Summer Vacation

Samantha and I had a very special vacation to North Carolina this summer.  We spent 2 1/2 weeks with my parents - the first 1 1/2 weeks at their home in Chocowinity, NC and then Keith joined us for the last week with both of my sisters and their kids at the Outer Banks.  What a special time it was, to see Samantha hanging out with all the kids - just think, there was 7 girls 10 yrs and younger.  It was crazy, but SO much fun! 

The weather was hot and beautiful!  We enjoyed it at the pool, beach, playing in the afternoon showers outside, at playgrounds, shopping, eating great food and the adult even had an afternoon on the jet skis.  To top it all off, I got to be there to celebrate my sister Tia's 38th birthday and my sister Tara's 35th birthday!  I also got to teach at my sisters gym...my first time teaching ZUMBA!  It was amazing!  I got such a great response and so much support, that it just affirmed this new chapter of my life.  It was a great way to get me ready for my fall teaching at Michele's Studio.  Thanks Tara for all your support and to Tia for practicing with me many nights at Mom's house and of course, to Mom for watching the kids as us girls worked out! 

Of course, as you can imagine I took hundreds of pictures over this 2 1/2 week span, so I am going to try to pare it down.  Bear with me!  (This is why it has taken me weeks to post this!!) :)

The little lights of our lives (left-->right) - Jackie, Dani, Reagan, Maddie, Grace, Allyson and Samantha.  A rare photo with no meltdowns.  :)

The picture right after that...yes, Samantha was done!  ;)

The older kids romping on the playground.  I love this pic and boy do I miss them all!  Wish we lived closer!

That right there folks, is what life is ALL about! 

A rare photo of the 5 of us -- a strong family blessed by God.  And blessed by my brother in law Brian who is taking the photo and wraggling the kids.  ;)  

I don't know what I'd do without my sisters - they are my rocks and my best friends! 

Lots of Estrogen -- and we love it that way!

Wait - how did they manage a chance to sit down and relax!?  ;)  Good to see Keith home and getting a chance to reunite with everyone.   I know Dad appreciates having another man around.

Samantha and Allyson goofing around - they were best buddies this trip.  So much fun to watch!

We took the kids crabbing off the marina piers - summer tradition!  Everyone had a blast except my sister Tara, who about scared the mess out of all of us, screaming every time a crab moved.  Ahhh Tara :)

Me and my Daddy.  

Me and my baby -- isn't it funny how life comes full circle!

Tia and her girls.  We all missed you Ed -- you were the only missing link! 

Tara, Brian and their little girls.  

Ocean time with Daddy - Samantha much preferred being in his arms to being in the cold water.

Mama (Nana) and Reagan - a picture worth a thousand words.

My favorite picture of me and Samantha -- yes, she actually posed!  She is such a toot! 

Tara and Brian -- see Brian no more whining...there are finally some pics of you.  ;)

Tia and Maddie celebrating Tia's 38th 

This is just giving me a glimpse into the future ... Keith with 2 babies on his lap.  What a good man I married.

 Mama and Tia :)

Thanks to the two most important people of my life that make all this happen.  Thank you for spoiling us, for raising us to know that family is the most important thing, and to constantly be reminders of the blessings God gives us!

Turkey Run State Park

We enjoyed a beautiful day at Turkey Run State Park - our first time there in the 3 years since living in Indiana.  It was gorgeous.  I had no idea this was so close and we could have kicked ourselves for not going there sooner.  We spent the day hiking, having a picnic, and swimming in the pool there.  We took dozens of photos, here are just some of our favorites.

Getting ready to walk across the suspension bridge into more of the wooded area.  Samantha looks nervous.  Though, understandably if you look at the next photos.

 God's light shining through the canopy.  When you are in places as beautiful as this, you can't deny God's presence.  :)

Samantha remained a little scared of the rocks in the beginning and wouldn't let us put her down.  Finally, after showing her cool bugs, waterfalls, and the joy of throwing rocks into the stream, she loosened up some.  Still, poor daddy carried her most of the day - neither one of us trusted my klutzy nature on slippery rocks.  ;)

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Playing Dress Up

I've got a total girl who loves to play dress up.  She picked out her attire, I just helped her put it all on.

18 Months old!

Samantha had her 18 month old appointment on Thursday and it just reminded me how quickly the time has gone!  It makes me a little sad, but we truly feel so blessed for every moment we have with her.  She has brought so much joy into our life and has truly been the light of our life.  So I thought I'd take some time to brag on her some more - my right as a Mama.  For those that think - well isn't this what the whole blog is about - WELL YES!  Families and the children in it are God's greatest blessings.

