Get Better Soon Papa

Allison and Amelia say "Get Well Papa". Their papa had surgery a few weeks ago. Due to some post OP complications, he was in the hospital for two weeks. However he is home now and resting. He is finally eating solids, Hip Hip Hooray!!! Amelia says "enjoy them, they are really good. I have been eating them for a few months now." Allison says "be good and get healthy. And don't give Nana a hard time." We Love You Papa.

SHE LIKES IT!

So far we really haven't found anything that Amelia doesn't like to eat. Most of the times she doesn't even show a reaction when she tries new foods. We thought that maybe we could get a reaction out of Amelia if we gave her a pickle.

Not liking it....

taking another look...

Decides what the heck, she will eat it. It is now a tasty treat for her.

HIDE!!!

Allison loves to "hide" especially when she hears Brian coming into the room or going upstairs if we are already up there. It cracks me up because she says "HIDE" in a very loud whisper. Sometimes she will come running into the room where I am at saying "HIDE, HIDE, HIDE" and then proceeds to "hide." The only thing is that Allison's thought is "If I can't see you, you can't see me."

Down At the Pumpkin Patch

A week ago we went to the Schwallier's Country Basket for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. This is the first time that we have been there and were very impressed. They had a lot of free activities for the kids. As soon as we walked into the market, we were handed a free Honey Crisp apple. That made my day. Allison also enjoyed her apple.

Mia checking out the cow.

Mom and Allison getting ready to go on the cow train ride.

Here is a picture of the cow train. Last year when we were at Fruit Ridge Farm, they had something similar but it went a lot slower so parents could walk along side. At this farm, the driver went a lot faster. You could feel every bump. I swear I had brain scramble by the time the ride was finished.

One of Allison's favorite part at the farm was the slide. I think she went down it like five or six times before something else caught her attention.

The farm had a play area set up for the kids with the slide, corn silo (think sand box filled with corn), and a riding area for tricyles.

Time to pick out the pumkins.

It was getting close to nap time and Mia had had it.

Allison showing off her pumpkin she picked out.

The best part of the day, at least I thought, was getting fresh doughnuts and cider.

We then went to Steffen's Market, a little place we stopped off last year. I am hoping that we can go back every year to take the kids' pictures in front of the apple.

It is hard to tell how tall Amelia really is with her hat.

Amelia checking out all the pumpkins.

A Birthday Party Recap

We celebrated Amelia's 1st Birthday last week and had a wonderful time. Her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins came together to celebrate the day. The weather was a little chilly but sunny which was nice as it had been raining most of the week leading up to the party.

We started the party with lunch and afterwards the kids made birthday cards that Amelia will receive in the future (one each year.) We then headed outside for a nature hike, where the kids were able to participate in some activities concerning their five senses and how wildlife uses their senses to survive in nature.

After our hike, the group headed indoors to watch a slideshow of Amelia's first year. Luckily I had seen the slideshow at least 20 times since making it, so I didn't cry during it. Amelia was then finally able to open her presents. It took a little bit for her to figure out the gift concept, at first she was more interested in the cards. As you will see she loved her birthday cake.

The birthday girl looking so proud.

Checking out her new book.

Big sister Allison checking out all the new toys that Amelia can "share" with her.

Amelia loved the Dora card, in fact when she saw the card it sounded like she said "DORA". It caught us by surprise.

Amelia checking out her birthday cake. After many failed attempts we have come to realize that we will never be able to evenly bake the cake using that cupcake mold, so it has turned into the "smash cake" for the girls' 1st Birthday.

Testing it out....

Hey, this tastes good....

but it is so hard to get enough in my mouth using my tiny little hands....

Wait...time for a family picture....

OK, now I can get back to my cake...I have to make up for lost time...

Better check to make sure nobody is going to yell at me.

Everyone is laughing at me and taking my picture. This is fun

I look fabulous...I don't know why mom is about ready to dunk me in the sink.

Happy Birthday My Little Miss Amelia

Dear Amelia,

It is 7:01 am. Happy Birthday.

It has been a year since you entered our lives and made us a family of four. I honestly couldn't imagine it any other way. You have brought so much joy into our lives.

You are such a blessing to us. I look at you and wonder how did we get so lucky.

I have loved every minute of being your mother. I love the way you would cuddle with me at night, your eyes that sparkle, your pudgy thighs, and your easy-going nature. I love the look of pure love when you look at dad and the look of excitement on your face when Allison wants to play with you.

The past few weeks have been amazing watching you creep into toddlerhood. Everyday you discover something new and it is all so exciting to you.

As I wish you a Happy 1st Birthday and think of your future, the words from Lee Ann Womack's song "I Hope You Dance" come to my mind:

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat

But always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small

When you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

Happy Birthday My Little One,

Love Mom

Hip Hip Hooray.... Amelia is About to Turn One

A year ago tonight, I was in a frantic nesting mood. Even though I wasn't scheduled for a c-section for another 10 days, I had a feeling that our little one was about to make an early arrival. I was working from home at the time, so I was trying to get everything in order. I sent my last email to work around 11:30 pm that night. I included my hours for the weekend "just in case."

When I woke up a couple of hours later "not feeling right," I wasn't completely surprised. When the contractions first started, I was in a state of denial of how strong they actually were. I was hoping they were braxton hick contractions or that like my labor with Allison, things would move along slowly. By 4 am there was no denying I was in full labor and October 13 was going to be our lucky day.

We arrived at the hospital at 5 am and our bundle of joy arrived at 7:01 am. It is hard to believe it has been a year already.

On Saturday we celebrated Amelia's birthday with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had a great time and needless to say, Amelia was not shy about digging into her cake. I will post pictures soon.