Enjoying the Last Days of Summer

It's sad to think that this summer has come to an end. I longed for this summer more than any summer before, because of you. We had a nice long fall and winter inside when you were just a little bitty baby, and spring was just a tease to how much fun we were going to have this summer...and that we did! Beach trips, swimming, play dates, cookouts, lighting bugs, fireworks, water ice... all the things I couldn't wait to do with you. Now the long summer days are fading, and there is a chill in the air when the sun goes down. So I'm hanging on to these last warm Septemeber days, and trying to spend as many hours as possible outside. Fall happens to be my favorite time of year, but I know I am going to miss the summer and all the things that we got to do. But I promise the one good thing about summer, is it always comes back around, and next summer is going to be even better than this past one, I promise you that baby girl!

Daddy Time

He works so hard. He wants to give you everything in the world. He is often traveling for work during the week. He leaves before you get up in the morning, and sometimes he doesn't make it home until after you are already in bed. The older you get the more he falls deeply in love with you. I've known your Daddy for a long time, and I've never seen him so happy in my entire life.

Morning at the Playground

It was a morning like any other, and we were out and about running errands. I drove past the playground, and quickly turned in. I figured if nothing else you could swing on the swings. I placed you down around all the kids and the playground equipment, and you looked up at me as if to say "are you sure I can go?" I assured you that you could touch whatever you wanted and you could climb anything at all. You are so much like me sometimes that its scary. You want to look at everything from afar, before you dive in to it all. After a few minutes you started climbing the ladders, I held your hand as you slid down the slide, I lifted you up to the monkey bars as you grabbed on to everyone, and you finally could fit in the swing by yourself and feel secure. I was tearing up that morning thinking that my "baby" was actually playing at the playground. Sure you weren't running around or even walking for that matter, but you were exploring and having fun, doing more than you have ever done. I guess that morning it finally hit me that you aren't so much a baby anymore, but you are most definitely more fun than ever before.

New Sneakers

At 11 and half months old, you still aren't walking. I thought for sure you were going to be an early walker since you had crawling down by 7 months. You love to stand and you even let go, but haven't yet taken those first steps. With the weather turning cooler, Daddy and I decided to get you your first pair of sneakers! You love to be barefoot, and all summer long a shoe never touched your foot, so at first you weren't so sure. But after a while you liked them, and now you even get excited when I pull them out!

LBI Again...

The last week in August, we packed up and headed to the beach for the second time this summer. I was so excited this time around because I knew that you were going to love the beach even more, being 8 weeks older than last time. It was also so exciting to have Aunt Mitzi, Mimi, Poppy, Joey and Aunt Mare with us. We have all vacationed together for as long as I can remember and last summer when I was pregnant with you, we all couldn't wait until this summer to have you with us! I can't believe how fast the time has gone and for the first time since Joey was a baby (almost 15 years!) we finally have another baby to play with on the beach. Despite the horrible weather, it rained 5 out of the 7 days we were there, we all had an awesome time! Poppy loved playing with you on the beach, Mimi did too! Aunt Mare was excited for your first seafood night, our family tradition, and you loved it! Aunt Mitzi and I took you shopping in Bay Village. Aunt Erika and Uncle Andrew drove all the way down for one night just to see you on the beach, and even Uncle Stefan made the trip to see you. I'm pretty sure you are going to love the beach as much as your entire extended family. We are already excited thinking about how you will be running around everywhere next summer. Lets just hope we have better weather!

11 months old...

I can hardly believe that in a month you will be a year old. At 11 months old you are standing by yourself, and seriously contemplating taking this first steps. You are pulling yourself up on to everything, and have finally given up the army crawl. You have 2 teeth on the bottom and 2 teeth on the top. You love grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and anything that we are eating. You are starting to "talk" more. Not speaking any words we can understand, but making more noise than ever. You have begun to mimic things we do, like stick out your tongue, point to certain things, clap your hands, "blow " on hot food, and wave bye-bye. You now DANCE, and I love it! No one taught you, but you rock back and forth when you are on all fours, or bounce up and down putting your hands in the air when you hear music. You hate to lay still and have your diaper changed, you love to bite me when I tell you no, and you still love to snuggle with me at night before bed.

Long Awaited Reunion

After an almost 9 month wait in between visits, Aunt Mitzi finally came back home! She hasn't been home for 3 weeks straight EVER since she moved to the west coast 3 years ago. I was so excited to have my little sister home for such a long period of time, even though I knew her visit had everything to do with wanting to see you, not so much me!She didn't want to run up and hug you, for fear that she would scare you forever, and you totally looked her up and down checking her out! It only took you about an hour to completely warm up to her, and you guys had so much fun together the 3 weeks that she was home. She watched you while I went to school and work, and after only a few days you started looking for her in the mornings. She taught you how to climb the steps, high-five, and gave you pretty much anything and everything you wanted. You two definitely bonded and I am pretty sure we will be seeing her on the east coast a little more often now!

Bubbles

Aunt Mare bought you a container of bubbles when we were down the shore. You loved them! You like to stick your little pointy finger out and pop them, then you let out your sweet little giggle. Now you get excited when you see me grab the container...if only bubbles could make you that happy forever!

Grange Fair

When Aunt Mitzi was home, the Grange Fair was going on, so we decided to take you there one night. You love the dogs and ducks at home, so we thought for sure that you would be excited to see all the animals. I even was thinking that I would take you on the merry-go-round. You were so completely overwhelmed by all the people at the fair. You didn't cry, but the look on your face was sheer horror. You were acting so unlike yourself, that you even had me a little scared. We wheeled you up to the animals and you just stared. You didn't point, or chatter, like I had pictured. I finally picked you up and held you. Whispered in your ear that everything was fine, and you started to warm up to the fair in about an hour! I didn't dare try to put you on a ride, fearing I may traumatize you more than I already did. You are so much like me, you like to stand back from afar, take it all in, and then slowly but surely you finally start to relax. Maybe next year you will have more fun!