game was great. The stadium is fabulous. Any place that holds over 40,000 people is obviously big, but yet it feels intimate. I guess it may be the way it's nestled into Downtown, but it really feels like a community space. The concourses are open so you always feel like a part of the game even when you're not in your seat, and in fact for several innings we were wandering around and catching up with our brother-in-law Troy, who was also at the game. It's got a great Minnesota feel, from the limestone exterior to the food offerings. Many local favorite restaurants are represented, and there is also a state fair booth where the the food is served on a stick or a little paper canoe. I heard someone say "I'm going to get a pretzel, some cheese curds, and a Polish." How much more Minnesota could you get, really?

I rounded out that picture by developing a pretty comfortable buzz on locally-brewed Grainbelt Premium. I laughed, and I cheered, and I had a great time. The best part though, was having a night out with my husband. We don't get to do that often enough. Thanks, babe - Michael Cuddyer has nothing on you! :)