Wind

This weekend we spent out at a ranch near Dallas, at an annual family reunion of Mark's. It was perfect weather, warm but windy. Mark was with Naomi and asked her if she could feel the wind. She held out her hands for a while, then closed one and brought it to her face, and said "I'm eating it!" When Mark asked her what the wind tasted like, she said "It tastes like ice cream!"

Birth Day

On Naomi's actual birthday I took the day off, and had a special day with Naomi. She has been well celebrated, but I like the idea of taking the actual day and doing something special together.

We started off at Elsi's for breakfast - she had a breakfast taco and I had their central breakfast (eggs, black beans, plantains, sourcream). Then we headed to the zoo!

On the way there, Naomi called from the backseat -- I have a mustache! (Can you tell we've been playing with Mr Potatohead?).

Naomi told me before we went in that she wanted to see a Peacock. We saw peacocks and tigers, as well as laughed at monkeys and talked to sheep and goats. We also rode the train. It was a good day, that ended in another batch of cupcakes -- she got birthday cake afterall!

It is exciting to see all the things that Naomi is exploring and doing these days. She talks about her friends, she plays on her own, she loves to dance and invite Mark or I into her projects. I hear "Come on, mama" all day long, and we dance or play legos, or watch Elmo. She really loves us, and we really love her.

Its a Party

We had a gathering for Naomi on Saturday, that included Mark's family (Naomi's cousins) and her friends and their families from church. We grilled, the kids played in the water, and everyone enjoyed cupcakes and ice cream. Naomi has really been into birthdays, in fact on her actual birthday she woke up and asked for birthday cake and a party.

It was so special to have her cousins and friends over to play. Naomi loves all of them, and talks about them all the time! We are thankful she has such cool people in her life!

Happy 2nd Birthday Naomi!

And, we're off!

Vacation! We are on vacation this week. Yay!! We've spent this weekend part at our niece Abby's 8th birthday party and just being at home. Tomorrow we head out to Fort Davis to hike, swim, and spend a few days in weather that is a high of only 90 degrees - a cool front! (Austin has been 100 for at least the last two weeks!)

Naomi's birthday is also approaching. She will be two in just over a week. This morning she sang happy birthday to Mark and I, and then when we talked about her birthday and asked her how old she was going to be, she said "2...4" and then "2...5." She has a lot to say these days. Actually, right now she is yelling from her room "OPEN...mama, mama, mama, mama..." I think she wants to open the new package of diapers. And she is singing.

Last night at church she wanted to go to the play room, but I wasn't ready and asked her to stay with me. She kept wiggling, stood up, and announced "I'm going to play now!" And now she is asking me to come on, and play hide and seek.

Summertime Already

It is defintely into summer already - 100 degree days and we're just in June! So, we try to stay cool. Last week Naomi's friend Ada came to play and swim. Naomi thinks Ada is fabulous, and talked about her friend all the next day.

Saturday, Mark and Carolyn (Mark's mom) and Naomi and I made a trip through west Texas. After her family reunion, we stopped in Dublin, Texas where the Dr Pepper plant had its 117th anniversary! We missed the cake, but got what we really wanted -- Dr Pepper floats. (Dublin still uses real cane sugar in their mix.) Dr Pepper floats from the Dr Pepper museum is one thing I miss about Waco! Naomi was way more interested in the float than the picture.

Then we headed to Gatesville, Texas and one of the few drive-ins left in the state. We took Naomi to see Kung Fu Panda - which was pretty cool. She watched it until she fell asleep. As we were waiting for the show to start, she looked at me and said "I want popcorn." What?!? This was her first movie - (apart from Pirates of the Carribean when she was a month old) - how does she know about popcorn? Well, she does now.

It was a lovely pre-father's day trip. And Sunday, we just spent a slow day at home - with pancakes.

Keeping up with Naomi

Lately, I wish I could really capture all of what new things Naomi is doing -- but it is really all in what she is saying. In the last few weeks sentences and thoughts and ideas are exploding out of her. She repeats everything we say and do.

This last week Naomi has started singing. She'll sing to her baby dolls the song I sing to her at night. She sings the ABC's -- "now I know my abcd's". And, most recently, Jingle Bells. We've also been playing hide and seek around the house - finding being the best part, because we get to scream and get excited.

Dancing Queen

This past weekend we went to Louisiana for my cousin Alex's wedding -- it was a good time. Naomi got to meet/play with lots of new cousins. I got to see my cousins and family. The wedding was really beautiful. The place was really beautiful. Oh, and Naomi danced. Alot. A whole lot. And fell in love with her Aunt Alli - she really only wanted her the whole weekend. And then she danced some more.

Slumber Party

A few weeks ago, after Naomi's friend Ellaiden's birthday party, the girls were still playing. We went looking for them to leave...and found this! Naomi and Ellaiden had climbed under the covers and were talking and giggling. It was a glimpse into the future...

Two Months Shy of 2

Over the past month or so, Naomi has been coming more and more into her self. She is so funny, talks so much, and can be so silly. She has such clear ideas about things. Today, she was back in her room, and came out with an old shoe and her Halloween costume, and asked me to help put it on. She had been rummaging in her closet. So, she ran around the backyard the rest of the evening dressed as a dragon!