For the last few months the family has continued to "baby" Macie, but now that she is no longer an infant it is time for her to take on more "responsibility." The first step in helping Macie to move forward was getting rid of her infant bathtub. She got to sit in the big girl bath for the first time and really enjoyed it!
Since Macie's bath time takes place long after I am asleep I had to hear about it rather than witness it and decided I was a little envious that I was left out. The next night I suggested that it was time Macie and I got to take a bath together.
Our sister bath time was a huge success! We had a great time laughing and playing together, and I made sure to be extra careful (I toned down my usual activities and kept my flailing to a minimum.)
Our friends and neighbors were right about all the FUN activities that come along with spring time in Ohio. Aside from the Zoo and parks, there are a LOT of community activities going on in each week. My favorite so far has been our most recent excursion to "touch a truck" with the Grezlaks. It was amazing- there were fire trucks, school buses, cop cars, book mobiles; you name it- if it was mobile it was there. The city puts on this great activity for free, and there are all sorts of food, toys, stickers, and "junk" given away. There was so much to do and see that it could keep a crazy kid like me occupied for hours.
Not only did we get to see the different vehicles, but we got to touch and explore them as well. "Boy" Riley, Ashlyn, Aidan, and I had a great time laughing and chasing one another.
Even Macie enjoyed the exciting surroundings, but her favorite part was all the attention from our friends. Ashlyn made sure Macie was never left out and Mom was really grateful!
Browsing through the fire truck was lots of fun, and since everyone in the crowd was watching I made sure to stop and pose with a picture perfect smile before jumping out (Mom has tried for years to get me to smile like that in front of the camera, but I have made sure to save the good smiles for my future fans in the crowd.)
Our next stop was at the law enforcement vehicles. Seeing me a police car made Mom a little nervous, but I promised her that if I ever rode in a cop car in the future it would only be in the front seat....
One of the coolest things I got to do was sit inside a school bus. For the last year I have begged Mom to let me take a ride on one, but have yet to succeed so this was an amazing experience.
Miss Elizabeth bravely volunteered to take Aidan, "Boy" Riley, Ashlyn, and I on the bus while Mom watched with Macie from the curb. We all waved to them through the bus windows and even posed for a picture.
It was tough to talk me off the bus as I was having SO much fun! I can't wait until I am old enough to ride one to school all by myself (Mom has warned me that riding the bus isn't nearly as adventurous in reality as it is in my head, but I think I will be the judge of that.)
After the school bus we made a pit stop at the big pink limo, and boy was it neat inside. I could get used to riding in style like that.
After stopping by the digger, tractor, ranger mobile and ice cream truck we were all getting a little restless. Miss Elizabeth and Mom decided we would wait in line to sit on the antique fire truck and then would all head out for a special lunch at Mc Donalds!
The line was longer than we would have liked, so we had to find ways to occupy our time. "Boy" Riley and I danced around together
while Ashlyn helped give Macie her bottle.
When we finally made it to the front of the line we all jumped in. I used my strength and will power to push my way to the driver's seat (surprise, surprise.)
Even Macie "sucked it up" and sat in the front seat for a ride. Mom laughs that with her pose she looks a little gangsta.
Before leaving for lunch Miss Elizabeth took a picture of Mom, Macie and I (one of the few pictures we have together.)
We had a great time at lunch with the little Grzelaks: Aidan, Riley, and Ashlyn (Miss Elizabeth and her husband Dave have 2 older sons as well for a total of 5!)
The following morning I woke up to an amazing surprise- Grandpa Jerry and Cindy had driven all the way out from Wisconsin to come visit our family! I ran straight for him and didn't want to leave his side.
It was the first time they had met Macie, and she took to him right away. The look exactly like one another, so in a way it was like Macie was looking at the male version of herself.
We spent the morning catching up with Grandpa and Cindy, and I made sure to put on a show for them!
Since ALL of our toys were strewn throughout the family room I decided to show Macie how to use some of them. One of her favorites were the drums.
After she showed interest, and got everyone's attention, I decided I needed to dominate the crowd once again. I got a little obnoxious, but Macie and I had fun!
After our much needed naps the whole family was rejuvenated and ready for some more fun. We met up with Grandpa Jerry and Cindy, and everyone (even Aunt Hayley) went out for dinner at Texas Roadhouse (Mom's favorite thanks to the extremely healthy white bread rolls with honey butter.) This was Macie's first time in a high chair at a restaurant and she did exceptionally well!!!
