A Summer Treat

18 Months

Sadie Rose is 18 months old today. She is a very happy little girl who loves her big sister and wants to be just like her. Sadie is very independent these days and if you try to help her do something she will often yell "doot" at you which simply means "do it." Sadie has been obsessed with buckles lately just as her older sister was, although Sadie calls them "buckos." Sadie amazed us the other night and said "potty" while in the tub, so we got her out and put her on the little potty and she actually went! She isn't ready for potty training yet but at least she knows what to do. Sadie is a lot more shy than Lily ever was so it has been a whole new experience for Matt and I. She is quite a little talker but she needs to warm up to people before she'll talk in front of them. Some words that we hear a lot are, mook (milk), cewa (cereal), thank you, pees (please), no, doot, bucko, and Lily. Sadie has grown so much and looks so much older these days. Here is a little look back in pictures so you can see how she's grown.

3 Months Old

6 Months Old

9 Months Old

1 Year Old

18 Months Old!

Shedd Aquarium

Tuesday was a very exciting and exhausting day for us. My mom, me, and the girls woke up early to catch a train into Chicago and we were running a little late so we actually running. The train ride was pretty good, just being on a train kept the girls' attention for awhile and then we broke out the snacks.

We were paying attention to the stops so we wouldn't miss our stop and we were standing at one of the exits but the doors didn't open and after we asked some other riders, we found out that we had to be at the front of the train to get off there. We ended up getting off at the next stop and having to walk several blocks back to the Museum Campus where the aquarium is. It was a long walk but we enjoyed seeing some of Chicago, like the Buchingham Fountain, Grant Park, and the marina.

Once we got to the aquarium we got right in because we purchased our tickets ahead of time. I think Lily was a little overwhelmed at first but once she figured out she was going to see sharks and dolphins she was very excited. Our first stop was the Wild Reef where we were able to see some very cool sharks. The video has a lot of background noise but it shows the sharks better than any pictures I tried to take.

From there we decided to head to the Oceanarium before it got too busy. They just redid it and added some very cool things for kids. There was an area where you could touch a starfish and there was the underwater viewing of the dolphins, sea otters, and beluga whales. We also saw the penquins and next to that there was an area to dress up like penguins and play.

Lily just loved this part but it was a little too much for Sadie. She didn't mind dressing up but when we put her on the slide they had there, she just cried. Sadie felt best all day when she was in her stroller. After playing in the lower part of the Oceanarium, we headed up to find seats for the show. Our timing was perfect, we found some great seats and the girls were able to have a little snack before the show started.

The girls loved the show, especially the dolphins jumping. I was a little disappointed because it was very short and it used to be better. They did explain that they were still getting back into it after being closed for so long with the construction. They are working on a better show that won't be ready until later in the summer. I think it was just the right length for the girls but my mom and I were hoping to see more. Lily's favorite part was when the 3 dolphins all jumped at once. I think Sadie liked it when any of the dolphins jumped....especially if they landed with a huge splash.

After the show, we quickly headed to the BubbleNet Cafe and got our lunch. We found a table by the window and enjoyed our food while looking out onto Lake Michigan. We tried to see some more of the main floor after lunch but it was discount day and the main floor was free, so it was more than crowded. We couldn't even get close enough to see anything so we decided to call it a day and head home. As we were walking to the train station it started to rain lightly and after we got there, it just downpoured. Thankfully we were only a little wet. The train ride home was pretty uneventful, the girls had another snack and we talked about our favorite parts of the aquarium. Lily and Sadie fell asleep almost instantly when we got in the van to go back to Grandma's house.

They both fell asleep cuddling with the dolphins we found for them at the gift shop. I think that it was a great day, especially for Lily. Sadie didn't quite understand all that was happening but she did great.

20 Weeks

Here is the baby bump at 20 weeks. The morning sickness still rears its ugly head every once in awhile but the worst is over and becoming just a distant memory for me. Baby has been moving like crazy when I'm sitting still but no one else has been able to feel it yet. I've been very hungry and my tummy is getting bigger so I know this baby is getting fed. I think that I'm carrying a little higher than I did with the girls and I'm noticing the weight in my tummy rather than my hips and thighs. I am pretty comfortable most of the time and I am enjoying this part of the pregnancy. Some days I feel like this baby is a girl and some days I'm convinced it is a boy. Lily is aware of what is going on and has had some great questions about what is happening to the baby. Fortunately she has not asked how the baby got there.....I'm not ready for that yet :) Sadie is really unaware of what is going on but we tell her there is a baby in mommy's tummy and that she is going to be a big sister. The next couple of months will probably fly by but I'm trying to enjoy this as much as possible because it may be the last time I get to experience being pregnant :)

It's a Miracle!

Well, miracle probably isn't the most accurate word but that is what it felt like. Lily is the pickiest eater. Matt and I have struggled to get her to eat almost every night at dinner. We have a rule that she can eat what is on her plate.....we don't make special food just for her. This has been going pretty well because she eats but she usually complains the whole time. Sadie has been an eating champ but lately she has become more picky so she is a challenge at dinner too. Last night we had chicken quesadillas....nothing special....and both kids inhaled them. At one point Lily actually thanked me for making such a great dinner......she usually tells me she doesn't like the food at all. Sadie even tried some salsa and liked it for about a minute and a half. She needed a new plate after that but she ate her quesadilla. I took some pictures to remember the "best dinner ever."