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!

Happy Birthday Mark!!

A happy happy birthday (an hour late) to Mark. He turned 33 on the 28th. We had cake and presents on Friday, since he was going to be out on the actual day of. A chocolate hazelnut cake I've been wanting to make for him for a long time now, because it has an entire jar of Nutella in it. And he now has his own permanent copy of the book "How to Grow More Vegetables."

I had all these ideas of what to post about him, or a find a cool picture, or something about him and Naomi. But really? He just rocks. I am really really lucky to be in his life, and that he is my kid's dad. Naomi really lucked out too. Have a happy birthday, and a wonderful next year. We love you very very much.

Gardener

I realize that until yesterday, it had been a month since I've posted anything. But the picture to the left really pretty much sums the last month up!

Ahhhhhhh!!!

There is just no other word. A few weeks ago, we added a potty to the bathroom - a Naomi sized one just to introduce the idea of her using the potty to her. She likes to sit on it, pretend when one of us in there, and then the high point is getting toilet paper. But nothing really happens. One night, she asked to sit on the potty, sat, but then ran around the house naked until she actually peed in the dining room. I picked her up, took her into the bathroom and we all talked about how that is pee, and you can go in the bathroom. But tonight, in the middle of diaper changing and pajamas, Naomi asked to sit on the potty. I almost said no - cause I thought she was stalling. But realized that's not a request I want to deny right now. And then she actually went! We are so proud.

New Ways to Play

At Central Market this afternoon I walked over to find Naomi hanging from the bar above the small slide. Um, when did she start this? And earlier today, we played ring around the rosie -- and when I was tired, she played with her baby.