I'm Still Standing

Yeah yeah yeah... It's an Elton John song, if you didn't catch that. As always, a lot has gone on since we last chatted. I had a girls weekend, a death, a few births, a holiday and a milestone. So enough with the eighties hits, lets get down to business.

The second weekend in June was our 1st big girls trip. We had been planning a trip to Louisville, Kentucky for a few months. We were crossing our fingers that the kids wouldn't get sick and our husbands could handle one night without us. Katie, Emily and I packed out bags and headed out . We had a great time. We listened to live music, ate, laughed and we danced. It was just like the old days except that we only lasted until 1 a.m. I had to buy flip flops from the bathroom attendant because I just couldn't take it! We're already looking forward to our next trip. We're hoping by next summer we'll feel comfortable with leaving our little ones for a couple of days. Maybe the beach, we shall see. Turns out that the husbands didn't miss a beat. Thanks for all the fun girls, you're the best!

The next portion of this post is going to get a little deep and sad. If you can't take the heat I suggest you move to the next paragraph. My grandfather past away last week. The funeral was on Saturday. You learn so much at a funeral. You talk to people you haven't seen in years. You hear stories that you've never heard. I learned a lot about getting older and the power of friendship. My mother is tough and I felt helpless in helping her cope with her loss. Mom's closest friends drove up to Fairmount to attend the funeral and support their friend. I know that they probably know how much Mom appreciated their presence, but I'm not sure they know how much I appreciated them that day. I saw how truly sad they were for all of us. I know that many of them have recently lost a parent and it made me feel sad and unprepared for that day. Sometimes I really hate being an adult.

Ugggh... lets shake that one off. On a much happier note, Heidi had her baby on my birthday. Ethan Douglas was born on June 15th at 12:09 p.m. He weighed 8lbs 1 oz. Mom and Baby are both doing well. Did I mention that the 15th is also Heidi and Hannah's birthdays. Next year we will be eating cake off the floor with little Ethan! Baby Nies isn't the only baby news. My friend Brandi finally had her baby. Myles Alan was born June 22nd, 2:23 a.m. 7lbs. Mom and Baby are doing well. Blake and I are ready for some play dates!

Ethan Douglas

We probably need to discuss Father's Day. Our day was very low key, but that's how Josh wanted it. We had a family breakfast and went out to dinner. We spent the rest of the day just hanging around.  Blake got Daddy a fire pit, which he was very excited about. I am sure some crazy fire pit story will come up in the near future. One day probably isn't enough time to celebrate this man who gave me this incredible little girl with her incredible personality. If it weren't for him I wouldn't even know her. He makes up for all the time that he is on the road 10 times over in the time we have with him. We love you.

Father's Day 2010

Father's Day 2011

Speaking of standing, that's what Blake is doing. She pulls her self up and she's starting to get good. She doesn't like to do it when I'm looking. I turn my head and turn back and pop... she's up. Today she's got a little more daring. She really wants to stand up in the middle of the room on her own. She gets her self in a crab walk position and tries to get up from there. She's getting close. I'm pretty sure that she's going to skip the crusing stage and go straight to walking. 

This was a lot of talking and my wine glass is empty.

Until next time

There Is No Point

The point to this post is that there is really no point. We've had a lot going on the past few weeks, so I thought I would catch everyone up. Since Blake's birthday there has been a lot of activity.

My dad and Marsha came to keep the birthday extravaganza going. We spent the day together playing, eating, napping etc... Blake loved it. They got her this amazing tent. I think I am more excited than Blake. We had a great day.

The Wednesday after her birthday she had her one year check up, which means her last shots until kindergarten, yeah! She was so brave, she hardly even cried. My big girl weighs 20 lbs.7 oz. and is 28.5 inches long. She is a little below the 50th percentile, which is consistently where she has been since she was born. Did I mention that one of her top front teeth finally came out! She's been showing it off with this scrunched up face she's been trying out, take a look.



Since her appointment we've been slowly getting Blake off formula and onto milk. It's going well and she's done with the formula completely. I'm thrilled. We've also been trying to go to all sippy cups. I thought it was going well, but there has been a change. She used to love her cups, but now she drinks less and throws the cup more. I'm trying to make sure she gets enough milk by the end of the day, but she's giving me a run for my money. Josh, Monica and I've been trying a few different methods. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Monica and Brian came for Memorial Day weekend and the following week. We had a great time. There knees are probably totally skinned from following Blake around. Gramma and Grampa got to experience a first, which I loved. Blake got in the swimming pool for the first time on Sunday. We went to the neighbors for a pool party. Blake was so happy in her little float, she even put her face in the water. I think I've got a little water baby. I'll need to get her in swim lessons asap.

Ok, you're caught up.

Until next time.