Super Scotty to the Rescue!

This afternoon, Scott and I took Harlie to McKinley Park. It was her first time there and *Surprise! Surprise!* her favorite thing was the slide. As I helped her walk up the big wooden maze of blocks to the top of the slide, I noticed Scott rifling in a garbage can surrounded by a few other parents. He was supposed to be at the bottom of the slide to catch Harlie on her way down, so when we reached the top, I just propped Harlie on top of a wooden beam so we could see what was going on. I imagined that one of the ladies had dropped her keys into the trash. A few minutes passed and one of the ladies who we had met earlier ("met" as in exchanged smiles and thank you's and excuse me's as our toddlers got in eachother's way as they ran for the same slide at once), saw me watching the commotion and said "There's a baby chick in there!" Wow, that is NOT what I expected.

After a couple close calls as the chick kept dropping further and further into the trash, Scott manged to scoop him out. The chick lay frozen on the ground for a second and so Scott picked it up and headed toward the pond so he could find his mama. Scared, the chick started flapping his wings and hopped out of his hands and ran under the playstructure where a little girl finally caught him and was able to carry him over to the grassy area by the pond. He waddled down to the water and jumped in, apparently no worse for wear.

I hope he found his family...what a tale of adventure to share with his brothers and sisters!

Passing it on...

I love love love this photo of Mazzy. Her eyes are so big and brown and filled with joy. And those curls and sweet dimple just get me every stinkin' time.



I'm so lucky that Keri has been so generous with Mazzy's hand-me-downs. I hardly have to buy Harlie any clothes at all! Today, we put Maz's old bathing suit on Harlie. It was finally warm enough today and Harlie always gets herself soaking wet playing with her water table. As I watched my little one play, I just kept flashing back to little Maz in that pool.



This happens all the time actually. I'm often reminded of Mazzy when Harlie does new things for the first time. I find myself using those memories as a point of reference when it comes to Harlie, almost as if I purposefully filed them away, knowing I might need them later.

Thanks Maz, for stealing my heart and sharing your clothes.

Big Day, Big Girl

Harlie,

Today was a big day of firsts for you and definitely showed your Daddy and I once again how fast you are growing.

This morning you climbed down the stairs for the first time.

At dinner, you were unsatisfied with what we were having for dinner so you pointed at the cupboard which holds your bowls and yelled "Apple! Apple!" Before now, you always shouted Ap! Ap! But today you pronounced it correctly and so clearly.

And the last new thing today made Mama so happy. You, Daddy and I were playing around on our bed and I was taking this video of you.



Then I played it back for us to watch and you pointed at the screen and said "Huh-lee, Huh-lee." You said your name. You knew your name. You knew that the little girl in the video was you and that your name is Harlie. It was awesome.

You're becoming a little girl right before our eyes and to be honest, just a little too quickly. Each day your hair seems so much longer than it did the day before. You're walking with confidence and picking up speed, even climbing the stairs step by step at the playground by yourself, when just last week you would crawl up. You've recently started sliding off the couch facing forward and I sometimes let you bounce around on our bed while I do my make-up because I don't worry so much anymore about you rolling off...you get it, there's a LEDGE! You're understanding sentences and able to communicate many of your own thoughts and wants (many times with the passion of 1000 burning suns - God help us all!).

You are so big, Snuggles, and so much fun!

Love,
Mama

Crutch

Last night Scott and I decided to put Harlie to bed without her pacifier and see how it went. So far so good, after two bedtimes and one nap. It turns out that maybe we needed it more than she did. The promise of sleep is a powerful thing, I tell ya.


(Photo taken October, 2009)

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

(Harlie's first visit to Fairytale Town at 16 1/2 mos.)

Little girl, you are my dream come true.

It Was a Good Day

What a wonderful day! We celebrated Scott's 35th birthday and Easter over at the Creegers and boy was it a blast. Luckily we were also blessed with a window of dry weather, so the kids could get their egg hunt on. To see our children play together is one of the most awesome things ever and it just keeps getting better. This Easter I am reminded of the many, many blessings in my life and family is at the top of the list.











P.S. We feasted and drank merrily and of course I gotta show the food!!!