little miss chatterbox

A couple of weeks ago, Anne started talking.  Or, at least, we think she did.  Her definite words include ma ma, da da, and uh oh.  But, she also calls her Aunt Tiffany and Aunt Keri Mama and points at Cabo when we say "da da", so really "uh oh" is probably her first word.

Her first phrase or question seems to be "duh da" or "what's that?" as translated by her proud parents.  She points to everything and says "duh da" which means that we say "tree," "light" or "fan" about ten million times a day.  She also seemed to say "sssa", which we translated as "sand" since she was covered in sand and playing with it as she said it.  Here she is after just mastering "sssa."

She also called Cabo "Babo" today, twice, so I'm counting that too, and, she just started saying "buu" and points at a book.  She LOVES to read, like her mommy.  She will toss her bottle to the ground if she spots a book on her nightstand and lunge to grab the book.  She smiles and points at things when we are reading whereas Harrison would gnaw on the page or mostly just gaze off into space.  Of course, his dad gets that same glazed look in his eye when I'm talking so I'll just chalk that up to genetics :)  She seems to be learning almost a new word each day so I am very eager to hear what comes next!

Speaking of what comes next, Harrison copied a bad word today.  Well, it wasn't a bad word because I just said "shoot" when I dropped my sunglasses (I really and truly did!) but a few minutes after that I heard him say it too.  I keep thanking my lucky stars that shoot was all that popped out but it was a really great reminder for me to watch my Ps and Qs from now on!

lucky enough

My in-laws have a sign in their beach house that says "If you are lucky enough to live at the beach, then you are lucky enough!!"  Well, we are lucky indeed because both sets of grandparents live at the beach.  This means that we get to go to the beach a lot and we love every minute of it!  We just returned from a week stay at Ocean City, NJ where Harrison and Anne got to spend some time with their cousin Griffin, 15 mos, and Aunt Tiffany and Uncle John.  Of course, Nana and Grandpa Jack were there too.  Our schedule each day consisted of waking up and biking to breakfast (donuts!!) on the boardwalk, then go to the beach before the afternoon nap, then going to the rides on the boardwalk, and having dinner before bed.  Pretty sweet vacation!  Here are a few pics from the trip!

Getting caught by the rain while biking:  (I think that was one of Harrison's highlights)

Eating breakfast at Brown's each morning:

It was awesome to see how great Anne and Griffin got along.  It was a little bit of a love-fest actually:

So great to see Tiffany and John too!

Enjoying the rides at the boardwalk:

Jamie doing his best to disguise the fear in his eyes:

Harrison took Griffin on his first ride:

Our best attempt at a beach shot of the kids:

We have also had several visits to Mimi's and Granddaddy's house this summer.  Some of the highlights include playing with Jordan (8) and Kendall (6), going to the Dunes Club, going out in the boat, and our last visit with Brantley, Keri, and Charlie (18 mos).  Here are some pics from our trips to Morehead City this summer:

hammock time with Jordan and Kendall:

Going out in the boat is our very favorite!!

Harrison and Daddy even got to drive the boat some!

Anne and Charlie in the baby pool:

We had a wonderful dinner out, without kids, definitely a highlight!

enjoying the backyard swing Granddaddy built:

scooting around with Granddaddy:

Charlie loved giving Annie hugs!

Harrison in his camo, waiting to help Mommy attack Daddy with the water balloons!

snacks on the beach:

watching Fourth of July fireworks over the sound with Aunt Tracy, Ian, Jordan, and Kendall.

Jamie and I have a recurring debate about which beaches are nicer, North Carolina's or New Jersey's.  I think that we have both reluctantly agreed that they each have their strengths.  Ocean City is the most incredible beach to take young kids.  The boardwalk is awesome, especially if you see it through the eyes of your child.  It is filled with the most incredible rides, junk food, and tacky shops, along with my favorite book store anywhere.  We also love biking around the beautiful homes and manicured yards each morning and love taking outdoor showers.  The breezes are a bit cooler but that means that the water is cool COLD, which is hard for this southern girl to get used to.  North Carolina's beaches are a lot less crowded, the water is much warmer, and we LOVE going out in Granddaddy's boat but we sure do miss that boardwalk when we are there.  The good news is that we don't have to choose and that we can enjoy the strengths of both.  I would say that we are lucky enough indeed!

our little ham

No, this isn't another fat baby post.  I'm talking about Anne's personality.  Our girl is so full of personality that I will be very surprised if she isn't a class clown.  It may just be her age, or those squeezable rolls, or her bright red curls, but I can't take her in a store without having several people gush over her.  Especially the grandmas.  Those old ladies seriously love them a red haired baby.  I even had one lady in New Jersey tell us, in a serious hushed voice, "She is going to be Miss America."  (of course, I was thinking PLEASE NO).  In fact, she has gotten so used to all the attention that she now expects it.  If someone walks by and does not comment, she will lean towards them, wave frantically, and flash her biggest smile.  And, don't get me started on our recent airplane trip.  That girl thought she was Naomi Campbell when we were walking towards our seat, smiling and waving at everyone on either side of the isle.  The smile she does when she thinks she is being cute is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.  It is definitely not her natural smile but I can tell that she thinks it is her most charming one.  She scrunches up her nose and squints her eyes really tight and tilts her head up, and smiles.  I've tried to capture it on camera but I think I'll have to break out the camera in the grocery store to really catch her in action.  This is my best attempt but it really isn't close to portraying her ridiculousness.

Gosh, I love that girl.

chunky

Anne is known for her chunky thighs.  Seriously, I have never heard so many comments about a girl's size before.  We took the kids to the Farmers Market a few weeks ago and I am guessing that we probably had about 11 people say something to us about her chubbiness.  Most of the people said something to us directly but I did overhear one woman point to Anne and say (in a nice way), "look how FAT that baby is."  One guy told me "my daughter was, ummm, healthy, at that age too," and a receptionist at a doctor's office once asked me if she could pinch her rolls (and she did too).
The other day I sitting with Anne and Harrison and I said "look at her thighs Harrison, they are called chunky thighs" and I squeezed Anne's thigh as I said it.  Harrison said "chunky thighs" and squeezed her too.  Then, without skipping a beat he squeezed my leg and said, "look Mom, you have chunky thighs too!"  I sure did learn my lesson on that one!

just like Cabo!

We were driving back from the beach today when all of a sudden Harrison screamed "I need a pull-up" which is Harrison-speak for "I'm about to go pee/poo in my pants!!"  Of course, we were on a deserted stretch of highway so I had to pull over for an emergency pit stop.  After he peed on the grass on the side of the road he said "I pee-peed in the grass, just like Cabo!  That was SO funny!"

uh oh, I have a feeling that won't be the last time Harrison pees in the grass.

impromptu beach trip

We were sitting around on this past lazy Sunday morning when Jamie said that he just got notice of a 7:45 am meeting in Wilmington the next day.  I said, why don't we come and stay with you?  I got online and found a great deal at an oceanfront hotel in Wrightsville and we started packing.  We dropped Cabo off at the Doggy Daycare and were at the beach about 2 hours later.  Just one of the many perks of living in North Carolina!  

Here is a picture of Jamie and Anne enjoying happy hour!

While Jamie spent the day in meetings, the kids and I went for a long walk on the beach, went to a park, and enjoyed our impromptu trip!  This is definitely the upside of being a stay at home mom!  Oh, and when we got home tonight Harrison gave me a big hug and said, "I love you Mom."  All is forgiven :)