Beach Baby

We survived our first airplane trip to Florida last month. We enjoyed a wonderful visit to Florida to see Grandma and Grandpa T. Rose was such a good girl on the plane. We had the Muppets movie on the ipad, plenty of toys to occupy the 2.5 hours, and snacks. She only cried during the descent on the way down for about 10 minutes. Her ears were bothering her and she was tired. Overall, she was great and we have the confidence now to know we can travel again.

In Florida, she loved being outside after a couple months of Winter. We went to the Naples Zoo, visited the park several times, and hit the beach. Rose loved the sand and looking for seashells. On day 2 at the beach, she overcame her shyness of the ocean and couldn't get enough of the water. She would have stayed in the waves all afternoon. She doesn't have much fear, so we had to stay close. On our last morning, we took a walk to the pier and were delighted to see some dolphins! She will even tell you that she dropped her green pacifier in the ocean to give to the dolphin. What a giver!

Feeding the giraffe 

Sitting on the camel

Climbing through the tunnel

Looking out from the pier

Looking for dolphins with Daddy 

Enjoying the sand on my toes

Playing with the sand

Loving the beach

Fun in the water

Wish we could do this every day

Can't get enough of these waves

No more pictures please, playing with my seashells

Sitting on the dragon at the park

Driving at the park

This past week Rose and Daddy were on their own. I had a business trip in England so Ryan was on single dad duty. They had a great time together and Grandma and Grandpa H kept her overnight one day for some extra help. We were all so happy that I got home safe. It was the longest time apart for us. There is no place like home seeing that smiling face everyday!

For the Love of Ducks

Happy New Year! We have welcomed 2013 with a bang. Rose has been lots of fun and her Christmas toys are keeping her very busy. We've adjusted being back to work and she was happy to see her friends at daycare. She has been singing lots of songs and running all over the house. Her fascination with ducks continues, she can't get enough of them. She's also been enjoying lining her toys up and moving them from place to place all over the house.

Bear and Rose found ducks at Dede's house

Checking out the tree with Dede

Stacking the ducks

Arranging ducks on toilet paper, why not?!

Sitting with ducks

After aligning her toys at the top of the stairs

Just relaxing with Daddy

Playing in the box

Fun in the Snow

Southeast Michigan got the worst snow (about 5 inches) in nearly 2 years earlier this week. It was Rose's first experience watching it come down and stick to the ground. She kept saying "Christmas, Christmas!" All of those books about snowmen, the North Pole, and Santa's white Christmas must have really stuck. We went out in the backyard for some winter fun. Check out a few of these action shots!

Looks like Ralphie's little brother from
the Christmas Story (in pink of course)

Not sure about this stuff

Having fun on the slide

Loving these mittens

Cleaning the snow off her house

Daddy made a snowball

A ponytail!

Christmas Recap: Overall, we had a fantastic Christmas this year. Last year, Rose was only 7 months, so she was still pretty small and not yet really mobile. What a big difference a year makes! She is speaking in sentences now, starting to use verbs with her expansive vocabulary. It is unbelievable. She is also very fast, running and climbing all over the place. Her dance moves are improving as she loves all music, especially when Daddy plays the guitar.

We were able to see all sides of the family and it was great to enjoy the cousins and other kids. We surely missed Great Grandpa W this year, but he lives on in our house with many things including his cherished carousel. Rose has spent hours perched on our stairs enjoying the "merry go round" as she calls it. She loves listening to the music and watching the animals go up and down. Her favorite Christmas song is Jingle Bells, which she will sing the full chorus to as she watches it go round and round.

We attempted to visit Santa Claus this year, and everything seemed ok until she realized she was going to have to actually sit with him. As she does in any fearful situation, she called out for her bear blanket (we can never leave home without him), "bear, bear" bear", so we both sat next to Santa together for a couple minutes as she hung on for dear life trying to calm down. It wasn't worth it to try and get a picture so we'll just try again next year.

Some of her favorite things now include anything and everything animal related. She loves her wooden animal puzzle pieces and carries them all over the house. She'll recite all the noises each animal makes. She got a new Little People zoo with every animal from hippo to gorilla. She loves it! She is also enjoying her new books, new bead maze, and blow up tent with balls, baby dolls, Elmo toy and fabulous new winter wardrobe. She had to wear her new Muppet shirt the day after Christmas. Gifts from Santa and the family will keep her busy and learning every single day. We are so appreciative!

The word "no" has become a more regular part of her vocabulary. I see a sneak peak of some terrible 2's approaching. She is very headstrong and can be a bit impatient, so some of that is coming out as we approach 20 months. Overall, we are so blessed to have such a sweet, loving, silly, intelligent little girl. Every day is something new and it is amazing to think what is ahead. I can't wait for 2013!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Rose has enjoyed seeing lots of family over the last few days. Santa made a stop at our house and we have lots of new presents to play with. More to come...

Under The Weather

It was a rough week for our little Rose. After a great weekend, Christmas parade, and visit with her friend Campbell, we were visited by her first ear infection likely caused by RSV (a virus that hits babies under age 2). I am convinced she picked up some germs at her 18 month wellness checkup when we had to wait at the doctor's office the previous week for nearly 2 hours! Ugggghhh...

Anyway, she is on the upswing as Ryan and I are now sniffling and coughing. It was the first experience with antibiotics, so not bad for nearly 19 months!

Her stats at the doctor were great, although she screamed every time the doctor or nurse came close. She sure has some strong lungs :) Her weight was 24lbs, 2 oz and was 33in tall. She is about average for weight and still in the 90% for height. She is into her 2T and 24 month clothes already.

We are looking forward to the Christmas break and visiting with family and friends.
Stay tuned for some festive holiday pics.

Squeezing into my green toy bin

Reading to dear friend Froggy, pay attention!

Say Ahhhhh

Infatuated with the new Muppet movie

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving! We have much to be thankful for. It's been a wonderful year filled with many blessings. We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma H and Uncle Jay on Thursday. We celebrated with Grandma, Grandpa T, Great-Grandma T, Dede, Bob, Ray, PJ, Caitlin, and Jack on Friday. We have discovered Rose LOVES pumpkin pie. She had tons of fun playing with the family. She was also very interested in the Christmas tree and all of the ornaments. It's going to be a great holiday season ahead for us.

Just playing with my animals 

Look up

Twin turkey girls-Rose and Caitlin

Checking out the ornaments at Grandma T's

Mama and Me

Jack and Rose looking at the tree

Leaf clean up

Outside having fun

On the merry go round

Enjoying the park and the last of nice weather!