Rehabing our front landscaping has been more than it's cracked up to be, but CJ has it under control! Oh, and Becca's still cute!

The Colt's season begins with a new fan this year!

Mamaw and Papaw came with gifts this weekend. Her mamaw is showing Becca how to get her new John Deere gator going.

The gator is definitately a hit!

Like I mentioned, Chris has been hard at work outside. So here is some photo-documentation, starting with this before picture.

Initial demo. It was tedious; there are a million pavers!

Our driveway, the material staging center.

Chris not only removed the old pavers, but he had to dig down into the clay 4-6 inches. Then he wheelbarrowed in this bigger crushed stone (about 22,000 pounds worth, really).

Then there's a layer of a finer, more sand-like material than had to be wheelbarrowed in. Our neighbor has been so kind and generous with his time and muscle. Thanks Phil!!

Then Chris got to re-lay the old pavers. He thought that was going to be easy and fast...well, not so much. The walkway slopes down 8-12 inches from front door to driveway so Chris couldn't just use a level to insure he was doing it right...many long hours, but it's looking good! Oh, and he couldn't have done it without his trusty assistant!

My new favorite picture...what more needs to be said

Taking a break with Daddy.

Becca loves all the material piles we have in the driveway. Chris and I have thought maybe this should be a yearly thing; Becca will play and entertain herself for 10-15 minutes!

Playing in the clean laundry

We discovered that Becca loves corn on the cob. She can eat a whole ear. I just give her the cob and, well, you see the results (she's moved on to a chicken nugget, but you can see the remnants-everywhere!)

We got a little table for Becca to use and she loves it. Her she and spot are having a snack.

Do like Mommy does!

Becca has been doing more imitating so I've decided I should try and capitalize...see what you think...still working on efficiency, but not a bad start :)

Fruit, Veggies and the Beach...we are outdoor girls (and daddy too)

We've been keeping busy, at least trying. I'm working 2-3 days a week and managing to stay sane, so far anyway...Becca loves me to pieces, I'm sure, but has started getting a bit restless just staying at home with the two of us. Now that she's got all her friends at Kathy's on Tuesdays and Thursdays, just her and I at home, isn't quite as entertaining. Though she's still a little shy initially with people and new places, she's starting to venture out more and explore; it continues to be amazing how she grows and changes so quickly, both physically and mentally.

I took Becca blueberry picking a couple weeks ago. She wasn't as interested in the blueberries as she was in the strawberries last month, but mommy pushed through and filled up our big ol' bucket. (you pay one price for a bucket so I had to fill it all the way up!--it was about 6 pounds, btw.) The weather was gruesome! Glance back at the pictures, the first pic was very early on, the last two were towards the end. Look at how red Becca's face is and her hair is soaked with sweat (she also looks sunburned, but I promise, she's not). I, too, was drenched. It was all worth it, though. The berries are fantastic. I've been putting them in my oatmeal in the morning and then sharing with Becca.

Becca loves the beach!! The sand, the wet sand, the water, everything, she loves it all. We spent 4 hours there today and she sat down once to shove some mac and cheese in and off she went again. It's so fun to see her roam around and be a busy body. We went to Manistee with Sheri and her family (plus some other friends) just a week or so ago, and while there Chris was a crazy sand builder. Becca was apparently watching him closer than I thought because today she seemed to be trying to replicate what Dad was doing at the beach in Manistee; she was digging a hole, then climbing into it, then looking for me to fill it up with water to make a mud pool. It was so fun!

This is the bounty! I picked my first three zucchinis and felt so proud then we left for the three day beach trip to Manistee and when we got back, these 14 zucchinis were ready and waiting...so if you get a larger package from me, it's no secret what it will be (no, not zucchini, but delicious chocolate chip zucchini bread)--if you don't, sorry, don't be offended :)

The weekend before our mini-vacay we went to Michigan to see my gramma who is doing rehab in a nursing home after falling and breaking her elbow. She's slowly building up strength and balance. Becca was the hit of the nursing home! She was running all over and seemed to enjoy riding in great gramma's wheelchair.

Oh, and on a random note, Becca's favorite song...and yes it really is her favorite, she can be crying and fussing up a storm in the car, then I put the song on and she calms immediately, smiles, and usually starts waving her arms and dancing...the song....Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus (really, Becca, Hannah Montana already?)--it's actually adorable and the song is very catchy (afterall I'm the one that downloaded it on iTunes, hehe)

Our yard and Strawberry Picking

We have been loving the outdoors! Our new yard, though lots of work, has also been fun, beautiful, and educating! I thought I'd share some pictures with you... (I wrote underneath the pictures after realizing I usually write above the pics--there goes consistency, oops!)

