More fun with Grandma Judy

By the second week of Grandma Judy's stay we had developed a daily routine. First thing in the morning we would wake up, open the curtains, and say good morning to the world. Once Grandma had her coffee we would snuggle under her warm covers and read stories- it was my favorite time of day!!! After half a dozen stories and breakfast we would sit on my bedroom floor and put on our makeup.


Despite my extra love and attention poor Grandma's leg was still hurting after her first week in Ohio so we left her at home for some peace and quiet while we went to the Zoo with our friends Ashlyn and "boy" Riley. I was SO excited- it was my first time going to the Zoo with friends my age!!!

The weather was sunny and warm, so even Macie enjoyed the surroundings.

After stopping by my favorite animals and having a fun picnic with my friends we packed up and went home to check on Grandma. While we were gone she got some rest and was ready for an outing so we took her to the grocery store. Upon Mommy's request Grandma got a motorized cart, and I was lucky enough to call shotgun before anyone else.

We had a blast cruisin' through the grocery store but don't think the world is ready for Grandma Judy to be driving one permanently...

Back at home the family relaxed in the family room and tried to help Macie learn to feed herself. It was a frustrating experience as you will see in the video- instead of reaching out and grabbing her snacks she leans forward and bites them out of your hand. Mom doesn't know what to do next...

Macie has grown quite fond of Grandma's crutches over the past week. Every time she walks by Macie makes a grab for them-for some odd reason they absolutely fascinate her...

With Grandma's trip quickly coming to an end I decided we needed to get in as much reading as possible- good thing Grandma enjoys books because we probably read over 100 throughout the duration of her trip. On sunny days we would spend time out on the porch.










It felt good sitting outside in the warm sun and now that Macie is old enough, and able to sit on her own, she is able to join us outside for playtime.







It was a perfect time for Grandma to come visit us because Macie is developing each and every day. She is right on the verge of crawling, but seems to find less strenuous ways to move about the house. We joke that she is lazy, but maybe she is just conserving energy for other things. Her babbling is beginning to sound less and less like gibberish and starting to resemble English.



Grandma has been working on helping her talk but so far the only thing that Macie has repeated is "uh oh." It sounds pretty funny as she repeats it over and over throughout the day.

I have heard it said that you become like those around you- after hearing Macie's new laugh I don't think anyone can argue with that school of thought.

As much as Grandma didn't like being immobile I took full advantage of her predicament. We played play doh, princesses, blocks, and all sorts of fun games that I usually have to beg Mom to play.

By the end of Grandma's stay her leg was feeling much better thanks to love and attention, and I had become quite good on crutches. Check me out as I walk through the house on my own:

Before Grandma Judy had to head back to California on the airplane she mustered up enough strength to push crutch through the grass and push me on the swings.

We dropped Grandma off at the airport and they house suddenly felt empty. My playmate was gone and I was back to pestering Mom and Macie 24/7.

Aunt Hayley came home early from school the following day and sensed the tension around the house. She suggested that we all get out and go on an outing to the mall. It was lots of fun and Macie sat in the sit-n-stand for the first time in the sit n stand without an infant seat!

It seems like yesterday that Mom and Dad brought Macie home from the hospital. The family can't believe how quickly time has flown by- soon she will be chasing me around the house and calling me by name.

This coming weekend we have lots of fun things planned; we are going to "touch a truck" with my friends and then Grandpa Jerry and Cindy are coming to town!!! Check back for an update on the fun we are going to have...

A birthday, a broken leg, and a whole lot of crazy...

After Easter our activities around the house substantially decreased. We spent most of our time hanging out with Macie, working on her skills.

As you can see she has NO problem sitting on her own now and has developed great balance (I should know, I am always trying to find sneaky ways to knock her down-fortunately for her large size and strength I rarely succeed).

She is a lot more fun now that she sits up all the time. She has become more of a playmate than a spectator.

Last weekend I went to the Big Red Barn with Dad while Mom, Macie and Aunt Hayley went to Costco. When they picked us up we had purchased a new addition to my already large repertoire of outdoor transportation; a scooter!

