Happy 1st Birthday Teresa!

A year ago we were eagerly waiting to meet our precious daughter.  Now here we are 12 months later and our little girl is rapidly changing and learning and filling our lives with joy.  She is crawling, (finally!) eating some solids (you can't predict from day to day what she likes and what she doesn't.)  She loves to turn pages in books--especially her puppy puppet book.  She likes taking toys in and out of containers.  Her favorite toys are her baby and her barn animals.  And she loves her brother!  Now she crawls after him like a little puppy! (She even sounds like a puppy panting when she gets really excited!)

We celebrated her birthday with two parties.  We had grandparents over for gifts, lunch and cake.  This evening we had some our friends and their families over for dinner.  We also filled the day with a trip to the farmer's market and the playground.  I think it was a good first birthday for our sweet little girl.

12 months old! (the last bear picture.)

Birthday Princess? Not so sure about the crown!

Wow! All for me?!

Ripping paper is fun.

Timothy was very willing to help with the present opening.

Teresa checks out her new baby.  We hope she will like her as much as her little one.

Teresa's flower cake.

Not quite so sure about her cupcake.

It's fun to crumble and smash it--she still hadn't tasted it.

Shortly after this picture I got her to try the cake and then she started eating it herself.

Grandma Judy and the birthday girl.

Grandma Rebecca and Grandpa Ken with the birthday girl.

Crawling!

Teresa made her first attempts at crawling yesterday.  She is not moving all over the place and has not quite mastered the skill, but she is trying.  When there is really something she wants, she can go get it.  Usually what she wants is her baby doll.  The video isn't the best, but it shows a little forward movement.  I am guessing in a week or so she will getting around a lot more!

Growing up

Timothy is growing up and learning new things.  He proudly announced the other morning that he made his bed.  I believe it is made in the sense that the covers are touching the pillow!

 

He also seems to be learning a lot from Sunday School.  As he danced during lunch today I complimented him on his great dance moves.  He replied, "Thanks, I learned it in Sunday School!"  The interesting part is that he has yet to start Sunday School.  (He did VBS this summer and starts Sunday School in the fall. )  I'm not sure if it is a pastor's kid thing or what, but a lot of what Timothy knows, he claims he learned in Sunday School.  Hmm!!??

A way with words

Timothy is taking in all kinds of vocabulary these days.  I have never before had to define so many words and phrases like "by golly" (which was in one of his stories).  And I have found it frustrating to try and define words when all Timothy does is ask what the words I use in the definition mean.  I feel like I need a dictionary with me at all times!  But in all of this I know he is learning, so I try to be patient with all the whys.
In addition to all his questions, Timothy says a lot of sweet and endearing and sometimes humorous things too.

Today, out of the blue, he asked "why do I need a mommy?"  I started to list off some things moms do such as love him, help him, and play with him. Then I asked him who would do those things if he did not have a mommy.  I wondered if he would naturally conclude that daddy would.  Instead his answer was "Jesus would."  That made me smile.

Later upon returning from a bike trip with Troy, Timothy told me he was sad on the way home.  I asked him why.  He replied, "I didn't see you."  That sure warmed my heart!

Timothy picked out a movie at Blockbuster tonight.  Troy was telling me how he first wanted a new show and later decided to go with Land Before Time as he had gotten other times.  Hearing this, Timothy said, "I used my options!"  I have never heard him speak of his 'options' before!

With a 3 1/2 year old who is learning language and figuring out the world, you never know what a conversation will entail!!

Summer Fun Update

We have continued with our summer fun projects.  This week we made a flick stick!  Yes, I know I could easily go to the store and find something similar, but there is something fun about making it.  I was pretty proud of this, although it will need some upgrades like a sturdy bottle.  I used a juice bottle and it is supposed to be a detergent bottle.  But it worked and Timothy and I had fun playing with it!

Timothy and his flick stick!

We have also had fun making summer time treats.  We tried an Egg Cream.  That was supposed to be like a milkshake made with milk, chocolate syrup, and seltzer water.  It was a definite flop.  Then we made some pudding pops.  Much better!  This week we will try out some homemade ice cream--without an ice cream maker!

Another fun game was "Hit the Mark."  I drew numbered circles on the driveway and we tried to hit each with a tennis ball.  Timothy liked this a lot.  Soon we will be starting a post card project.  We hope to get postcards from all 50 states!  We will see how that goes--should be fun!

Happy 4th of July

We had a great holiday complete with very hot weather, a small town parade, grilling, fun time with family, and fireworks.  We actually only heard the fireworks...they were going off everywhere around Troy's mom's house while we were trying to sleep on Sunday night. (I think we were getting a taste of "the bombs bursting in air!")  Amazingly both kids slept right through them and woke up later in the night when all was quiet. 

Our star spangled girl.

Timothy's first Popsicle.  He seems to have the hang of licking it!

Timothy loved the parade and keeps asking if he can go again to the parade at Grandma's.  His favorite part was of course running out to get candy!  We tried taking him to some inflatable jumpers in the afternoon, but it was just too hot.  He bounced around for a few minutes and then wanted out.  The hot plastic hurt his bare feet. 

The girls hanging out at the parade.

The boys play games together back at home.