These are my favorite lilies. They're smaller than the very tall ones that are all over Chesterton, including in front of our house (see pic below).

These tall lilies are also very pretty.

We planted our garden in the middle of May and soon started to see some sprouts...that's the broccoli peaking out

Now it's late June and check it out! It worked! Veggies are actually growing. We might get a couple carrots (that's what was planted to the left in the picture), but the rest is going great! From left to right we have Romaine lettuce, broccoli, baby flat leaf spinach and zucchini. Those were all started from seed. In the back we planted some green, red, orange and serrano peppers, plus grape tomatoes all from starter plants. The two rows on the right in the back are sweet corn that Chris planted from seed. We've already enjoyed a bunch of spinach and some Romaine :)

We have some apples coming on our apple tree.

We had a few dozen sour cherries-which were yummy! I have since eaten them all!

We have two peach trees and they are loaded with fruit. I really hope they ripen up well! Peach pie and cobbler are in the forecast and maybe even some canning (then I'll really be a farm girl!)

We had a wild turkey roaming around one day. The next day she returned with 8 little turkeys...so cute!

Chris put up drywall on the east wall of the garage where he is going to be building his work bench. This is a before shot...stay tuned for the after shot. The drywall is currently up, and the work bench is started.

Chris also installed motion sensor lights in two places. He had to mess with the hardwiring to get the lights where we wanted. It really is amazing all that Chris can do. He's done so much at this house and all that he did in our condo downtown. He's not "handy", he really is like a true professional. I'm so lucky! We're so lucky. He enjoys it, does it well, and works for free! (well, for beer and food and an occasional smooch)

He also planted the new bushes on the west side of the house. We got rid of a bunch of overgrown plants that were hiding the house's beautiful facade. These bushes should grow up and together and look great! We're so excited to be adding our own touches.

Becca and I went strawberry picking. It was great fun. The strawberries were delicious and abundant. At first, Becca wasn't too sure about the berries, they were a bit tart, but she came around and ate a bunch!

Notice her hands--red! She kept eating and squishing them...a good day. I'm planning on going back soon and bringing Chris. I think he'd get a kick out of doing this with Becca.

I'm back...camera still broken...but lots to report

I'm sorry, again, for not keeping up with the blog. I've gone back to work, part-time, but have just had a long stent (working 7 of the last 9 days); I've got lots more excuses as to why I haven't made the time to update the blog, but there's no point in sharing that. As usual, we're busy doing a little of this and a little of that and a little of nothing! :)

So let's see, where to begin...Becca had her first ear infection. She had a cold and then after about a week developed a fever. We fought the fever but it stuck around and even went up to 104.3 degrees. We went to the doctor and discovered the ear infection and then started the antibiotics. A few days after taking the medicine, Becca developed a rash. It spread and got worse before it got better, but we did end up switching antibiotics. She must have had a virus, beccause she also the poops (I'm sure she appreciates me sharing). She didn't sleep much at night for a few days, and we ended up snuggling and spooning on the guest bed--it was kind of sweet :)

I also have taken Becca to the beach. She LOVES it! She loves the sand and the water. It's so fun!

And yes, Becca has turned a year old! I cannot believe that a full year has gone by....wow....We had a BBQ for her party and had friends and family over to celebrate. Our theme was Ladybugs, but I didn't go too crazy with it. For those of you who supported me in my cake making adventure, thank you for your patience and kind words when that was all I could talk about. I had my ups and downs and periods of doubt, but in the end, it turned out perfectly and I'm very proud of myself! What do you think? The smash cake was fun, but Becca didn't get too crazy with it.

Becca had a good time at her party and seemed to love all the attention! She played, ate, played, smashed her cake, slept and then opened gifts. She got great gifts. We are so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends who are generous and kind--Thank you to all!

Becca wasn't walking for her birthday, more than a few steps anyway, but is now officially a toddler! The conversion happened on June 18th. It really is amazing. That day she just preferred to be upright and walking, and that was that! It's so neat to see her walking around. She has her own ideas and preferences and is understanding language more. Chris taught her to give us kisses (minus the puckering up); it's so precious. She has the first half of blowing kisses down, and just yesterday I taught her how to find her belly button-she's a bit challenged to actually see it due to her round protruding tummy, but she'll catch a glimpse now and again :) Just this last week she's finally signing all done, when prompted. She really is continually changing and growing!

