Last weekend we went on our first camping trip in four years. This time, we had two kids in tow, Amelia and Audry. For us, the camping trip went well. We got a little rained on, but we dried quickly. The weather wasn't hot and wasn't too cold, either. Amelia loved be outdoors and didn't really fuss. At night she got to sleep with Mommy & Daddy. Amelia also got her first boat ride, or third depending how you look at it. But it was her first outside of Mommy's belly. She had a good time but was easily lulled to sleep. Hopefully we'll be able to get some video of the boat ride soon. Other than that... just plugging and chugging away!

Til next time...

Amelia's party pictures

So it's been awhile and I am finally not too busy and awake enough to update the blog. Here are some pictures of Amelia's birthday party.

As for the house, we're nearing completion. The floors are done (sanded, stained & sealed). The tile in the bathroom is done. The carpet is in. The paint in Amelia's room has been redone. Now the sinks and fixtures need to go in. The microwave needs to be installed. The banister/ballustraud needs to be refinished. The kitchen cabinets need to be realigned. The rest of the light fixtures need to be reinstalled. The mirrors need to be installed. We need a door for the shower. We need closet rods. And the floor boards and such need to be installed. Then it's a full clean of the house, final inspection and then we can move in. I'm not guessing when we'll be in, but I don't think it will be before July 4th weekend. Ho hum.

More to come...

Long time coming...

Sorry it has been a long while since I last posted. But I know some of you are itching to see new pictures. So without further ado, here are some of her birthday party a week or so ago.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!

Mmm... cake!

Amelia's new slide!

Something to keep you occupied

Amelia's first birthday bash went really well. But Mommy is wiped out. Until she can muster up enough energy to really post, this will have to do...

Here's MoMo and Amelia having fun at the diner. Enjoy!

Just in case she doesn't believe it... we caught Amelia in the act. You'll have to turn it up because Daddy kept making noise. But the best is around 10 seconds in.

Can you picture this in about 12 years, "I don't snore!"

12 Month Check Up

All's well with Amelia. We just went in for her 12 month check up. She is 18 pounds 12 ounces and 28" tall. At her last check up she was 18 pounds 3 ounces and 26.5" tall. So she definitely had a height growth spurt. Doctor says everything is on track with her and says she must be a really active baby. He even asked how her birthday was and if she enjoyed eating cake! She had two shots... the MMR and the pneumococcal immunizations. We opted not to do the chicken pox vaccine. Our next appointment isn't until September.

Still recovering from Amelia's first birthday. She absolutely adores the 50s Diner. She loves taking all the stuff out from the diner and crawling around with everything. I think it's a good choice! :) Here's some video of Amelia and Audry using the diner.



We go for round two this coming Sunday!

What a day!

If you don't already know, today is Amelia's birthday. What an exciting day it was for her, too. Here's what her day consisted of... the highlights:

6:30a - woke up.
7:30a - had breakfast, scrambled eggs (no allergic reaction)
8:40a - took a nap
9:15a - done with nap and on to getting ready and dressed for the big day
10:30a - had a snack of apple juice and goldfish crackers
12p - met Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Chris and cousin Audry at Olive Garden for lunch. Had yummy breadsticks, chicken parm and spaghetti.
1:40p - another nap
2:15p - everyone sung Happy Birthday and got to blow out candle on the cake.
2:20p - Opened up my presents. Received: pots & pans, cooking utensils, summer clothes, Fisher Price (old school) telephone, pink baseball mitt and ball, camping chair, swim suit, beach towel, big lego blocks, singing teapot, fold up picnic table, Little People motorcycle with side car complete with an Emmy lookalike doll, shopping cart and a 50s Diner set.
3p - Had some cake
3:15p - played with Audry at the diner.
4p - said goodbye and thanked everyone for my gifts
5:10p - Had some dinner
5:30p - Had some milk
5:45p - in bed for the night.

Here are some pictures and video of the day.

Happy 1st Birthday, Amelia

It was one year ago today that Brad and I were blessed and given the greatest gift... Amelia. Happy Birthday to our little munchkin!

One Year Ago

One year ago, I was sitting where I am presently very much pregnant. Yes, I am at work on a Saturday, but that's another issue. In any case... at this time last year, I was 38 weeks pregnant and not scheduled to give birth for another 11 days.

At this time last year:

* I was 28 pounds heavier.

* I was a family of two and a dog.

* I was feeling like a beached whale.

* I was getting ready to go on maternity leave... in fact that this was going to be my last day at work. I wanted to have a nice week and a half off to relax.

* I came to work, but left halfway through my shift because I couldn't sit still and my back was hurting.

* I went and got my pedicure... I wanted to push with pink toes.

* I felt an urge to vacuum because I didn't know when I'd be able to do it again.

* I straightened up the house and got a shopping list ready so I could start making dinners to freeze, save and reheat.

* Took the dog out for a walk.

* Got the mail and saw that I had a little ticket that the mail lady couldn't deliver a package.

* Took the dog out for another walk to try and catch the mail lady. Mission accomplished.

* Thought about writing my thank you note for the nice Dr. Seuss quilt I received.

* Sat down to enjoy a strawberry milkshake from Burgerville and called my mom to tell her that she could wait to fly out until after my next OB appt.

* Got my first contraction at 3:12 pm.

* Felt like I had to go to the bathroom and found out that my water broke.

Nine hours later and only 5 hours of active labor I had a beautiful baby girl. My life has changed greatly and I am enjoying every single minute of it.

What has changed?

* I no longer get to sleep in.

* I revel in the fact that my little girl has finally pooped!

* Love to watch her instead of TV.

* Getting out the door takes about two minutes longer than previously.

* Going out on dates with just me and Brad are few and far between.

* There are now sometimes four bodies in one queen sized bed.

* I put myself last... always Amelia first.

Things I've learned:

* Relax and go with the flow.

* The house work can wait.

* I love my husband even more than the day I married him.

* The love between a child and a mother is something you cannot explain or put into words.

I knew motherhood was going to be difficult... but I didn't realize it was going to be so much fun at the same time. The rewards are so great and those little crises are just a drop in the bucket. The missteps far outweigh the pluses of watching your little one grow. I am savoring every moment and every day. Tomorrow will be a bitter sweet moment as I watch my little munchkin leave the baby stage and into a toddler. However, I am excited to see what the next day brings as she starts exploring her world more and interacting with things.

Hangin' out in the shade

Here is video of Amelia hanging out in the shade under our maple tree in the front yard.



I can't believe my baby is turning 1 in two days! Yikes!

Oh yes... and check out what Anne got Amelia... it's a personalized growth chart. I can't wait to hang it in her bedroom! Thanks Anne & Bob!

Updates...

As promised... here is the video of Amelia eating on her own. She uses the fork really well. She's even trying to put the food on the fork by stabbing it or by using her finger to put it on.



Here are a few pictures of our house. (click on the photo to make it bigger)

This is the new shower with it partially tiled. I politely asked the tile guy to step out of my shower so I could take this picture.


Here's another shot with better lighting.


Here's a shot of our new vanity. Before it was oak and honey colored and four inches lower. Now it's this and I am darn proud of it!


Here's another shot of our lovely vanity sink area.


And here's our house with a new roof and gutters.

My little baby...

... Isn't so little anymore. Amelia is now feeding herself by herself. I will have to post the video when I get to a computer.

In other news... the painters are at the house, but the paint they put in Amelia's room does not match. So that means they are going to paint her room yet again. Aaaarg! More to come.