Catching Up

The weeks are busy and our weekends are getting even busier; kind of amazing for the amount of time I feel like we spend at home but somehow the days keep rolling and I keep feeling like I'm struggling to keep up.  Work has been out of control busy with trying to get our new software rolled out by the end of the week while pretty much flying solo.  Shaun's schedule is changing which means Kayla's daycare schedule is going to be changing.  That has me a little bit stressed out.  Add the fact that for the last week or so, Kayla has found 4:45 - 5:30 to be a more acceptable wake up window than 6 - 6:30 and I feel like I'm running on E. 

Wednesday of last week, Kayla had her hair trimmed for the first time.  Her bangs were just too long, so we asked Grandma to trim them up for us.  Much better!

We've had some great times though while the time flies by.  Last weekend we finally made the trek up to the Lititz Farmer's Market.  My dad and step mom came up to walk with us and we enjoyed a sunny Saturday together.  We shopped and went to the park and did a TON of walking.  It was great to watch Kayla climb and explore, and a perfect photo op. 

Later that day my mom came up to visit.  Kayla apparently had enough exercise because she all but darted out the door when Nana said "walk."

Sunday we had a relaxing day at home cheering for our favorite football teams and hanging out with friends. 

This weekend was another busy one.  Aunt Paula came home to visit and she and Nana came with us to visit the local Alpaca farm. 

Kayla didn't seem as interested in the animals as she was when we went to see them back in the spring.  She was far too busy running all over the yard and climbing everything in sight.  We left before we all got too much sun and came home for lunch.  Daddy was just getting home from work at the time Kayla woke from her nap, but by then she was in utter meltdown mode from being tired still.  She screamed for close to 90 minutes on and off, mostly on.  She was a total peach once we got her calmed down, but for a little bit it was damn near unbearable, and it derailed our plans to visit the Ephrata fair that evening. 

Today was much better.  She was up early again, but took a longer than usual afternoon nap, and we had zero fit pitching. 

I'm hoping to get to bed early tonight so tomorrow I am ready to dive headlong into one more week of hell before things slow down a little bit at work.  I hope.  I hope.  I hope. 

The Vocabulary Grows

In addition to the previously mentioned words, Kayla is now saying no, bubble, ball and more.  She only says "more" when we read her "What does baby say?" book.  I nearly fell on the floor when she did it for the first time yesterday.  Shaun was reading the book to her and when he said "what does baby say?" she said "more!" 

She's starting to use Mama more, but not Dada so much.  This morning she said it when Shaun came downstairs, so I think she's getting it.  Her most frequently used phrase is "na na" which in combination with some gesture seems to translate to "I want that."  She walks over to the fridge and smacks her lips when she wants a drink.  She's also learned to throw her hands up when one of us says "touchdown!"  It's so cute.

First Family Vacation

After a nice long weekend of family picnics and warm weather, Shaun, Kayla and I took off for a few days at the beach.  Tuesday morning we packed up our car and hit the road towards OCMD.  We stopped at the Gap Diner for breakfast and continued on South and East.  After a quick trip across the street for a baby flotation device and some adult beverages for our evening, we hit the indoor pool at the hotel.  I wish I had brought my camera down for that, because I've never seen Kayla smile so big as she did while floating around the pool in one of these:

After a while we headed back upstairs to get ready.  After showers, baths, blow-drying and dressing, we made our way to Phillip's for Shaun's favorite treat - the seafood buffet.  Once we'd eaten our fill, it was off to the boardwalk.

And I realized during this time that it was Kayla's 14 month day.  *sigh*  She is getting so big. 

So we walked and we enjoyed the evening breeze coming in off the ocean and were happy.  So happy that someone was completely exhausted by the time we got back.  Oh - and Kayla was pretty tired too. 

We settled into the room for the night, with her completely conked out.  That is, until the lovely hotel decided to give us a "welcome call" AT 8:30 PM - she was inconsolable for nearly an hour.  Thanks so much Holiday Inn...

Anyway - Wednesday got off to a great start.  We had an amazing breakfast at the Bayside Skillet, followed by some beach time while the sun was not too hot.  Kayla was very excited to play in the sand. 

Not so excited about the water...

But still liking the sand.

We did a little more pool time after the beach, followed by lunch and a family nap.  We had dinner out at BJ's on the Water, then Kayla and I did another walk on the boards.  Today we were up and at 'em early for the ride home, and we've been getting back into our routine.  I can't believe this mini-vacation is all but done already, but we have a lot to look forward to in the next few weeks. 

Clinging to summer

Fall is in the air, no doubt about it.  As we run full-speed towards Labor Day I wanted to take some time to enjoy what's left of summer.  Shaun went over to watch college ball with the boys, so Kayla and I took a walk around the neighborhood.  It wasn't a long one since it was so hot, and about half way through Kayla was attacked by a leaky sippy cup that ended with her being drenched in cold water.  We enjoyed the stroll though, and heaven knows I needed the exercise. 

It really was lovely, even though it's in the mid-90's and humid.  I'm really starting to look forward to our real "last blast" next week.  I just have to survive 1 more day of work and then it's a week off for the little family.  We're home for the weekend and then Tuesday morning we take off for Ocean City, MD for a few days.  We'll spend time on the sand and in the water and strolling the boards.  I'm really excited to have a few days away from the craziness that has been our daily lives lately. 

Kayla is doing well in the Fuzzy Bear room at daycare.  She sits down at the table and munches her waffle happily every morning when we arrive.  She waves goobye and I am left wondering where this sudden independent streak came from.  We haven't gotten any bad reports so far, so I'm assuming all is well during the day.  I hope that's truly the case, because we may have to up her to going 5 days a week in the near future. 

It's hard to believe she's nearly 14 months old already.  This time last year I was just getting ready to go back to work; now she's walking and talking and I still tear up a little bit when it comes time to go in the morning.  The more things change...