Summer Travels, Part 1

In July we made a big road trip to Oklahoma to see family for 2 weeks.  On our way there we stopped in Kansas to see Billy's uncle, aunt, and their precious kiddos.  We had such a blast with them! I wish we got to see them more.  Maryn loved being around her cousins!

Wyatt taking Maryn around the block

Bedtime snuggles with Kaylee 

Walker was always at Maryn's side

One of the fun things we did with them was go to this really cool children's museum.  It had endless rooms to discover, and each room had a theme - farmer's market, medical/vet, water, building, climbing etc.  Maryn could have stayed forever.  She especially loved pretending to be a doctor/vet and the water tables. 

We also got to celebrate Maryn's 2nd birthday while in Kansas!

We had such fun! Hope we get to see Colby, Malinda, Kaylee, Wyatt and Walker again very soon!!!

Maryn, 2 Years!

So I have totally gotten behind on Maryn updates.  She turned 2 in July! I'll have to do a separate post on her big birthday bash.  Here are the last of the monthly pictures.  I've decided to stop doing them now that she's two.  I think for now I'll do pics every 6 months.  Plus I'm about to have to start monthly shoots with a new little guy! 

Maryn 22 months

Maryn 23 months

Maryn 24 months (2!)

Maryn has entered such a fun phase now that she's two.  The biggest development is language - we're actually having conversations!  She says some of the funniest things, and has started asking lots of questions.  It's so nice for her to be able to tell me what she wants (or doesn't).  Yesterday she told me, "french fries make me happy" - haha! And of course my favorite is, "I love you, Momma!"  

She still loves Curious George.  She loves books - her current favorites are Llama Llama books and her Jesus Storybook Bible.  She constantly wants us to read to her, but she'll also spend a large amount of time flipping through books and "reading" to herself. She can sing her ABCs and count to 10.  She knows all her primary colors.  She loves playing with her farmhouse, her dollhouse, and her play kitchen.  She likes to color and draw. She enjoys "helping" around the house - her "chores" are feeding Graycie, putting the soap in the dishwasher, dusting, and picking up her toys, and sometimes I let her stand on a chair and help me with dinner.  Her very most favorite thing in the whole world though is singing.  She LOVES music and she basically sings all day long (and sometimes night).  She can actually sing most of the lyrics to her favorites - including Itsy Bitsy, Twinkle Twinkle, Zaccheus, The Wise Man, Down by the Bay, No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Wheels on the Bus, All Aboard the Choo Choo Train, and Jesus Loves Me.  It's the cutest thing ever.  She also loves to sit at the piano and play/sing her own made up songs.   

Lately she has become very interested in baby Hudson's approaching arrival.  She loves to go to appointments to see the midwife with me and hear the baby's heartbeat.  She talks to the baby and gives my tummy lots of hugs and kisses.  We have several books about baby siblings that she loves to read. Every day we have the same conversation: "Baby Butson (how she says Hudson - haha!) come see me today?" No, not today, but very soon. "I hold him?" Yes.  "Like this? (cradles her arms)" Yes. "I share my toys with him. I show him my farmhouse. I feed him."  It's so sweet to see her excitement.  I still can't tell if she realizes this is a real baby we're talking about, or just an imaginary friend! We'll find out soon enough!

Maryn is such a blessing to us.  Overall, she is a very happy, easy going child.  She is very affectionate and wants to make people around her feel special.  Watching her develop is one of our greatest joys.  We wish time would slow down a bit though!

Here are a few pics from the last couple of months:

Llama Llama at the library

George at the library

Chicago Getaway

Early in July Billy and I went to Chicago for a little weekend getaway.  It was our first time to ever spend a night away from Maryn, but she was in good hands with our precious friends, the Esteps (thanks, guys!).  I can't tell you how good this little trip was for us.  It had been so long since we had extended alone time, we forgot how great it is!  No strollers, diaper bags, sippy cups, goldfish crackers; no scheduling around nap times and early bed times; no meltdowns.  Just a fun adventure in the big city with time for exploring and grown up conversing! We did a lot of cool things.  We took the train to Chicago which was a neat experience in and of itself.  We went to the Chicago Museum of Art (I was in absolute awe of the great works of art there - especially the impressionist stuff), the Shedd Aquarium,   Millenium Park, and Navy Pier.  We also ate some really good food.  Best of all, we had such a sweet time just being together.  We are still living off the relational energy we got from this little trip.  When things at home are crazy, sometimes we'll say, "Remember Chicago?" and we'll both sigh and give each other lovey-dovey kissy faces.  :)  I would say that every couple with small children should get away like this at least once a year - we hope to!  Of course, by the end of the trip we could not wait to get back to our Maryn! :)

This tour boat named "Summer of George" made us laugh :)

Big Girl Bed

We recently moved Maryn from her crib to a toddler bed.  She loves it.  Every night she squeals that she gets to sleep "in my big girl bed!" and every morning she is so proud to wake up in it.  It's pretty cute. She really has done well.  I was very nervous about the transition, but after finding her asleep on the floor the first couple of nights, she seems to have completely adjusted.  Still sleeping 12 straight hours at night.  She's never been the greatest napper, but even naps seem to have returned to her normal routine.

Things like this really make Billy and me amazed at how fast Maryn is growing up.  It's the bittersweet that every parent knows.  I wish I could keep her a toddler forever.  Tonight she did something funny that gave us a little glimpse into her teenage future.  At dinner, Maryn said she was all done and ready to be cleaned up and get down from her seat.  She had a little bit of chicken left on her tray, so I tossed it to Graycie.  Apparently the idea of sharing with the dog was too much for her.  She completely lost it.  But instead of throwing her fit right there, she immediately ran to her bedroom.  After a minute or so, Billy went in and she was sitting on her bed crying.  He asked her why she was sad and she said because Graycie ate her chicken.  Then Billy asked if that made her angry and she replied, "Go away!" while pointing to the door.  She then remained on her bed crying.  We were cracking up.  Talk about drama!  Don't worry, she was happy and singing "Down by the Bay" within a few minutes.  Oh, the joys of raising a girl.  :)