Last weekend at the pool...

Since we will be out of town (camping!) next weekend, this was our last weekend to enjoy the pool. And enjoy it we DID! Spent both Saturday and Sunday there and I seriously didn't want to leave today. Just had so much fun. Delaney absolutely loves the water (and has no fear of crawling into all depths!) and Izzy is becoming quite the fish. I do not want to wait another 9 months to get back there - makes me sad the summer is coming to an end.

Have I told you how much I just LOVE this age? Months 12-24 have to be my absolute fave. So many new things happening: teeth (all 4 top front at once!), standing on her own, taking steps on her own (!!!) and mimicking most of our sounds and words. Love. It.
Mommy & Bug (Jaim...thanks for taking this pic, as I rarely have any of myself and the girls!)

Yep, you're seeing this pic correctly...it's nanny Elissa & Tyler! Elissa emailed me on Friday to see if we wanted to get together for a playdate. Um, yes please! They came up early Saturday morning and spent about 4 hours with us. The girls were in giggle heaven with these two. I hadn't spent this much time with Elissa and the girls EVER and it was just so evident how much fun they have together and how much they all love each other. Melts my heart.

Sunday Delaney was very brave crawling and standing (on her own - nearly gave me a heart attack!) under the water fountains on the side of the pool. She was giggling at herself...she sure is building some confidence!

Loving the water

Cruising on the side of the pool

We decided since Izzy loved swimming in the lake so much that we'd grab a life jacket and head for the "big kid" pool. As soon as we walked into the water we saw the Morses! What a fun surprise! Izzy immediately wanted to do everything Ben was doing...so that meant up and down the enclosed loop slide about 100 times! We had to drag them away so Iz could do some jumping and swimming...and some relaxing on the lazy river, too!

Like I said, Iz has become quite the fish and was swimming all over the pool. She'd jump in to daddy, swim a ways out, then swim back to the side. Repeat. Loved it.

Laney's turn to swim with daddy!

And float on daddy, too!

We're sad the summer is coming to a close, but are looking forward to some nice crisp Fall weather and hanging out in our backyard (water station and play set haven't seen too much of the girls recently as it's been too darn hot!).

Happy Birthday Bug!

Well today is Laney Bug's first birthday. I can hardly believe it. I no longer have a baby. We survived the first year. Thank goodness that's behind us. These are all the things running through my head right now. Don't get me wrong, I love her still being so little and snuggly. But I am just NOT a fan of the baby stage(s). Yes, I miss nursing. But I can tell you I do not miss about 100 other things: feedings every 2-3 hours, night waking, colic, naps in swings, blowouts that stain clothes yellow, etc. I get nostalgic for the hospital and our birth story whenever my thoughts go back to one year ago today.

It's just so hard to believe that 12 months and 1 day ago I was a big, waddling prego and today I'm up to running 18 miles. Sometimes when I'm running those longs miles and playing games in my head on how to keep running, I remember how much pain my little body was carrying around a 10 month fetus in my belly. Now THAT was pain. Running 18 miles is a cakewalk in comparison. With running I know there is an end in sight and it's only a few hours away. But carrying a baby...that felt like it would never end. But, alas, it did. I had a long labor but little Laney Bug came out after just a few quick pushes. She was ready for the world and still is.

Laney has quite an outgoing and relaxed personality. She has just as many facial expressions as her big sis and just as loud of a voice! Delaney has found her place in our family and holds our hearts in her hands. We have loved getting to know her and cannot wait for what the future holds for her!

Her pediatrician appointment today went very well; Delaney is growing & progressing both physically and cognitively. Her 1 year stats are:

Height: 28 5/8 in - 50% percentile

Weight: 19 lbs - 25% percentile

Head: 46.5 cm - 75% percentile

How did this little bugger become this...

Happy Birthday Laney Bug!

Vacation at the Cottage

About two weeks ago our best friends' parents (Nancy & Joe) called us and offered their summer rental on Lake Tippy to us for an entire week. It was very last minute...but Mike and I were thrilled (to say the least) and did some rearranging of schedules to make 4 days at the lake happen. We also scrambled to invite all our best friends to share this with us. And wouldn't you know it...everyone rallied and was able to join us!