No news is good news

I've been very delinquent for not updating the blog in FOREVER. I apologize. Our camera was acting up so we haven't been able to share pictures, which is-let's be honest-the real reason for a blog. We just got the camera back and it's still not cooperating, so I've put up a couple pics from my phone.

We are all well. Chris, with some of his dad's help, has been rockin' our landscaping! It looks great, and we still have tons to do. We have (I really mean he has) cut out a bunch of overgrown bushes. Our place had tons of landscaping, trees, bushes, flowers, etc. but the problem has been that it's super duper overgrown and so looks ridiculously messy and out of control (pretty much because it is). We've been enjoying the more simplified look and all the beautiful flowers that have come up. (We are currently enjoying beautiful irises: blue/purple, white and yellow.)

Becca is hangin' in. She's taking steps independently. She has done up to 10, but that's few and far between, she prefers to stay in the 3-5 range; ya know, she doesn't want to overextend herself, or set the bar too high :) She can crawl both up and down the stairs. She's also chatting up a storm and loves to make a loud squeal for which Chris has made the comment regarding its uncanny resemblance to a falcon's noise. She is saying "mama" though hasn't connected it to me yet. She's also consistently using the sign "more" to communicate to us. Thank goodness!!!--Houston, we have made contact! We are working on trying a few new signs to further make efficient our communication. We are looking to expand our repertoire to include "milk", "all done" and "eat".



Also Becca has fallen in love. It's been fun to see. She really enjoys watching the dog next door and is fasinated with him when she gets to see him up close. I report this because it may have been the foreshadowing for her love...Becca's object of desire is a small stuffed dalmation puppy to whom we've affectionately been calling "puppy" or "Spot". We have since realized that maybe Spot isn't the most ideal name as Becca probably won't be able to say the S sound for awhile, resulting in her beautiful love of "-pot"

She's eating relatively well and we continue to introduce her to new things. She loves her carbs...


She loves mommy's mashed potatoes, so much so that she was trying to lick the bowl clean and was wearing quite a bit too. I'll take that as a compliment.

Becca's hair continues to grow and I've been experimenting, a little, with hair styles. Here's our first go with PigTails (I call them piggies)...I think they're a success, don't you?

Well I guess that's it for today's update...oh yeah, me...I'm officially going back to work on a part-time basis; I've been covering days as they have needed me, but soon will be there consistently. Becca will be going to Kathy's 2 days a week this summer (Tuesday and Thursday) and then maybe 3 days in the fall. My first day is June 8th. I'm going to be doing inpatient acute care PT with adults, which means I'll be working with patients that are still sick and in the hospital. It's a good thing. I'm looking for some good life balance for me and for Becca. I'm looking forward to her loving other people and being around other kids. It will definately be an adjustment, but it's change for the good!

First full weekday at work + first full day at Miss Cathy's = lots of tears...

Today I "worked" my first full day (it was actually orientation). Becca woke up happy, nursed well and ate a good breakfast. We took our early morning car ride over to Cathy's house. She's a wonderful woman that an SLP recommended (we visited Cathy last week during the day). I briefed Cathy about the morning, went over the few notes I'd written and talked a bit about Becca, then I hand Becca over and the crying began....Becca was not please to let me go, but I didn't linger. I told her I loved her and out the door I went. I cried a bit on my way to work; I couldn't help it she's a special little one to me. I knew she was safe and put her out of my mind until lunchtime when I called to check in. Cathy couldn't talk long and could hardly hear me because Becca was more or less still crying!! Cathy recommends "social therapy"--no kiddding!!!! She said I should try and leave her with other people, Dad, gramma and anyone who is "patient and loving" (what she actually meant was someone who could handle the crying). Becca did sleep for an hour and a half, but was still not happy with the situation, as noted by the 11:30 phone call. Oh and Cathy also said "she's pretty strong willed?" It was a statement more than a question and boy is she! Not sure where she gets it (right, right). I knew she was safe and being well cared for, but I still had to call Chris and cry some myself. I was a little shaken and was seriously checking out the clock from 3-4pm when I finally left. I had to stop at the bank for cash and was super annoyed at myself for causing the delay because I was so anxious to get Becca in my arms. Chris called me when I was enroute to Cathy's and I cried again. When I got to Cathy's, Becca was sitting on Lizzy's lap (Cathy's 20 year old daughter) eating cheerios. I got the best 2 minute hug from that precious little girl of mine!!! Cathy was sure that Becca was mad at her from taking her away from her mommy, but they made up as Cathy was filling me in on the day.

So, all in all, lots of tears, but a good day! A step in the right direction for both Mommy and Becca...Becca dropped off to sleep good (keep your fingers crossed) and Mommy's starting to nod off too...)