My Second Mother's Day

This is the angel that made me a mother. I love her so much! Happy mother's day to all the wonderful mother's I know, and whose examples I need everyday to help me in my mothering of this cutie pie!

Fattin' her up

Ten minutes ago I was doing dishes. Colette was playing behind me, which she usually does. She has some tupperware and cups that she likes to bang around and stack. Didn't think anything of her being quite because that is how she normally is.  So with soap covered hands, I turn around to say hi. Then I notice something shiny in her hands- I see that she got a hold of a stick of Crisco baking shortening! It was all over her face, hands, and clothes. She had to have made a couple tablespoons into her mouth! I quickly rinsed my hands and cleaned her up. I felt terrible, then I thought, well the doctor told me to put a couple pounds on her. I know she didn't think I would let her eat Crisco, but there you have it. A couple pounds added. ha.

Rhody Run 2012

So we made it! We have crossed the state line into Connecticut. We started at the Mass/RI border and ran right across. Some fun things along the way; we lost one of Colette's slippers, ran through downtown Providence and over rivers, lakes and bridges. Passed 19th century buildings and stone fences and even saw a couple 'secret garden' kind of places. No treasures found on the side of the road, but we did run through a freeway on and off ramp area where a police officer blocked traffic for us. We ran over the highest point in Rhode Island, which was 812 feet. And we ran in sun, wind, chilly, and cloud covered days. We ran on pavement, rocks, grass, and glass in Melissa's case. (poor stroller) We only had one injury of me slicing my knuckle, and one time running past our turning point...only put us a couple blocks out of the way. And there were many honks and hollars along the way. But we did it! I accomplished my New Years goal (which never really happens because I usually set my goal as something like 'learn a new recipe') I am very proud of myself and glad that I held strong through it all. How many of you can say you have run across a state? Go ahead, make it your goal as well. You see parts of the state that you would never have seen otherwise. I hope this isn't the last state I run across :)

(boy I'm not nearly as graceful looking as Kaitie)

Children's Museum

Nick had his exams coming up so he needed to be at school all day.  So Cole and I took advantage of a Saturday and headed to the Children's Museum. It was so cool!!

 They had a section for children 4 and younger, so we played there for awhile. She pretty much thought it was the best ever.

 The museum has there 'back pack' type things of different animals and bugs. She was the ladybug.

 Here she is trying to climb up the slide. Sliding is her favourite thing to do at the park, next to swinging.

 In the construction zone. Made a new friend named Clover, 13 months.

 A large light brite. She would pull them all out and this little 18 month old boy would put them back in. They had a system going.

 Probably her favourite section was the water section; also my least favourite section because I couldn't keep anything out of her mouth. I made sure there was chlorine in the water, but still. That's disturbing. PS aren't those little smocks the cutest thing ever?

And finally the garden area. She loved to play in the sand and only 1 handful of sand got in her mouth! That's a plus for me. Overall we had the best day and sad Nick couldn't make it. Can't wait to do the Baltimore Aquarium with her! We heard it is one of the best in the US!

April 26th

We had a birthday party for Colette and her little friends on Thursday. There were about 25 people there and it was a great time! The kids screamed and ran around, the adults tried to communicate over their noises, and we all had some cupcakes! It was going to be outside in the park (so the kids could actually run around) but due to possible rain and the chill factor, we opted for in our house. She had the BEST time and when I put her to bed that night I was trying to image what she was thinking. I know she loved it!

 She started her day with her favourite breakfast- Pancakes and apple juice! Then we went to have her pictures taken. She was a star there and smiled the whole time.

 When daddy got home we opened presents.

 Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled :)

 Then we got ready for the party in her new birthday pants.

 A few of those crayons were bitten and ended up in her diaper the next day. No one parties like a one year old.

Had a tasty birthday cupcake and she loved everybit of it. She even had two! What the heck, you only turn one, once :)

One year older and wiser too

Colette is now officially one year older. What are her favourites you may ask?

-loves being outside.

-loves to try anything and everything mommy and daddy are eating

-loves bath time

-loves pulling all the cans, tupperware, pots, bagged food, out of where it goes and onto the floor

-loves climbing on the couch and watching tv

-goes to bed awesome

-eats anything that is ground up.

-has 6 teeth

-walks on knees and feet

-hates having her fingernails clipped

-loves being read to

-waves hi and bye

-loves other babies and strangers. Will crawl to anyone

-gives kisses

We are so blessed to have such a great baby!

Happy Birthday Colette

My baby girl is one year old today! I can't believe a year has gone by. This motherhood thing is going by fast. Happy birthday Colette!

1, 2, Step

Ok, this took a little longer than we thought. And we think the hold up was that she learned to 'walk' on her knees so there was no reason to learn how to use her feet.  But two days ago she decided that it might be easier to walk on her feet and she has been walking like a charm every minute of every day since. So proud of our little nugget!

Our First Home!

Picture 1: The drive to Baltimore. It is a really nice drive! Once you get past NY the roads are nice, the trees are pretty, and there isn't much traffic. Baltimore is actually a prettier city than one would think. I am very excited to start exploring it.
Picture 2: The front of our house! Yeah! Nick and I decided to get a new black mailbox, front light, and paint our door black. Nick says he will paint the cornice black as well, but we will see how that goes. Oh and in case you wished to know; the houses on each side of us have a stone veneer face. It's a baltimore thing. Meaning, they are brick faced as well, but someone a long time ago thought this veneer made the house look prettier. Can't figure out why...
Picture 3: Our back yard. haha We'll we don't need a fence, but we will add another layer of cinder blocks to one side, and get those cheap, plastic panels to slip into the wire fence. Just need a little more privacy. Nick says he might want to turn it into a parking pad. We'll just have to wait and see if that is possible.

So there it is! The inspection was PERFECT. We only have 3 minor problems (as in we need a drain pipe for our gutter and to re-chaulk a corner of our tub). Everything else is really new and in great shape. By everything I mean, furnace, A/C, alarm system, vents, appliances, etc..We are very excited about that.

Technically, here in Providence, we are living in the city. We are only 1/2 mile from downtown..doesn't seem like that sometimes, but in Baltimore, we are really city living. There are perks to that, and downsides, but we are excited!! We went over to our new friends/neighbors house while down there and they are VERY excited that we are living downtown. We are only 5 backyards away from eachother! She said that she does free Yoga every Saturday morning at the Pagoda in the park...We'll see how yoga and me get along :)

For the love of them...

Is this not the best picture ever!