1st Trip to Church

Chloe had her first trip to church this morning! It went surprisingly well. I tell you what, though, babies are a magnet for the 65+ crowd. Especially, the men. Wasn't expecting that...I don't think there was a senior citizen gentleman that didn't come up to ask about Chloe. (We went grocery shopping afterward and a gentleman approached us there, too!)

As we were walking through the door of the church, one of the greeters said to Mark, 'Excuse me sir, I need  to talk to you.' Of course, this was after they asked us if we were baptizing her today. (The answer to that is no. I believe children are innocent and pure. She will be baptized when she can make that decision for herself. It's my job to help guide her in a direction where she wants to do it. Nor do I believe that baptism is a requirement for heaven...off my soap box now.)

Mark turned around and I could tell he was getting a bit defensive. The gentleman walked up and said, 'Now, you need to get a bat. Any bat will do. A nice aluminum one or a wiffleball bat works nice.' I was cracking up inside because it took Mark a while to figure out that the man was talking about keeping the boys away.

Daddy and Chloe before church.

Mommy and Chloe before church.

Chloe in her fancy dress from Aunt Ellen.

Daddy and Chloe in the sanctuary
(before the service started)

Chloe crashed after we moved to the nursery area

We tried to stay in the sanctuary but we thought Chloe was going to start fussing so we went into the nursery area. They have gliders, a changing station and colors and crayons for the older kids. The nursery is at the back of the sanctuary and has big windows for you to watch the service while you rock your baby! It's pretty neat but the speaker was right above our chair and when the quartet started singing, Chloe jumped a bit. It was pretty loud!

3 Months

Chloe, it's August 28, 2010 and you are three months old today!

You are still sleeping through the night most nights. You've had a few rough patches (I think they were growth spurts). Last night, you slept from 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. without waking up.You hate to take naps. I swear you won't miss much if you do, so please try and get some sleep during the day. You are much more pleasant when you do.


You are starting to like tummy time a little. It takes a few minutes for you to start fussing. You've rolled over a few times but now you seem to be unable to get your arm out of the way. You'll figure it out again. You're a smart girl.

You are talking a lot more now and blowing lots of spit bubbles.

You know how to grab toys now. Yesterday, you shook your rattle (very deliberately) for a few seconds before you chunked it on the ground. You love to be in a supported sitting position and sometimes when you aren't sitting up enough, you'll try and support yourself. It won't be long before you're sitting up on your own.

I try to keep you from watching the television but (as Shorty mentioned) you love, love, love Anthony Bourdain. Daddy says, 'no boys' and I tried to explain that he's an old man*.

You are not eating solids. I'm going to try to keep those off the menu until your six months old. We'll see...you might make that decision for me. One thing I've learned: there is no planning. With that being said, we plan to take you to church tomorrow for the first time ever. Please don't cry during the service!

We love you, Miss Chloe!

*comparatively speaking, I have no idea how old Anthony Bourdain is...

Things Chloe and I Learned from Our Two-Year-Old Neighbor

1. This is, and I quote, "AMAZING!"

2. Some Most things are just too darn important to waste time using the toilet to take care of business.
3. It is perfectly acceptable to ask for pancakes at lunch time.
4. Everything gets done faster with a song and a dance incorporated.
5. Sometimes you have to throw yourself on the floor and scream at the top of your lungs just to feel better.
6. The best way to have a conversation is to repeat everything the other person says in the form of a question.

Little kids are hard work but they sure are fun and funny!

What's Been Missing?

It has been nearly three years...




since we moved into this house.




We have been here exactly 979 days and...




every time we go into the kitchen...




we talk about how we need to get...




a paper towel holder.




Today we did! See?

Fashion Show

I couldn't resist having a fashion show with Miss Chloe. Shorty (my mom) made some super cute outfits for Chloe. They are still a bit big but I wanted to show off my mom's creative talents and of course, Chloe's gorgeous looks!


Thank you, Shorty! We love the new clothes. We really love the fact that nobody else will have them! You're so talented.

T.I. Double Guh. er

Bouncy Trounsy Flouncy Pouncy. Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun. But the most wonderful thing about Tigger is I'm the only one!

I used to sing this song to Chloe in my tummy because she bounced around so much. Here's a video for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about. This will make sense in a few seconds...

I got Chloe a bouncer today. I've been putting it off for a few reasons:

1. I'm cheap thrifty. There's a whole back story as to why but that's a dark rabbit hole we don't want to go down.
2. There is so much crap are so many wonderful things to buy for kids these days. My philosophy on most if it? My parents didn't have stuff like that growing up and I didn't have a lot of it either. We turned out all right...I reckon Chloe will survive without most of it ;). It builds character to make your own 'toys.' Tupperware and wooden spoons, anyone?
3. She's a few days away from 3 months old and I really don't know how long she'll enjoy a bouncer. 4 months? 6 months? I didn't want to buy it if she was only going to use it for a few weeks.

Check out these toys!

Today I decided that I didn't care. For about $30, she can kick and bounce to her hearts content! I'm glad I bought it now...she LOVES it!

They move when I hit them?

