Lucy, don't blink. You'll miss our only Snow this year

Even though many people have been downright upset that we haven't had a winter (umm Daniel), I find no reason to complain.  Don't get me wrong...I would complain more then anyone could handle if there were snow everyday during Winter.  If I could sit inside with a nice cup of cocoa and look out to see nice white fluffiness everywhere, my heart would be happy.  It's when I have to go anywhere that I start to have anxiety attacks.  I'm one of those people that looks out the window every few seconds to see if any more snow had fallen on the roads that I'm about to drive on.  I HATE driving in the snow. For all those crazy people that enjoy it (umm... Cindy)--you go right ahead.  I will not stop you. 

Growing up in Idaho, we got snow and sometimes LOTS!  I should be used to it (haha- yeah right).  Because we haven't gotten any snow this year in St. Louis except for one day before this...people were kind of freaking out.  They were like, "We are going to get 2-4 inches!  Everyone BE CAREFUL!" I was thinking, "Yeah, I hate driving on it and I will panic, but really? That's all?!" Since the family I nanny for was generous enough to let me go home early on the only day we were getting snow, I felt like I should take some pictures of Lucy first seeing it.  

 Notice how Daniel is not wearing a coat? Yes he did just come outside for just a second to meet us as we got home...but I'm pretty sure I was wearing two coats, a hat, and boots... and yet I could only stand to be outside long enough to take these pictures and run back  inside.

                         "What is this stuff that keeps trying to fall on my face?!"

Yep, this is me standing in the warmth of our apartment, looking out and thinking, "They look freezing!" I'm such a great Mom :)

Our new found love...Petco! (or Petsmart-either is AWESOME!)

One day when Mommy and Lucy didn't have to go to work, we wanted to do something different.  Lucy is really into dogs lately and will go crazy if she sees one. After trying to think of somewhere that I could take Lucy to see some dogs because we live in an apartment that doesn't allow pets, I thought "Some malls have pet stores!  We'll go to Chesterfield Mall!"  After putting Lucy in the car to drive 20 minutes to the mall that I thought had a petstore turned into one of the biggest Mommy failure moments!  There was no pet store.  So after getting so excited and telling Lucy, "We're going to see Dogs!", she kept looking at me like, "Um...where are these dogs you talk about?"  So then I thought, "Hmmm..I'll take on the double decker carousel that's in the Mall to make up for it!"  Just as I'm walking up to it, the Lady puts the sign on that says, "Closed for Lunch"....ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

So after an epic fail...I decided we were definitely due for some puppy loving.  Now, why I didn't think of this before is beyond me...but there are two stores very near to us (only took us 5 minutes) that have the name "Pet" in their name! Now, seriously, how dumb can I get sometimes?! I guess I just thought they just sold pet food.  Haha-boy was I wrong....

 There was this huge wall filled with fish tanks!  Lucy was signing fish like crazy!  Not going to lie...I was like, "We can have fish in our apartment!  What?! It's only 27cents for a fish! Let's get one! Yeah! Yeah! Which one, Lucy?! We'll need a tank, and food, and....wait.  What are we going to do with this dang fish when we go away for the weekend? What are we going to do with it when we move every year for the next 3 years?! GEEZ! Never mind........Lucy! Let's go look at those Dogs. Get away quick!!" 

 AND there were birds! Another great opportunity to practice those baby signs she's been learning!

There were cats and dogs too, but bad Mamma did not get pictures.  I guess I was just as hypnotized by them as Lucy (especially since Daddy will NEVER let me get a cat and so I guess I'll just have to go visit the cats at Petco and Petsmart. They need a friend).  What was awesome was that they had grooming at Petsmart and there were several dogs getting their haircut.  I'm pretty sure we sat there staring through the glass at the dogs for a half an hour. 

So every weekend since this, (Yes, I know...it's been several weekends since I've posted anything) we have visited either Petco or Petsmart.  Lucy has gotten to play with puppies, touch Rabbits and look at lots of rodents and fish. We pretty much think it's Disney World. 

