Pete

I noticed I haven't posted much about Pete lately. Poor little guy is getting left out in all the Jamie excitement of late. Here is my little man having some ice cream the other day. He prefers chocolate (that's my boy). And he prefers bulldozers. He loves them. Pete helps me sweep the kitchen floor a lot and I give him a nickel or so for helping me out. Today I asked him what he is going to buy with his allowance and he said bulldozers! And he is getting sillier by the day. Definitely finding his humorous side and he knows what will make me laugh. I was trying to get a picture of his chocolate mouth and he was trying to be funny!

Party Day

We had Jamie's first birthday party on Saturday at our favorite park down the road. It was a beautiful day for such a wonderful celebration. I spent most of the week preparing for the big day so it would be perfect for my little girl. The party included all of our closest friends, a dinner of hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, fruit and some really good potato salad made by our friend Connie. Katie planned some games for the kids. Some adults even joined in the fun. We opened some kind generous gifts from our friends and family then Jamie dug into her cake. I made two butterfly cakes, some butterfly sugar cookies, brownies and a small heart cake just for Jamie to enjoy.

Jamie was a doll. We had to wake her up early from her nap to take her to the party. You never know how that is going to go but she was a perfect little angel. She sat for a long time eating her dinner and smiling at everyone. She let different people hold her and considering I wouldn't let her down to crawl around in the dirt and tree sap she did really well being off the ground the whole time. Especially for a girl that is practicing her walking every chance she gets. Katie's games were a lot of fun for the kids. Then we opened presents. She wasn't very interested in them. We tried to direct her attention to the opening of the gifts but she wouldn't have it. She had this one pink squishy ball that had been a game prize and she concentrated on that while Katie and Pete checked out all the new stuff. She was blessed with a lot of nice gifts and both her, and I will enjoy them for a long time to come. Then we had cake. Jamie liked squishing the icing and cake through her fingers the most. She took a few bites but nothing too major. And as usual she managed to get very messy but cute messy!

Here are some pictures of our special celebration. This was at dinner. She ate like half a cantalope. And in front of her is a darling birthday cake hat that our dear friends the Coash's bought for her. Jamie doesn't put up with hats but we got a few really cute pictures of her with it on and it currently sits on a shelf in her room for all to see.
The two cakes, cookies, and some presents.Opening gifts.
Trying to get into the cake before she was even strapped into her chair.Finishing it off. Classic.Happy being messy.
My sweet boy at the end of the evening waiting to go home.Our family. Me and my big one year old. At home before bed. She put her favorite beaded necklaces on and chewed on a few candles before hitting the hay. She was up really late that night, too late. Must have been all the birthday excitement. All in all it was a perfect evening with family and friends. Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate our sweet little girl. We love and appreciate you all for being a part of our lives and Jamie's life.

What is Jamie like at 1 years old? The first thing that comes to mind is sugar and spice. We call her Sugar Ball and she is definitely full of sugar, and lots of spice! She is starting to walk and can take 2 steps before falling. Her favorite word is uh oh. She waves to a select few people and her dad is her favorite person to wave to. She loves her dad so much and gets so excited when he comes home from work. Jamie loves her brother too. They love playing on our bed, flopping into the comforter and pillows and on top of each other. She loves to be chased, loves to splash in water and loves to play in the dishwasher. Jamie is not a sleeper. She would rather be awake crawling around with her necklaces on. Jamie is full of life. She has the sweetest full faced toothless smile. Her head is full of ringlet curls that are so adorable. She still loves to eat but is getting pickier about the stuff she does. She loves fruit! Jamie is the messiest eater you have ever seen. Seriously, it is ridiculous. She puts stuff in her mouth, chews it up, pulls it back out, plays with it a bit, puts it back in, drops some of it down her shirt, in her diaper and on the floor then grabs for another bite. Jamie's eyes are to die for. They melt my heart every time she looks at me. And lately she has looked so tall and strong. Today I called her my baby girl and P. said she isn't a baby anymore. She doesn't look like a baby, but she is still my baby. My favorite thing Jamie does is when I get her up from a nap she wraps her arms around my neck and shoulders and pulls herself close to me. It's kind of like a big hug and she just holds on like she is so happy to be held by me. I love singing her to sleep and watching her eyes get droopy. She is a smart little girl who loves to get into trouble. She wants to be on things, in things, eating things and breaking things whenever she can. She hates having her diaper changed and will fight you every time. And don't even think about wiping her mouth and hands after a meal or you will hear about it. And at the end of the night before I go to bed I look at her on the monitor and she is sleeping like a frog, like she did when she was first born. Happy birthday to the sweetest little gift from God. We love you more than words can say.

