Look What the Wind Brought

We were so looking forward to the warm summer weather last weekend. What we didn't know (or ignored on the weather report) was that it was going to be WINDY! It has been a long time since we have had wind like that. Never the less, it was a gorgeous day on Saturday, but yes, very windy. So windy in fact that it destroyed our favorite vase that we got for our wedding. We were shocked when the wind took it for a ride. The vase was so heavy with at least 1 inch thick glass. Jon was picking the pretty lilacs in the back yard to bring some inside when WOOOOSHH-CRASH!!! I'd be lying if I said we weren't a little sad.


On Saturday evening my Grandma Katy and Papa Jim were able to come for dinner. They just got into CO this past week to get out of the heat in AZ. My parents were also in town for dinner. We had a wonderful meal with them and Cecilia was showing off as she does. She stood up for the first time by herself in the yard just before dinner. I don't think that she realized what she did, and she hasn't done it since, but I'm sure by the end of the week it will be a solid new trick! We also got a "4 Generation Photo" of Grandma Katy, my Dad, myself and Cecilia.

Sand at the Park

Yesterday I took Cecilia to the park with Chelsea and the little girls that she nannies for. The park and the end of our street has an area with sand and water features. The water is not on yet, but that didn't stop Cecilia from exploring all that the sand has to offer. She was soooo cute playing in the sand. I think she would have played there for the rest of the morning if I didn't pick her up and take her to the swings.

#2

Tooth #2 has arrived (finally) in C's mouth (came in on Monday), and let me tell you, those teeny tiny teeth are sharp! I am so glad that her bottom teeth are in, and I am hopeful that the next rounds of teething aren't as painful for her (and me). Teeth or not, she has begun to experience and enjoy all kinds of food. It is so nice that she eats what we are eating, and I don't have to prepare her meal separately anymore. Can you guess what was for dinner?

We haven't been too busy the past few weeks. Jon has been busy in the yard, prepping the garden, mowing the grass, and trimming the hedges. He also cleaned up the back porch and we have been able to enjoy some meals in the warm weather. Our flowers in the front of the house are gorgeous right now!I have been trying to capture the 9 month picture for a couple of weeks now. I would like one of her standing and giving me her big ham-n-cheese-ball grin that she does. I am getting closer.We also bought C a new ball, she thinks that it is the most fun thing EVER! She is full of giggles when she plays with it.
We have been planning our projects and events for the summer. The main project is going to be the windows. We are going to be measuring and ordering the rest of the upstairs windows next weekend. We hope to have that project completed by mid-July. We have two main events this summer too. We will be heading to NY for my brother Pat's graduation in June from USMMA, and then he will be getting married in August in Fairplay, CO. I am starting to wrap my head around travel plans and what to bring/ what not to bring for Cecilia, especially to NY. It is going to be an adventure!

Firsts

Last weekend was full of Firsts. Cecilia got to meet our good friends Trevor and Jenny, who got married last year, for the first time. We attended two 1st Birthday parties on Saturday and I officially celebrated my first Mother's Day.
It was so good to see Trevor and Jenny! They were in town for a graduation and made time to see us and we were thrilled! Cecilia was a little show off while they were here, cruising all around and talking up a storm.


Then it was off to our buddy Piper's 1st birthday. She was cute as a button, and the party was a wonderful celebration of a miracle of a first year for a beautiful tiny girl. She was curious about her cake and ultimately ended up liking it.

Next, we headed south to celebrate Jace's 1st birthday. He is such a cutie, and on the move. It was so nice to visit with his family and watch Cecilia play with him and the other kiddo's. Jace was not to sure about his cake. He did not like the idea of it, and refused to dig in. He doesn't know what he is missing! It was too cute to watch his apprehensiveness about cake.
Sunday was my First Mother's Day. I was fortunate to be able to spend the day with my little girl, my Mom, and my Grandma (Ma), along with many others. We went to church and then down to Ma & Pa's house for a BBQ. Jon also got to spend time with his Mom at the BBQ.


