Chicago 2010

Last weekend we made our annual trip to Chicago with Mallory. This trip, however, was monumentally different then the first trip. Last year, Mallory was only 4 months old (almost 5) when we went, so things were very much different. The car ride, for instance, was a lot more stressful this time then last. Last time she slept off and on the whole way there. This time, she was a little more ancy. She wasn't crying but more talking nonsense the entire way there. She did sleep, but it wasn't for very long and when she woke up she wanted to get out of the car and play. Still, it was not a bad car ride. I think a lot of it was that Uncle Dan was in the back seat to entertain when Mommy and Daddy weren't paying attention.

When we finally got there, we immediately realized how much Aunt Erin and Uncle Todd's house is not conducive to a 16 month old so Mallory got constant attention. This was not hard though because Auntie Erin is always playing with her when she sees her anyway. Lots of breakables had to be moved and doorways had to be blocked but we did manage to create a safe enviornment after some instances of trial and error.

We spent most of the weekend hanging out with family and relaxing. Uncle Dan cooked our meals (yummy) since Mallory is not the best in a restaurant setting right now. We did go out for a walk to the park and through the zoo complete with swings, slides, monkeys, and seals which was quite entertaining for her.

In the evenings when Mallory was in bed, the adults sat outside by the fire and Todd introduced us to a new and exciting game called Hammerschlagen. Basically, everyone has a nail and you take turns attempting to beat the nail into the tree stump with the hammer. Catch is, you have to start with the hammer on the stump next to the nail, hold the hammer at the end of the handle, and you have one "hit" each turn to hit it into the stump. It is a lot harder then it sounds! It was quite addicting and fun. Dan, of course, was awesome at it and it took him 3 hits to my 20 to get the nail in. We also watched the "Re-Animator." I choose not to go into a lot of detail about this movie...it was one of those horror movies that was so bad it was funny.

The only downfall to our weekend was that Mallory caught a virus and has been home sick the last two days. She is getting better and getting her rest as we speak. Can't wait until our next family trip to Chicago.

Mid-week Memories 04/14/10

Last week I started my new alternate work schedule. I am working 4, 10 hour days with Wednesdays off. The change was more of a struggle then I thought it would be. Working from 7:00 until 5:30 everyday took its toll. I am off to work before Mallory gets out of bed and by the time I get her and get home, we eat, take a bath (if it is bath night) she goes to bed. Monday and Tuesday I was wondering if I would really like this new schedule. Then Wednesday came and I was home all day with my baby. We ran errands, played outside, and spent some quality time together. Suddenly, the four 10 hour days seemed worth it.

Since I haven't been updating the blog as much as I would like, I decided to attempt to document my Wednesday's each week with pictures and activities. I am hoping to do different things with her each week worth documenting :)

Today was full of appointments, but we still had fun. We woke up, ate breakfast and did a little coloring, but we had many errands to run. First, we went to her well visit at the pediatricians office. I am happy to report that Mallory is in great health and right on track developmentally. She is 33 inches long - still off the charts in height, 22 lbs and in the 50th percentile for weight, and her head is 46 cm in circumference and in the 90th percentile. Second, we went to my final Physical Therapy appointment and lastly headed to the grocery. By the time we got home, it was time for lunch. She ate lunch and then we played outside until nap time.

In the evening, we played outside some more while daddy grilled chicken breasts. Mallory loves going into the garage and getting out the football and basketball and then proceeding to chase them around the yard while constantly pointing and yelling "ball!" Our house is also known as the "cut through house" as everyone cuts through the front yard on their bike rides or walks into the next neighborhood (there is even a pathway for them) so Mallory loved saying "hi" and waving to everyone that passed through. After dinner, we concluded our day with a walk around the neighborhood. Although it wasn't incredibly exciting, it was a beautiful day to just spend time with her and play outside.