A Day with Miss Addilyn!

Cousin Addilyn had come out to spend time with Grannie and Pops for a while. Since I have had most of the week off, we called Grannie and asked if Addi could come play for a while. Lucy was so excited!

               Addi wanted to help Lucy go down the slide!  Aunt Kelly was there for support! :)

After playing hard on the playground for a while, Daddy came home from school to hang out for a while.  He read some books to the girls before Addi had to go. 

The next set of pictures are from when we were eating lunch with cousin Addi.  Addi found my camera and took pictures.  Surprisingly, she took some decent pictures of Lucy.  Lucy was just amazed by Addi, so it wasn't hard for her to look towards the camera. 

There were about 10 pictures of Addi's fingers that I had to delete, but she did pretty well! Thanks Addi!

We love St. Louis Zoo (and not just because it's free)

We have been wanting to take Lucy to the zoo for a couple weeks now because she has become very interested in animals (mostly dogs).  It was a little chilly out, but once we got Lucy bundled up, she didn't seem to notice!  Aunt Kelly decided to join us as well!

 Doesn't she look so cute in her little hat and sweater?  She was not a big fan of that hat, though.  She pulled it off several times while we were there!

 We were there at a perfect time because there is a lion cub and it was play time with Daddy Lion! It was so fun to get to watch these two wrestle and play.  Lucy couldn't see too much of it but we all enjoyed it!

 She LOVES her daddy!  After getting tired of being in the stroller, Daddy decided to carry her for a while.  Lucy laughed and squealed as she rode on Daddy's shoulders

 Lucy was very confused at the zoo and would sign "Dog" for every animal she saw.  After going into the bird house, we taught her the sign for "Bird"...so then when going to see the Giraffe's, she looked at us really confused and signed "Bird" and then "Dog".  At least she is getting the idea, though!

Getting so BIG (and so mobile! EEK)

Our little girl is growing every day.  It's so weird to walk into a room now and see her standing and playing with something on the couch or to see her take her walker around the apartment.  Daddy and I aren't ready for it yet, and hardly know what to do with ourselves now that she's so mobile.  We have learned we have to shut the bathroom door, and we have learned that we have lots of things that are plugged in right where Lucy can get them and put them in her mouth.

 She pops up so easy and it used to be that she would be afraid to sit down once she was up. Now, she just plops right down on her bottom and goes on to crawling.  We have seen a little bit of cruising but she still is not real confident.  That's okay--she can take as long as she wants!  I really don't think we are ready for a walking girl just yet!

Our Dancing and Singing Girl!

When we were at Chad's party, Lucy discovered a play microphone.  She found that if she makes noises into it, it sounds different.  Here is our singing girl...

Lucy has been dancing more and more when she hears music.  I love this video because she gets SO into it!  I thought she was going to topple over at one point because of how intense she is getting!

We love you Uncle Chad!

Yes, it's been a long time since I've posted anything.  While it's been mostly the fault of my laziness, sickness and ear infections don't help it. I will try my best to bring everyone up to date! :) 

In January, Uncle Chad got to come home for a couple weeks!  It was so awesome to be able to see him and hang out with him.  It was especially nice to be able to have Lucy see him again. 

 We had lots of people get together for Chad and Lucy loved all the attention!  At first she was a little hesitant but then once everyone was willing to sit on the floor with her and play, she was loving it!

                     Our baby girl stealing the center of attention.  Sorry Chad.

 Chad and Maggie taught the family how to play one of the best card games.  it was so intense that people felt like they had to stand. 

 We invited Uncle Chad and Aunt Maggie over for dinner the night after the party so that we could get more one-on-one time with him before he had to leave again.  The shirt that Lucy is wearing is the shirt that Aunt Maggie got her for Christmas! 

                     Just checking him out.  We sure are going to miss you Uncle Chad!

               Uncle Chad got to give Lucy her bottle at night.  Lucy did not mind at all!

We were so glad we got to see him and we look forward to seeing him again! Take Care Uncle Chad! We love you!