The scooter Dad bought me was awesome! I have to wear a helmet to be safe, its one of my new big kid rules, but I have already taken a few spills and am sure glad I had it on!

Since Macie is getting so big Mom decided she REALLY needs to learn to eat like a big girl! We placed her in my high chair and the outlook was promising...

I ate my own banana while watching her try and pick up the banana slices we had placed in front of her. She couldn't seem to understand how to get the food from her hand to her mouth, but did a great job of making a big mess everywhere.

After many attempts at teaching her to use her hands and failing we tried a fork- unfortunately that was unsuccessful as well. At least she enjoyed banging the fork on the tray, it provided some much needed entertainment to lighten the mood.

A warm front moved into town towards the middle of the month giving us no excuses to be cooped up indoors. I took advantage of the weather by riding my scooter around and around the front yard. My neighbor Caroline leaned how to ride a big girl bike and I was envious of her. My scooter no longer seemed like the cool thing to be doing, so I informed the family that I was ready to ride my bike.

Mom pulled my bike down from the garage and let me give it a try. Here I am on my VERY FIRST big girl bike ride (with training wheels).

Mom and Dad were super proud of me and genuinely impressed that I did so well my first time out. They are now determined to get rid of my training wheels by the end of summer...

Although the weather remained nice and warm Mom had some sewing to do, so I tore up the backyard on my own while Macie sat inside watching mom make tutu's. She loved playing with the tulle, and was quite the helper.

When the weekend came John flew in from Wisconsin to visit Aunt Hayley. It was fun having a buddy in the house and we all took a walk around our neighborhood to enjoy the beautiful sun.

That Monday we celebrated Aunt Hayley's 28th birthday! The whole family took her out to our favorite Sushi place, Edamame, and we all ate like pigs until we were too full to move. Back home I had to go straight to bed, but Macie tells me that Mom, Dad, and Jack all sang Happy Birthday to Aunt Hayley.

I don't mind missing the birthday song, but after seeing this picture I am bummed that they left me out of the cake festivities. Come one guys- that's just NOT FAIR!

A couple nights later Mom got a phone call from her Aunt Pam and we learned that Grandma Judy had a skiing accident and broke her leg. At that moment our extended plans were up in the air. Mom toyed with the idea of taking us out to California to help Grandma Judy recover, but knew that our crew taking over her house may be more intrusive and overwhelming than helpful. After lots of coercing on Mom's part it was settled, Grandma Judy was going to to come visit us in Ohio!

I was SUPER excited at the prospect of helping Grandma heal her leg and promised to be a great nurse. While Mom got the house ready for Grandma Macie and I played with my kitchen. The fruits and veggies turned out to be perfect for improving her hand and eye coordination, and before long she was picking everything up.

Practice in my kitchen has given e confidence to work in the big kitchen with Mom. I have to follow some basic rules, but am allowed to be on my own. Sometimes I make a bit of a mess, but I always have a good time...

A few days later Grandma Judy flew into town and I couldn't have been more excited to see her. The whole family woke up bright and early and went outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather.

We soaked up the warm sun and helped Grandma relax in the front yard. Grandma did some reading while I showed off the Grandma by riding ALL of my toys from the garage- the cozy coupe, both tricycles, my scooter, and my big kid bike. Grandma was sure impressed.

Once I became bored with my toys I tried out her crutches- they weren't nearly as fun as they looked and I have decided that I will not be using them anytime soon (Mom is grateful that I have made that decision).

Being injured allowed Grandma to spend a lot of quality time with Macie as she was forced to stay seated (something new for Grandma). She used some of the time to begin teaching Macie "so big". Macie kept laughing and laughing as she raised her arms to the sky,

Over the next couple of days I took care of Grandma Judy and the family spent a lot of time catching up. Thanks to help from Grandma Macie learned how to do "so big" all by herself:

I made sure to take full advantage of Grandma being here to play in the back yard. Together we built castles in the sand, and believe it or not, Grandma Judy was even able to push me on the swing!




When the weekend came around again it was time to go to the pool! Grandma's leg was still sore and unable to be submerged in the water, so Dad and I went solo. Check out my new bathing suit with a tutu (apparently a tutu is my signature piece of apparel as I am called "Tutu Riley" around town- Mom rarely lets me leave home without one).

