Maryland and Family

What a wonderful trip we had to Maryland! It was such a treat to be able to visit with family and let Lola get to know her extended family. We went to the zoo in Salisbury, and Lola loved the playground.  It was still a little cold to really enjoy the beach, but after Lola's last experience with the ocean, I don't think she would have been quick to indulge in beach activities anyway. We did go to Ocean City and did the board walk. We went on the huge ferris wheel, and thankfully, Lola had a healthy fear and wasn't too squirmy.  She LOVED the carmel corn and french fries. We took a trip to the "Homestead" to see what was happening there. Hallwood hasn't changed much, it seems. There was a little thrift shop that we stopped at and I found these two great hats! Both hats for $6! Now to find a great outfit to wear (Probably at Halloween) with them. While in Hallwood, June remembered the cream puff place--best cream puffs in the world, by the way, in Onancock. So we headed that way. I told Rodney he was in for a real treat. Lola was asleep when we got there, so we couldn't all go in. Mom and Aunt Betty argued about who would buy the dozen...so we got two. Rodney agreed, they were pretty tasty!  Before we got back to Salisbury, I think we were a dozen down! Lola was able to get some play time with her cousins. Sarah, Kaylee and Shelby came over for a big seafood feast! When she and Sarah saw each other for the first time, they ran and hugged each other. It was so sweet! I so wish that we lived closer to all these cousins so that Lola could grow up around her cousins. She so seemed to enjoy it. And she did pretty much enjoy the clams! Since she was under two, we flew with her as a lap child. Gamma and Honey wanted some coffee and didn't wait till we got through security to get it. As a result, we were the last people on the plane. Fortunately, some nice person changed seats so at least Rodney and I could sit together in the very last row.  We made it, and on our way home, we made sure that we checked in early!

Kate and Lola

Lola had a fun couple of days spending time with her BFF Kate. Kate came to see us this week and Lola and Kate were able to spend some time getting to know each other. It was really fun to see them interact with each other. What I learned is, "Every toy is A LOT more fun if someone else is playing with it first." Lola wanted any toy that captured Kate's interest, whether it was ok with Kate or not!
I posted some pictures on the other site of Lola playing keep-away with Kate with her little car. I find it interesting that even at such a young age, they are all about ME. MINE. Though Lola could not articulate "MINE!" she certainly communicated that sentiment! Even when it wasn't, "MINE!" We played outside  in our back yard for awhile, Lola has gotten very very good about climbing to the top and going down the slide. This inspired Kate to get pretty good at it too. Which was impressive since she had not been on our slide before! After her nap yesterday, and when she woke up this morning, Lola woke up saying, "Kate. Kate. Kate. Kate..." So I know she really had fun having Kate here. When I went in her room this morning, she was in her diaper, and her PJs were across the room along with all her pillows and stuffed animals. I changed her diaper and then ran out for a second, when I came back my little girl was N-A-K-E-D and her diaper was nowhere to be seen! I really hope this isn't the beginning of a trend!
Last night we met up with some friends at the park, but not before going to Chino Bandido's (One of Rebecca's favorites and she can't get it in Colorado). While we were waiting for our food, the girls played on the statue of the Bandido. I turned my video on as Rebecca was scolding Kate for knocking Lola on the head with her fist, and caputred this:

It isn't funny that my little girl is somewhat of a bully...but it kind of is...they were ok, and loved on each other again, but see what I mean about those MINEs and MEs?

Bubblers and Slides

It has been a whirlwind visit but oh, so fun! Gamma got to take Lola to the train park, ride the train and carousel, and play in the park. This is the first time that Lola has gone up AND down the slide all by herself. Usually, she just sits at the top of the slide and the other children get backed up behind her until I finally have to go move her out of the way.
Gamma and Honey left this morning. They got to see Lola in FINE form! Gamma let her out of the cart in Sam's, and there was no getting her back in. So I was finally the mom that got "looks" from other customers. She is very methodical about her fits, she very carefully puts herself down on the ground before she starts kicking and screaming. Fortunately, that doesn't happen often!
This morning we went for breakfast and played in the bubblers. She had a blast and now is down for a nap. Gamma and Honey wear her out!

Eating Yogurt and Giggles

So just a little snippet. Clearly, saying, "No" to Lola is funny. This little video was taken after Lola ate a container of yogurt all by herself (and had a good hosing down after!) and starting telling us, "No". This one's for the grandparents. I'm really not saying "NONONONONO" to her at  the end because I wanted her to stop. I wanted to see if she's start again. Enjoy!

Cleaning Up and Falling Down

So it's been a while since we posted anything. That doesn't mean things haven't been eventful, it just means that Lola doesn't sit still long enough for us to get any good pictures for us to share! It seems like that first year--before mobility was our life, I had the camera out all the time. Well, now I'm lucky if I get a blur as she runs by!

We did have a bit of an accident over the weekend. If you've been to our house, you know we have a concrete floor in our dining room and pool table room. Well, Lola took a header onto the concrete floor. Fortunately, she was just banged up a bit. I was really scared that her teeth may have taken some abuse, but they seemed fine. Aside from the gore-fest we had going on for a little while, she really suffered no more than a fat lip for a few days. It did not interfere with her ability to have chu-chu, but did make her quite clingy the rest of the evening. But we snuggled and watched Beauty and the Beast and by the time Belle was in the tower, Lola was running circles around the living room again.
We have been sick off and on in our house for the past couple of months. We really were lucky the first year having no illness, but have certainly made up for it since Thanksgiving! During a bout with an ear infection (in both ears) we discovered that Lola, like her momma, has an allergy to amoxycillyn. That was fun. Poor itchy baby! But with the warmer weather, we seem to be on the mend and the snot is staying at bay, hopefully for a long while! (But now she knows "where the boogers live" and it will be a happy day in our house when she can pick her own nose!)
I can't believe that she is almost 21 months old! The time is going already so fast! It won't be long until she is 2 years old (which she thinks she is anyway, cause that's the number she knows!) We ask her how old she is and she holds up one finger but says "TWO!" She is very proud of knowing the number two. When they count to five on Sesame Street, she yells "TWO!" at the TV between every number. She is quite a character. I am enjoying watching our quirky little girl's personality grow and change every day.

Superbowl and Dancing

If you've met Lola, you know that she is quite the dancer and loves music. On Superbowl Sunday, we spent the afternoon at the Larson's house, and although Lola had no preference for the Steelers or the Packers (notice she's sporting her Cowboy's jersey), she did have quite the fondness for the halftime show.  She is immune to all the criticism that the Black Eyed Peas received for the performance.

Lola has also developed quite a fondness for Brett. He has baby sat for her a few times and she is mesmorized by him. After capturing this on video, I know why!