For the Love.....of a lot of things: Getting back into the swing of things A1:W6

We began the week with lots of rest and getting back to our normal home life routine. Sunday we had some errands to run and Jason wanted to spend his birthday gift from Mary Eloise (a Bass Pro Shop gift card), so out to Leeds we went. Mary Eloise loves looking at the big fish tank inside, so we looked at the fish while Jason picked out fishing gear. Since ME is walking well (and she didn't want to ride in the buggy) I let her walk around with me. I decided to take her upstairs on the elevator and she thought it was the greatest ride because she could look out the windows while standing there and watching us leave the ground.

After Bass Pro Shops, we worked up an appetite and went to my favorite place- Red Robin. ME liked my turkey burger, but chose to eat macaroni and cheese (which is awesomely fresh and delicious). She loved the Red Robin mascot and made fast friends with him.

Since walking, we love to go to the park in the evenings to get out that last bit of end of the day energy and also to cure the boredom. ME loves running in the grass and is getting fast!

We were a bit nervous about her returning to school after a week off, but she went with only a few tears and her teacher said how proud she was of ME and how well she has adjusted to school. ME is also moving to the other side of the classroom (it is divided into 2 sides) because she is moving so well and other babies are moving up to the 2 year old class. My big girl is growing so fast...

So I'm really going to brag now, I am super proud of how Mary Eloise has developed words and uses her baby sign language. She can identify lots of things and will say "milk" when she's thirsty and if she finishes her drink or food and she wants more, she will sign for "more". Super proud Mommy :)

On Wednesday, ME had her 1 year check up- it was a bit late, but the only appointment they had when I made it in early June! She is 33 1/2 inches tall and 24 pounds- 95% for both. She had to get her hematocrit checked by a finger prick (not my fav) and she wailed like a banshee. I felt so bad for her. Then she had to get 3 shots, and only cried for a minute. Afterwards she was very fascinated with her new "stickers" and spent her time removing them from her finger and thighs. She was all smiles and waving bye-bye by the time to leave and went home and took a long nap, while I cleaned the house.

I got off work on Friday and ME was super excited I was there when she got home. It was very nice to eat dinner with them and then Jason and I had a sofa date and watched 21 Jump Street- a bit lame, but raunchy funny :)

On Saturday, we played at the park in the morning and then had a visit from Mim and Reed that afternoon. For dinner we went to ME's favorite, Moes!

Today, we went to mass this morning and ME was very good, playing with her baby doll and giving the little boy in front of us a high five for her sign of peace :) We came home, while Daddy was off to his Fantasy Football draft, and took a long nap. After waking up, we decided to make the most of the last day of extended zoo hours and went to the zoo. Some of the animals were napping but the land tortise was on the move, and a few of the monkeys were playful, but it was the goats in the Children's Zoo that were the highlight. A few of them put their faces into ME's BOB to take a look and hopefully grab a snack. She was very interested in them and laughed and held her hand out to pet them.

Such a fun week with sweet memories to cherish :)