Halloween

Last year we didn't dress Astraea up for Halloween so I was really excited to do it this year. We had been talking about what she should be and couldn't decide. One night we were at Walmart and happened to see this costume for a garden gnome. We thought is was so cute and would fit her perfectly. We went to a couple of houses and to her godfather Zack's house to see his mom. Astraea loves her, and she immediately filled her basket up with candy. We didn't even need to go anywhere else! She ate two suckers (her favorite), a mini candy bar, and some other random piece of candy. She had such an eventful day that she still came home and passed out. She did not however take any naps for the whole weekend. Mommy really needs those naps...

My little daredevil

Astraea is always moving a mile a minute. I can't keep up with her and a lot of the time neither can her legs. She is constantly running into stuff, bonking her head, falling down, and just generally beating herself up. But, it doesn't stop her. She is a ball of energy. I have read a lot about "spirited" children and I see so many of these traits in her. She is just "more" of everything. More intense, more sensitive, more persistant, in a nutshell; more of a handfull. But, we love that about her. These will be great adult traits. It's just managing to get her to adulthood that has me sweating...She is just beginning to climb too and it scares me to death. I am by nature a worrier. I know that she is gonna give me a panic attack before she hits school age. I have already considered starting on anxiety meds. I think there are good things about being fearless, someday it will probably serve her very well, but right now it doesn't help mommy's stress level. Here are some pics of her poor nose after taking a nosedive from the porch.

Astraea's Second First B-day party

We got to go to Texas for Astraea's birthday. A little late, but better than never. We spent some time at Nana's house and had a birthday party at my Grandma Jo's house. It was nice to get the family together and celebrate. I miss them so much and hate not seeing them regularly. Astraea had a blast with her cousins and Ivy got some awesome pics (as always!).

Astraea's First 1st Birthday Party

We had a fun pool party/cookout for Astraea's first birthday. It was a blast and she actually had three outfit changes. I think everyone really enjoyed the whole day, and I didn't even cry until the party was over and Doug and I were taking out the trash from all of the gifts. It really is bittersweet to see your "baby" becoming a big girl in front of your eyes.

My baby is ONE!!

I am late posting this (of course), but Astraea Penelope is officially not a baby anymore. It is bittersweet. I am so proud of every new thing she learns. I love seeing her master new skills and become more independant. However, I feel like it is just happening too quickly. Each day she blows me away with her growth. It is already clear to me that this adventure is gonna fly by.

I am so grateful to have been chosen to be her Mommy. I can't imagine a more fulfilling role.

We had her birthday party on Saturday the 12th, but I still decided to document her birthday. Here are some pics of her Day in the Life.

Homecoming

This week was Homecoming in Humboldt and cousin Shelby is a Senior. Yay! We went to the game on Friday night to see her in her pretty dress cause she was royalty. She ended up getting crowned First Maid (which is like second place). That's great! Plus she cheered on her Vikings to a win and played a solo in the marching band at halftime. She is a busy girl! It was a fun night and Astraea really enjoyed all of the activity of the game. She danced to the music and even smiled and clapped when she saw Shelby leading cheers.

Tall Toddler

I can't believe my baby is a toddler!! She is pretty tall for her age, but still skinny. She is always on the move and I can barely keep up with her. I didn't realize that she would be so "grown up" at this age. Just because I don't think I have posted any, here are some pics of her walking.

Fun in the sun

We have a pool at our house and Astraea has loved it! She was a little nervous the first time we went in but it only took a couple more tries before she got used to it. Now she loves it! She is actually starting to kick her legs a little when you "swim" her around. I think by next year she will be ready to start learning. I hope she enjoys the water as much as her parents do.







These pics are funny cause she was not digging the horse floaty thing. She calls most animals a dog right now. So in one of the pics she was pointing at it and saying "NO DOG!". That is what she tells the dogs all the time. :) No matter what they are doing...

Um, sorry.

I just haven't had the time to update this blog. I am really gonna try my hardest to catch everyone up on our summer. It may take a while though, cause I just can't seem to find the time. I get up with Astraea at seven everyday and feed her breakfast. We watch some cartoons and play until her first nap at about nine. Then it is time for Mommy to get ready for work. I don't get home til almost five and then I feed her dinner, bathe her and get her to bed. By the time I get our dinner done and the kitchen cleaned up it is after eight o clock. If I don't have other cleaning to do around the house I usually just end up vegging out in front of the tv or getting on facebook. :p Big kudos to those eight to five mommmas who get it all done. I am in awe of you!

We have gotten moved and settled in nicely. Doug and I are both working. Astraea is getting big and learning something new every day. She had started sleeping great. All night and no fusses when put in the crib. But, we are going through some hard core teething right now and it has caused a setback in the sleep schedule. As I type I am listening to her scream for me to come back. I have already been back to rock her twice. I space it out a little longer each time. Eventually she will let herself fall asleep. Poor baby. Looks like I am gonna have to continue this later cause she is not having a good night.

Uncle D's birthday

We went to my mom's house Memorial Weekend to hang out with family and celebrate Derrick's birthday. It was really our first chance to get outside and get some sun. Nana got Astraea her first "kini" and she wore it for the party. It was so cute to watch her play in the grass. It still freaks her out a little bit and you can tell in the pics that she isn't sure what to think. I also think it is hilarious the way her little belly sticks out!! I wish we had gotten more pictures cause it was a good day. Astraea had a lot of fun and ended up sleeping ALL night that night. (8pm-8am) We really wore her little butt out...

Strawberry Festival

Last month we went to Tennessee to visit Doug's family. In Humboldt they have the Strawberry Festival and we went and joined in on the festivities. Doug's cousin Shelby was Hostess Princess and had events all week that required her to wear beautiful dresses and pose for tons of pics. She is gorgeous and we were so proud. They have two parades and a carnival, it's a lot of fun! Astraea's Mimi came from Cleveland and we had a great time. We don't get to see her or Great-Gramma Dorothy and Granpa Carl enough so it was really nice to be there.