Weekend Fun June 16-17

What a fun Father's Day weekend we had!

First up, we had a fun night hanging out with some of our neighbors Friday.  It was great drinks and company. 

Then, on Saturday we decided to check out the Zionsville Farmer's Market.  We didn't actually buy anything, but plan to go back soon!  The strawberries looked especially yummy.  While downtown, we couldn't help but see the Porsche "cruise-in" going on that shut down Zionsville's brick mainstreet.  It was neat seeing all the beautiful cars!  We tried out a new pizzeria downtown and just loved our pesto pizza with lots of garlic and plenty of cheese!

Later that day, after some nice naps all around, we attended our neighbor's 8th Birthday Luau.  Jenny & Brian (I'm guessing mostly Jenny!!) did a wonderful job with the theme, and the food was so great!  There was a bouncy house (we actually borrowed this for Eliza's party--it was a HUGE hit).  Talk about a good time!

Imagine the BIG smile on Eliza's face!

No more imagining; there it is!

It was hard to get a good picture with all the moving around :)

Fun on the neighbors' stairs*

Aloha!*

With the lovely birthday girl*

Our wonderful group of neighbors, with the hosts on the far right (missing a napping baby Jackson)*

*Thank you to our lovely neighbors for taking and sharing these photos, and as well for throwing an amazing/fun party!  Happy Birthday, sweet Ashley!

On Sunday we took our first 2012 trip to the neighborhood park & pool.  Eliza was timid at first, not really enjoying the swings or water, but eventually splashed around.

No smiles here

Neat view!

Testing out the water

What do I think about this?  hmmm, not sure.

Post pool ride in my wagon.  Standing Room Only.

We'll be back to the park & pool several times this summer, I think!

Happy Father's Day!

This year we celebrated Father's Day very low key.  Eliza and I gave Gary his present, a Nook Glow, several days early--it was a big hit!  On the actual day, we hung out and spent some time at the neighborhood park and pool (separate post to come).  I think Gary would say he really enjoyed "his" day!

In keeping with our Mother's Day crafting, we made our dads (the grandpas) some Eliza-art.  Eliza wasn't too happy with us, but she still cooperated and these turned out great!

On the left, is Gary's dad Ron's art.  It says, "Since you can't go hunting on Father's Day, here's a big buck to hang on your wall!"  Ron likes to hunt during season, and I had seen this footprint art used around Christmas time for reindeer--so why not make Pepa a buck-head for his wall?!  Maybe we'll start a footprint tradition for Pepa?
On the right is my dad, Tom's art.  It says, "Thank you for giving our family tree such strong roots!"  We used Eliza's hand prints to make the leaves on this tree.  I came up on with this idea on my own, but it's entirely possible I've seen it somewhere and filed it away subconsciously, but I thought it was a great idea!  I was so pleased with how both turned out.

We hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day, too!

To Gary:

More than I know we were made for each other, I know you were made to be her daddy.

This is love; pure and simple.

Thank you for being the type of dad, without even trying, that will teach Eliza how she deserves to be loved.
Thank you for sharing this life with me.
I love you.  Eliza loves you.  We're the two luckiest girls in the world.
Happy Father's Day!

A Future Soccer Player?

Aunt April and Uncle Ben recently spent 10 days in Ireland.  Fun!  They brought back Eliza a soccer outfit, and of course we had her try it on for some pictures!  And I couldn't not add a bow.  :)

"Ireland's No. 1 Dribbler"

She looked so incredibly adorable, no?!

Thanks for the fun outfit!

12 Months Old!

On Thursday, Eliza had her 12 month well-baby visit to her pediatrician.  We got a great report!  Eliza is growing and developing right on track.  After a rough first year (failure to thrive, reflux, febrile seizures, chronic ear infections, a gazillion colds), we are so happy that at her 1 year mark she is currently so happy and healthy!

My Mommy told you I was happy!

