Using a Spoon . . .

. . . has always proved to be harder on me than on Ross.

She is perfectly happy to make a mess.

But maybe now, that we started using a bowl shaped like a dog/bear . . .

that also happens to grunt, bark and makes funny noises . . .

that mess won't seem so horrible anymore.

Play Day with Cole & Ryder

It's been quite some time since we've gotten the 3 of these kiddos together . . . so I jumped on the invite for a day of swimming!

Ross really loved it at first . . .

but then quickly realized mama brought a snack.

Cole quite enjoyed Ross' company . . .

but was too shy to completely show it.

And, just for a recap . . . this was the last time these 3 got together . . .

(Ross, Cole & Ryder)

and this is now.

(Ross, Ryder & Cole)

*sigh*

Gosh.

Thanks, Lindsay for having us! What a fun day!

A Visit with the Leonberg's!

Things sure have changed since the last visit . . .

Saturday, we headed to EdVenture.

Ross seemed a little too comfortable with this . . .

And, somehow was very knowledgeable about the credit card machine . . .

I'm pretty sure we all had a good time!

We're so glad you guys made it down for another visit!

We can't wait for the next one!

Happy Birthday, Grady!

This weekend we celebrated Grady's birthday at home with a few friends!

Ross made her very first birthday card . . .

and was hilarious in her pink, party tutu!

(Thanks, Mary & Jack!)

Many more pictures from the weekend to come . . .

15 Month Well Check

Still holding her own in percentiles . . .

Weight: 26 lbs. (95th percentile)

Length: 32 1/2 in. (96th percentile)

Head Circumference: 18 3/4 in. (92nd percentile)

She is doing so much these days! So much, that I'm positive I won't remember everything to share with you!

I am astounded by her comprehension! At this point in time, she can successfully follow 2 step directions. I guess I just didn't realize babies understood so much so young, but she clearly understands everything we say. Often times I catch myself carrying on lengthy conversations with her as if she were another adult . . . (this particularly comes in handy when she's unhappy or nervous about something).

Not only is she listening well, but she's speaking even better! She attempts to say almost any word we ask.

Here are a few she chooses to say on her own . . .

Hey - "Hey"

Hi - "Hi"

Bye-Bye - "Bye"

Mama - "mama"

Daddy - "da da"

Mimi - "Miiiiii"

Papa - "Papa"

Alex - "A-ex"

Annie - "Annie"

Pop - "Pop"

Baby - "bay-beeee"

Dog - "dog"

Salsa - "Sasa"

Bird - "birrr"

Owl - "ohhh"

Eye - "eye"

Ball - "ball"

Book - "bu"

Juice - "jis"

Water - "wa wa"

Hot - "hot"

Bubbles - "bubu"

Clock - "cock"

Whoa! - "whoa!"

Whee! - "wheeeee!"

Yay! - "Yaaayyyy!"

Where's Ross (or belly button)? - "Www-rr [baby jargon]"

Peekaboo! - "Peee!"

And probably the best of them all . . . "Yea!"

Do you like it? "Yea!"

Are you a sweet girl? "Yea!"

Do you have poopies in your pants? "Yea!"

(It seriously never gets old.)

Besides all that talking, Ross has been working very hard on walking. She is still quite unstable, but she can most often make it across a room now.

I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful child. There's not much that she doesn't do that doesn't make us laugh or smile. I can't help but squeeze her . . . and kiss her . . . and love on her all day long . . .

. . . and lucky for me, she hasn't gotten tired of it yet.

Happy 6th Anniversary, Love!

Thank you, for being you.

I love you.

Hilton Head for the 4th!

I have to admit, I was a bit uneasy about bringing Ross out to the beach this weekend, based on our experience over spring break . . .

. . . as was she.

But, once she got a little more used to that "yucky" sand . . .

she seemed to actually like it . . . a little.

However, nothing could beat the watermelon.

Two big events that we always look forward to

over the 4th is dad's big fish fry . . .

. . . and the boat ride out of Harbor Town!

What a wonderful weekend!

We're just so grateful to have been a part of it all!