~ 8 years and 18 months ~

Today is our 8 year wedding anniversary and Reese's 18 month birthday. It's hard to believe we have been married 8 years and that Reese is a year and a half old!

On Friday I did a little shopping before picking Reese up from school. I was hoping to find some good summer sales, but had little luck. Of course all of the fall clothes are out, but who wants to buy fall clothes when it is 100 degrees outside. In Houston we wear shorts until Thanksgiving! At least Matt does.

I did find a few goodies at Gap and Gymboree!




The school theme last week was beach/ocean and Reese's teacher said she kept putting on sunglasses. I had to see this for myself.



On Saturday and Sunday morning, Mom, Reese and I walked at Memorial City Mall. I finally got smart and decided to work out inside rather than outside. Reese loves (so far) strolling through the mall and they have an indoor playground that she enjoys.

Later in the day on Saturday, I headed to Galveston with some girl friends to visit a wine bar. It was a fun afternoon and a nice little get-a-way. Matt and Reese hung out with Scott and Chris and ate Amy's ice cream! That evening, after the thunderstorm passed, Matt and I went to McCormick and Schmick's to celebrate our anniversary. Grandma Ruth came over and watched Reesie.

On Sunday, we took our usual trip to the park. Reese was all about the BIG toys!




She even braved the BIG swing all by herself.



I told her she was a BIG girl now!

She also played on the BIG play structure.

And Daddy helped her climb up the BIG high steps (these are the ones she envied the girls playing tag last week when they climbed).

Yesterday, Reese and I took a walk after dinner. I've been trying to get in brisk walks 4-5 times a week. We stopped at the park and Reese played and played. Of course she did not want to leave, but we had to get home for bath time. Unfortunately, this lead to a kicking and screaming tantrum and I ended up carrying her home while pushing the jogger one handed. It was BAD! She really wanted to push the jogger, but it's just too big for her and there is nothing to hold onto that she can reach. She is used to pushing her umbrella stroller, so she thought she could push the jogger. We finally made it home, but not without a few astonished looks from the neighbors! Whew!

Oh and when I picked up Reese from school yesterday, I learned she got her first bite from another child. Apparently she took a toy from another boy and he bit her hand trying to get her to let go. She had a pretty good mark on her knuckle and around her index finger and thumb. It did not break the skin thank goodness and is already looking better today. I really hope she does not retaliate and bite him or any other child.

Today, Reese showed me how she was like Mommy. She carried my purse, her school bag and my lunch bag around the kitchen before stopping to make a phone call.

So back to being 18 months old...

Reese amazes me everyday and I simply love this age! I must admit, however, the terrible two's have begun. Nobody warned me that they started so early! I say this because I have seen more and more tantrums lately. In addition, Reese has been refusing to change her diaper or get dressed. It's a real chore to accomplish either task. BUT, I know this too shall pass and is a part of growing up, becoming more independent and showing she has some power. When she gets over her fit, she always comes running to me and gives me hugs (like she was never mad at me). She has this thing about grabbing my finger and leading (shall I say pulling) me around the house or playground to show me something very interesting. It's like she is saying, "Mom, come over here!".

Tomorrow is her 18 month appointment. Let's see what the doctor has to say about her speech.

Splash Day!

Today was Splash Day at Reese's school. She wasn't quite sure about putting on her swimsuit so early in the morning. I assured her she would be happy she did!







The teachers asked for parents to volunteer, and I was happy to oblige. I dropped her off and then worked from home until it was time to join her. I'm glad I wore my shorts and t-shirt because I ended up almost as wet as the kids.



Reese played with this net for the majority of the time.





They had a sprinkler hanging from above like a clothes line. This is how I ended up soaked; when turned on high these water hoses shot water every where (can you see them spinning?).





Reese tested out the water with her toes before jumping in the pool.





The kids love bubbles!




Time to get in the pool.

I think I'll just stand here and observe my friends.

Can you hear the excitement coming from her mouth?

Getting a good shower now.

Multi-tasking.

Whatcha doing with the shaving cream?

Before I knew it an hour had flown by, so I said by to Reese (she hardly noticed I was leaving) and headed home to change before going to work.

Her teachers said she was having so much fun that she didn't want to leave when it was time to go inside. She cried a little, but got over it pretty quick.

Other tidbits from this week...