Saturday we had 4 families at Buttercup cottage. Sunday three. And Monday just two. The Falciones, Fellers, Morses and Mike's dad & step-mom were our guests and we couldn't have been more happy! The cottage slept all of us comfortably and had all the amenities we could ask for (and then some!).

My absolute favorite part of the entire weekend was what I call "communal parenting." All the moms and dads were chipping in to help kids not their own to potty, color, swim, eat, change, etc. I come from a very small familly and Mike is an only child...so we never get the opportunity to be around other people our age with same-age children. I thrived in this environment because it made my heart full to see all my best friends co-parent all the kiddos. It's hard to put it into words, but I was just beside myself with the family we have chosen: our friends.

Here is a pic of the beautiful Buttercup:Mike swimming with his girls

Jason & Ricky
Izzy playing...I just loved the light in this pic
Jer teaching Jaim how to fish

Jaim, Jacob & Luke

Katie & Christopher

Rick, Chris, Sandi, Ellana, Delaney, Jason & Ben

Izzy on the turtle hunt

Buggy on the hunt

Best buds

Luke attempting a jump

Sandi & Ben

Izzy swimming...she was quite the fish!

Bug loved it, too!

Ben was brave and went tubing!!!

Sissies!!!

Iz jumping to her grandpa

Water balloons!

Grandma had play-dough fun for the kids!

Jason pulled the bigs around on the rafts and they loved it!

Ellana, Ben and Iz being silly

Laney helping drive the boat

Izzy helping drive

Serene waters

Thank you SO much, Tynans, for allowing us all to get some much needed R&R and FUN. Your generosity does not go unnoticed and we love you for your continued thoughtfulness!

State Fair & Sugarland Concert

I have a small confession to make: I've become a country fan in the last 5 years. It all started when I was selling pharmaceuticals all over the state of Indiana. I was in the car a LOT. I had XM radio and loved, loved, loved listening to the radio. This is when I discovered the awesome-ness of country music. Simply put, it just makes me feel good. I had been a fan of Dixie Chicks since college, and even went to their concert in 2003...but my love for country grew in the car. Over the years I have become more diverse in my country repertoire and embarked on my 2nd ever country concert: Sugarland!!! Little Big Town opened for them and both acts put on a stellar performance.

My girlfriends from work bought these tickets while I was on maternity leave, so that lets you know how long I've been anticipating this show!

Me, Chelsea & Lori at work ready to head out into the heat of the Fair
Indulging in a corn dog...yum!

We listened to Josh Kelley perform on a free side stage (he is married to Katherine Heigl and is brothers to the lead singer in Lady Antebellum)

Lori & Kelly

Brenna was chomping at the bit to get on a carnival ride...hilarious

Then the rest of us went on this crazy ride. I literally thought my life was in jeopardy. Scarey mary.

The stage

Just the four of us. Oh, and 12,000 others!

Sugarland was absolutely incredible...it was worth staying out WAY past my bedtime for a night of singing and dancing with the girls!

Sorry we've been out...

Sorry for the long absence (for me, not blogging every Sunday night is very rare!). We have been here:

Enjoying this...
And lots of this...

Our friends offered us their lake cottage for the week...so we took them up on 4 days of pure serenity. More to come later. Much, much more. I took over 100 pics!!! Right now I'm trying to catch up on work (and last night I was catching up on unpacking, laundry and a long run).

Izzy McCulloch, Junior Pilot

Izzy's school had a special surprise for them today; a mini helicopter came and they were able to suit up in a jump suit and get their pictures taken! These pictures are low quality b/c I had to scan them and then do some minor editing, so I apologize in advance. I just couldn't resist putting them on the blog as she's just so darn cute! I keep saying this age is very trying (lots of tantrums, saying no, defiance, screaming) so it's a good thing Izzy's adorableness makes up for it :)

In the driver seat
Holding the helmet. TOO CUTE! They even received official badges to wear around their necks with their picture as a pilot. This is a fun new addition to the dress-up bin at our house!