It's been a while

Summer is at the other computer right now pretending to type.  She is getting so big.  She especially loves to play with the mouse.  The other day I let her click through some pictures on the computer and she loved it.  The only problem was she wanted to start pushing all kinds of buttons rather than the one that clicks through the pics.  So, I had to put an end to her fun before she messed something up.  I tried to tell her to just push the one button, but she is 1 1/2 so that didn't go over very well.  :)

She is saying all kinds of words and sentences now.  Unfortunately I can't understand it all.  She can pretty much say anything, but she is not too good with S's.  She said her name for the first time last weekend - "ummer."  One of her favorite things to say is "I on play"  (I want to play).  I guess she isn't to good with W's either.  It is cute to hear her talk though.  She's a rowdy girl.  I guess she gets it from Clint - NOT.  She definitely gets it from me.  I'm not sure if it is a good thing or bad thing, but probably the latter.

She's climbing too - on everything.  She is my little monkey. 

My dad moved out last weekend.  I was sad to see him go, but I guess it was time.  We sure do miss him, but he doesn't live too far away so I'm sure we will still get to see him a lot.  He is watching Summer tomorrow while Clint and I take our real estate exam so we can get our licenses.  I can't wait until that is over.  Yesterday was our last day of school.  Thank goodness!!!!!  I thought it would never end.  I hear some noise in the other room, so I better go see what she is into now. 

18 Months Old Today

It is hard to believe Summer is a year and a half old now.  The time has gone by so fast!  She caught a stomach bug or something Sunday night.  When she got up on Monday morning, just before my first day in real estate school, she had thrown up in her sleep sometime.  It wasn't really bad, but I could smell it on her and it was on her shirt and sheets.  Just great, huh?  I got her bed stripped and the laundry started before leaving.  She only spat up once while we were gone that day.  My dad kept her for us and had dinner almost ready when we got home.  She was in a good mood when I walked through the door and I played with her a little bit.  Then it happened - projectile vomiting!  Did I say gross?  Because - GROSS!  Clint helped me clean it up and then we ate.  A little bit after that, there she went again.  Except on the hardwood floors this time and not the carpet - thank goodness!  She didn't eat or drink very much at all that day, but since then she has been fine.  She ate well today and has not thrown up anymore.  YEAH!!!!!!!!  Well, I didn't mean to gross you out, but I wanted to document this since it is the first time she has really been sick...at least that I can remember.  I am just glad she is feeling better.  I am hoping my dad will be able to baby sit more this week because my sister and her son (who was going to help out) are also sick.  :(  I hope everyone gets feeling better soon...especially my sister. 

I am not going to get to take her for her 18 month shots for another week since Clint and I are both in school.  I am anxious to see how much she weighs.  I am also curious as to how tall she is and I need to make sure to mark her height on the wall tonight before I put her to bed. 

Well, I am off to my first belly dancing class.  It should be interesting!  To say the least....

Trick or Treat

Last night we took Summer to the mall to Trick or Treat.  She had a good time and didn't even mind wearing her costume.  She wasn't too sure about walking up to people and getting stuff put in her pumpkin until she realized it was candy.  Then she got really excited.  She would sit down in the floor when she wanted to pick out of piece of candy for us to open.  It was so cute.  People kept saying, "Look at the bunny!"   She was scared of the witch at the Hallmark store and Clint said she jumped when she saw her.  I was busy trying to capture her trick-or-treating their and missed it.  It was fun for us all and I am glad we decided to go. 

Of course we let her play on the playground before we left.  She kept saying "play" when we were going through the mall.  She knew what was coming.  She really enjoys the playground they have there and I must say it is really nice.  I can't wait until Wednesday.  We are going to a friend's neighborhood to let Summer trick-or-treat a little more.  Not that she needs anymore candy... 

Tag! I’m it!

Sunny tagged me for a meme!

4 jobs I've had: 1. Lifeguard at a state park.  2. Subway  3. bartender at several different bars  4. Contract specialist at UnumProvident

4 movies I could watch over and over: 1. Dirty Dancing  2.  Tombstone  3. Shag the Movie  4. Legends of the Fall

4 TV shows I watch:  1. Desparate Housewives  2. Brothers and Sisters  3. Grey's Anatomy  4. Sesame Street...LOL

4 places I have lived: 1. Trenton, GA  2. Kennessaw, GA  3. Soddy Daisy, TN  4. Chattanooga, TN

4 foods I love: 1. Lasagne  2.  Bean burritos from Las Margaritas  3. Chicken wings from Outback  4. dessert - preferebly chocolate  ;)

