Marvelous Monday

Ahhhhhh, the summer is almost over and I’m back to my ‘regular’ schedule.  This week was my first week back to having Monday’s off, completely off, as in don’t answer the phone, don’t go in, consider me gone off, my marvelous Monday’s are back.

Clare and I started our day with a walk, the same walk we took daily when I was on maternity leave, only this time we stopped at the park for some swinging and sliding.  I loved taking our daily walks, the rest of the day felt so good; even if I didn’t really accomplish anything I had exercised which was productive.  Kai was nearly beside herself when I loaded up the BOB and got her leash out, she was thrilled to go for a walk. 

The last time we were at the park Clare went down the slide with a little help from Dada, he climbed the steps and helped her get started.  This time, she did it all by herself!  She began to climb the steps all by herself, at first I expected her to stop and play on the landing, I was wrong, she climbed all the way to the top!  She needed a little encouragement to sit down, so I climbed up the slide and rode down before her.  Her face was all smiles on the way down.  Once she got to the bottom she climbed down and ‘ran’ back to the steps to do it all over again.

The hardest part was that first step, after that she didn't need any help.

Still climbing...

She made it!

There was just a little bit of static on the slide.

After a drink in the shade we made our way back home.  We were scheduled to meet Sarah and Talon for lunch so we packed up the car and got on our way. 

Talon was born July 25^th, so he’s just over a month old, I’d forgotten how tiny a 5 week old is!  I loved holding him, he was so squishy and warm, and had that sweet baby smell.  To say that Clare was confused watching me hold a baby would be an understatement, she was not impressed.  I tried to tell her that he was just our lunch date and that he would go home with Sarah and that she would always be MY baby.  It was fun holding him and helping her with her lunch, it’s amazing what you can do with one hand.  Clare has some growing and learning before having a little brother or sister.

I’m already looking forward to our next Monday, maybe we’ll visit IKEA, or maybe we’ll go to the zoo, heck, maybe we’ll just stay home and play with our babies.  

Pool

Clare added the word pool to her growing vocabulary today.  Our afternoon was unusually busy, I had to work for a bit and we had two showings.  Since we had to be away from the house for so long Jeff suggested maybe he and Clare would swim while I worked.  Clare was happy to go to the pool and even pointed out that Jeff had a towel in his bag.

I had to be the lifeguard while they were swimming, so I wasn’t able to take as many pictures as I would have liked.  She had a lot of fun walking around the little pool and going down the slide.  Once I was able to help I helped her climb the steps so she could go down the slide from the top.  I wish I could have seen her face, Jeff said it was a mix of terror and happiness. 

She wasn't so sure about jumping in...

Maybe a little closer...

Oh, just kidding!

There she goes!!

Climbing out is no problem for this little girl...

Did you know Brutus could swim?

Clare and Jeff had a lot of fun in the pool.  I see lots of swimming in our future.

iPad

Clare loves her new iPad.  If she'd stop pressing the 'home' button she'd probably like it even more :)

Staycation Vacation

This week Clare and I took a staycation; a week of no schedules, a week without fighting Arapahoe Rd traffic, a week together at home, it was wonderful.  My parents had planned to come out this week to help us move, but since we didn’t move it was a week of shopping, eating good food, napping, more shopping, and enjoy each other’s company.

Grammy and Grampy arrived on Sunday morning so we all met at Lucile’s for some brunch.  I had heard great things about Lucile’s and figured it was worth a try, I think our one visit will be enough, I’m not sure what all the hype was about.  Clare enjoyed a pancake and some strawberries before heading over to the play area.  There was a huge space with nothing in it but toys; it was great for the adults as we were all able to chat without Clare being bored. After brunch it was back to the house for lounging around and naps for anyone interested, it was a very relaxing day.

Clare is absolutely in love with books, she can’t read enough and anyone she can get to read to her is her best friend.  Fortunately Grampy was more than happy to read anything and everything. 

Reading about the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library which Grammy and Grampy visited on their way.

Catching up on the latest Wellington news.

Karen let Clare borrow her favorite DVD for the week; it’s full of children’s songs.  The DVD mesmerized Clare; I think her favorite song was The Wheels On The Bus. 

Grammy and Grampy never drive out with an empty car, this time they brought a wagon, a tricycle and a doll stroller from Maggie and Jack; hand-me-downs are great!  Clare loves the wagon; she especially likes it when someone pushes her, Grampy was more than happy to push her across the room.  When nobody is pushing her she loads it up with toys and pushes it around the living room, tonight she tried standing up in the wagon, she wasn’t so happy when Jeff and I both told her ‘no’.  

Look out Grammy, here I come!!

Monday was when we really got things going, Grammy and Grampy are early risers, so they were ready to go when Clare woke up.  After breakfast we loaded up and headed to the mall for a little shopping.  Clare is an excellent shopping partner, she’s very observant and happy to people watch from her stroller while others shop.  We had lots of fun at Vera Bradley, Hanna Anderson, American Girl, Orvis and Lego.  American Girl was by far Clare’s favorite store, they had the Bitty Babies out so she could play with them and push them in their strollers; she was having so much fun she didn’t want to leave.  Clare was an extremely lucky little girl and Grammy got her her very own Bitty Baby, she is Clare’s new favorite baby. 

