A day at the Park.

Today after Samantha's morning nap we went for a walk around Gahanna. First we walked over to the library to return a DVD I had rented. Then we walked down to Wendy's for lunch.

Once we were done eating we walked over to Friendship Park so Samantha could play. She is still small to really enjoy a lot of the park, but she still had a good time exploring.

Here she was thinking about going down the slide, but it was hot on her legs so she was not to sure what to do...she ended up going down!

Ringing these bells were a park favorite!

And also banging these drums.

My little book worm...

Today after work I went to pick up Samantha and then I had to run to the library. I have been reserving books online lately so I have been making lots of library runs. Today Samantha was really into the library so I took her over to the kid corner and she liked looking at all the books. She even picked out one to read.

So she took the book she picked off the shelf over to the rug and sat down and started reading. I hope I can foster her love of books and reading well into the future. Both Jeff and I love to read so hopefully this is a hobby Samantha will enjoy too.

My little explorer...

Tonight, Jeff and I were both in Samantha's room getting her clothes put away and to start packing for Florida. So Samantha was just tottering around the room while we worked. Then she pulled everything out of her dresser and climbed in.

Although she hardly fit...

...so she hopped right out.

Wagon Ride

This morning Samantha and I went over to Manda's so our girls could have a play date. They were all over the place...playing in the yard, up and down the driveway and in the house. So we took them on a walk down the street in the wagon. Here we were getting ready to head off for our walk.

The girls loved sharing their toys and drinks back and forth while Manda and I got to catch up and have "grown-up" conversations!

When we were almost back Samantha decided to fold up her chair and just sit on Sylvie's lap! Fortunately Sylvie loves Samantha and didn't kick her out! I really hope that these girls will be life long friends. Then Manda and I will get to sit around and tell stories to the girls about when they were little.

Surgery Day Part 2

This morning I took Samantha to Children's Hospital for the second part of her surgery. She had to have the stint taken out that they had put in during the first surgery. We had to be there by 10 for her surgery at noon, but it ended up getting pushed back until 1:15 PM.

Jeff had to work, my mom was out of town so that just left Libby and I to take Samantha. Samantha loved the little beads on Mawmaw's skirt.

At 12:40 PM they came in and gave her some medicine to keep her from getting so upset when they would have to take her away from me. Then she discovered the tray under her bed and couldn't be pulled away from the allure of this new play area.

Once she got back to the post-op room she was really excited to see me but was even more excited to get something to drink. Since the last time she had something to drink was 5 AM she was more than ready to guzzle down some pedilyte. She loved putting her face mask on Mawmaw's face!

Within the next month or so I will have to take Samantha back for some testing to make sure that both of the surgeries have done what they needed to do. And if all goes well this whole kidney / ureter nightmare will be over.

Plain City Pool

When Jeff picked up Samantha from the babysitter yesterday they told him she never really got in a nap. So she fell asleep on the way home and Jeff put her straight down in her crib. She never got up until this morning at 5 AM. I gave her some milk and changed her diaper and she went right back to sleep until almost 9 AM. This was the Good Morning Daddy picture I sent to Jeff.

Once she finally got up I fed her breakfast and got ready to hit the road. We had to stop by this place to get our Cobra all set up since our new insurance doesn't start for a few more weeks. Then we ran to Sam's Club for diapers and then to Stride Rite to get those little "ties keeper" with the little bells on them. By the time we got home Samantha was ready for a good nap!

I was sitting on the couch thinking about what kind of adventure Samantha and I could get into once she woke up so I texted my BFF and we made plans to go to the Plain City Aquatic Center. Above is Samantha and Sylvie in the Zero Depth pool. They had a blast getting to play in the water!

Just like the big kids every so often there is an "adult swim" where all the kids have to take a break. So these girls sat and had their bananas and milk. It was actually nice getting a little bit of a break from the cold water! Although Samantha did not seem to mind the water temperature.

On the second "adult swim" Manda got out the puffs and both girls stood there gobbling them down. They had them all over the ground too.

Samantha enjoyed pulling everything out of my pool bag. Here she was getting caught red handed!

Well, it's about time...

