February Snow Day

 Yesterday a coworker mentioned she was bringing her computer home because snow was in the forecast.  I didn't think much of it since I was planning to bring my computer home anyhow.  When we woke up this morning there was a slight dusting of snow so we went about our day as usual but within an hour it became apparent that this wasn't a normal snow day - it just kept coming.  It is still coming.  Every time I'd look out the window and think it was letting up it would start to snow harder!  So....the girls' school closed just after lunch time and my work shut the site down at 1:00.  That meant we had the afternoon and evening to enjoy our 10" (and growing!) of snow.

 Allison and I headed straight to the park when she got home.  There weren't many kids there but we did a little bit of sledding and she loved riding the slides, they were so slick!  I'd pile snow at the bottom for her, she loved it!

 After dinner we took both girls back to the park.  Heidi was bundled up well and I carried her in the Beco.  She was a little confused as to what was happening but was generally a good sport.

 I loved the snow piled up on the window sills.  And I was actually looked at our house and thought the old Christmas wreath still fit in!

I love street lights in the snow - they are so bright!  And they help me see if the snow is STILL coming (yes, it is!).  Schools are already cancelled for tomorrow and my work campus isn't open either.  Things are supposed to warm up this weekend so you can bet we'll be doing our best to make the most of tomorrow!

January Pajama Day!

The last day of the month is pajama day at the girls' school.  Heidi was so excited to get to wear her pajamas from Auntie Brittney, can't you tell!

Ohio!!

I had a work trip scheduled to Cincinnati - and since my cousin Alison lives just an hour away we decided Allison could come along.  She was super excited to get to spend a few days with her (second) cousins Autumn & Alayna.  I was really excited to have some company on a work trip.  Having Allison along made the work travel more enjoyable although there was a certain amount of added stress in getting her around.  Thankfully the weather cooperated - it was cold while we were there but not icy!

She was completely fascinated by the dinosaur skeleton in the Chicago O'hare Airport.  We had short lay-overs so I wasn't ever able to take her to the moving sidewalks between the United terminals.  Next time!

We spent the first day at the Dayton Children's museum with Cousin Alison & Autumn.  Autumn is just 6 months older than Allison and these two had a really good time together.

 We saw a real life cardinal from the bird house!

 Allison & Autumn made all sorts of gourmet pizzas for us!

 It is fun going places with other kids, Allison climbed up this 'web' many times and bravely went down the slide without a second thought!

 There was quite a bit of snow on the ground and the temps were pretty cold.  Allison really wanted to play in the snow while we were there but I don't think it ever worked out (plus we hadn't really brought her snow gear along!)

 On our last day we met up at a mall and the girls were bundled up - it was COLD and windy!

 Allison & I had several hours to kill in the Cincinnati airport - so I let her send her backpack around the baggage carousel.  She loved it!  

And she got to practice flying a plane in the kids play area.  Our trip home was long with late flights but she was a trooper and slept most of the second flight.  I was so glad to have her along on this little adventure and that she had a chance to meet some of her far-away cousins!

Heidi's Party!

 We had a little party today with friends and family to celebrate Heidi's birthday!  Our local pool has a toddler package which gives your party two an hour in the small warm pool along with a party room so we decided to do that since Heidi loves to play in the pool.  She enjoyed every minute of her party although she was fairly clueless that it was all of her.  She was thrilled to be given another cupcake!  (Mark did eventually take some of the frosting away!)

 Our little birthday water baby!

Music Lessons

 Heidi discovered the piano today and was having a good time playing it, which inspired Mark to get the guitar out and play for the girls.  Heidi then crawled over and picked up one of the shakers to accompany him.  She loves having him play music!

 Allison loves it, too, and convinces him to play songs she knows so she can sing along!

 The Heidi-bug can clap, too!

Heidi's Bowl

 We gave Heidi a bowl that suctions down to her tray for her birthday and she is enjoying getting to use it.  She concentrates incredibly hard trying to get a spoonful out.  Although it is tricky to get a spoonful when you are using the wrong end.

 Eventually she gives up and just uses her hands!

 She has also recently discovered her nose.  And sticking her finger in her nose.  She likes to do this and then blow through her nose, it must feel a little strange.

Silly Heidi-bug!

Heidi - One Year

 Our baby girl turned one this past week.  I suppose that means she isn't really a baby anymore.  This girl keeps us on our toes and we are enjoying seeing her personality really come out.  Heidi loves to be in the middle of the action, she is generally cheerful and full of life.  And she has a temper that is making itself known.  Here are a few things to remember about Heidi at one:

 Heidi is 31.5" (99%) and 22 lbs 12 oz (87%) - definitely a big girl!  And she eats so well - she will try all sorts of food.  Her favorites are fruit (especially mandarin oranges but we have to limit how many we let her eat) and beans.  Oh, and cupcakes now!  She had two new top teeth break through on her birthday and it looks like there are two more bottom teeth just under her gums.

This girl is social in many ways, she loves people and doesn't fuss when we drop her off at daycare or in the nursery.  She loves other kids, especially her big sister.  However, she has one mean stare for strangers.  She doesn't act afraid of them but she doesn't smile and she doesn't blink she just stares them down.  She also loves carrying something in her hand.  Lately it has been a Duplo Lego but in the past it has been a pencil and sometimes it will be a piece of Playmobil.  Heidi definitely adds so much joy and fun to our lives, we're so thankful to be her family and look forward to watching her grow even more!