Big Sister

We bought Laurie a "Big Sister" t-shirt way back when we found out we were expecting #2. I just now managed to get some shots of her in it. It's supposed to be a 2T, but I am not sure she will be able to wear it in another 4 months! My sweet little butterball! She is so excited to meet her baby sister!

We still like to take walks in the very late afternoon (despite how unbelievably hot it is). Laurie's latest interest is in helping Dada "throw" dummies for Josie. She really just wants to carry and occasionally fling one around. She and Josie have an ongoing argument about who should have the dummies.

And here are a few shots of the latest dress I made for Laurie. I really love this pattern, though I will probably tone the puff sleeves down a little next time. Laurie is really looking forward to wearing cute little matching dresses with #2. I can't wait!

Pool Time and a Murder Mystery

When it's this hot outside, what else can you do but sit in your pool? Laurie isn't terribly interested in the pool other than cleaning off her feet and the occasional dip to cool off. I thought it was so sweet that she watered the daylillies we dug up from the Fair home in Louisville.

Yesterday morning, I happened to notice some odd dust on Laurie's foot. I just brushed it off, without a second thought. Later that day, I am vacuuming in our room and see more of this dust in front of my vanity. I look up to see little dusty fingerprints all over my vanity drawers. With a sickening feeling, I open the drawer to find the remains of my powder dumped everywhere. Poor powder, may he rest in peace. Laurie even shut the drawer back to hide the evidence! What I don't understand is when she did it? She was with me all day. And wasn't someone watching her??? Oh...yeah, that's me.

How could someone who sleeps this sweetly do that? I love that Laurie sleeps snuggled up in the corner with all her toys around her. And you never know when you may need to wake up, turn on your mobile and go immediately back to sleep.

Watering the Grass

Our back yard is something of a problem area. On top of a lot of shade, it's sloped, we have really hard dirt, and a dog. With the view of many small children playing back there some day, Daddy has been working really hard to get some grass started. We've had some really hot days lately, so Laurie and I thought it would be fun, and helpful, to go outside and water it. I wouldn't say that all of the yard got a good watering, but this one patch is swampy wet.

Charlie's Birthday

Our cousin, Charlie's birthday party was on Saturday. He had a cowboy birthday party, Laurie was dissappointed that she didn't have any cowboy attire, but we thought our frog dress might be boyish enough to get us in the door.

There were so many fun activities planned, Laurie had a hard time deciding what to do. I would say our favorite is going up and down the fun deck stairs. (again and again and...sigh...) Laurie enjoyed patting Mo Glo, our pony, but you can forget riding her. The rocking horse is really much more our speed. Happy Birthday, Charlie!!

Laurie Do It

For a while now, I have been easing Laurie into learning to feed herself with a spoon. Usually, I handle putting the food on the spoon and let her handle putting the spoon in her mouth. Last night, I thought it might be fun to see how she does working the whole process. It was...somewhat successful. If not very entertaining. By the end, Laurie had gotten peaches spread everywhere, she figured it would be just as easy to lick it up.

Speaking of eating, we met my sweet college friend, Sheri for lunch. She brought Laurie some fun gifts, including crayons. Laurie has crayons and markers and bathtub markers already. Never before has she decided to eat them. These must be particularly flavorful. She was not pleased to have them taken from her. Can you guess what color she picked to eat?

Bebe and Granda

Bebe and Granda came up to see us (and by us, I mean Laurie) Sunday. Bebe did an excellent job helping Laurie color. As usual, they brought Laurie a gift, a big bubble wand. While we were outside popping bubbles, Dada worked a little on watering our yard. What little girl would be able to turn down a run through the water hose? In our Sunday dress. The cold water was a bit of a shocker, but she still decided it was good fun. Laurie ran through the water, chased after it, and found the only mud hole in the entire yard. For Dada and Laurie's sakes, I hope the mud comes out of her dress.

I See My Future

Our friend, Ellie came over for a few hours Thursday while her mommy was busy. She and Laurie had so much fun playing together. Ellie is one year older than Laurie and Laurie thinks she is amazing. Laurie followed her everywhere and wanted to do exactly what Ellie did. Ellie pulls out toys from the basket, Laurie pulls out toys from the box, Ellie dances in the princess castle, Laurie dances in the princess castle, Ellie...well, you get the picture.

Ellie enjoyed this amount of adulation for a short time, then she decided she was tired of sharing every toy she wanted to play with. I spent a lot of time saying, "let's share, let's take turns." I understand her frustration, that kind of attention is a big responsibility. When Ellie's mommy picked her up she told her Laurie was "mean to me." Ha! Poor Laurie, she has no clue.

It also gave me an interesting look into what the next year will be like. 1) Rivalry over toys 2) Love/Hate relationship between an older and younger sibling 3) How different a speaking child is (how this..why that..what this) Wow! 4) How much busier 2 children are than 1.

They barely stood still long enough for any pictures. We love Ellie! Laurie can't wait to play again.

The Artist

This is Laurie's very first attempt at art. It wasn't enough to color one page at a time, we had to color one on each side of the table. I started to let her use crayons, then I thought better and bought Magic Markers, didn't realize they were Toy Story themed. She has a very short attention span for coloring, try as I may to encourage her.

Laurie started her next piece this week while our friend Ellie was over to play. I guess we are back to crayons. They seem to hold her attention better, and I am to lazy to take them away.

Serious Silliness

Not only is it funny to stick socks on our hands, it's also funny to throw a blanket over our head and wander around the room, giggling the whole way. I should have done a video instead of just pictures. But you have to be fast, you never know what will come next.

Break in Yazoo

With a pretty Sunday with not much to do, Dada and I decided it was a great day to head up to Yazoo for some fresh air, fishing, ponies, and a fun change of scenery.

Dada enjoyed bass fishing and caught quite a few. Poor Josie kept jumping in the pond exactly where Will was fishing and ended up spending the day in the laundry room. We tried to talk Laurie into getting in the picture with him, but apparently she only likes bathtub fish, not slimy, scaling, moving fish. Mama and Laurie enjoyed making daisy chains with wildflowers. What princess doesn't need a crown? She kept hers on until after we were home. Which is nice because she refuses to wear a bow for any amount of time.

I may need to buy a big girl rocker for the house. Get in the chair, rock, get out of the chair, run around the room squealing. And repeat.

At some point, even a princess has had enough and is ready to go home. To bad Mama is so hard hearted she keeps taking pictures.

Smock Talk

I have FINALLY finished my first smocking project. We went through a few learning pains, I had to pull out more stitches than I care to relive, but am so proud of how pretty it turned out.

When we were getting dressed for church this morning, I had this gripping fear that it wouldn't fit or would fall off her. I wouldn't even stay in the room while Will was getting her dressed. What a relief to pick her up from the nursery and find all still intact!

Feel free to to Ooh and Aah to your heart's content.

Twirling

Laurie just learned to twirl. It is just about hysterical, she tries so hard. Laurie is a quick study when she wants to be and I am more thrilled than she when she learns something new. Twirling, got it; knows all her animals, perfect; points to most of her body parts, when she wants to; learned on her own to say Cheerio, yup; will you say Dada, "No."

I especially enjoy how drunk it makes her, swerving around the house and falling down. Anything to burn off a little more energy. Please don't notice it was laundry day.