Week 108

Dear Jorie,

This week we had a graduation party for one of your Father's Cousins, and your Apa O's birthday! So many parties!

We also stopped at one of the big playgrounds and let you go wild. It's been a while since we were at this playground, and you can certainly use a lot more of it now. You had a great time climbing all over, riding the 'cars' and 'horsies', and most of all, going down the big twisty tube slide!

You were your usual hit at the Graduation party, although I think it was a little boring for you, since there weren't any other kids close to your age there. Eventually they busted out the sandbox for you and you had a great time playing in that!

On sunday we had a party for your Apa O's birthday! We went over there and grilled up a bunch of food and had chocolate cake. You even helped sing happy birthday! You loved the cake, although I think you were a little sad that we didn't get to spend more time with Nannie and Apa this weekend, and we didn't get to go swimming. Oh well, hopefully this weekend will work out better for it.

It was a quick whirlwind of a week, and I'm sorry I didn't take more pictures. Also sad is that the summer is half over already! We haven't even managed to get to the beach yet!

I love you Jor-nado.

Week 107

Dear Jorie,

Another action packed week! We went to a "rib festival" on a whim that turned out to be a lot less awesome than it was billed as, but was still marginally fun. We swam some more in the pool (you're getting to be quite the little fish.) We had brunch with "uncle" Farley. We got rained out of going to an arts festival, and just hung around at home instead.

Mostly this week I tried to slow down and observe you. Your amazingly endearing manarisms. Like how when you "put us to bed", you say "Sweet dreams" and give kisses. You say "Sleep time mommy!" and pat my back.

Recently you've started asking me draw you things on your construction paper with your crayons. "Draw Fishy Mommy!" "Bubbles!" "Draw Dragon!" I spent a good hour with you this morning drawing. It was awesome.

Of course with the toddler territory comes the increased tantrums, sometimes seeming to come out of nowhere for no reason. And the attempted assertion of your will. "NO TALK MOMMY!" when I'm talking to your father, or "THIS MINE!" grabbing a toy from your cousin.

This morning I had a really hard time leaving you at the Day care. We'd had a great morning, and it broke my heart to have to go to work. I miss you terribly when I'm at work, even though I know that not only do you have a great time at Daycare, it's a great place for you.

You sing now, your favorite right now is "No more monkeys", which you will sing while jumping on the bed, and "Baby Bumblebee" which you will sing random parts of and occasionally scare your poor mommy with "OW!"

You love to run. When we went to the park on friday you ran along an uphill path for almost the entire way up the path. Laughing the whole way.

You really are a happy kid. And for that I am eternally grateful.

I love you so much baby girl.

Weeks 105 &106

Dear Jorie,

The summer seems to be flying past. So many things to do and people to see! I honestly am having a hard time finding the time to write these letters to you.

The past two weeks have had a lot of activity in them. It's hard to remember the little things.

Last weekend we went to the Zoo with Jaimee and Zetta. It was a lot of fun! The two of you had a great time, even though it was REALLY hot out. When we were in the little inside part where you can look under the water at the sea lions and polar bear, we got a real treat! One of the polar bears dove in and swum right by the windows as we were standing there. You were fine until the polar bear got right in front of you, and turned it's head to look at you. It really frightened you! It took a while for us to get you to go up to the glass again, but you did it, you were so brave!

This past weekend was the fourth of July, with all the festivities that surround that. I ran a race on friday morning, and you and your Father came to watch and cheer for me at the finish. Then later that day we went over to Nannie and Apa's for a cookout. Ama showed up for it, so did your Aunt Becky and Uncle Michael and Wesley. The neighbors next door to Nannie and Apa's house came over with their two kids too, as well as a bunch of Nannie and Apa's friends. It was quite a party. Your father took you in the pool for a while, and then your Aunt Becky and Uncle Michael got you and Wesley dressed up for a photo shoot. One of the neighbor kids even got in on the fun for a bit!

Later that night we went to go see some fireworks. You were scared at first, but you cuddled up on Nannie's lap with Apa's arm around you too, and after a bit started enjoying the show, you even had a favorite firework. You fell asleep on Nannie's lap about halfway through the fireworks, and even slept through the finale!

We actually spent the night and Nannie and Apa's Friday night, and then hung out there all of Saturday, just kinda relaxing, swimming and visiting.

It was a very relaxing (extended) weekend. And made me realize even more strongly how much I wish I could be home with you all the time.

You're growing up so fast, I can't stand it. You are over half my height already. When I hold you, your feet dangle down around my knees. You speak in mostly full sentences, and have an impressive memory, often remembering things both your Father and I have forgotten.

You've been playing with Playdoh lately, and you make bracelets for us sometimes, and "waffles". Unfortunately you also like to try to eat the playdoh.

Some other favorite toys right now are the doctors kits (one at Nannie and Apa's and one that they got you for your birthday which is at our house.) And a few trucks we have.

You have a fascination with trucks right now. When the Garbage truck came by the house on Thursday when your father was home with you, you dropped everything and went running to the front of the house to watch it through the porch window (on your tippy toes no less.)

I love you so much Jorie-bear!