Cookie Monster

Well to get Lucy back up to her fighting weight she's subsisting on a diet of chocolate chip cookies, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes w extra butter, chocolate eclairs and monkey bread. A diet anyone would die for. It must be working because she gained 8 oz in one day!

Fun in -10

The weather in Wisconsin was frigid, but it didn't matter since we were all homebound with sickness. Lucy did not leave the house once in 5 days! It was great to see everyone and we are jealous of their upcoming Mexican vacation but we will have to wait till Lucy is a bit older before we attempt that!!

Sick Baby=No Rules

During Lucy's illness, all "rules" were out--pacis were allowed at all times, in jammies all day, TV was on all day and she was happiest just sitting on my lap and watching Blues Clues (a new favorite show).  But that's what you get to do when you are sick--some of my fondest memories of the family puke bowl (didn't everyone have one of those?) next to the couch on Kahkwa Blvd. were laying there watching Jem and the Holograms and reading Teen Beat which Granny Mal always got for me. I am so happy she is finally better and I can go back to being the mean mom. No pacis, flash card drills and forced meals in high chair. No wonder she only says "daddy" and not "mommy"! Hopefully she won't feign illness just so she can get back to the nice mommy.

On the Mend

We are getting there. After all three of us had the illness, it seems to be improving (Jud and I are fine now) but Lucy still has a few symptoms. Thankfully no fever, cold is completely gone and totally back to her normal personable self. Saturday I could not believe this was Lucy--she was literally falling asleep wherever she laid down. Almost 5 hours of naps in one day. Back to Arlington tomorrow. My biggest fear is her weight loss from the bug!! Her 15 month check-up is Thursday so hopefully they won't put me in the parental dog house...she did have mashed potatoes and toast today. Plus if we did not have Honey Maid graham crackers I'm not sure what she would have eaten for the weekend:)

Get Well, Get Sick

We were out of the woods yesterday re: cough and cold so ventured out to storytime and errands. Then....at 3 am Lucy woke and had puked in her crib. Was up on and off since then and puked a few more times. She's going on 3 hrs for her nap. Poor thing just wanted to be held and snuggle. It was so sad! I hope this passes quickly. We'll try some dry toast when she gets up.

Puma Lady

Lucy models her first Puma outfit (thanks Joe!). And I'm excited because it's a size 2t! Good thing I dug it out of the closet and tried it on her.

The Wave

Lucy watched the parade with me and quickly was waving like President Obama and the First Lady, totally hilarious. Maybe politics is in her future.....let's hope not!!

Inauguration Party

We had Sulley, Colton, Janey and their mommies over to watch the speech, etc. I can't tell you one thing President Obama said because we had 4 babies tooling around here, however! It was fun and we are hopeful for a long afternoon naptime. Lucy seems to be moving to 1 nap a day, but the good news is she has been sleeping later in the mornings. Today she slept 7:20 to 7:45 am!!

Cash Money

The other day at Target someone stopped my to let me know Lucy was tossing dollars out of my wallet as I turned my back for a second and shopped for cleaning products. She absolutely loves to take everything out of my and Jud's wallets and hide them in unknown places. Perhaps she is hiding 20s under her toy box. Maybe I can blame her for my missing driver's license!!

Baby Crack

Lucy has never cared much for food, but these Yogurt Melts are a different story. She will literally eat the entire bag if I'd let her. She stands by the cabinet where I keep them and points and whines till I get them for her!

MORE!

After almost 15 months of banging it into her head, I think Lucy finally does the "more" sign. It's unclear if she actually understands it, but we are working on it! She's modeling her jeans here which are still falling off her teeny waist and butt. How is she our kid with such small legs and fanny?? She also loves to applaud for herself accomplishing something, like climbing the stairs, putting a toy in the box, etc. When I entertain her during mealtime (which is about her entire mealtime to keep her from projecting herself out of the highchair, forget me being able to eat at the same time she does!) by dancing or singing, she claps. So at least I get the satisfaction that she likes it!

Foreman Lucy

Here is Lucy overseeing the workers as they worked on the kitchen. I realize her pants are hiked up to her boobs, but I'm trying to get her into the 18-24 clothing!!

Caesar Salad

Jud has discovered his true calling...making Caesar salad dressing. Lucy had her first taste. She actually kind of liked it, although it has about enough garlic to fend off vampires continents away! You can also see the first taste of our "new" kitchen, the new white cabinets and chairs. Stay tuned for new pics of the finished product w/tile, granite countertops and window treatments. Yee haw! Sayonara laminate!

Back in VA

This more or less sums up what life's been like since we got back from Florida! Lucy caught a cold and has been a total crab. Faucet running from her nose, coughing--I feel bad for her! She's also had her first kicking, screaming, laying limp on the floor in a public place meltdown. I think we totally in the transition to full blown toddler-hood....and the attitudes that accompany it! The fun things are the new words she is saying and we are amazed at how many commands she understands, from "go get the book" to "what does a doggie say?" It is still a struggle to get her to sit still for any length of time to actually read a book, but we corner her in the high chair and do some food and animal flash cards. 

Fun Times

Lucy giving her Grampa Sheriff closed mouth grin. 

My Friend Maya

Lucy and Maya loved each other. Lucy fed her every chance she got and always wanted to hold her leash. Maya was so sweet with her too, it was great for them to get to know each other. 

Alternative Way to Walk Baby

Lucy is obsessed with Maya's leash. And her baby. So we put them together. Baby got "walked" all around the house. 

Post-beach Tired Face

She was so pooped after the excursion. I love these pics!

Lucy v. The Beach

Lucy had a couple outings to the beach while we were in Florida and she got more bold with each visit. I think she ingested about a pound of sand in the process, but that's the only way she'll learn not to eat it, right? She also ventured off the blanket more than once......you can see how she tests the sand by sticking her big toe out there to see if it's ok. The great thing about these beaches is that the sand is so white it never gets hot like the fire walking you deal with in MD/DE. 

Scott and Nika's Wedding

It was beautiful! At the winter estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. They were neighbors and buddies way back when. 

Back to Reality

Tomorrow we fly back to DC, and provided I survive the flight alone with Lucy, I will have many pics and stories to post. We have had a great time in sunny Florida. It has not rained once in 2 weeks! Check back soon for more...