Trees

Naomi and I explored a new part of the park by Central Market today - the huge live oak tree! It is amazing we haven't walked under it before, but we are usually on our way to see the ducks and play on the bridge. Today we stopped at the tree, and Naomi saw a little girl she had made friends with climbing on it, so she wanted to climb too!

I've been thinking lately about work-life and home-life, and balance, and time and money, and all the things that come into play. Naomi was 7months old when I started working part-time - I couldn't imagine that she would ever climb on a tree!! She seems so big now. The last two days I picked her up from school early, and realized I totally interrupted her day. She was in the middle of covering herself with paint, or was next in line for the swings. In fact, Wednesday her teacher (who we love) actually said, "oh she's going to be sad that you are here, she was next in line to swing." Of course, Naomi was running over to me smiling as he said it. But still, she has her world going on these days. There is such a difference in her, that I have to remind myself that there are still so many things to be here for, and that she is still little. But I've also been reminded this past week, that working part-time isn't the same as working full-time. I have to set limits at work as to how much I can give, and be available, when many times I would love to dive in more, or take on more clients.

It is pretty cool though, that for these seasons of her life, I get to be around some extra time. This morning, before leaving the house, we drew with sidewalk chalk and painted with watercolors. When I suggested painting, she said "we paint together, mama". I get to experience her world with her, and she always invites me in to that.

Naomi's New Bed

We've been aware lately that Naomi was going to move out of a crib soon, and here it is! It was one of those good deals off craigslist, and now Naomi has a big bed -- and I mean, it feels so BIG! Partly cause her room is so small, partly cause she is so small. But she loves it - she was so excited to help put it together, and was excited to sleep in it. We picked out new sheets yesterday, and with some room rearranging it is fitting right in. She did great her first night, and even still called for us to come get like she normally did in her crib.

2 Year Update

For those of you keeping track, Naomi had her 2 year doctor's appointment on Monday.

She weighs 24 lbs, 3oz. That's the 20th percentile.
She is 33.5 inches tall. That is the 45th percentile.
Her head size is the 75th percentile.

Evidently, kids don't gain a whole lot weight in the next year, since her doctor said she might only gain 4 pounds. I think that means she'll be wearing the same clothes for the next year.

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.