Monday, June 21, 2010

Misc...

I never know how to start these blog entries... LOL :-P

I'm really enjoying the idea of having children (well, only one right now... I'm not pregnant). Last week Monday, Kate and I took Autumn and Danielle (little girl I was babysitting) to the Gardens for the afternoon. They both really enjoyed the scenery and didn't mind sitting in their strollers for a while. I just loved watching Autumn's mind getting stimulated by all the new things she's seeing. Watching her want to reach out and touch new things. Smiling when she sees something that she likes. It's so heart warming. It was a successful afternoon, both of the girls passed out by the time we got home. Definitely keeping that in mind next time I need to babysit Danielle!

Today, Autumn and I ended up going to the zoo with Julie and her brother Timmy. Last time I took Autumn to the zoo she didn't show much interest. Unless it was super close to her face. Now she's noticing things a little further away. Likes to point if she likes it. Autumn loved the penguins! They were swimming all over the place in front of her. She was in awe! I had to entertain Autumn a little more than normal. I think she was a little fussy from the humidity and the fact that she's getting over a cold. My new favorite item for Autumn, my CamelBak water bottle. I found out on the plane that she's able to suck up water from it, and she loves it! Even cries when I take it away (which is new). On the way home from the zoo, she was fussy. So I stuck the water bottle next to her legs so that she could reach the sippy part, and she drank almost 8oz the whole way home!

Autumn officially has 3 teeth now. The top right tooth has come in and the left is working its way through. So glad her new teething necklace came in! Definitely was a long 5 days without her teething necklace :-) Doesn't help that she developed a cold as well. She's finally on the mend, but definitely didn't help her sleep schedule or mine for that matter. I found some organic teething biscuits at Meijer the other day. They're made with maple, so the whole house smells like pancakes whenever she's playing with them. And boy, can she make a mess!!! The whole bottom half of her face is brown, her arms are brown and her bib is all brown when she's teething on it. Did I mention that she loves them? ;-)

Blowing bubbles from her mouth is something that she learned from being sick :-) Autumn also knows how to clap now too! She's getting riskier when it comes to trying to stand on her own or with little balance. She really knows that there is a world outside of the family room now and regularly will go and explore it. Which means a lot of running around for mommy! Today was hilarious! Sitting on the couch with Autumn, she was attempting to nurse on my arm... She thought it was silly so she started blowing raspberries with her mouth. Then ended up putting her mouth on my arm and blew a raspberry (a very loud one) on it! She was so shocked by the noise!! She wasn't sure if it came from her mouth or my arm. Haha. Adorable!

Yesterday was Jordan's first Father's Day! Autumn and I woke him up with breakfast in bed. She enjoyed that very much. We then went to our Young Married's class at church and kept Autumn with us (since she's still got a cold). She was very proud of saying "da-da" almost the whole time class was going :-) Then we went to Jordan's parents house for dinner and hung out there for a while. Autumn's starting to warm up to them a little bit more, but she's still not 100% sure about them...

I think I wrote enough for one entry. Wendesday is Autumn's 9 mth check-up. I will post more then!!! I'll post more pictures tomorrow too. Autumn needs my attention now ;-)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Myrtle Beach (long overdue)

Our little vacation kind of started as a dream. Jordan was going fishing in the U.P. with some guys from church, leaving Autumn and myself home alone. Jen, my friend who lives in Myrtle Beach, and I were chatting about the possibility of coming out and visiting her. Conversation with the hubby and cheap round trip tickets later... Autumn and I were on our way to Myrtle Beach!!!

Autumn did better than expected! It was just under a 2 hour plane ride. I was hoping that she would take a nap, however, she didn't. She was very interested in the people around her, especially the nice gentleman sitting next to me! I was planning on nursing her during the take-off and the landing. However, she was not interested what-so-ever. So I'm glad I brought a bottle along with me to help her ears. She didn't complain, what a trooper! Ended up only taking a half hour nap the day we arrived. Getting her to bed at her normal time was a different story ;-)

Autumn and I had a blast!!! It was really great getting to know Jen (other than just online) and watching our little girls play together. Leah wasn't so sure about Autumn, but eventually warmed up a little bit by the end of the week. We did lots of things together. Went to the aquarium, which is by far the best aquarium EVER! Did some outlet shopping... Did I mention that I had to bring an extra carry-on for the flight home? ;-) We mostly just stayed home and played with the girls, watched home movies and did laundry (haha). It was exactly what I needed!!! I learned a lot about eating healthier and even lost 5 lbs while I was there!! Thank you Jen for allowing us to stay with your family and entertaining us all week!!! You're amazing :-D

One of those days we ended up going to the beach (a must when you're in Myrtle Beach). Autumn sat down on the hard sand, ended up taking a mouth-full of it and wanted nothing to do the with sand anymore. She would shake her arms and start whining until I put her on my lap, then she was happy. Then I took her over to the ocean and let her feel it with her feet. It was so nice and warm! Yeah, Autumn didn't like that much either! I don't blame her... That's one huge bathtub ;-)

Autumn tried a lot of new foods. She loved yogurt, however, yogurt didn't love her... She ended up getting super gassy and waking up several hours in the night. Definitely discontinued that right away. Autumn even stood up for a few seconds by herself! I can't believe how fast she's growing up.

I'm pretty sure I covered everything. That's what I get for waiting to long to make a post! So enjoy some pictures from our wonderful vacation!

Playtime with Leah and Autumn.


Autumn looking at the sharks.


Having fun!


Our girls!!!


Such a goofy face (enjoying yogurt).


So happy in mommy's lap!


Touching the ocean for the first time.


Windy day, silly girls and several pictures later... This is the best we could get!


Matching outfits!


Autumn climbed up here all by herself!!!


Girls enjoying some "play food" together.


She loved these wooden toys!


Distracting Autumn on our way home from Myrtle Beach.


Our view the whole plane ride home.


Reminds me of a song... "How Great is OUR GOD!"