Swim Lesson's

It was very important to me that Stinky take swim lessons this summer. My DH never learned how to swim and when I met him he was very uncomfortable in the water. I love being in the water and have my whole life. I wanted Stinky to feel confident in the water and enjoy it as well. She learned a lot. She loves jumping off the side, putting her face in the water and swimming to the edge and she climbing out of the pool as well. The only part she really did not like is floating. We are still working on this technique.

Her enjoyment and confidence really shined through when we went on vacation soon after finishing swim lessons. She loved going under water, kicking and swimming toward daddy and myself. She is a little scary now because she will just go under water with little notification and just start going. We have to be very vigilant in watching her. But her excitement when she hits the water is the greatest joy to me.

It's the reason for slow blogging!

So here is the reason for my slow blogging. Stinky is going to be a big sister. Along with that came 3 months of morning sickness that lasted all day everyday. All efforts during this time was keeping up with Stinky. Poor DH, poor house and there was chaos everywhere. Stinky learned what fast food was and forgot what it was like to eat fruit and veggies. She also grew in her imitation skills. Everytime I was getting close with the toilet she would run into the bathroom and watch. When I was done she would bend over the toilet and make throw up sounds. As sad as it was it did make me laugh a little at a miserable moment. At my first doctor's appointment I was given a magic pill. It has held me over with very little trips to the toilet and I am not 3 days off the pill. It is a good think that somehow the brain erases all the unpleasentries of being pregnant otherwise people would go for a second child.

The first 3 months is over and we are all starting to get excited. When you ask Stinky where the baby is she points to my belly. During our vacation she sang "Night, night, Baby" and rubbed my belly. We are not sure how much she understands as she pats Daddy's belly and says "Baby" too. We are looking forward to Stinky's first introduction to her newest family member.

Coloring Just Keeps Getting More Fun

Coloring just keeps get more fun as Stinky begins to choose colors, color on the paper and to color with intent.

Mt Hermon Vacation and All the Things You Can Do At Camp

Along with an adult pool they have a kiddie pool just the right size for Stinky. She loves to swim.

Boating was a blast. At first she wasn't so sure of it, but pretty soon she wanted to touch the water, paddle the boat and her favorite thing of all was sinning "Row row row your boat".

There is something to be said about reliving childhood memories with your own child. I grew up going to this camp and feel as though it is my second home. When I was old enough I worked 3 summers at camp. There was a transition for me as I slowly crept into adult hood where the magic of camp had disappeared and the realization that I was now looking at things with adult eyes. Though camp had lost a little magic I still have enjoyed going back just to remember what good times where had. Then another change happened, I had a child. This year my magic was regained as I watched my daughter begin to make her own memories. But these memories she is making, the enjoyment she is having, and the activities she is doing bring not only excitement for her but excitement for what I once had as a child. The smells, the sites and the emotion. It is almost more fun watching her experience it all. I only hope that this place can be as special to her as it is to me.

It's Amazing How Much They Want to Be Like You At This Age

We recently received as a gift American Idol 2 singing game for our Wii. I have to admit with help from some friends (Little Chu's parents) we have been enjoying a little singing. Ok maybe a lot of sinning. I think we logged almost 40 hours in the first 10 days. Most of the time we put the girls to sleep and then break out the mic. So with that said I am not sure how Stinky had time to see us singing. But she must have because one day she pulled the mic down off the shelf and began going "lalalalala" into the mic and dancing.

It amazes me how much they pick up from our modeling behavior. It's time to start watching what we say and do because our little sponge is watching every word and action.

A Little Time With Papa

My DH came home from work early today and coincidentally Stinky blew through her afternoon nap. Did I get lucky or did I get lucky? Taking this great opprotunity to bring the two of them together and give me a little time to finish up some projects, I set them out to finish a Father's Day activity I had begun. I had intended for Stinky to help me finish this project as a surprise Father's Day gift but in the middle of the project I broke my thumb. Ouch! This resulted in a stop of all things that take the use of a thumb which is just about everything. So with quick thinking we gave Daddy a "to do" Father's Day gift. But any excuse to spend time with Stinky is worth far more to my DH than any materialistic item.

It caught me off gaurd a little when my DH started panicking when Stinky immediatley tried to eat the glue, taste the materials and explore them in everyway other than put them on the ceramic stepping stone frog. It made me realize that it isn't often that he sits down with her to work on a project that isn't open ended. With a little guiding the two of them were able to finish the project and enjoy some bonding time along the way.

Cooking With Mommy

Often times Stinky gets really hungry which equals cranky while I am making dinner. Lately if I am not cooking anything on the stove I will let her sit on the other side of me while I cute and prepare dinner. She has really enjoyed this time. We will talk about the foods that I am preparing and I will often let her taste the fresh fruits and veggies before they are cooked.

She liked this special treat. I gave her the mixing bowl and spoon after I made a cake. I am excited to begin introducing her to baking and cooking. Soon I will begin letting her stir and then we will move onto other cooking projects. For now it is just observing and tasting. Sounds like a good deal to me. Where do I sign up?