One, Two, Three

I have so many things to catch up on, since I haven't blogged all year, but today deserves an immediate post.

Macey was in an exceptionally funny and fun mood today. Don't get me wrong, she is a crazy fun kid and we always have fun, but today she was cracking me up just playing by herself. I tried to take pictures of everything she did but sometimes we just kept playing and I didn't race for the camera.

The day started as most days start lately, Macey looking for her "Elmos." They are the highlight of the morning and get lots of attention. She feeds them her milk and walks around the house with them both. One of the Elmos laughs and moves so he is heavy with equipment to make him move. But Macey just hikes him up when he starts to slip and keeps on truckin. Now when Macey sees my camera, she will say "cheese" with a big smile. Maybe that's a sign that I take too many pictures? Nah. We went to story time at the library where they play a song that tells the kids to freeze while the music starts, then it starts up again. It took her a few minutes but she caught on and was a dancing machine. She pulls up her elbows and moves back and forth and shakes her booty... I was crying I was laughing so hard. She was having the best time.

Unfortunately we also had our first real spanking on the legs after defiantly sitting on the hearth after I asked her not to five times. I was amazed how she would look at me as she slowly backed up and sat down. The fifth time she actually gave a half smile before she realized mommy wasn't playing and she got a spanking. It was pretty traumatic for us both but my fingers are crossed we don't have to fight that battle again. Defiance and toddlerhood are tough distinctions. So far all of our "issues" have been more learning experiences and less defiance. Thankfully this was just a small blip in our day.


After she helped daddy cut the grass, we came in for a bath and bedtime. We read several books but ended with Clifford Counts 1, 2, 3. Maybe Jimmy has read it to her lately, but I know I haven't. After the first page she was saying "one, two, three" with enough clarity that I knew the distinction between each number. I am amazed. I think she was too because after reading, we rocked and she kept practicing "one, two, three" in her sweet soft voice.

Sixteen months is by far my favorite age. Her little personality and imagination are incredible to watch. And she is a sponge for learning new words and how to do things. (batteries are her new obsession; pointing to where the batteries go in all of her toys. She helped me change the battery in a flashlight and now she says her version of battery all day. I love it.)

I wish I could pause time and catch up on all of the fun things we've been doing. But, I really need to clean the bathroom before we have our neighbors over for dinner tomorrow night. So, off I go.

My funny baby girl

It seems like Macey is learning several new things a day and I'm having a hard time keeping up. What's interesting to me is that she understands words in context, usually. She has understood "no" for several months now and uses it in context when telling Sam to stop eating her toys. She will point to Sam, who is holding her Duck in his mouth, and say "no no" over and over again. Of course, he doesn't take her seriously (or me for that matter) because she will then take the duck from Sam, and try to give it back to him. Playing with the dogs is one of her favorite things to do. She will take their bones from them just to get them to chase her and try to get them back. Macey also likes to stand in front of a dog, turn around, and scoot-squat until she is sitting on/very close to them. Sometimes Bailey will appease her long enough that Macey can lay back on the dog like a pillow. I love hearing her billowing laugh when she "plays" with the dogs.



Since 14 months, she will say "eat eat" when you mention breakfast, lunch, dinner or being hungry. I didn't teach her this so it always impresses me. Her favorite food is cheese and she constantly is asking for it by name. Sometimes she will hold on to the refrigerator door saying "cheese" over and over again. Around 15 months she learned "ice" and has also started hanging on the door saying "ice" until we give in or distract her. She has started putting words together, although simple and not Jimmy's favorite thing to hear... at first it was "no no dada" and now it is "bye bye dada." I guess "dada" is just fun to say because she must say it 200 times a day. "Pa pa" is also a word favorite although I'm hearing "elmo" just as much these days. This week, Jimmy was getting ready to leave and Macey stood in the kitchen with her left hand by her side and right hand waving, saying "bye bye dada." Thankfully he was getting ready to leave, unlike other mornings when she will wake up saying "bye bye dada."


Two weeks ago, we pulled up to the library and I let Macey hold my hand and walk in like a big girl. I was amazed that she held my hand the whole way and walked straight inside the building without getting distracted by the hundreds of things that can be found on the ground at her level. We don't do this often but I think we will be enjoying the slow toddler pace into every store by the end of summer. Which means that I need to slow my speedy pace down and enjoy holding my little buds hand and taking 5 minutes to walk into Publix.

Once we get Macey out of bed and set her down to start exploring, she heads for the kitchen and presses the music on her refrigerator toy. She stands and "dances" by swaying from side to side with her hands closed up in the air and most recently she has added a little twirl. She tries to shrug her shoulders while she dances… apparently I dance with my shoulders more than I knew!
Another interesting thing is her use of the word “back.” I always say “I’ll be right back” or “We’ll be right back” to the dogs. Now, when she is going to leave the room, she says “back.” Crazy kid!

I love you little angel.

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day was one of my favorite days this year. Jimmy let me set my own schedule for the day, so I packed in as much as possible! I woke up and rode my bike in the basement and then went for a 2.5 mile run. I love running in the morning before the rest of the world wakes up. We went to church and came home with Schlotzky's sandwiches. While Jimmy put Macey down for her nap, I went to the mall for a quick massage at the kiosk company and a little shopping. I made it home to see Macey right after her nap and she was being hilarious. She is such a fun little girl!


Then I picked up my girlfriend, Kat, for a mani/pedi and we enjoyed the afternoon talking on a patio, snacking on chips and salsa. Kat will be moving to San Antonio at the end of June so I’m trying to soak up as much time with her as possible.

I made it home in time for Jimmy to grill burgers for dinner and to play with Macey before bedtime. I love spending time with Jimmy and my little angel, but appreciated the opportunity to just be me today. So thankful for my loves. So thankful to be a mom.

Tomahawk Chop

We took Macey to her first Braves game Tuesday night and, well, I think she would have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t started at her usual bedtime. So, needless to say, she was a little cranky and tired BUT we had foot long hot dogs and did the Tomahawk chop! There is nothing like watching the Braves play on a beautiful summer night in Atlanta. There are two more home stands and I’m hoping we can make at least one more game…And we'll try taking Macey again in the Spring.

We are big Braves fans. Well, Jimmy more so than me, but I end up watching all of the games too since that’s all we watch in the summer. On Monday, we ran into a newer Braves player, Brooks Conrad, at lunch. He had his 18 month old daughter with him and was surprised that Jimmy recognized him. After he got his food, Brooks came to our table and talked to us about his family, Macey and, of course, the grand slam he had earlier this season. He is incredibly nice and it absolutely made our day that he stopped to talk with us.

LOVE this hot dog eatin' fool!

Yep, we were WAY up there in the cheap seats!

Tomahawk choppin!

Pretty cool zoom on our camera... McCann on first base

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Zoo Atlanta was beautiful! It was a hot day but the zoo offered a decent amount of shade. I think Spring will be a better time for Macey to actually enjoy the zoo for the animals, but we had a great time!

Spencer, Nicholas, Macey, Miles and Carter

They were exhausted after their first day at the zoo!

The tiger was a little too close for pictures... and comfort.

The baby Giraffe was just born in July

The Zebras, Giraffes and Elephant were my favorites.

Gross Warthogs