I know it has been forever since I last blogged! So I guess I have some catching up to do. The past week has been hectic to say the least. I have not been feeling well, just really tired, and working a lot of overtime to boot. By the time I get to relax each night, which isn't much, I am not in the mood to get on the computer. But this post is long overdue and I am happy to share some pictures from today. The above picture is my Good Morning Mommy picture from Jeff. We still have a morning baby on our hands ;)

By the time I got home for work Jeff had gotten Samantha all dressed up for church. All I had to do was put a bow in her hair and put on her shoes!

Her eyes are getting bluer by the day...sometimes I think I can hear the ocean in those eyes!

After church we went home and Samantha and I took a nap. When she got up, Jeff woke me up too, and we headed off to my mom's pool. The pool water is the warmest it has ever been...you can just walk right in! And Samantha just loves the water and would never get out if we didn't make her. She will even "jump" into our arms from the side of the pool. She get's her bravery from me for sure!!!

This corner of the pool is Samantha and Chase's corner. This is where we put their little toys and they will sit there and play happily for a long time. Today the "toys" were plastic bowls and Easter eggs, a big hit for both.

Now that Samantha is walking much better we have to be so careful at the pool. So far she has done really good and not gotten too close to the edge without one of us being there but we are still keeping a very close eye on our mobile baby!

Samantha turned 13 months old yesterday!

From the last few days...

I was off work on Monday for the holiday so I got Samantha all dressed up and lookin' cute and we went to lunch with Mom and Ruth. Samantha has gotten to the point where I have to order her something off the menu, a banana and a cup of milk isn't cutting it, so I got her mac-n-cheese and baked apples. It was her first time eating baked apples and like EVERYTHING else in the wonderful world of food...she loved them.

I love getting these full body poses of her but as soon as I walk away to get the picture she starts walking towards me. So this was this the best I could get...

I was off work on Tuesday too, like normal, and I wanted to find plates to hang on the wall next to our Paris picture. I had gone to the thrift store to find some but that didn't turn up well so I went to Marshalls and found some really great ones and only spent $17! Then when I got home I cleaned the plates and hot glued ribbon to the back to hang them from...so far none have fallen down.

Today I took Samantha to my mom's to go swimming. I had gone to Old Navy this morning to find a swimsuit t-shirt since my baby has been getting a tan despite my multiple applications of SPF 50. But they only had them in little girl sizes...so this shirt should theoretically fit like a 5 year old...but still...it worked.

Mandy and the boys joined us at the pool and Samantha had a good time playing with Grady!

Tonight Samantha was starting to wear out for the night so I gave her a pillow to play with on the floor and she promptly put her head down...our cue it's bedtime!

Happy 4th of July!!!

This was my Good Morning Mommy picture from Jeff. So cute and happy, especially in the morning.

Jeff and I both had to work today so Samantha spent the day with Jimbo and Lib. Then when Jeff and I got off work we went over to their house to have a cook out and swim. Samantha is getting more and more use to the water...and also more brave!

After swimming and a quick nap Samantha was ready for round 2 of playing. Mawmaw had a bag full of ring pops for all the kids and Samantha was not to be excluded! She figured out real quick was a special treat that was! She had her daddy soaked in sugary drool for the second day in a row!

Jeff and I had a great time getting to hang out with the family after working all day!!!

Jessica was showing Samantha how to eat her ring pop not that she really needed help eating! And not only did Samantha want the one in her mouth but she kept trying Jessica's too!

4th of July Parade

PARADE DAY!!!

Today was the annual 4th of July parade in Gahanna. Since we live so close to the parade route a group of us met here to walk over. Since I was anticipating this occasion I went ahead and put Samantha's new wagon together yesterday. (Too bad half way thru one of the wheels fell off!)

Samantha really enjoyed all the excitement of the parade. She got to eat lots of candy and popsicles! She had her daddy covered in sugary drool by the end of the parade!

It is getting hard these days to get a shot of Samantha being still. That is why this one is so off center. Sorry Jeff!

Samantha was relaxing in her new wagon waiting for the parade to start. This is the wagon she got from her Mawmaw and Pawpaw for her birthday and she LOVES it!

Even Sylvie and Amanda joined us! Here are two really cute patriotic little girls!