Not a Baby Anymore

In 3 days I'll be the mom of a 1 year old. Not sure I believe it yet. Somehow I keep thinking we have until October. But, we have the party planned, the presents purchased and the doctor appointment scheduled so it must be real.

Here is the lute as of now (from B's family and us). Let's just say SPOILED!

I thought I'd share a little of what is going on. This last week has been hard. By hard I mean miserable! Poor E has been sick with 101 plus temperatures and no solution. She had some skin irritation from some meds that was making her really uncomfortable. She also is teething like crazy. And continuing with the unconventional way E does things, she is getting a top lateral tooth (before the centers) that is giving her a hard time. I think we're finally coming around but this was a sad pic of the sicky girl.

E has also decided that it is more efficient to crawl on all 4's rather than army crawl. Let's just say it is adorable! She is also learning to climb stairs...ready or not!

Finally, while we are talking about birthdays and getting older and all that...check these out. There seems to come a time when you look at your baby and realize she's not so much a baby anymore. These were taken tonight as we went for a stroll around the backyard.

My Worst Nightmare!

Ok...I may be a little over-dramatic on this one. But come on! Seriously? I was not going to have one of those babies.

A crib biter! Noooo! Yes, those are teeth marks. From those 3 teeth that are coming in. Doesn't she know how much we spent on that? Doesn't she know it needs to last through all her siblings?

But then who could be upset with that face?

The Simple Things in Life

To be a kid again...where a swing can bring the biggest smiles and the loudest giggles. A night at the park made us remember how much joy the simple things in life can bring.

Home Improvement

It's a hobby...for both of us. Yes, we actually like doing our DIY projects! Date night sometimes turns into putting the babe to bed and pulling out the paint brushes as demonstrated the last couple Friday nights. We painted when we first moved in 2 years ago but the colors never really settled well with us. Finally we did the fix and LOVE the results! Now it is time for decoration shopping...totally approved by the hubs!

And remember this? Well, project complete! The pergola and patio are amazing. Furniture is on it's way. Now we just need some cooler weather so we can enjoy it!

And I have to shout out to B who agrees to my last minute, late night, crazy ideas about getting something done. And for all the hard work in the backyard. I couldn't ask for anyone better!

And I Proudly Stand Up

"I" being E. This girl wants to be walking so bad it hurts me! She is climbing on everything and is pulling herself up to standing using anything that sits at least an inch off the ground.

Some of her favorites are her drum and mom's legs...

She now thinks it is more fun to look down on the toys rather than play with them...

And it is probably time to move the crib down (yes, I did walk into the bedroom after a nap with camera in hand to capture this)...

She loves to stand because she can dance...

All that is fun but still wishes she could walk (especially when mom has a bottle in her hands)...

And is reminded to stay humble...

PS-She'll be 11 months tomorrow! Seriously? Almost 1? At least she is still small (in the 17 lb range and wearing 6-9 month clothes) and acting more like where she was supposed to be (9 months). But I have to face it...she's becoming a big girl. Grow on E, grow on.

No Longer Toothless

That's right. E finally cut her first tooth. Only one...bottom right. I wish I could get a pic but she doesn't let me get close. We're just feeling like a big girl now. Maybe we'll get some hair growth too.

Fun on the 4th

To feel festive we made these...

And dressed up like this (with the help of E's aunt J who made the adorable tutu and bow)...

And went to the horse races on Saturday with friends where E got to do this...

And finally watched fireworks on Sunday with my family on the ChevronPhillips parking garage with several other employees where E slept most of the time and woke up for a minute or two of fireworks...