Naked Time

Picasso

Paige had a bit of a rash in her diaper area that we couldn't get rid of. The doctor said it wasn't anything to be concerned with but to give her some diaper-free time to air it out. It's been very hot during the day, so we waited until after dinner to head outside for some naked time. I had bought finger paints last fall and was fearful of the mess that they'd make so we hadn't tried them out yet but this seemed like the perfect opportunity. She loved painting pictures for Grandma and Grandpa and Nana and Papa and she really loved getting messy! Next stop, sprinkler!

I think the water from the sprinkler might have been a little chilly because Paige didn't really want to go too far into it. However, when Drew gave her control of the hose alone, she had a blast! And she cleaned up enough to make it into the house for a bath!

Daddy trying to coerce her into the water.

Enjoying the freedom!

Big News

Paige and Daddy playing after Drew learning the big news.

Most of you reading this probably already know, but Paige is going to be a big sis! I am due December 27th, just one day before Aunt Valerie's birthday. We found out last Thursday that Little Piglet #2 is a girl! I could not be more excited to have two little girls! And Drew is actually loving the idea too.

I surprised Drew with the news on April 18, a day prior to his 35th birthday. I took a couple of tests while he was at work and was thrilled to see that they were positive. I went on a quick hunt for a big sis t-shirt for Paige to wear and unfortunately couldn't find one. Isn't that typical, when you aren't looking you see something everywhere and when you need it, it's nowhere to be found! So, on to plan B, which was to make a quick shirt. Thankfully Paige took a very good nap that day so I could whip one up. I put it on Paige right before Drew came home from work and of course, he didn't even notice it! I actually had to point it out to him 20 minutes later! Goes to show you how little what you wear matters to him. It was a fun surprise for his birthday!

We didn't make the big announcement sooner because I have been having a few issues related to placenta previa (low-lying placenta). Fortunately, the baby is measuring right on track so she's developing well. We just keep praying that she continues to do so and that this placenta finds its way North.

Here are a few pictures. I'll post some belly shots soon. I've definitely popped quite a bit earlier this time around!

Happy Birthday, Drew!

She's going to be a great big sis.

My little monkey.

Paige's First Movie

Paige and Daddy enjoying popcorn before the movie.

Paige and Mommy before the movie. Love her!!

Paige loves TV. As much as I hate to admit it, she would watch for hours if I let her (which I don't). So, we knew that she would like a movie just as much. When Winnie the Pooh was released, we figured it would be a good introduction to movies.

We took her to see Pooh a couple of weeks ago to a late morning show and she loved it! She really enjoyed the popcorn, fruit snacks, and juice in the kids pack at the theater. The movie was only an hour long, which was the perfect length. Unfortunately, she's not heavy enough to keep the seat from folding up on her so Drew had to prop his leg on the edge of it just so she wouldn't get smooshed! She began to get a little antsy toward the end but overall did great!

Here are a few pictures from the outing.

I couldn't get a good picture, but this is the sign for Winnie the Pooh.

Killing time before the movie begins.

The Fourth in St. Louis

Lucy and Oliver, new siblings!

Over the long Fourth of July weekend, we headed up to St. Louis to welcome our new nephew, Oliver to the family. He is 20 months old and is as cute as can be. We had a great time getting to know him and visiting with the entire family.

While there, we took a train ride, enjoyed a picnic and fireworks at the park, visited Grant's Farm with Drew's college friends and his Godson, and capped it off with a date night to the Cardinal's game (my first). It was a hot weekend but we had so much fun that we didn't mind too much (ok, Drew might have minded more than me).

One of the highlights of the trip was the picnic and fireworks on the Fourth. We spread out our blanket and chairs and listened to the band while waiting for the fireworks to start. Paige was a dancing queen that night and soon Oliver and Lucy joined in too. The loud fireworks were a little scary to Paige at first but she quickly warmed up to them and still talks it all. I wondered what was going through Oliver's mind throughout the evening, as I'm sure he'd never seen anything quite like it but he just rolled with the punches!

Welcome to the family, Oliver! We're so happy you're here!

More pictures at our gallery. http://gallery.me.com/jessicaleeham#100327

Nana and Papa ready for a train ride with their granddaughters.

Cousins

Family photo on the Fourth.

Paige and Oliver dancing with Nana.