Weight: 18lbs 7oz, 39%

Height: 29.75in, 70%

Clothing size: Would you believe that she has some sleeveless Carter's 3m onesies that fit?!  Yeah, we can hardly believe it either.  She's in 9m and 6-12m clothes mostly.  Size 3 diapers.

Eating:  She's on 3 meals of table food.  Also still 5 bottles of breast milk per day.  I'm no longer pumping, but we have plenty of breast milk in the freezer to keep Eliza on breast milk for the foreseeable future.  The struggle now will be switching her to sippy cups instead of bottles! 

Movement:  She took her first steps unassisted this past month!!  She still doesn't walk without encouragement.  But she can do it :)  She loves to walk along any sort of furniture or while holding someone's hand.  She's into everything!  (but not our cabinets, thank goodness).

Sleeping: In the 11m post, I wrote about Eliza regressing on her sleep.  Well, turns out she just had an ear infection (and then another, and another!).  Once she was treated, her sleep went right back to normal with 12 hours usually: 7:30-7:30, though sometimes it's more like 8-7:30.  

Likes: Walking under the kitchen table, pasta, funny faces, animals, Super Why, pictures of herself.

Dislikes: Being set down, drinking breast milk from a sippy cup, having things taken away from her. 

Speech:  We have heard her mimic words back to us, such as: banana, Eliza, Adam.  She definitely says "uh oh" and knows the meaning.  Everything is "dada."

Milestones:  First steps!  First Birthday!  First cartoon (Super Why).

The big things we've noticed this month are her increasing independence, ability to mimic faces and words, giving of kisses, and showing of frustration.  Eliza does throw mini-tantrums, which consist of laying down on the floor.  She sometimes cries or yell, sometimes doesn't!  We're very excited to see the exponential development that is ahead in this next year!  

SO Funny!!

Look at me in my chair!

Look up at the picture on the side...remember how small I was on this blanket 11 months ago?

Pretty girl, ready to take on life!

Deja Vu

Mommy, circa 1984:

Eliza, circa 2012:

First Birthday Party (part 3: the final installment)!

In this final installment of Eliza's birthday party, I'll be sharing some of the candid shots during the party including gift opening.  Eliza got so many clothes, books, and toys!  We are so thankful to all our family and friends for giving Eliza gifts for her birthday.  Thank you!

Opening presents in her present from Mommy & Daddy

Loves her baby doll that giggles

I can stand up!

A pretty teddy!

Guests watching the birthday girl

Loving her animal towel!

Helping unwrap

Shouting in her baby-way

Striking a tissue paper pose

This is her yelling at her cousin Grayson for trying to take her tissue paper.  Sorry, buddy!

My paper!

Hi, Aunt April!

She had fun with balloons, too!

Helping Daddy

this is fun!

Pretty girl!

Looking up to her cousin Gillian

Yay balloons!

Happy to be with Mommy toward the end of the party  :)

So there ya go.  It was such an amazing day, and I still can't believe it happened and my girl is 1 year old.  Even though this is the final birthday party post, I expect both Gary and I will write again to reflect on her first year.  We just haven't had the moments to sit down and truly reflect the way we want to.  So again I say, Stay Tuned!

First Birthday Party (part 2)

Today I'm sharing more pictures from Eliza's fun first birthday party!

With Mema before the party

Checking out her new wagon

Festive family photo!

Balloons!!!

Happy Birthday, dear girl!

Make a wish and blow out your candles!

How's that cake?

Can Daddy have a bite?

A new favorite family photo

this cake-eating is tough!

Look at that crowd!  Eliza is loved.

Aunts and Grandpa looking on

Granna the baby-wrangler.  Someone didn't want to get dressed!

Gary with friends!

Tomorrow I'll post another installment chronicling the gift opening portion of the party!

On Thursday, Eliza has her 12m well check so Thursday evening I'll post our monthly stats update with her monthly photos (there are some great ones!!).