Stats:

Weight - 23.2 lbs -- 30% percentile
Length - 31.75 in -- 45% percentile
Head - 47 cm -- 60% percentile (her daddy's big head ;) )

Personality:

The older she gets the more and more her unique personality showcases.  However, glimpses of this were evident - I swear - from day 1!
-  She is shy around new people or people she hasn't seen in awhile but once she gets comfortable she is incredibly outgoing
-  She is a ham -- so funny!
-  She hates the camera and will turn as soon as it flashes
-  She has a quick temper -- drama, drama -- but can be distracted very easily
-  She is so loving - likes to gives out kisses and hugs

Skills:

Watching how quickly they pick up and learn things AMAZES ME!
-  Knows about 60 words
-  Sits and "faux" reads books (her favorite toys)
-  Can point out all her body parts on her and you
-  Can point out and name LOTS of things
-  Plays pretend - tea party, reads books to stuffed animals, play cooking, dress up & hide n' seek
-  Helpful - will bring me things - wants to help unload dishwasher and groceries
-  Tells us about 1/2 the time afterwards that she has peed or pooped
-  Sings lines from "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "Row Your Boat"
-  Walks with play or real phone and carries on conversations with people
-  Makes 2 and 3 word sentences - "I need...," " Daddy car keys," "One more..." (which means 100 more) etc...
-  Sits on side of pool and "jumps" in to Daddy

New Changes

- Likes to be read to and held before every nap/bedtime, but likes to put herself to sleep in her bed
-  Picky veggies eater, but really loving her fruit - new favs are grapes and strawberries (everything reddish and round is termed an "apple" though interestingly she doesn't really love apples)
-  Obsessed with the pool
-  Obsessed with Curious George (poor Mickey has moved to 2nd place)
-  Loves her big girl bike
-  Loves swinging - esp. on someone's lap!
-  Favorite cracker/cookies - Peanut Butter filled cheddar crackers

Moments that make you smile

 Realizing she has your hair at such a young age - my little curly Sue!

I think we prayed too long at dinner - she didn't make it through. :)

Samantha realizing that we are in the car YET AGAIN!

Catch looking for Daddy and being snuck up on.

 

Being found and now chased!

A stand-off at the pool to get the baby back in!

Laughing because was the pillow really necessary with a belly that big?  And does the food I cook contain a sedative or is that her way to get out of eating my cooking?

Realizing that the binky DOES make her THAT happy and that we are going to have a fight on our hands when we take it away. 

Meeting Mr. Eli

This past weekend we drove to Louisville, KY to visit our dear friends Andy and Devon and to meet their adorable son Eli.  Sadly, it took us 7 months to see him because of the craziness of life, and our trip was brief - but it was so nice to catch up and to see him in person.  Was a precious addition to the Freeman family he is and we are so blessed to be a part of their lives.  What a special family.

I wish I could have gotten more pictures, but the weekend went by so fast.  Poor Samantha got reacquainted with some baby toys and was fascinated with all of Eli's things.  So she ran through their house checking out all the goodies.  :)  Eli reminded us how chill that 7 month age is and how quickly that goes, as we'd turn around and see our little girl running through the house.  They truly grow up too quick! :)

The Daddies with their handfuls.  I have taken many pictures of these two guys side by side, but this is truly the most precious.

Andy and Eli - so adorable!

Mamas chatting during swing time with the kiddos. 

Eli getting ready for mealtime.

Look closely - yes that is my baby stealing Eli's food tray.  Caught ya! ;)

Enjoying all those baby toys and managing to wedge herself into the Bumbo - though getting out took a little help from Mama.

She got to where she was saying Eli's say (or rather "E-i") and when I asked where he was at that moment, she raised her hands in her common "I don't know" response.  

Her favorite toys are the books, so we made sure to bring a lot with us. 

Enjoying some books with Daddy before bed, while the Mommies sneak off to see the movie -- Eclipse -- SO GOOD!

 Little Miss Drama, getting into telling me about the dog - who was chasing her in the yard for the bottle to play with.  :)

Eating at Puccini's our last day.  This is a typical picture of me with Samantha - I guess since I take 95% of the pictures, my husband has not gotten the act of "get baby's attention first" - I swear the man just barely looks in the camera, snaps and places the camera back in his pocket.  Ugh - men. ;)  Luckily, the other non-posted picture of us together, Samantha is looking in no-man's land with her hands down my shirt -- so this was at least better.  :)