Welcome Summer!

Wow, I haven't updated this blog in a while...so be prepared for a super long post! Our family is so happy that summer is finally here, we have been playing outside and going to the pool fairly often. Tristyn really enjoys the summer weather. As soon as I open the door she races outside to run circles in the yard. It is often times hard to believe that our precious baby girl is able to run circles all by herself. Next month she will be a year and a half old. Where has the time gone?





She now has quite an extensive vocabulary, consisting of but not limited to: dada, dogs, mama, stop, no, go go go, cages (telling the dogs to go there!), sip-sip, fish, wasssthat, bye-bye, thank you, get, eye, nose, ball, baby and too many more to list. She is climbing in and out of chairs these days and even off of our bed which is rather far off of the ground. One of her favorite things to do is sit at the desk and draw pictures, or write love notes as Daddy calls it. She is beginning to learn to feed herself with a fork and spoon. Although she is not very graceful, her skills have improved greatly over the past week. Before we know it she will be cutting her own steak. I know one thing for sure, she is growing up way too fast.

Father's Day was excellent again this year. We went to Josh's dads for our annual low country boil and lounging by the pool. Josh and Tristyn got to spend some much needed quality time together frolicking in the water. She really has become a daddy's girl these days. When he steps out the door to do yard work she pitches a fit. She wants her da-da to be by her at all times. Those two have so much fun together, especially when it's bedtime. They have a ritual of tickle fights before the lights go out. Tristyn thinks her da-da is quite funny. They will spend hours making each other laugh, at the silliest things I might add. Yesterday Tristyn was putting a giraffe on his big toe and every time she would do it he would make this funny noise that would send her into hysterical giggles. One of my most favorite things to do is quietly sit back and watch those two enjoy eachother so incredibly much.

It may be hard for others to tell, but Tristyn is quite excited about the new baby. I have had several people ask me if I thought she had any realization of what is going on and to a certain extent I believe she does. Everyday our little family gathers on the couch and listens to BB's heartbeat with the doppler we rented. She carefully watches and listens intensely. It is like she remembers the sounds of the womb. We will rub my belly and tell her that there is a baby in there and she loves to rub it and say "baby". On several occasions she has come to me and lifted up my shirt saying "baby" while patting my belly. She is always so gentle and kind, it amazes me. I know she is going to be a wonderful big sister to little BB.

I have had a lot going on with friends getting married, bridal showers, and planning a baby shower for a good friend of mine who is ten weeks ahead of me. I have really enjoyed spending so much time with old friends lately. We all have such different lives that it is nice to be around such diversity.

This Saturday is my birthday. I am really looking forward to spending the day with Josh and Tristyn. I think we may go out on the boat and then do Japanese Hibatchi for dinner. I have really been craving it lately so Josh wants to take me. We are planning on playing everything by ear that day, just relaxing and spending some quality time together...can't wait.

We are all getting geared up for our beach vacation at the end of July. I know the person who is looking forward to it the most is my over worked husband. The poor man has lost 40 pounds over the past 4 months because he has been working so hard. Tristyn and I both miss him so much while he is gone at work, but he is really enjoying the physical labor. It is good that he can do it while he is young I assume. A vacation is just what he needs and it is only 4 weeks away!

Happy first day of summer!