4 favorite colors: Pink, Purple, Aqua, Black

4 places I would love to be right now: 1. Mexico   2. On a beach   3. Las Vegas  4. Movies

4 names I love but could/would not use for my children: 1. Caprice  2. Romeo  3. Casanova  4. Reita

I am tagging: Amy

My little thinker

Summer is really into figuring things out right now.  She has figured out how to open doors...even the door to the balcony from the outside which is higher than inside....MUST LOCK DOORS NOW!!!  She also likes to buckle things.  Such as my camera bag, her stroller lap belt, highchair buckles -- pretty much anything that buckles or snaps into place.  She can buckle them, but she can't unbuckle them yet.  We are working on that, but she will need a little more strength to get some of them unbuckled.  It is not unusual to walk up on her trying to buckle or unbuckle any of these things.  She is very curious as to how things work and does a pretty good job of figuring things out.

She knows where the tissues are kept and loves to take them out one at a time and then shred/spread them on the living room floor...LOL.  Oh yeah, and I have a garbage full of toilet paper too from where she keeps getting a roll out and then "rolls" my house.  Too bad there are no trees in our condo! 

I have found her on two separate occasions with ink on her belly.  Yes, my girl's an artist!  I'm just glad she hasn't started on the walls yet.  She will scribble on any piece of paper she can get her hands on.  Oh, and let's not forget books.  Oh yeah, and CARPET!!!  Luckily it does not show up on our carpet.  :) 

She really gets into everything.  But, lucky me, she is also a happy and good spirited little girl (yes, LITTLE GIRL) when she is not testing me.  I have noticed the past few days she has started to test me to see if I really mean what I say.  And I am proud to say, that I am sticking to my word.  I did put her down for a nap the other day when she spilled all her ponytail holders out on the floor a second time and would not pick them up.  I told her to pick them up and even tried to help her, but she didn't believe me.  Hopefully, she will learn to obey sooner than later.  I know she is not even 1 1/2 yet, but she does understand what I say.  That I am sure of. 

She knows how to throw things in the garbage and obeys most simple commands.  She knows what ice cream is - of course.  It is funny to see her reactions when you tell her or ask her something.  It is easy to see if she means Yes or No.  I am still reinforcing the "Yes Ma'am" and "No Ma'am" and she tries to say them.  She did learn the word no about a week and a half ago.  She has not used it repeatedly yet though so I am still feeling good about that. 

She really is a good girl.  And I love her so much.  I don't know what I would do without her in my life.  She is truly a source of happiness that I treasure every day.

A Windy Week at the Beach

We are at the beach this week in Savannah, GA.  It has been windy every day and it actually rained a bit today.  There is a play ground about a block away from our townhouse which has been really nice for Summer.  We have taken her to play on it every morning and she is really enjoying it. We went to the library today for story time which was a first for myself and Summer.  She did not really pay attention to the book, but she did like the songs.  It was the first time she actually stomped her feet during the song "If You're Happy and You Know It."  She is still not a big fan of the beach.  It doesn't help that it is windy as can be, but I did finally get her to sit on her towel and play with the shell-covered sand (broken shells...).  She did that for a good thirty minutes or so before we decided to head back in.  Actually the reason we headed in was because I noticed sand in her ear from all the wind blowing I guess.  I tried to get her to wear a hat, but she refused so we headed back to our rental.  She will not put her feet in the sand at all.  Oh well....

My best friend and her family are down here so there are two other kids Summer's age for her to play with.  That has been fun for Summer too.  I, of course, am happy to just be at the beach.  I wish we were able to get in the pool for a bit, but so far the sun has not really been on my side.  We are going sightseeing tomorrow so that should be fun.  My in laws are down here with us and they, along with Clint, have been enjoying the bikes that came with our rental.  We went for a walk tonight after dinner and it was nice.  We even walked out to the beach even though it was dark and still very windy.  I hope tomorrow brings the sun, but the weatherman is calling for rain.

Everyday there are so many precious moments with Summer.  Today we sat on the porch and had a snack.  She tried to get some of my granola bar, but was not successful even though she did say please.  I know she was just trying to eat mine before she ate hers so she could have more.  She did eat her own and it was cute to watch her take a big bite and then not really be able to chew it up since she does not have back teeth (although her 1st molar did pop through yesterday).  So, she would suck on it and try to backwash into, I mean drink my tomato juice to wash it down.  LOL  Her upper lip had a mustache from the juice which I, sadly, did not get a picture of.  We were both sitting in our own chairs at the patio table, and she tried to prop her feet up on the table which she must have seen me do before....TOO CUTE!!!  Her legs barely reached the table.  Then she decided to show me what a big girl she is, so she stood in her chair.  It made me a little nervous, but I try to let her be herself unless I know she is in direct danger.  I don't want to constantly be telling her NO, so I pick my battles.  But, I do tell her NO when she needs to hear it.  Thankfully, she still has not learned to say the word no yet.  Maybe it is because I say "No Ma'am" and that 2nd word is a little tricky....maybe she's just good like that.  She did shake her head at me the other day for the 1st time.  She has only done it the one time so I am not bothered by that.  It was just another cute thing I can add to my list that she has done. 

