Just Me and My Mom

One of Annabel's favorite books is Mercer Meyer's Just Me and My Mom.  This month we have plenty of time to practice the scenes!  Eric took a work trip to South Africa for 10 days, was home of 4 and then off to California for half a week.  It's conference season, but be in-between presentations, he is able to have fun.  He was able to meet up with our friends Cameron and Brent and they took in a baseball game and lots of golf.  

But, Annabel and I have been having fun too. 

On her birthday, we went to a big park.  This swing happens to be right about the height of Annabel's head, so when she ran towards it and it was rocking a bit, it swung up and hit her right in the chin!!  Down she went!!!  This happened twice.  She was ok and it struck me funny; I still giggle if I picture it.

DQ birthday treat!!

A couple weeks ago, we had rain for at least five days with one nice night in the middle of the week.  We took advantage and after work and day care, walked around the zoo.  These cougars were so close and so big!  The peacocks were fanning.  It was a beautiful night.  I found out that Annabel loves popcorn!

One very rainy Saturday morning we checked out the new indoor playground a couple towns away.  It was so nice.  Annabel played forever and had a lot of fun.  She went down this slide backwards on her stomach for awhile until she built up the courage to go on her bottom.  It was more fun that way.

We've made a couple trips to the library to gather books to entertain us in the evenings.  She was calm on this trip, but the next trip she thought the shelves of books were great places to run behind and dodge mom chasing after her. 

A walk around the neighborhood.  It's hard to say no when she brings me my coat and shoes.

Last night we had a great night!!  It was gorgeous out so after supper I decided we needed to go somewhere!!!  Jazz Fest free stage it was!  She danced and ate more popcorn!!  She held onto that bag tightly and didn't want to share.  By some miracle, there were no bugs!!

Walking the river area after the show. 

Lunch at the farmer's market where I had a delicious acorn squash, purple onion, and goat cheese pot pie with a veggie quinoa salad.  Annabel tried a bounce house for the first time...and it was free!!  She also loved the playground.

The hardest part about temporary single parenthood is getting us ready in the mornings and meal plans!  I took Monday off as Tuesday is Canada Day.  It was going to be impossible to find day care on Monday, so I'm enjoying an extra long weekend.  Tomorrow we are planning to get together at the church mom's group I frequented when Annabel was a baby and Tuesday there are some Canada Day events at a park.  I may be all parked out, but we will see.  I would love to watch some fireworks, but a 9:30 or later darkness makes it a bit challenging with a toddler.  

Overall, we are having a good time, but I think Annabel is missing Eric and tiring of only me as she is finding more and more ways to be mischievous.  At least Eric will be back to celebrate (after work) for the 4th!

We have a 2-year-old!!

Happy, Happy 2nd Birthday to Annabel!!

We spent a couple weeks in Wisconsin at the end of May, so we celebrated early.  Annabel loved opening up her presents and now responds with "cake?" when I talk about any party. 

She is talking more and more and surprising us with a new word about every day.  I asked her to put on her pajamas she got as a birthday present from Grandma and she started singing Happy Birthday!  She has been in the world for two years now and appears to be taking full advantage of figuring out how everything works.  She loves swimming, books, and her letter puzzle.  Her favorite foods are chicken, cheese, fries, peas, and fruit snacks.  Based on the amount she talks her friends at daycare, I think she likes them too.  We, of course, continue to greatly love being her parents!

Early present before our trip to Wisconsin.

Her first real doll.  

Pool at Buppa and Damma's.

We all had a great time at a birthday cook-out at Neil and Jodi's house.  Annabel loved playing with all of Ava's outside toys, especially the water table.

Annabel and cousin Ava

Enjoying her new Duplos from our friends here, Savannah and Warren
You can see our weather has been slow to warm up this year.

She even says "cool dude!"

Her new love is running and yelling "run" while doing so.

Being silly at Dada's eye appointment a couple months ago.

As her mama, I can't help but reflect a little on the day she was born and the past two years.  What a blessed day!

Happy Birthday, Annabel!