Throughout the whole dinner both Macie and I were on our best behavior. I ate until my little tummy ached, and Macie surveyed the new surroundings and was fascinated by all the people and action around her. Although I did flash my smile to a few people in the crowd and kept most of my attention focused on Grandpa Jerry.
After dinner the family "rolled" home and slept off our food comas. We woke early in the morning eager to wish Mom a Happy Mother's Day. I made sure to give her lots of extra love. We helped Aunt Hayley pack her car with luggage and animals (yes, Holly, Kahlua, and Jack all went with her), and we waved at her as we watched her drive away to Wisconsin (Mom says she will be gone for 2 weeks on an externship for school). The rest of the day was spent lounging with Grandpa Jerry and Cindy, and both Macie and I made sure to pullout all the stops. The family enjoyed an afternoon BBQ and time around the house together, and we were sad when Grandpa Jerry and Cindy had to leave to drive back home.
Macie and I made the most of our time indoors by playing with one another- I have realized that having a sister is lots of fun and we feed off of each others energy. I feel sorry for Mom once Macie can really move because we will be a force to reckon with...
The week was rather uneventful; Dad was working in Indianapolis and with Hayley and all the animals gone as well the house felt empty. Mom took advantage of the empty seats at the kitchen table so our meals consisted of re-heated leftovers or packaged dinners.
By the weekend Dad was back home and we were ready to make up for the previous week's lack of excitement. To do this we went BIG and went to the circus with the whole Grezlak family! It was awesome being together with everyone and I was exploding with anticipation. Once we got inside the arena my attitude took a drastic turn for the worse- the lack of lighting paired with the loud and creepy noises coming from the ring master out me in a state of panic. I begged Dad to take me back home. It took lots of coercing from Dad, but before long he managed to calm me down and re-focus my attention on the beautiful girls dressed like princesses. At that moment my fears subsided (or were forgotten) and I stared at awe as the danced across the stage. The acrobatics and antics of the performers did little to pique my attention, but the animals and dancing girls kept me wanting more. When us younger kids got antsy Dad and Dave went to the concession stand and returned as heroes (they brought back cotton candy)! We immediately settled back down in our seats with our treats and it bought another half an hour of contentment.
I had never eaten cotton candy before and was appalled at Mom for not exposing me to this palate pleasing cuisine sooner.
Macie was the antsiest of all, but thanks to Dad's magic touch she turned out to have an amazing time!
By the second half he had managed to cradle her in her arms, forcing her to relax. He must have done an exceptional job because she didn't last long before she fell into a deep sleep.
Our first family trip to the circus was a BIG success and we had an incredible time with the Grezlak family.
The following week had its up and downs; fevers, colds, coughs- you name the illness and it's likely to have passed through one of our family members. Macie was the only one who had to see a doctor (where we discovered that she weighed 17.5lbs and measured 27.25 inches long) and take medication- I was sure relieved to have been spared from the debilitating act of taking medication (yes, I am a drama queen.) Our ailing health and the torrential downpours lasting throughout the week kept us confined to the house. Mom used the time rather wisely and worked on developing Macie's hand to mouth skills, which by the end of the week would finally pass for sufficient.
Along with learning to feed herself Macie has also added some new words to her repitiore: Up-down (which sounds like one word) and Momma! Coupled with her use of dada and uh-oh she is up to 4 words!!!! Looking back at the past week indoors it is obvious that Macie benefited from time at home. Check out this video of her trying to crawl:
Now that we discovered Macie is old enough, big enough, and capable enough, she gets to sit in her high chair at the dinner table and eat with the family. So far broccoli is her favorite "big people" food, but she has also shown some interest in cous cous and salmon. I think her food preferences are a little odd considering she prefers veggies and proteins over bananas and strawberries.
Macie is loving this new ability of hers, and Mom and Dad are both loving the fact that it buys them some extra needed time to finish tasks around the house.
With Macie at the table I have to work a little harder for attention; sometimes, when I'm super cute, it works in my favor:
The week came to an end on a good note as Miss Elizabeth, "boy" Riley, and Ashlyn came over to play. Not only did we get to romp around the house, but they brought special cupcakes for our family. After I had eaten my dinner that night I sat down and dove face first into my very own princess cupcake and didn't take a breath until it was finished.
Life is great, and I am more than thankful for my family and friends.
My Grandma Joanie flies in from Wisconsin this Saturday and I can't wait to see her!!! I plan on showing her all the new things I am able to do, so this upcoming weeks promises to be full of fun and excitement!!