Macie and I are having tons of fun with Grandma Judy. We get to spend lots of quality time with her, and aren't rushing around having to do things. She sits and reads me all my princess books and even supervises as Macie and I while we play with our toys.

Mom said that Grandma's injury came at a good time because she is able to see Macie at a special time in her life when she is growing leaps and bounds.

She is currently working on making all sorts of noises, and as of recent has begun making noises that sound disgustingly similar to that of a fart:

Grandma is going to be staying with us for another whole week and we are looking forward to all sorts of fun activities. Macie is getting closer and closer to crawling with everyday and may even learn before Grandma leaves. Check out her current way of moving around (continuous rolls), personally I think it takes WAY more effort to roll around as Macie does, but you can be the judge..

Mom and Dad better watch out because as soon as Macie becomes mobile I will have a partner in crime...

Easter did not Disappoint

With Easter right around the corner Mom was busy running around town- luckily that meant I got to go out in public and show off my style:



Since the sun has been shining lately I find it hard to remain indoors. While Mom is busy tending to the household chores I am given free rein to run amok in the yard. Aside from playing in the sand, swinging on the swings, and chasing the dogs, I have a new favorite activity- jumping with Jax. I didn't think that Mom knew about my new hobby but I guess she has been spying on me through the window. Somehow she managed to get evidence that I am the one responsible for the paw prints on the trampoline. I have denied any knowledge for quite some time, but apparently Mom has been watching as I call him up to jump with me...

While I am out in the yard Macie spends time in the kitchen with Mom. Right now the family is trying to introduce her to the idea of a sippy cup, but she only holds it and tosses it around.



I guess all the time in the Bumbo has familiarized Macie with sitting and encouraged her to try it on her own. She is learning how to balance enough to sit up on her own- sometimes she gets wobbly and falls, but Mom says that we can officially call her a "sitter" now.



Lately the weather has been warm enough for the whole family to hang out on the deck. Mom still has Macie sit in her Bumbo when she is on the deck because she is nervous about all the debris outside, but Macie doesn't seem to mind as long as she is a part of the fun!



The best new thing to happen to me lately is Mom placing a step stool at the base of the trampoline. I think she finally gave in after all my badgering throughout the day to "put me on the trampoline," and this allows me to come and go as I please and I love it!!! I am glad that she trusts me with this new level of responsibility.

As you can see I am in no need of help from anyone (or in need of clothes for that matter- it has been too warm!)

Now my only dilemma is needing help to start swinging. I can pump once I get a couple of big pushes, but still have a hard time getting in the groove- I call for Mom to push me about 50 times a day- she wants to invent a mechanism that gets the swing moving because if it were up to me I would swing all day!!





I am not the only one enjoying the outdoors- check out how much Macie loves to play on the deck with me. Mom has succumbed to the reality that Macie is going to be exposed to all sorts of gunk both inside and out and has comprised by setting down blankets on the deck for her to lay on.



On days spent indoors Macie and I like to hang out with each other. Sometimes we play games, but other times we just sit and laugh together.



As much fun as we were having, I was still eager for the holiday weekend to arrive, and when it did I was ecstatic! I woke up Saturday to a wonderful surprise- Uncle Will had come to visit us from California, and to celebrate the whole gang went to the Zoo.

Mom dressed Macie and I in our matching spring dresses and we impressed the crowds at the Zoo. After visiting our favorite animals we enjoyed some of the Easter festivities. One of my favorite things was visiting the Easter Bunny!!

Macie enjoyed him so much that she didn't want to leave.

After hanging out with the Easter Bunny we got to watch a special pet show and learned about all types of exotic animals. It was not nearly as fun as the normal pet show, but it was definitely educational.

We all had an awesome time at the Zoo, and I LOVED spending time with my family.

Back at home we dyed Easter eggs in preparation for the Easter Bunny.

I did a really great job, and managed to not make too big of a mess for Mom!!! While I was busy picking out the color scheme for my newest batch of eggs Macie talked up a storm...