**Stay tuned for mid May Wednesday memories. Mallory and I have plans to spend every Wednesday with her new Cousin when he arrives!! **

Easter Weekend

Saturday before Easter, playing with Grandma and getting ready to color eggs

Mallory thought that she was coordinated enough to work the bubbles. Little did she know we couldn't even get them to work!

Hi Grandma!

We decided washable markers and the egg was the best way to go this year and our rabbit enjoyed every second of it.

Her had ended up being just as colored as the egg

Look at my accomplishment!!

The finished product

Easter morning we led Mallory to the basket and she enjoyed the treats inside her plastic eggs

She then proceeded to carry the basket around wherever she went, I think that was the best part of Easter

Grandma Sachs stopped by on her way to brunch to wish Mallory a Happy Easter

After playing outside, Mallory became quite thirsty. She decided she wanted to try drinking out of a cup like a big girl...

This was the result

Spring is in the air. This weekend was beautiful and perfect for celebrating the Easter holiday. We had a fabulous weekend shared with family and colored eggs. Here are some snapshots of Mallory's Easter weekend. Although it was not her first Easter, it made it much more interesting since she is walking this time around. Her curiosity is never ending and just watching her pure entertainment.

Look what I can do!

Mallory has mastered the fine and delicate art of getting into her toddler rocking chair all by herself. It is a very entertaining and strategic process, starting with getting into the chair. She will face the chair and begin to climb in like she is attempting to climb Mt Everest. Then, once she is in the chair and on her knees she will peer over the top of the chair and hold on for dear life. Once she has established some sort of balance, she will then proceed to turn around in the chair. She moves slowly and carefully while holding on to the sides, never to let go. She never quite makes it around completely, but sitting sideways doesn't seem to bother her as she claps at her accomplishment.

Lets just hope she doesn't sit down on to chairs like this for her whole life. Either way, we are quite proud of her!

Mallory's one year photos

I know it is a little late, but here are Mallory's 1 year photos. Julie Ranee (of Julie Ranee Photography) took these wonderful images for us the beginning of February to help us capture Mallory at one year. Julie also did Mallory's 1 week photo shoot after she was born and did such a great job we had to go back. So excited to finally share them! Enjoy...

Saturday at Grams & Gramps

This past weekend Auntie Erin came into town for the first time since she became a wife! She spent some quality time with Mallory and on Saturday we all went over to Great Grandma (Grams) and Great Grandpa's (Gramps).

While in Hawaii, Aunt Erin and Uncle Todd, bought Mallory her new favorite toy. It is a tiny felt barn that open and closes and houses a pig, cow, rooster, and of course, a ducky. When you squeeze the animals tummy's they all make the appropriate noises and extremely loud, I might add. Mallory would take them out of the barn, line them up, and put them right back in. This happened more times then I can count.

We stayed there all day and just relaxed, ate, and played. Here are a couple shots from our day with Gramps and Grams.

Auntie Erin & Mallory

Mallory and Grandpa playing on the couch

Ducky?

Talking to Gramps in the language only the two of them understand

Showing Grandma pictures from the wedding

No Grams! Pay attention to ME!

It isn't just Mallory that needs cow to sleep soundly

Happy girl

Froggy and the Abacus

For those of you that don't know, Mallory's daddy graduated from College with a Mathematics major and is one of those crazy people who actually enjoys math. To me, this is a concept that I just cannot grasp. Regardless, I was not surprised when we were shopping at Ikea, and he suggested that we bring home an Abacus for Mallory. To my surprise and to his enjoyment, Mallory loves her Abacus and often points at it and squeals until we bring it down to her level to play with.

The other toy that has caught her eye lately, is the wooden frog that rolls on the floor when you pull it on a string. As it rolls, it's legs move up and down causing it to hop. I got her this present for Christmas and she showed absolutely no interest in it until last week. I think the reason that she has suddenly showed so much interest in this toy, is because she has become extremely proficient in her walking skills to the point that she prefers running to walking. Because of this new found coordination she is able to pull the frog as she walk across the room which of course is just wonderful and makes the toy that much better.