Here's a video of the action. This is probably only entertaining to me but I had to post it. Once she figured out how to make the bouncer, well...bounce...she got really into it and the looks on her face crack me up. She's concentrating soooo hard!

We were trying to do a photo shoot to showcase the cute, new outfits that my mom made for Chloe. Chloe got one outfit into it before she crashed. We'll try again later but here is one of my favorite outfits!

So sue me. I couldn't decide which picture to post so I posted them all.

In other news, Chloe is loving the 'sitting up thing' so much that we decided it was time to put her at the table with us. Mark and I started out eating dinner at the table every night when we were first married. Around the time I got pregnant, we got lazy and started eating in the living room with t.v. trays. It's important to both of us to sit at the table with our family for dinner. That's how we both grew up and it encourages communication between the family members...so Chloe is now using her high chair and we are back at the dining room table EVERY night. This picture is not at the dinner table...it's simply a photo opportunity but you get the idea!

Things That Make You Go UGH!

This is random. Being at someone else's house reminded me of two three things that drive me nuts!!

When loading utensils into the dishwasher...

They go this way.

Not this way.

Otherwise, you can stab yourself when reaching in for forks and knives. You also have to touch the part you eat with after they are clean. Nobody wants your germs on their eating utensils.

When putting dishware and glasses in the cupboard...

They go this way.

Not this way.

Otherwise, you get dust in your glasses and bowls.

I know it sounds O.C.D. but that's how I feel about it. Also, I can't put dishes into the dishwasher without thoroughly cleaning them first. If they have crust or goo on them, they do not go in the dishwasher yet. That sounds wasteful and redundant. Do what you want with your kitchen, but if you come into mine...you've been warned...that's how it goes. ha ha.

Am I alone here? What are your kitchen (or 'otherwise') quirks?

Back to School

I'm not sure about everyone else but tomorrow is the first day of school for the folks around here. Chloe doesn't have to worry about that yet but tomorrow will affect her in another way. I start watching the girls next door. I'm looking forward to it. Their youngest is two and I will be home with her all day. The oldest is seven so she will be at school most of the time. I CAN'T say that I will miss my one-on-one time with Chloe. However, I will be spending much more time with her than if I was working elsewhere. For that, I'm very thankful. Plus, I've always enjoyed being around children.

Mark starts a new job tomorrow too! First day at Google, baby. An 80 year old woman called him a pirate yesterday for wearing a Google shirt. Mark said she was 'talking crap' to him the whole time he was buying kolaches...weird and random.

We've had a rather busy day weekend. Mark and I both just got back from week long trips (thanks Shorty and Pop...we had fun AGAIN!!). So, I've been trying to do laundry and get the shopping for the week done. Mark's cousin, Scott, is in town and is staying with us. He and his wife (who, I'm sorry to say, didn't get to come) love BBQ and (according to them) where they are from the good stuff is hard to find. So, yesterday we went to Rudy's BBQ! Today, we went to Mark's parents' house for Chloe to see Nana and Professor. After we left there, we ran over to Costco for some essentials.

Doesn't sound that busy. I guess with a little one it just feels busy.

Here are some photos from the weekend.

Friday - I played too hard!

On the way to Mark's parents' house.

Nana and Chloe

The 'Grandma Glove.' It's a mitt with all kinds of fun toys attached.

Chloe and Dad

Chloe and Mom

All worn out at Nana's.

New Toys for Chloe

Two blogs in one day? See previous post: California

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Chloe has found two new things that she likes to play with:

Uncle Josh
This video is cute. Chloe is talking to Josh. Who knows what she's telling him but it is clearly important. Josh is making faces and noises at her and she jumps almost every time.



Her Hands
We've been working on the hands for a while now. She gets a little better every day. The first time she tried to 'work' her hands, she was concentrating so hard that her whole body was shaking and I thought she was having a seizure. I guess she really wants to have control of her hands!

California

Mark sent this picture tonight. He's in San Jose training for his
Google job. Tonight they went to the bay and he saw these cute little
things. I asked him to bring one home but I think it would make the
house smell a bit fishy. I wish Chloe and I were with him in CA.

I Hate Credit Cards!!

I was watching the Today show this morning and they shared this handy bit of information!

You know those annoying pre-approved credit card offers you get in the mail? I get a ridiculous amount...more than one a day. Grrrr. You can reduce the number that gets sent to you by going here.

You can opt out of pre-screened offers for five years via the Internet or permanently via snail mail. You can also 'opt in' if you change your mind. It's hard to believe that would ever happen.

I just thought a few of you might benefit from this information.

Ebates = Awesome!!

Did NOT know about this site! You get cash back for shopping online at A LOT of stores. So, if you're like me and shop online at all then you might want to check this out! Heck, if you don't shop online you might want to start!!

Silly Baby

Playtime was fun today!

First we had tummy time.

Then we chillaxed.

Next, we tried the Bumbo out...doesn't look to comfy does it?

I'm happy, though!

Then I decided it was time to eat.

Dad distracted me with the camera.

But I was still hungry.

And mom's hand tastes delicious!

Mom also told me I got a new second cousin today!

I'm in shock! When can we meet her!?

Congrats to the special family!