Open gym

Today we went to Capital Gymnastics for Open Gym. We got to run around and explore all the fun stuff in the gym without a formal class. It was perfect (and only $5). Sadie started out holding my hand and slowly walking up and down 3 foam steps while she watched what all the other kids were doing. Then, we she got up the courage she walked on a wide balance beam, hung from the uneven bars, climbed up a ramp and bounced/ran down the long trampoline. The trampoline was her favorite, even though she still wanted to hold my hand. She would run down the length of it and then fall on the soft foam at the end. It was also great because she had to wait her turn to go on the trampoline again. Turn-taking is not something she has had to do being an only child and not going to preschool yet. Sadly, that location is moving farth north so we will try another gym next time. Thanks to Gayle for the heads up on this great activity for little ones.

Cookie Monster

Sadie had her first taste of a Girl Scout Cookie today...thin mint. She devoured it meticulously and completely. Here is the end result.

Talking

Daddy has been teaching Sadie how to say a few new phrases (some are more successful than others.) It sounds something like this:
D: Nice
S: Nice
D: To
S: To
D: Meet
S: Meet
D: You
S: You

D: I
S: I
D: Love
S: Me!

Ta-Da!

Presto Change-o!

Check out the new paint colors on the house...

Before

After

Back in Business

As many of you know, we had been living without countertops (except plywood), a kitchen sink and dishwasher over the holidays as we anxiously awaited our new soapstone countertops. Well, they are finally in and we can fully utilize our kitchen again. We went to our friend Davis' 2nd birthday party yesterday and his mom, Tessa, put together the cutest goody bag with all the makings for sugar cookies. So, we donned our matching cherry aprons (thanks, Bebe) and went to work. Sadie helped to stir the cookie batter and stamp out the stars with the cookie cutter. I gave her a few M&M's to decorate, but she decided to eat them instead. I don't blame her. As far as the kitchen goes, we are almost there. Matt is working on the cabinet doors for under the sink and will soon be embarking on a new adventure, tiling the backsplash.

Up Down

Sadie started jumping on the bed today saying, "Up down up down!" I'm afraid we will have to review our "No more monkeys jumping on the bed" book.

She had her 18 month appointment today (at 19 months). Everything went well, only 2 shots. She weighs only 21 pounds, which puts her in the 5th percentile for weight, but she is in the 70th for height. Our little string bean. Speaking of beans, today she said "Beans!" for the first time when I showed her the black beans for lunch.

"Mooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmm"

In case you thought I didn't already have the attitude of a teenager on our hands, this is the most recent addition to Sadie's conversation skills. It goes a little something like this (when I am ignoring her):
"Mom" (no answer)
"MOM!" (no answer)
"What?" (yes, that is Sadie mocking me.)

Loved ones

We were so blessed to spend good quality time with friends and family at Christmas and New Year's Eve this year. We got one last visit (before it is back to the grind) from our dear friend Lane coming up from Houston, which was such a treat. I didn't realize how much I needed a little girl-time and it is always great for Sadie to get to spend time with women who are so important to me. I hope they will be important in her life as she grows up. My friends (you know who you are) are such smart, independent, funny and loving people and I want her to grow up to have many of the traits that they possess.

Happy New Year!

We had a great New Year's Eve hanging out with Sadie's cousins, Mason, Gracie and Katelyn, as well as, Uncle Greg, Aunt Stacy and Nana. We did our final round of Christmas gifts with the kids and Sadie's enthusiasm never waivered for unwrapping another gift (this time it was a musical sit-and-spin, she loves it.) She loves her cousins more as you can see. I think it might have something to do with them being more her size (although Mason is now taller than Nana) or that they get down on the floor quite a lot with her. She is loving the undivided attention from so many loved ones. The kids helped us christen our brand new magnetic chalkboard wall that Daddy painted with the rest of the living room earlier this week. Then, we toasted the new year with the them and our closest friends, which is how I want to spend every New Years from now on. Wishing you and yours a safe 2009 filled with laughter and love.

On a side note, her language is exploding before our eyes (or ears.) Just in the last couple of days, she is saying all kinds of new things:

- poo-poo (always an important one)

- backpack

- zoo (she also does the sign for "z")

- me see (we think she means "I see")

- ABC

- 123 (and 8)

- duck or duckie

- baby (sounds like Bebe)

- wet

- Bert (Elmo and Ernie she has said for a while)
- wash

- watch

- Nana (comes out Nanny)

- and her first 3 word sentence, "What is this?" or "What is that?"

Can't wait to hear what else she has to say.