outstanding

It was the evening of Jenna's big birthday celebration. All the presents were opened and all of the people were gone. It was just the four of us sitting at the kitchen table and in Alex's conversation with Tyler, he used the word, "Outstanding." Tyler then tried to say it and Alex helped him practice until Tyler got it right.

That word struck a chord with me. I thought back to that day in December when my Dad lay in his hospital bed struggling to survive and I told him that the baby growing inside me was a little girl. I couldn't understand my dad's response, so I gently lifted his oxygen mask and he mustered his strength and forced out a booming "OUTSTANDING!"

I looked over at this amazing and beautiful one-year-old girl and was flooded with sadness that my father never got to meet her, which I know that he wanted to so badly. My eyes filled with tears and I couldn't contain the sobs that rolled out of me.

Tyler became alarmed. I told him it was ok, that Mommy was sad because she missed Grampy so much. And then Tyler rubbed my arm and consoled me, "It will be ok Mommy. It's ok. You will see Grampy tomorrow." It was bittersweet because I was so sad, but Tyler's compassion was soothing and warmed my heart.

Tyler was also right. I dreamed the next morning of my Dad. In my dream I walked to my boss's office, but in his place was my Dad decked out in his academic regalia. It was nice to see him again.

happy first brithday!!!

Who's the cutest birthday girl ever? That would be Jenna Marie (b. 5/15/09).

We did our birthday ritual of the whole family coming into her room in the morning singing Happy Birthday. Unfortunately, Mommy had to work Commencement (I had missed the previous year since I had a newborn!). Daddy brought both kids to the ceremony so I got to show off my cuties and then we went to lunch to celebrate. We ate at Red Robin where the waiters sang to Jenna and Tyler cried because "they were too loud," which he didn't mind telling the waiter later.

In addition to the day marking the first anniversary of Jenna's birth, it was also the day that she got her tenth tooth and started using a big girl sippy cup.

The family napped the afternoon away while Mommy prepped for Jenna's birthday party. We are all exhausted. I hope we have enough energy to make it through tomorrow!

P.S., Can you tell how much interest, or lack there of, Jenna had in taking her photo in the seat along with her bear?

what's that?

While lying down in bed, out of the blue Tyler said, "What's that Mommy?" pointing to his foot. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. I directed him to point to exactly what he was referring to, and then I was finally able to answer him; "Tyler, that is your ankle. It let's your foot bend up and down." To which Tyler replied, "Oh." And he moved on just like that.

9th tooth, first molar

FINALLY!! Jenna's first molar finally poked through after a LONG period of excessive drooling and gnawing. It's her lower right first molar. One down, several more to go.

plain silly

3 1/2

Tyler is officially 3 1/2 today!

first sign

More, More, MORE!!! Jenna used sign language to communicate; her first sign was the symbol for MORE. Now I need to brush up on my signing skills so I can teach her many more!

vrrrm, vrrrmmm

park fun

mother's day

A day of pampering! I had a belly full of Belgian waffles, eggs, and the best strawberry and banana smoothie I have ever had and a heart full of love from my cuties (Alex included).

The kids went to the park with Daddy so mommy could relax for a short bit and then we all headed to the store to pick up some materials needed for Jenna's first birthday party. After an afternoon full of naps (well, the kids at least) we went to dinner at Rocky Run so Mommy could get some yummy fried pickles. Mmmmm.

Just an awesome day with my family!

baby sister

 

national arboretum

The Campbells joined the Joneses, Motscos, and Nikolovs for an early Mother's Day celebration at the National Arboretum. The kids loved exploring the vast spaces all beautifully manicured and viewing the koi only inches from their toes. One was nearly the size of Jenna! We even got my mom up through the mountainous azalea garden. We coasted back down on a nearby paved trail racing the borrowed wheelchair versus stroller. I really would have won with my mom in the wheelchair if it didn't keep veering left (she forgives me for the near miss with the holly bush). It was so good to really hear her laugh out loud again.

We brought food for a big picnic feast in the shade and still had the energy for some wiffleball and frisbee. I might want to rethink which spring sport I put Tyler in (lacrosse is by far my first choice) because he was an ace at bat. He hit over half the balls that came his way.

At dinner, Tyler (unprompted) told me how much he enjoyed the arboretum (yes, he uses that word) and how much fun he had playing baseball. I think we all had fun!

oma sleepover

I was scheduled to join my high school friends for a rare Girls Night Out. Unfortunately, Alex was also scheduled to travel that day and wouldn't return until the wee hours. With my night out in question, we sought help from Oma. And she came to the rescue!

She played with the kids and put them to bed. Tyler was thrilled even further that Oma would be staying over all night! It worked out nicely since Oma and we were planning to meet friends and family in DC the following day.

peanut butter

Tyler has a peanut butter game. You take turns naming the funniest places to find peanut butter. Peanut butter in your belly button. Peanut butter on the ceiling. Peanut butter on a plane. Eventually Tyler will find one so hilarious that he throws his head back and releases the most fun devilish laugh.

Then a few nights ago I was putting Tyler to bed and he said, "peanut butter." I told him that he was supposed to say, "I love you." His reply: "I love you, peanut butter."

molars

Poor Jenna. Her molars are coming in and she's been drooling and suffering nonstop. :(

so vain

color time

 

 

 

Tyler and Jenna LOVE to color. They really can't get enough of it. In fact, Jenna will often cry when it is time to move on to another activity because she just doesn't want to give up her twistable crayons! (By the way, the huge wet spot on her shirt is from teething/drooling. Slightly counter to the old saying, "girls rule and boys drool," girls actually do both!)

blowing kisses

In addition to her sweet wave goodnight, Jenna has now figured out how to blow kisses. She had been putting her hand to daddy's mouth as he demonstrated but now she gets that her hand is supposed to come from her mouth. So cute!!

window onto the world

reader

Tyler looks through Mommy's magazine.