Happy Birthday!

My little girl is one today!

No Time

No time to blog this week. When you have no time to blog that means you are busy and doing a lot which means you will be really far behind when you do blog again. Ahhhh!

Picture of the week. How great is this?

Girl on the Phone

This is how Jamie talks on the phone. So cute. She says, "Hi."

This week was a big one for the little girl. She started saying "uh oh" which is more like "ooh oooh". She is standing on her own and yesterday she started taking one step forward. She tries to put on shoes and acts like she is talking on the phone. She decided all this stuff was so fun she doesn't have time to nap.

Up North

Met at the casino for some buffet and gaming. Jamie enjoyed walking around with Omi in the stroller and yelling to hear her voice echo in the hallways.
Pete showing off his arcade ticket winnings.
Abby is truly a man's best friend. And she loves Omi and Opa's house. It's like doggy heaven for her. She has room to run, horses to stalk, birds and other small animals to chase, and Omi and Opa feed her lots of people food. Oh and she loves a ride on the golf cart.
Fishing with big sissy.
Krischan's catch.Ride on the boat.
Cousins.

Pool Next Door

Next door to us is a Personal Training gym. Next door to the gym is an "old fashion" store called Grams. The store is Katie's favorite place. She visits it almost every day. It's heaven for her and hell for a parent who is trying to teach her to save her money. Anyway, we have become "friends" with the owner and he let's us use his above ground pool and floaties.

Kids at the Creek

Weight Loss

What weight loss? I have worked out for almost three weeks now and I weigh more than I did when I started. I don't think this is the way to 150 pounds. I have taken four days off to recoup and find my motivation again. Can't seem to find it.

Jamie Stands

Jamie learned how to stand by herself this week. She can now stand without the help of anyone or anything. She still chooses to use assistance but she can do it if she needs to. Next step, walking. Ahhhhh!

New Toy

So I found this perfect cake pan at the outlet mall while up north last weekend. The last time I made a cake I took it to the beach on a cookie sheet. I plan on making my kids special cakes for along time and decided to spend the $19.99 on this cake caddy. Until Jamie's birthday it will be used as a toy caddy for Pete.

Counting to Ten

Katie and Pete like to play hide n' seek. Here is Pete counting while Katie hides.

Colorado

At the beginning of July I flew out to CO to see my friend Erin. I was going to take Sugar Ball with me but after experiencing some prior travels with her I decided to leave her home. And boy am I glad I did. Within 2 weeks I had Jamie weaned and I was off to see Erin, on my own, all by myself, no kids hanging on me, no babies to carry, no one to feed but myself. The first time I noticed being alone was when I went through security. It was so easy, like it almost didn't even happen. That's how easy it was. I flew through and was relaxing in my chair waiting for my flight within 10 min of arriving at the airport. I sat there all by myself and felt like I was missing something. Oh yea, I was missing those 2 kids I have at home that are always with me. And yes, I was missing them. I actually cried when P. and the kids dropped me off at the airport. I was explaining to Pete that I was going on a plane for a quick trip and I would be home in a few days. He had this, "What are you doing mommy?" look on his face, almost sad but not quite understanding what I had just said. And I started to bawl. Then I had to say goodbye to Jamie. And to P. of course. So I checked in with red, teary eyes but by the time I was waiting in my seat for my flight I was over it and enjoying the quiet moments I so rarely get. On the plane it was even better. I closed my eyes, listened to my iPod, read my Parenting magazine, ate some snacks, had a pop. It's hard to do any of these things when you are traveling with little ones. I sat there thinking, this is so wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I adore my kids. I stay home with them every day all day and wouldn't have it any other way. But the quiet of my trip to CO was almost soothing. I could feel myself loosening up from the release of responsibilities of being a full time mom.

