School Days

We decided to enroll you at St Paul's Preschool this year! You will go for a few hours two days a week. It will be a great time to be around lots of kiddos and I think you are going to have a blast. We had open house to meet your teachers last week and Tuesday was your first day of "school". I was so worried you would cry, but luckily it was a successful day and you held strong!! We are so proud of you!!

Forrest Family

Front Porch Picture

Those big hazel eyes get me every day!

You and a very proud daddy.

Walking to the car and ready to meet your teachers!

First day of school! Started with a yummy breakfast of pancakes and bananas!

Playing before school.

Found: Wild child trying to open the china cabinets...Yikes!

I had to take a quick picture of you in your classroom, but did not get to try for a better one in fear you would realize I was leaving. We did not want any tears!

Home after your first day and it was a success. The teachers said you did a great job and only got a little teary towards the end. When I walked in the room you started dancing and would not let go of me! 

As much as I want you to be a big girl, it feels good to know that you like me to be around ;)

Birthday Month

!!!!!It is your Birthday Month!!!!!! Yay for September, the coming of fall...and the big O-N-E Year for you! I have been planning your party for a couple months. Be prepared for lots of Cupcakes. Lots of Pink and Orange polka dots....and lots of fun!

It's all Happening.

A friend of mine called this morning to chat. I was folding laundry while you were toddling around, carrying ruffled bloomers in one hand and Elmo in the other. Each time you could get near you would take a piece of nicely folded laundry and pull it off the bed, shake it and throw is on the floor. All followed with a giggle.

As I multi-tasked and tried to carry on a clear conversation, she stopped me and said, "Gosh, it seems like she is doing something new everyday." And right then it hit me. How true it is. How real and honest and plain as day true this comment was. In a matter of two weeks you have gone from my little baby to my little girl. The bruises on your knees are starting to yellow and clear, while the bruises on your backside are blackening with every stumble and fall.

I get to watch your little toes grip the floor, the blades of grass, the carpet fibers. For once I get to see the  back of your knees as your legs stand straight. This little body walking around our home. The pitter patter is from my child. It is surreal.

Last week I asked you what a duck says and you looked at me and said, "Cack, Cack".

Saturday I asked you where your nose was and sure enough your little finger went right up to the tip of your nose.

There is this never ending pride in the smallest things. Things no one else in the world would care about, but to me and your daddy, its everything. And everyday, there is something new I find about you that I love, something new I learn about motherhood that I adore, and above all something else about life that I want to share with you. My little sweet thing that makes grocery shopping entertaining.

11 Months

Here we are, one more month to go and you will have a year under your wing.

First of all, I want to give you a BIG, COLLOSAL sized thank you for your wonderful new habit of sleeping all the way from 7at night until 7-7:30 in the morning. You needed it, I needed it....everyone around me needed it... ;)

You are 26 1/2 pounds and growing taller by the second. I bought a pair of 2T PJ's and they actually fit you...I couldn't believe it and I think they must be mis-sized. Your hair is starting to grow in thicker and longer each day. It is blonde just like mine was, maybe a shade darker. We are sticking bows in it any time we can. My hope is that you will not mess with them when you are older (like I said, my hope). 

Your walking skills are coming along nicely. You can walk almost across the room without falling. Sometimes you have a running pace with your tongue sticking out laughing. That usually ends in a fall. A lot of times you end up crawling because it gets you where you want to go much faster without bruises.

It is getting near impossible to get good photos because you are on the move 100% of the time. If you aren't moving you are asleep. You even bounce and giggle when you eat. Dancing and clapping is a new favorite activity. You love to dance along with Yo Gabba Gabba songs.

But most of all, at 11 months, you are the most fun, sweet, cute, hilarious little girl I could have ever imagined. I am a lucky girl to have the chance to be your momma. Happy 11 months...

Cheese!

Charley Girl.

My little flirt.

What mommy?

A face of determination.

Well, Hello there!

Yup, this is the best book ever. Especially upside down.

Look, it's Honey Bear.

He is my favorite mommy!

Loving your kitty.

The sweetest girl that I have ever met in my life. Ever.

Taking a moment.

Today while you climbed on top of Sully and preceded to use him as a stage while you bounced and danced to Yo Gabba Gabba noise; I stared at you. Watching your legs learn to work and take steps while your feet grasp the floor. Your voice create some sort of language that you are determined to teach the world through squeals and babble. Those big, round sweet eyes, that are constantly changing colors. Your little dainty profile and sweet chubby cheeks. The little blonde strands that grow in more and more each day and the way you let me decorate you with bows. I am so grateful for you. My healthy baby girl, teaching me about faith, and grace and all in a simple smile.

My sweet, sweet Charley Girl

Laughing.

Scrunchy nose smile. (I call it the daddy smile.)

The, "I am about to do something I am not supposed to, so let me look back at mommy first to see if she is watching face."

Playing with your baby dolls.

Almost there.

Sitting in your princess tent.

Reading your book. Upside down.

10 Months

You are officially into the double digits. You don't just look older, but when I say it out loud...She's is ten months old. It sounds old. 

I have noticed some specific changes in the past week:

Instead of me reading you a book once, you push the book back into your lap and want me to read it over and over. Also, you like to turn the pages. 

When I am not looking you crawl into the playroom and sit with my thick "Week by Week Baby" book and flip the pages and giggle.

There is absolutely no more sitting down or taking my eyes off of you. Zero.

Your toy cell phones have become real over night, and you have complete conversations with...well yourself.

No more baby food. You gave it up about two weeks ago. Random foods you like include salmon, couscous, cheez-its, mommies cereal.

You dance when music starts. Even when Lucy played Justin Beiber for you!

Most of all, I am noticing your interaction with the world. Your imagination is busy. 

Picking grass.

Playing with your sunglasses.

Such a ham.

Look at those teeth!

Standing with bunny.

Your attempts at walking.

A little nervous to take a step.

But so close to trying!

xoxo, momma

A girl and her Tutu.

Mommy, who is this little girl?

Fun.

Giving kisses.

Muah.

Adorable.

Hands.

Silly girl.

My world.

More kisses.

Buh Bye.

Independence Day

We drove up to the mountains for the day. It was a nice break to the 100 degree heat at home.

Mischievous little one.

Family picture with the Triplett's on the dock.

Your favorite place to be...in the water.

Chewing on anything and everything.

Auntie Patti teaching you how to swim. You are a complete water bug.

In the pond.

Tuckered out with Patti on the hammock.

Attempt at a Group Pic.