Brunch with Friends

This weekend we gathered with friends to celebrate the naming of their daughter, who was born just a few days after Michal's first birthday.  Just good times with some of our closest friends and their kids.  After having some brunch, we headed down to play with the other kids.  For whatever reason, Michal REALLY wanted to climb into this baby "bassinet."

As you can see, it's on the smaller side.  You know, since it's for a baby doll.   

Michal was not to be deterred.

She even picked it up and moved it to a new location, as if THAT would make a difference.

In the end, Cheerios won out.  Yum!

It has been a while since I've done an updated post on our use of cloth diapers - maybe I will do one in the near future.  In the meantime, Michal is entered into a photo contest for one of our favorite diaper makers.  The photo is to capture the essence of the diaper she is wearing - in this case, it is called "True Colors," which immediately brought me back to the Kodak commercial of my childhood - hence the camera.  If you don't mind, please click on this link and "like" the photo.  Thanks!

Family Zoo Day

Today was SUPPOSED to be a nice weather day in the Washington DC area - while it wasn't quite a perfect sunny, warm day, it wasn't too bad.  We took advantage of the mild "winter" day by planning a play date with one of Michal's August boys.  During our outing today, we realized that the kids first played together just about a year ago, when Liam stole Michal's socks and she had her first celebrity experience - it is incredible to think of them then and to see them today.  

Meeting at the front of the zoo

Liam REALLY wants to give Michal a hug.  It looks like he's trying to get her into a choke hold, but truly he just wanted to give her some love.

Michal makes a break for it (Liam wasn't really trying to deck her, I promise!)

Off to see the animals - Michal waves to the emu

Walking with Daddy

Smiley girl

Hi, zebras!

We asked Michal what a zebra says.  Her answer? "zeblublublublub."

Off to see who is in the next enclosure - cheetahs.

Seems like a cruel trick on the cheetahs, who occupy the enclosure directly next to the zebras.  I kid you not, the two cheetahs sitting on the hill are watching the zebras, looking like it is lunch time.

Uhm, I'm sorry, where did my baby go and who is this big kid?

Someone was NOT enthused about the pictures

Funny face

Daddy showed up and suddenly smiles appeared.

Silly girl - I think she was trying to jump - she sort of squats down and then stands up.  She thinks she's jumping.

Waving to elephants

Petting a cow butt.  She absolutely loved petting the cow.  Until she realized that she was getting strands of cow hair on her hands, and then she decided she was quite done.

What a fun, busy day. Sleepy goose.

Amazing Baby Race

A few weeks ago we found ourselves in need of a new dishwasher, so we headed to our local big box store, found one that fit our needs and wants, and arranged for delivery.  A week later, it was delivered and nearly installed.  Unfortunately, it didn't quite fit the space, so we currently have a lovely appliance sitting in our kitchen, waiting to be replaced and whisked away.

We've been having a few snags in the process of getting the new machine, so we headed over to the store to see if we could figure it out.  Michal was on the case.

Hmm... I think we should get one of these. 

Checking out the merchandise

And she's off.  I got a decent workout, chasing her around.

 Silly kid.

This one has buttons.  Let's get this one, Mommy!

Hmm.... vaccuums and other fun stuff.  

She SO wanted to climb these stairs.  Unfortunately she didn't believe me when I showed her the "Employees Only" sign - she was NOT happy being removed.

Stopping for a moment on her store tour to take in a few scenes from Avatar. 

... annnnnnnnnd we found the music department.  So much fun taking CDs off, putting them on the floor, and then putting them back.  Usually she got them close to their original spot. 

NOW we're talking - DVDs.  It was amazing how quickly she found a box set of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

We like Yo Gabba Gabba so much she wanted to get TWO copies.

Just wanted to share this one - I usually cut the corn off the cob for her, but she really wanted to bite into it.  What a hilarious kid.

18 Months!

This past Thursday was Michal's 18 month "birthday" - a little surreal that the baby (yes, I still call her "the baby") is a year and a half old.  Insanity.


She had her 18 month check up this week.  Dr. H told us how perfect she is - a regular comment that we enjoy hearing - and told us how excited she always is to see us.  That is partly due to seeing our super awesome kid, but also because she loves seeing which diaper Michal is wearing (I always make sure it's a cute one, and I try to avoid wearing one she's seen before), especially as we give her practice with cloth that in turn allows her to be knowledgeable with other families who use cloth diapers.


In any case, M's stats for this appointment:


Height - 32 3/4" - now in the 80th percentile - down a bit
Weight - 26 lbs., 4 oz. - holding strong around the 70th percentile
Head circumference - 19" - 90somethingth percentile.  Big head!


The other fun surprise - ear infection in her left ear.  It's been about 10 months since she had one, so it's not terrible, but it is amusing that this is her third ear infection, each of which were discovered during a regularly scheduled well baby checkup.  We have never seen her exhibit any symptoms that would indicate an ear infection - no fever, no pain in her ear, nothing.  She's a weird kid.


We headed up to Baltimore to see some friends, one of who was visiting from New Jersey.  It's always nice to spend time with friends!

Someone's showing off her mad water drinking skills.  

Drinking it backwards, while walking... that's talent. 

 Cheeser 

Giving Uncle Roy a hug.

 How nice to spend time with Rebecca!  New Jersey is too far away.

 Taking a very important call.

VERY important baby - taking two calls at once! 

Goodness she loves buttons.  Luckily we gave her remotes that didn't really do anything to the TV.  Although later she turned off the cable box.  Twice.

Newest trick: lip.

It's usually a little more puckered up, but she's so freaking cute when we ask her to do it.

The best is when she's upset - it just gets poutier.

Catching Up

I know, I know, it's been a while!  I did start to write a few weeks back, telling all about our oh-so-fun trip down to Florida and Walt Disney World, but I just stalled out.  Jumping back in now with some pictures from our day today.  It was a really nice day here - in the 50s! - so we spent some time outdoors, taking advantage of the sun and warmth.  

To start off, we headed down to the National Zoo.  It was only a quick trip - just an hour or two - but we found a way to squeeze it into our day.  Luckily the zoo is free and relatively close by, so stopping by for a short visit isn't too crazy.

Our first stop - the Kid's Farm.

I always think Michal looks like such a big kid.  Until she's next to a big kid.  Yikes!

Forgive the hair - I attempted to tame her hair into a ponytail.  I think we are on ponytail #4 at this point. 

Checking out the lions with Josh.  She LOVES rawring at them. 

Spent some time watching the tiger, who was incredibly active today.  We're not sure we've ever seen the tigers do ANYTHING other than just lay around.  Today, though, Mr. Tough Stuff was pacing around, growling very loudly (Michal rawred back, of course), and then sat down to groom himself.  We showed Michal what he was doing, and here she is, "grooming" her hand.  Cutie pie.

We asked her where the tiger was.  Right there!

Once we got home, we took a family walk with Bailey.  Since Michal has gotten so comfortable walking, we let her walk and explore instead of hang in her stroller.  She had a good time.

A little unsure of walking on the grass 

 Almost... almost...

 I did it!  Or touchdown!  

Your choice :)

Trying to give Bailey a hug and a kiss.  He wanted nothing to do with it. 

She's coming to get me! 

Uh... hi? 

Calling to Bailey - some "bay-eeee" and some "bay-leeee" - not too shabby 

Pondering and exploring 

Heading home!