Tuesday was another busy day filled with outlet shopping.  Clare and Grampy enjoyed walking around while Grammy and I shopped.  I wanted to get Clare another pair of shoes since we’re down to one pair.  I found two pairs at the Stride Rite outlet so I bought them, it will be a while before she can wear them but when she does she’ll be walking in style.  Clare wasn’t with me when I bought the shoes so I took her back in the store to try and measure her foot, hoping I’d bought the right size.  As soon as I got her socks and shoes off she lost her mind, she was absolutely horrified of the foot-measuring thing.  So, I hope these fit this fall J I asked Jeff to look at them and make sure he was alright with them, his first comment was that they looked like my shoes, I guess that’s what happens when I do the shopping. 

After lunch and a long nap we all headed out for an evening of celebration.  Tuesday was our 3^rd Wedding Anniversary and to celebrate we all went to the Rockies game.  Meredith and Ryan were in town so they joined us, as did Ed and Nancy who also share an August 23^rd wedding anniversary – 36 years.  We met Meredith and Ryan at a restaurant before the game, it was so nice to have a drink and catch up, I wish we were able to get together more often. 

The game was a lot of fun, we had plenty of room in the shade and we all enjoyed each other’s company.  I wish that we were able to get to more games; we always have a good time.

Wednesday we hit REI and the Life Is Good store, two favorites that aren’t anywhere close to home.  LIG was having a sale plus an extra 10% if you were wearing LIG, good thing it’s all I wear!  Unfortunately they didn’t have anything in Clare’s size, maybe next year she’ll be able to dress more like her mama with a positive message on her shirt. 

On our way back home we stopped at the mall, Grammy decided she wanted a different Vera print and Grampy thought Clare would enjoy her own iPad.  So, while Grampy and I figured out the iPad details Grammy and Clare headed to Vera, where they learned the print she wanted was only a sample and wasn’t available until January, what a huge bummer!  The iPad set up took a little time so Grampy graciously said he’d wait with it while we ladies headed to get some lunch.  Clare was clearly getting tired but ate a few chicken nuggets and some juice before we headed home for a nap.

Grammy brought some animal crackers with her that she was happy to share with Clare while watching some morning cartoons. 

Jeff had to work all week, but he did come home early each day, it doesn’t take much to convince him to work a short day.  Wednesday we had decided to eat at home, and thankfully Jeff was happy to cook.  My family is always impressed with his cooking; he really wows them with his skill.  When Clare and I got home he was preparing a beef tenderloin, twice baked potatoes, and roasting garlic for a garlic herb butter to go with the bread.  It was another excellent meal by Chef Jeff, my Dad said it was one of the best meals he’d had in a long time.  I’m so fortunate to have such an amazing personal chef.

Thursday was a day of rest.  Grammy and Grampy got up early and headed for Mt. Evans, they were the first to summit the 14’er, early bird gets the best view.  Clare and I hung around home and ran a few quick errands before napping the afternoon away. 

It was a wonderful week; I loved every minute of staying home with Clare and hanging out with my parents.  Grammy and Grampy left early Friday morning so Clare and I did our best to get back to our normal routine, a short day with Karen for Clare and a short day at work for me.  I found myself missing Clare even more than usual; I wish I could spend everyday at home with her.

Our next visit with Grammy and Grampy will be in a few weeks when we go to Ohio for a football game; Jeff requested that we not go to Ohio when it was -20, so football season it is.  I always look forward to our visits, we’re sure to have fun, eat well and enjoy each other’s company.

Laundry Helper

Clare is a huge helper, she understands what we’re saying and is happy to help when she can.  She is happy to bring you your phone, or a blanket and even things you haven’t asked for.  In the evening when it’s time to get ready for a bath she’ll help put her clothes in the basket, she knows just where to put her clothes for Mama to wash.  It’s also not unusual for her to bring you some laundry, generally dirty laundry.

This week she helped Jeff with his laundry.

iPad???

I'm playing with mom's new iPad. Very nice!!!!

That said, I can't figure out how to add a picture :)

Older and Slower

Thursday night was Championships for Jeff’s softball team; Clare had yet to attend one of his games so we figured we should go.  We ran a few quick errands after Karen’s and then headed to the field, Jeff wasn’t there yet since he forgot his shoes and had to go home ‘real quick’ to get them.  Once he did arrive Clare gave him a big hug, she loves seeing her Dada after a long day.

Dada, you want a snack?

Fortunately there was a little bit of shade for us to put our blanket down and have a snack.  Clare enjoys playing with the box, and grabs handfuls of cookies out; luckily she was looking the other way so I could take the bag out in an effort to save the teddies from the dirt. 

Clare had fun walking up and down the hill behind Dada’s dugout; it was pretty steep for her little legs.  She continued walking up and down, despite falling a few times.  When she did fall she wasn’t happy, she did not like the dirt!

Mama, yuck!

The first game was scheduled to start at 6:15pm, but the other team only had 7 people show up (you need 8 to play), so after a short 1^st inning the game was called and team Older and Slower was declared the winner.  Both teams ended up just playing a scrimmage, Older and Slower had to play again at 7:15, so why not.  Despite their big win, Clare and I packed up and headed for home, she was pretty tired and we had yet to get dinner. 

On our way home we stopped for a quick bite at Qdoba, Clare loves guacamole, so Mexican was a safe bet for dinner.

Clare enjoyed watching them play, although I think she did more walking around and snack eating than actual watching. I hope that next year we’ll make it to a few more games, it’s hard to make it when they are all the way across town and after her bedtime.