Maryn Elizabeth - 18 Months Old!

It's your half-birthday, baby girl!  Starting tomorrow you are closer to two years old than a one-year old baby (and this is not lost on your emotional Mama).

Some official doctor's office stats:  22 lbs 6 oz (45th percentile) and 31.5 inches (37th percentile). 75% of that length is in your torso!

You are growing and changing every day.  You love to help and do things yourself, take initiative, show us your opinions, and understand about anything said in front of you.  You've got the "no" head shake and "uh uh" sound down pat - if you don't want to do something (or give something up) you make that clear.  You still enthusiastically say "yeah!" to affirm our questions.  I can tell you really want to try and talk, but get very shy if I ask you to repeat a word. It's a matter of time before you're conversing with us - we can't wait!

I still consider you, Miss Maryn, the easiest little baby toddler.  You pitch a few more fits these days (when you want to play in the car instead of get into your carseat, when you want to eat a chocking hazard snack that I'm eating and I won't let you, when your brother takes your toy, when we won't let you hold the phone yourself when we're FaceTime-ing the grandparents), but it's easy to calm you down and you quickly get back with the program.  You're totally predictable with your sleeping, eating, and playing habits, but will also go-with-the-flow if you're off a schedule. I think one day you had one 10 minute nap and remained a happy camper until your 7:30 bedtime. You no longer cry when you enter the church nursery as long as we put you with the big kids.

You are the best eater.  Anything on your plate you will try, and most everything you'll eat with gusto. I never wonder "did she get enough to eat" (like I do with your eats-like-a-bird brother).  Equity is important to you, though, and you carefully watch everyone else's plate to ensure you're getting the same thing. And no one better snack without you. You'll rip something out of people's mouths if you want it.

As of last month you're off most dairy because you're little system gets "too slow" with too much dairy.  And it's heartbreaking to watch you deal with your tummy issues.  UGH, I want to cry with you when you're struggling.

Things you love: playing with JB; Face-Timing; pretending to talk on the phone (you will gab forever); swinging and playing outside; bubbles; feeding the birds; climbing; snuggling your lamb-y at night; sleeping with your pacis (still! I know, I know....); writing with pens; talking to other tables at restaurants; babies (real ones, not quite into dolls yet); puzzles; BOOKS (you ask to read so many books before bed); brushing your teeth; rocking and singing songs at night

(Playing hide-and-seek with JB)

I don't even have a list of dislikes because nothing really offends you these days.

Sweet baby girl, we can't believe you're 18 months old!  

Exploring Middle GA: Dauset Trails Nature Center

We promised JB "an adventure" a couple weekends ago, settling on a quick (2 hour) trip to Dauset Trails Nature Center.  We found this Nature Center two years ago when we were at High Falls and passed the signs.  We tried to go then but the multiple warnings of "NO PETS" turned us away (we had the dog child).  Now, two years and one additional child later, we tried again while leaving (a sad) Enda at home.

The Nature Trail - totally free, by the way - boasts trails, wild animals, and farm animals.  We saw otters, lots of owls, a cougar, bears, cows, pigs, horses, goats, and even a bald eagle.

I even brought the big camera with us, hoping to catch adorable pictures of the children.  Only got a few - not because they're not adorable (they are) but because they are way too fast and distracted to sit still for a picture!

The grounds were beautiful, and I'm kicking myself for not packing a picnic lunch! Next time for sure.  (We also forgot any type of stroller or wagon, then Maryn  rubbed a blister and required constant carrying.  So we got a good arm workout.)

Love these little adventures with the family!  

Fire Station Birthday Party

JB's little friend had a birthday party on Saturday at the city Fire Station.  Themed food, decorations and lots of toy firetrucks - super cute.  JB ran around with his friends from school, devoured a hot dog, and tasted his first oreo (or "fire truck wheels").  Plus ate a couple pieces a cake. JB had a blast!

He wanted to wear his fireman rain jacket, and also asked to wear his fireman rain boots. I nixed the boots (thinking he couldn't run around), but then it started raining and he said "see Mama, I TOLD YOU I needed my boots!"  (Three year olds...)

During the party we received a tour of the fire station, plus a short safety demonstration with the firemen.  JB found is hilarious to sit in the firemen's recliners, and see their beds.  :)

The firemen show us all the gear and how quickly they could put on their protective suits.  With full gear, the guys are a teensy bit scary - which is why they like to do this and remind kids to NOT run or hide from them in a fire!  We practiced saying that over and over ("don't hide!") and the kids got to touch the fire suits to (hopefully) become less afraid.

Then the kids climbed and played on the firetruck.  JB was in heaven!