Oliver showing off his moves.

Oliver and Papa.

Paige and Daddy on the carousel at Grant's Farm.

Paige and Ben, Drew's Godson, at Grant's Farm. How cute!

Date night at the Cardinals Game.

Dallas

Where it all began. Drew and I met while both working for IRI onsite at Frito-Lay.

In late June, Drew, Paige and I took a road trip to Dallas for the weekend. The true purpose for going was to visit the Ikea store there and pick up a new shelf for Paige's playroom but we were happy to go back to where Drew and I met, 10 years ago, and see how it had changed. We left Friday morning and came back on Sunday so it wasn't a long visit but we had a great time showing Paige around, visiting the aquarium, swimming, and just spending some quality time together.

I'm not sure Paige understood the concept of being in the city of Dallas. Each time we returned to our hotel, an Embassy Suites, she exclaimed, "There's Dallas!" Now when we drive past the Embassy Suites here in Rogers, she says the same thing. I've tried to explain it all to her but she insists the hotel is Dallas and that's where Mommy and Daddy used to work. Oh well!

Drew and I couldn't get over how much the area had changed. Gone were the fields and pastures and in their places were new highways, subdivisions, and strip malls. It brought back fond memories of great times with good friends and each other.

Find more pictures at our gallery. http://gallery.me.com/jessicaleeham#100311

Paige and Mommy at the aquarium.

Cheese! Paige and Daddy at the aquarium.

Enjoying the indoor swimming pool at the hotel.

My old apartment.

Drew's old apartment, in the same complex as mine. The complex has since doubled in size and become a planned community with retail and homes.

Paige as Mommy

Bra, shoes, necklace, check. Clothes, optional.

Paige loves to go in my closet and try on my shoes. She'll clomp around the house in flats, heels, or sandals trying them on for size. On this particular day, I had taken off a few items in the living room, to which she quickly took interest. I don't remember exactly why she was naked at the time but it definitely made the pictures even better! I'm sure she'll appreciate these a lot when she's a teen.

So proud of her finds.

Girlfriends

It is so fun to see Paige form friendships at such a young age. Even more special is seeing her make girlfriends and knowing how important these bonds will be throughout her life. She has found great friends in Maggie and Hazel, who are both around her same age. They have fun playing together and seem to enjoy each other's company. I often wonder what they chat about, although most of the time their only exchanges are to fight over a toy or snack. I wanted to share this picture of the three while at a local playground. Maggies mom, Neile nailed it on the head when she said it looks like a scene from Sex and the City, the young years. How cute are they?!

Hazel, Paige, and Maggie catching up over their sippy cups of juice.

Go Fly a Kite!

Paige taking the reigns.

For Easter (yes, I'm very behind on blogging), Paige received a kite from my parents. We had so much rain this spring that we weren't able to get out and enjoy it until a few weeks later. We took Paige to a local church with plenty of open space surrounding and gave it a try. It was surprisingly easy to get the kite up; I guess one reason to be thankful for all the wind here! She thought it was so fun to see the kite so high in the sky, dancing in the wind. By the end, she was brave enough to hold it on her own and did great!

Here are a few pictures and more can be seen at our gallery.

http://gallery.me.com/jessicaleeham#100340

Getting up there.

Paige showing off the rock she found along the way. She has to pick one up everywhere we go!

Swimming Lessons

One of the only smiling faces I was able to capture.

I signed Paige up for swimming lessons at a local public pool this summer. Since last year's attempt at swimming lessons didn't go very smoothly, I thought she might do better in the pool with Drew this year. Cole and Doug also signed up for the same lessons so I thought having a friend would help as well.

The first day was great! Paige was excited to be there and loved having another teacher, Miss Shelby. Unfortunately, it went down hill from there. She slowly started resisting doing the exercises and by the end of the two weeks, didn't even want to get in the pool. In fact, we didn't even take her on the last day because we figured it wasn't worth the time or effort at that point. She likes to go swimming in our neighborhood pool and isn't afraid of the water, but I think she didn't really care for the structure of it all. Who knows?! Next year should be better!

Here are some pics. Unfortunately, she didn't really want to cooperate on these, either! More at our gallery, http://gallery.me.com/jessicaleeham#100297.

Not really in the mood for posing.

But I got a great one (actually three great ones) of Cole and Doug.