Brave {159}

Dear Miss Dinah,

More frisky fun with your kitten today.

This morning we had Marc, Dana, Victor and Meghann over for brunch. We enjoyed waffles and lots of conversation.

This evening, Daddy had to run to the city to get a machine part, and wanted to take Mamma to a movie as well. We called Aunt Kit who came and sat with you while we were there. We didn't have a lot of time to get to the movie after picking up the part and meanwhile, our car started acting funny. Daddy said, "That's funny? We should have plenty of gas left in the tank unless you sat for a while with the car running yesterday..." (this throws off the gas gauge)

...Well, actually...we had sat in the car with the AC running just about every time we stopped yesterday on our 8 hour trip. So, yes, we had run out of gas. Thankfully just off the highway. Also thankfully, a young man pulled up right away and drove Daddy to get gas. We were only a few minutes late for the movie.

We saw 'Brave,' a story about a girl and her mamma.

I love you,

Mamma <3

From Tall Buildings to Windmills and...{158}

Dear Miss Dinah,

From cows to cats.

That is pretty much the summary of our day's beginning and end.

It started at the Shatto dairy farm. We drove out to the dairy in the morning and got to sample all the different flavors of milk and get a glimpse of how the farm runs from milking the cows to processing and bottling the milk to sell.

Here you are with Miss Fiona who also took the tour.

Too bad you girls were a little young to try the cotton candy flavored milk.

Talking about pasteurization and homogenization

Flavors sold include: chocolate, strawberry, coffee, cotton candy, banana, orange cream, and of course, regular milk. They also make cheese and ice cream

Packing up the banana milk -- Mamma's favorite.

A little calf

1-2-3...charge! (You are actually still outside the fence)

Mamma milking the cow. You didn't seem surprised by what was happening. Old hat to you :)

This was the morning shift. They work from 2 am to 2 pm. Each cow gets milked twice a day and can produce anywhere from 7-16 gallons per day. We got to stick our thumb into the machine that milks the cows.

  We left the dairy and rode back (1.5 hrs) to our starting point, before departing on our trip to the other side of the state. It was just you and me this time, so we had to make a quite a few stops to eat or take a break, so we didn't get home until 9:30 pm. But when we walked in the door...

We found this friendly little face gazing back at us.
So we sat and gazed back. 

Yes, Daddy had gotten us a kitten while we were gone and you could not have been more pleased. He asked you what you wanted to name her and you said something (which I have no idea how to type - maybe Pzzo-Wzzo?) Daddy thought it was the perfect name.

You giggled and giggled, and chased PW around the house until we finally put you back to bed.

I love you,

Mamma <3

The Littlelest Fan {157}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Grandpa's impromptu narration on your interaction with a miniature fan this morning:

"Yep...I'm Matthew's daughter. I'll figure this thing out and then I'll upgrade it, make it bigger, and better, and faster...and I'll add a 200 horsepower generator..."

 

Your Aunt Elisa drove up to spend the morning with you.

Earlier this morning I had been talking to Daddy on the phone. When I put him on speaker phone and you heard his voice, you started speaking very excitedly and loudly. As if everything you had bottled up inside to tell him came pouring out.

Play time this afternoon with Anna. 

Walking the little stroller together

The shape cube

Pleas notice Owen's "Big Brother" shirt in the background. He takes the role very seriously.

Anna has lots of experience with posed photos. She "hugged" you, and then hopped off her chair! :) You were wholly fascinated with your audio book playing school bus.

We got home and watched some Olympic swimming trials on TV before you went to bed (which, by the way, your Grandma Sisi and Aunt Katie are on their way to). You woke up a few hours later...startled, not sure where you were, I think. Not surprising as this is the third new place in 2 days! We snuggled a little bit, you had some water, and back to sleep.

I love you,

Mamma <3

2 New Friends: Octopus and Braden {156}

Dear Miss Dinah, 

We decided to stay an extra day so now we'll drive home Friday instead of Thursday. We couldn't resist the dairy farm.

You made two new friends today, but only one was real (and much cuter). The first was an inflatable octopus that shoots water out of its head. I think you were taken aback by his (or her?) intimidating facial features at first, but once we turned his face around to the other side, you warmed up (or cooled off?) with her right away :)

 

Later on, we went to visit friends who are also visiting from Virginia. You and Braden kept yourselves occupied with many different activities (mostly separately) but I think you both agreed that mealtime was the best!

I love you,

Mamma <3

The Happiest Girl {155}

Dear Miss Dinah,

This morning you woke up as the happiest, most excited girl in the universe. It must have been the fact that you had two grandmammas in the same house with you at once.

Oh, and we mustn't forget your wonderful Auntie Kay:

Taking in the view

Looks like you're tip-toeing

My, what tall pigtails you have

Someday, when you no longer make hissing noises back to Meeko, you might be buddies.

Maybe

   


 We ran some errands and went to lunch with Ginni (btw I was informed that this is the official spelling for your grandma Suzi) We ate at the delicious 'Classic Cookie,' one of our favorite restaurants here. Then we took Ginni to the airport so she could catch her flight to TN and bring back your cousins. We are so excited for you to spend the summer together. Especially for you to meet Miss Emma.


When we got back this afternoon, we went to visit baby Fiona who was born only 2 months ago. She is a total sweetie pie. You were very curious about her, but also kind and patient while Mamma held her as you looked on. When she started fussing, you offered her your sippy cup. You were also very interested in her "big brother," Tuff - their daschund.

You were Tuff's little buddy, asking him to share his toys with you and even climbing into his bed with him, until he finally retreated to the sofa.

We came home and made supper and you fell promptly to sleep.

This is what pigtails look like at the end of the day

 Still pretty cute.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Oh, and Daddy misses you...

We Made It {154}

Dear Miss Dinah,

8:30 am - Ready to go!

 

4:30 pm - Finally to Sisi's!

I love you,

Mamma <3

One Extra for Naptime {153}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Just found out that we will be taking a long trip tomorrow... Taking Guinney to the airport and staying with family a few days. Daddy has his first seed cleaning job on Tuesday, and we should be back late Thursday.

As you were going down for your morning nap, Daddy said he would lay down with you. Of course I assumed he was joking. "I put this thing together, it should hold us!" And... he climbed in. He cuddled with you and pooh for a moment, then got out and let you sleep.

This afternoon we went to visit Great Granny and Great Grandad. Great Grandad had saved two bananas and some cheese crackers for you. It was a sweet gesture, and you enjoyed them thoroughly. 

Tonight, we packed our suitcase. You moved things in and out, in and out, in and out... Ok, I think we are finally packed. Good night.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Three Big Firsts {152}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Three big firsts, in order of perceived importance...

1.) You took steps today! I'm not ready to say that you are walking, but you took 2 or so little baby steps in the kitchen multiple times this evening.

2.) Your first day of school! You just turned one year old and in everything you do, you are learning fast and furiously right now. So I thought it would be fun to actually intentionally sit down with you and have a little "teaching" session. I decided to use different colored photo albums as "flash cards" and recite colors to you. Then I used your color book and showed the page that matched the color of "flash card" I was holding. Finally, I added your colored blocks, handing you the corresponding block to reiterate the "card" and the book. It was fun, you stayed engaged, and the whole thing lasted only 4 or 5 minutes.

 

After "school," you hung around, playing with blocks while I tried to snap a non-blurry picture of your face... look how successful we were.

3.) First real teeth brushing, using actual toothpaste.

I love you.

Mamma <3