Both of us really enjoyed the egg dying project, and I couldn't wait to leave them out for the Bunny because I knew he would be impressed with my skills as an artist.

Later that night we threw Uncle Will a surprise party! It was super fun setting up the house and cooking him a special meal while he was out with Aunt Hayley. When they came home for dinner we jumped out and yelled "surprise!" The best part of the whole night was seeing the shock and surprise on his face- he had NO idea!!!

We had a great time celebrating but I had a tough time waiting for the best part- the cake!!!

That night I had a difficult time falling asleep- not only was my belly overly full of cake and goodies, but I was too excited about the upcoming Easter Fun! I woke up early, very eager to find the basket of goodies rumored to have been left by the Bunny the night before. Mom re-directed my attention by letting me watch a special movie in my bedroom while she made a pancake breakfast in the kitchen. I stayed focused on The Little Mermaid for about 40 minutes, but couldn't wait much longer so I headed downstairs. I was told that once everyone in the house was awake we could get the party started. Once I had managed to gather the whole crew we sat down for Easter breakfast and even Macie joined in the feast. She had a few bites of the banana walnut pancakes, but didn't seem to enjoy any eggs or fruit from the table.



When we were all finished with our feast Mom moved the partition that was blocking the doorway and I ran wild into the family room to see what treasures were waiting for me to unveil.

Can you believe all the great goodies the Bunny left for the family?!?!?!

Once I was done opening my basket the family all sat on the couch and opened their Easter Baskets. To Mom's surprise her basket contained some interesting items that the "bunny" had not put there- check out the awesome "bumpits" that she found (thanks to Aunt Hayley). All three of us tried them out, and BOY do we look Jerseylicious!



When we were all finished opening our baskets the Easter Egg hunt began. There were eggs all over the backyard and I frantically ran through the yard trying to find every last one.

Here I am mid-jump trying to snatch the egg out of the tree. I guess the Bunny thought I had go-go gadget legs or something because that egg was pretty high.

Aunt Hayley and Will joined me in the hunt and helped me find the tricky ones.

Mom watched as I picked up the hard boiled ones and threw them back down stating that "I only want the ones with the treats inside." Unfortunately those words hit a little to close to home for Mom- I guess she used the same logic with Grandma Judy and Pa when she was little.

While I was busy finding the 40+ eggs in the yard, Macie had an Easter egg hunt of her own.

When all the eggs were found I sat at my picnic table and surveyed my lot...

Mom put a stop on my candy binge just before I OD'd, and encouraged me to take baby Annie for a ride in my new stroller I got form the bunny.



By mid day we were all exhausted from the long morning of fun and food so we took naps.
All of us woke refreshed and ready for some more holiday fun so Mom dressed Macie and I in our dresses and had a photo shoot!

Dad and Mom couldn't believe how cute the two of us looked together, and Dad said this was his favorite Easter yet, as he got to spend it with both his girls!

While the turkey dinner was finishing up in the oven the family took an Easter stroll around the block so that I could push my baby in the stroller.



Despite protest from most parties (using the camera timer was a big pain) involved we took a group shot to document our first Easter together as a family.



Back at home Mom set the table and put the finishing touches on dinner. While Mace slept Dad and I spent some quality time together playing my new favorite game Big Buck Hunter. I am getting quite good with a rifle and Uncle Shawn may not be the sharp shooter of the family any more...

Macie didn't nap long, and was soon back in the mix having fun with the rest of the family. Listen to her silly laugh, it sounds like she is hyperventilating...

When dinner was finally ready I said grace for the family before we dug into the turkey feast Mom had prepared!!!

I was disappointed when I learned that Mom had not created an Easter desert- she claimed we had all eaten enough sugar throughout the day, but I disagreed and boy am I glad I did because she let me take a big bite of my chocolate bunny.

Going to bed did not take much coercing from Mom and Dad- I was exhausted from all the holiday fun. I had a very special Easter with my family and am grateful for all the blessings we have been afforded.

The coming weeks are promising to be warm and sunny so the family is looking forward to more outdoor fun. We have heard that Ohio is most beautiful in the spring and can't wait to see it for ourselves.