This year I have a new found deep respect for all mom's. I have learned so much about myself and about love since becoming a mother. I have always known that I wanted to be a mom, what I didn't know, is that it is what I was truly meant to be. I know now that there is nothing that I would rather be doing than being home and being a mom and wife. These jobs don't pay very much, and there are those people out there that judge or don't understand how this job could be rewarding or fulfilling, but for me, being a mom and being home with my daughter is the most fulfilled I have felt in my whole life. I am loving finding a balance between taking care of my family and working when I want on various projects for Fries the Moment Design. Happy Mother's Day to all mom's, soon to be mom's, and to all women who have a mothering spirit.

Still a Small Fry

Yesterday Cecilia turned 9 months old (still in disbelief here). I knew that she was going to weigh-in on the small side of the charts because of how much she is moving around. I was a little shocked to see just how small she really is though:

Weight: 15 lbs. 10 oz, 8th Percentile!

Height: 28 inches, 60th Percentile

At least her height is still average. She is eating a ton these days, and she is now cleared to eat just about anything, which means introducing her to meats, breads, spices, etc. We will attempt to keep her on the charts for her 1st birthday.

Remember how I was saying that her personality is coming through? Here is one such example. These were taken yesterday during lunch. She was being such a ham! Some of these faces remind me of me, well pictures of me anyway. She was totally posing and playing with the camera. Too cute!

Pearly White

One teeny tiny tooth finally popped through on Monday morning. You still can't see it, but man oh man it is sharp! The drool has continued and I am hoping that its friend shows up by the end of this week. She has been sleeping better (thank goodness AND knock on wood!).

She has been exceptionally cute this past few weeks. I am really liking this age. Her personality is shining through in everything she does. She is so vocal right now too. She will sit with a book and tell us the story. She is mischievous too- she will pick up a toy and play with it for a few seconds and then toss it a few feet, then do it again until she is close enough to something she knows she shouldn't get into: cat food, book shelf, pantry, dog water, laundry basket, stereo buttons, cat, dog, etc. Then she will just leave the toy and go for it, only looking back with a smirk to see if she has gotten "caught" yet. She is full of laughter and songs. She is also the strongest (almost) 9 month old I've ever held. I notice it the most at church, I feel like I am juggling 3 babies with how much she moves. She pushes away from me and bends down toward the pew in front of us. She will walk up me and then try to jump, that is always fun. It must be very entertaining, or distracting, for those around us.

In other news, Jon has got the garden started for the year. We decided to do a 4x6 raised bed garden, and we picked up the good dirt last weekend and got it moved into place. The plant sale at Jon's office is May 4, so we will probably be planting the following weekend. I was also able to get away this weekend with my friend to get the first pedicures of the season and go out for a drink. It has been soooooo long since I've had real girl time, and I needed it. Even if it was for just a few hours, it was a wonderful. Jon and I also had a date night on Friday night with my cousin and her boyfriend. We went to a Mammoth Lacrosse game and grandma stayed and watched Cecilia. It was the first time that we have left her for bed time. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, I think because we were ready for a date!

Here is the photo version of the last blog post:

Cecilia enjoying all of the pretty flowers in our front garden.

This is Bogart in the attic fan. We don't know how he got there, but Jon discovered him while I was out. Somehow he got into the attic, lets hope this doesn't happen again!
Enjoying some blackberries.

Her new wheels! Beep Beep! Faster Daddy!

And they convert into a walking toy!

Aaaand the reason her crib is now lowered: Monkey! Monkey! Monkey!

...

Cecilia has been teething, and therefore only sleeping for about 2 hours at a time at night. It is so much fun. I can't wait for more teeth. Due to my lack of sleep, my brain has started to fail me, and I have wanted to write a complete blog, but you will have to settle for this:

C is eating great and liking all kinds of food: Kiwi, cheese, black beans, yogurt.

C is improving her pincher skills for picking food up. She has graduated to chunks of food, no more pureed stuff.

She is pulling herself up on everything in sight and starting to cruise around furniture.

I am tired.

I have an addiction to baking chocolate chip cookies.

Pat and Sarah were here last weekend, it was wonderful to see them as always. The next time we see Pat will be for graduation.

I have been busy this week with albums, spreadsheets, and websites.

Oh that reminds me- and this is kind of big- My Dad's new website is live: www.ambrosehomebuilders.com. I designed it for him.

We had to lower the bed in C's crib because she is a monkey. She figured out how to climb up on to her crib mirror and bumpers.

I started writing this post on Thursday, it is now Saturday...

I have lots of pictures, but don't have time to post them right now.