Random Pictures from the Past 2 Weeks

Here are some pictures from the past few weeks... things that prompted me to go get the camera! We had some really good rain earlier this week which cooled things off, but now it is hot and humid again. Of course, we have been inside the whole time b/c even though it was cooler it was raining! This week I feel like I have been picking up after Lila constantly (her favorite activity is to empty things... book shelves, toys, the recycling bin...). I am trying to work with her to "clean up" but there is only so much attention a two-year old can put towards that. And honestly, while she is busy emptying, it gives me a chance to get other things done so I can't complain too much. I am happy that she can play by herself at times, even if it means a mess. 

Bed Head (after a nap)

Playing with her computer... she is really good at finding capital letters; lower-case letters and numbers aren't as easy for her yet. I had been sitting next to her, but I went to get the camera when Kelsey came and sat in between us. She usually keeps her distance from Lila!

Happy girl in pigtails!

"Playing" with Daddy on a Saturday afternoon.

"Folding" laundry just like Mommy. This is her stack of folded towels. She would "fold" one and then tell me "don't touch" (she is not supposed to touch laundry I have folded, a rule I had to start enforcing when she would unfold clothes faster than I could fold them).

Playing in the suitcase.

Bathroom Remodel

Recently we had our guest bathroom remodeled. Below are some pictures. I forgot to take my "before" picture until the first day of the remodel. Things we had changed:

1. Wallpaper --> Texture & Paint (the color of the wall is most accurate in the mirror of the AFTER picture)

2. Carpet --> Tile

3. Bathroom fixtures: Brass --> Brushed Nickel

4. Shell-shaped sinks --> Recessed Oval sinks

BEFORE

AFTER

Big Sister Class

Today we took Lila to a Big Brother/Sister class, designed for 2 & 3 year olds, at the hospital. Each child got a t-shirt, and a sign with their picture that says "My big sister's name is ___" that we can put on the baby's bassinet in the hospital when he is born, plus a little bag with a newborn diaper, baby bottle and hospital-issue baby hat (presumably for when the baby comes... but I am sure Lila will be using hers on her doll!). The nurses talked to them about what a baby eats and what toys are too small for the baby. They did 2 crafts - coloring a "Shh! the baby's sleeping" door hanger and decorating a Toy Tester (toilet paper tube) with stickers. Anything that can fit through the tube is too small for baby. They also gave us a tour of a recovery room and showed us a newborn baby in the nursery. Most of it probably went right over Lila's head, but she enjoyed holding the baby doll, decorating with stickers and being around all the kids. It was a good refresher for us too on the layout of the hospital.

She surprised me with her willingness to sit without Mommy or Daddy to listen to the nurses.

Listening to the nurse explain why babies cry and why it's important to be quiet when they're sleeping.

Decorating the door hanger.

Decorating the Toy Tester.

During the tour we walked on the skywalk (one of the places that they are allowed to run and be loud). We also peered down into the central courtyard garden (the other place). At that point, Lila said "where's the tiger?" I guess it reminded her of the zoo!

Making a new friend.

Having a snack at the very end of the class!

Leapin' Lizards!

Today I was playing with my dear, sweet daughter in her room. She was "cooking" in her kitchen and bringing me food. I was on her bed and not paying too close attention until she brought me something. Well, after bringing me a waffle, she comes back over and says "What's that, Mommy?" I caught a small glimpse of something brown in one hand (she still had toy food in the other hand). I said "is it trash?," thinking it would be a piece of paper or lint. She didn't immediately respond so I said, "what is it?" She held it up right in front of my face and I immediately saw that it was NOT lint... it was a lizard! At this point, I think I jumped back 2 feet, screamed, "Agh! Drop it! Drop it!" and then hopped off the bed. To her credit, Lila did drop it and the lizard just froze on the ground. I thought maybe it was dead  because I couldn't figure out how else she caught it (they are very, very fast... my main reason for disliking them). I poked at him and he started to scurry along so I quickly grabbed a toy cup and caught him. Then I told Lila that he lived outside and we needed to go put him back outside. I couldn't resist taking a picture once we were safely outside -- I knew this would be a blog entry!

Lila trying to see where he went once he flew into the grass! 

Then we came back inside and I wiped out her toy cup. At this point, Lila says "where other one go?" There's ANOTHER one?? I said, "Show Mommy." She took me into her room and peered into her toy sink. Fortunately for me, this was the "other one" she was referring to:

ITS TAIL. 

Hard to see in the picture, but I can see why she thought it was "another one"... it was still moving! (The tails come off instantly when you try to pick them up, yet one more reason why I don't like these things!) She said "take it outside, Mommy?" but I told her it was trash and just threw it away. I am still trying to figure out how she picked that thing up but maybe it just ran in circles till she caught it. Nevertheless, I shall pay more attention in the future when she brings me something and says "what's that, Mommy?" Life with a 2 year old is never dull!

Right Idea, Wrong Feet

Yet, so proud of her accomplishment! (I would say 25% of the time, she does get them on the right feet, though.)

Great Expectations

Sunday night we went down to my sister's new place for supper and swimming. We probably set Lila's expectations for our next visit pretty high because after swimming, we went back to her place for a little ice cream treat. Since it is still a relatively new development, there aren't many in her neighborhood yet, which meant that we got to enjoy the pool all to ourselves. Here are some pictures.

Daddy being silly

Aunt Janina being silly. The pool had a large area that was only 6 inches deep (very nice for Lila), then it drops off to 4 feet.

Fun times with Aunt Janina

Ok, I was trying to be clever because Lila measures 3 feet right now, but she wouldn't smile for me. Oh well.

Going airborne.

I like this one, cheesy grin and all.

Imitating Mommy... I was sitting on the edge with my feet in the pool. Perhaps I will have to invest in a maternity swimsuit; it is HOT right now!

Our Wichita Visit

Here are some pictures from our week in Wichita. Lila had a fun time playing with her cousins. We celebrated Ben's Dad's 60th birthday while we were up there too, so it was a good chance to see some extended family. One day while we were there, we went to Exploration Place, a children's museum, which was a lot of fun for the girls.

 

Rachel at Exploration Place

Playing with Kaelyn at Exploration Place

Smiling for the camera with Rachel and Britton

Our little Sunflower

Lila, Rachel and Kaelyn at Exploration Place. Lila is 24 months, Rachel is 27 months, and Kaelyn is 32 months.

Playing in the water trough at Exploration Place. Rachel and Kaelyn liked to play with the fountain and make splashes with the toy ducks, frogs and turtles. Lila rescued them from the water and helped them go "night-night" on the table. I think they could have played here forever.

Playing in the pool in the backyard

Practicing blowing bubbles in the water with Daddy

Walking to a nearby park with Kaelyn and Britton

All of the Amey grandkids at Dad's birthday (One of Ben's cousins has 3 girls too!)

Lila and Rachel working on a puzzle together

New cousin David, 8 weeks old!