She seems to do cute things all the time.  Clint and I are so lucky to have her to brighten our day.  Even when he is not feeling good, she can bring a smile to his face.  When I am frustrated, she can change my mood completely with just a little silliness.  Of course, sometimes she is the one frustrating me....LOL.  But, I guess that is just part of being a mom.  As your child grows up, they will test you and see what they can and cannot do around you.  They will see if you really mean what you say or not.  They will try to get their way with whining and sometimes clever tricks.  It is so important to be consistent, and that is my goal with Summer.  I want her to know I mean what I say.  I want her to obey and respect me and Clint and other people.  I hope I am going about it the right way, but it is hard to know.  It is hard to always do what you know it best, but I try.  Only time will tell how good of a job I am doing.

Summer likes to go on walks and/or outside.  Sometimes Clint and I take her out together, sometimes we do it separately.  My mom and Tre also like to take Summer for walks at times.  We will live in a nice place for walking.  Pretty much everything is within walking distance so we can go to the park, playground, aquarium, ice cream shop, or wading pools on a whim.  Summer and I go strolling some mornings when I feel like I need some exercise.  We walk up the hills and run down them which is fun for us both.  On the way down the hills, I will yell "Wheee" and Summer will kick her feet and laugh.  She is usually eating some breakfast and drinking milk during our morning trips. 

She is still eating good.  About the only baby food she still really likes is Delmonte Spaghetti.  Today she had a half a plum and pop-tart with milk for breakfast.  We had our snack of granola bar and tomato juice a little later.  Then she had green beans (one of her favorite foods), diced tomatoes (also favorite), corn, part of a porcupine (Nona's special recipe w/ ground beef and rice) and a little of a broccoli/carrots/cheese jar wiashed down with strawberry milk.  One food she still will not eat is mashed potatoes.  Other favorite foods are cantaloupe, cheese,  and cookies/cake/ice cream -- of course -- she does take after me.

I think she is looking more like me...at least every one keeps saying so.  Her hair is about 5 different shades of blonde and it is getting longer so I can pull it up into little pony tails or waterfalls.  She usually pulls the ponytail holders out shortly after I put them in if I don't distract her right away with something more interesting.  But, if I do, she still discovers they are there before too long and pulls them out.  She is just too cute to get mad at, so I just try and try again. 

Oh, I hope I never forget all these precious moments, but I'm sure I will forget at least a few. 

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This would not update yesterday when I tried, so I have more to add now.

Swimming in the pool with Summer is always fun.  Well, maybe not always.  We have made some good memories though.  She is not afraid of the water which is good and bad.  She likes to stand on my aunts steps and go up and down them, but she gets brave and sometimes tries to go a little too deep.  If I don't keep my eye on her constantly, she will be under the water in seconds.  The funny thing is she isn't really scared when you pull her up out of the water...I guess it's not that funny.  She likes to jump off the side of the pool, I just have to make sure I am there to catch her.  Sometimes she likes to play on the float, but ONLY when SHE wants to!  She is still not too fond of floating on her back, but she likes to "swim" around with my hands supporting her.  She's a little fish!

I might have mentioned this before, but I can't remember.  We have a membership at the aquarium which is about a block away from our condo, so we go there a lot.  She likes to run through it now that she is a big girl.  No more stroller dwelling for her there.  She wants to be able to go look at what she wants, when she wants.  She especially likes the tank where you can pet the sharks & rays.  She doesn't pet them though.  Probably because she scares them off with all the splashing she does...LOL.  Last Sunday we went with Willow and her parents which was fun.  The girls held hands through parts of it....it was TOO CUTE!  Summer also got to hold a butterfly which was neat and a first for her.

Her latest thing is shoes...the girl MUST have her shoes.  She tries to put them on herself and is even successful with one at times.  It is really cute.  SOMETIMES.  She gets frustrated if she can't get her shoes (or mine) on her foot.  Then the whining starts, but if I don't buy into it she will stop.  The shoe thing is cute though.  I'm glad she is like that now especially since the cooler weather is on its way and we won't be able to go outside barefoot much longer.

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