My trip was sensational. I laughed so much with Erin. We always do. We laughed about things from the minute I got there until the minute I left. It felt so good to laugh. A different laugh. Not like a "Pete just tooted again" kind of laugh. Not only did we do a million wedding things but we had a few moments to relax in a couple of our favorite places. We ate at our favorite restaurants and we cooked at home. We visited Garden of the Gods and Glen Eyrie. And I met Jeremy, her fiance, who really is a great man and they are great together. He will take good care of her and I know she will make him very happy and proud to call her his wife.

Yes, I missed the kids and my wonderful husband. I worried about them a little bit but apparently they all did just fine without me. P. did an incredible job keeping them fed, cared for and happy. I needed the trip away more than I knew and was refreshed to come back to life as a mom. When the van drove up at the airport and the doors opened for me I saw Pete almost jumping out of his seat with excitement to see me. Jamie saw me and her face filled up with one of her full face smiles that she has. That's what it is all about. Raising the beautiful children you are blessed with but then giving yourself the time that you need to be the best mom you can be for them. And life is about friendship. Erin and I have a forever friendship that will stand the test of time and distance. And in two months I get to stand next to her as she marries Jeremy and our friendship will start a whole new course. And someday our kids will meet and be friends. Hopefully they will be the kind of friends Erin and I are and they will feel as blessed as I do.
Aren't we cute?
Aren't they cute?

Meeting with a flower vendor.And eating ice-cream.
And on this trip I was lucky to have some time to see two other close friends. Erin went to work Friday morning so I spent time with my friend Beth, her husband and daughter. It was a wonderful time catching up and eating a really yummy breakfast on her back porch that looks out to the Rocky Mtns and Pikes Peak. Beautiful. It was a beautiful day and I was so thankful to have some time to spend with Beth and her family. Beth and I have been friends for over 10 years now and I have watched her beautiful daughter grow up from that first ultrasound picture at the doctors office until now. She even wore a pink Paul Frank shirt for me! And then there is my friend Jen who is so sweet and thoughtful. Jen and I have also been friends for about 10 years now. We met at church and played on the same volleyball team for many years. Boy we were good and she is still my favorite setter. Hopefully we will get to team up again together some day. Jen sends me gifts in the mail. Dr Pepper gifts that she comes across now and then. And who sends sweet gifts in the mail anymore? What a fun treat those are when they come to the house. I appreciate Jen and the fact that after 5 years of living in MI I can still call her my friend. So, that was my trip. We will go back again in Sept for the wedding. All of us. The travels won't be as easy and the trip won't be as relaxing but it will be another memory for the picture books, or blog in this case.

Eclipse

Went to see Eclipse with Katie and her friend Allie. Good movie, and very entertaining considering I haven't read any of the books or seen the first two movies. Katie gave me the recap on the way to the theater. I joined Team Jacob. That's just me. Go for the good, safe, responsible choice. Plus I don't think Edward is cute, at all. Jacob, way more my type. And being a vampire sounds horrible. Ok, I am starting to sound like a 13 year old. Anyway, we had a great time and it was a wonderful 2 hours away acting like a "13 year old" again.

Mall

I didn't have my camera the first time Jamie played at the kids area at the mall. I have these sad little camera phone pictures of it. I felt terrible about it. She is definintely going to have second child syndrome. Or maybe she won't notice or care at all. But I notice. So here are pictures of Jamie's SECOND visit to the kids area. She climbed on everything.


Pete and his "best friend". I have no idea what he is going to do when Katie goes home at the end of the summer. Today she is at a friends house and he has been asking for her since the minute he woke up.

Frogging

We went hunting for frogs again at the Searls house. We went over to see Kari again before she went home to CO and they treated us to another great dinner and evening. Dinner was green chile pork tacos. OH MY GOSH. Best ever. Could have had 10 of them. Dessert was this apple pie casserole thing. Both made by Kari, both to die for. Yummy, yummy night! The kids tortured the frogs again and Mr. Jim set off some big fireworks. It was a wonderful time and we are so thankful for their friendship and companionship. They have been a big part of our lives since we moved here 5 years ago.

Professional frog catchers.
Touching a frog, trying to grab it, then dropping it.Watching fireworks. Hiding in the garage from the fireworks. He ran out between fireworks to tell Jim, "No more!"Sleepy girl ready for night-night.