Such a fun - and educational - party!  JB is still talking about those firemen and firetrucks. (Oh, and oreos, haha).

Happy Hearts Day!

I love all my sweeties so we love to celebrate Valentine's Day!  A few weeks ago I attempted a photoshoot for our official Valentine's Day card.  Can't say I got the best pics but even unhappy kids make cute kids.

For JB's class, he and I made V-day cookies using the BEST recipe from my sister-in-law (she's famous for her cookies).  The cookies turned out yummy, although not the prettiest. (The thought of rolling and cutting out 80 hearts overwhelmed me so I simply rolled into balls and flattened into circles.) JB sprinkled the cookies and did a fantastic job.

The custom Valentine's Day stickers I ordered for JB did not arrive by Monday night (GRRRR!) so I made a last minute trip to Kroger to find something acceptable.  (In case you're wondering, the selection of cards and materials at 10PM the night before Valentine's Days is super limited. Half the characters I didn't even recognize!  Thankfully I found some cute treat bags, wrote "love, JB" with a Sharpie and called it a night.)

On Valentine's day the kids woke up to gifts and balloons.  JB was just a teensy bit excited. (Even when he found out it was a book about emotions.)

My sweetie gave me new pajamas (much needed ones), and I gave him a pretty pink tie.  Practicality won this year, when it comes V-Day gifts!

Exploring Middle, GA - Ocmulgee State Park

The temperatures last week were perfection, hovering at 70 degrees so we could play without coats. Seemed like perfect weather for hiking!  Until we woke up Saturday to 40 degrees!  But we had promised the kids an adventure so we set out, as planned, to Ocmulgee State Park (located about 30 minutes from our house).

I don't know why I am so surprised by the beauty of our parks and lands here in Georgia.  We visit a lot of them, and each one in unique. Ocmulgee boasted sandy trails, tall pine trees, tons of Spanish moss, cypress trees, and a small lake.

On Saturday we were one of 10 people in the entire park, so we explored and hiked alone, just our little family of four five (can't forget Enda!)

JB took turns wanting to ride in the stroller and wanting to push the stroller.  (Maryn was happy being pushed by whoever - she loves the stroller). He also found several walking sticks to help him on the journey.

While Maryn contently rode in the stroller she also removed her accessories and tossed them along the trail.  Mama got a little extra workout going back to collect them...

My favorite part of the trail was the "interpretive boardwalk" (??) into the cypress trees.  The kids found it magical, too.

JB saw the large playgrounds before our hike and reminded us along the way "don't forget to take me to the playground!"  After our hike we played and played, then enjoyed some sandwiches at the lodge. Such a nice area - and so close!  I doubt it will be our last time there.

Maryn Elizabeth - 17 Months Old!

Maryn is not a year-and-a-half yet, which is the only thing that makes this post easier. I'll probably really struggle next month knowing she's crossed the threshold of closer to two than one!!

Maryn is still so very happy-go-lucky most of the time, but showing us more of her red-headed intensity in situations that displease her.  She's gotten physical a few times (i.e. slapping her brother across the face, throwing a plate at us), and I may try time-outs a bit earlier with this gal!  

A few other fact and funnies about this sweet gal at 17 months:

• This month Maryn hit a milestone - dropping to one nap a day!  Little Miss Textbook took about 3 days to adjust and now sleeps 2-3 hours every afternoon.  

• She still takes bottles in the AM and PM, but we've switched to almond milk due to some "tummy trouble".  She still sleeps with multiple (like, four) pacis.

• Good news - Maryn does have front teeth!!!  YEA!!!  We were actually worried about this one and always bugged our pediatric dentist friend with our concerns. She got in one front tooth, and the other is breaking through (I think). We also started brushing her teeth every night and she adores it.  After her bottle she runs to the bathroom and points to her toothbrush.  

• She also loves:  FaceTiming on the iPhone; play-talking on the phone; being pushed or pulled  in the stroller, wagon, or JB's old red car; swinging; "helping" me (or helping herself to food) in her new learning tower that Mr. Ben built for her; reading books, particularly puppet books and Goodnight Moon; knocking down towers that her brother builds

• Maryn hates stickers or any sort of tape on her.  She panics until someone takes it off.  Now, JB loves putting stickers on himself and other things, so you can see the issue...

• Besides "Enda", she also now says "yeah" very clearly.  Most all questions are met with an enthusiastic "YEAH!" (Unless it's something she doesn't want to do and then there is a fierce head shake).

• Maryn is fearless and "monkey see, monkey do".  I suspect that's common with second children, but, whew, keeps us on our toes.  She's had more goose eggs this month than I care to admit.

Goodness how we love this little angel.