While enjoying her new favorite pastime, Reese discovered the light switch in the fridge. She kept turning it on and off. Then she would close the door until the light would go off and then she would open it again. Hey, are those my keys on the bottom?

Reese has seen me drink from my canteen and she likes to play with it. She also offered Super Puppy a drink.

She did this at least 10 times. It was so cute!

During our walk on Tuesday evening we stopped by the park as usual. There were 5 girls playing tag and Reese really wanted to join them. She kept walking up to them and screaming. I had to keep her from getting run over as they flew by chasing each other. She also tried to climb the big toys like the girls who were running and jumping all around the play structures.

That night when it was time for night night, Reese handed me Time for Bed to read to her.

Facebook? I barely have time to blog!

You may have noticed we are behind on blogging, so this post will recap the past month of our adventures with Reese. As you may have guessed and can relate, life is busy! I hear Facebook is the new MySpace, but who has time for that? Obviously everyone but me. Even Matt has a wall. I've got a user id.

So back to Reese...she is doing so much now! Including saying new words like: More, Bucket, Outside, Walk, Eyes (while pointing to her eyes) and more consistent Mama and Dada. Uh oh is still a favorite!

~Weekend of June 26, 2009~

Matt finally got back to Houston after being gone for two weeks. It didn't take long for Reese to warm back up to her Daddy after being gone for so long. Here is on his "vacation."



Matt spent all day Saturday with Reese and on Sunday she went swimming for the first time at Gigi and Grandpa Sam's. She loved it, but insisted that Mommy hold her the entire time. We have this cute float toy that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with. So we splashed and jumped and swirled around while she held her ball.







She let Daddy hold her once, so Gigi could snap a picture.




Reese and I usually go to Kroger on Saturday morning and this trip was extra special because the check out lady gave her a balloon on our way out. This was her obsession of the day or should I say weekend.









~July 4th Weekend~

On Friday, we took our first trip to the Children's Museum. It opened at 10:00 and we arrived at 10:30 along with every other toddler in Houston. The place was packed with a line out the door. Luckily it was in the shade and moved fast!





We found the Tot Spot and Reese took off.





She really enjoyed playing in the back seat of this car. It was full of boys, but she didn't care.









Then she found one she could drive!





The wall flowers intrigued her too.

As well as the biggest light brite ever!

The slide was steep and smooth making for a fast decent.

We didn't even see half of the toys before it was time to head home for lunch. We will definitely visit again!

Friday evening, we along with Chris, Scott and Lauren went to Aunt Sharon's for fireworks. We munched on Miller's burgers before heading to Conroe. Delicious!

On the way to Sharon's, Reese danced in her seat (in between Scott and Lauren) moving her arms up and down to the beat of the music Daddy was playing.

Sharon's friend let Reese play with this neat red, white and blue sparkler light.

Reese loved the fireworks which launched across the lake at Bentwater. They were just far enough away not to scare her.

It was so hot outside and we hardly had a breeze, so Reese and I sweated our bottoms off. She is her mother's daughter in this respect. As soon as she steps outside, she starts perspiring and her cheeks get red if she is out for any length of time.

After the fireworks show, we headed back inside to cool off and listened to Ike play patriotic songs on the piano.

Sharon and Stelle, Ike's wife.

Ike, the Piano Man.

On Saturday, we went to Grandpa Joe and Grandma Pat's for swimming and bar-b-que.

Once again, Reese would not let anyone hold her but me.

After lots of swimming, Reese and Daddy enjoyed strawberry shortcake.

Bubbles!!

On Sunday, we celebrated Brady's 2nd birthday at The Little Gym. It was a hit!

Reese and Brady gettin' down!

Reese and Harper snacking on cupcakes.

~Week after July 4th~

Matt found this neat computer game for Reese. All she has to do is hit any key and a bunny will appear. If she moves the mouse over a bunny it will disappear.

She is so big! Sitting in the chair all by herself!

Going through Mommy's gym bag is way more fun than getting dressed. Notice the sandals.

The past week she has been obsessed with pushing her Chicco stroller around the house, down the sidewalk, you name it. I even spent two evenings pushing her around the house in the stroller. She insisted, so we played!

This lead me to realize she needed a Reese size stroller which we picked on Saturday.

Of course, she loves it! I also bought her a baby doll to put in it...she is not interested in the baby (yet).

She does like to put Super Puppy, books, sunscreen, etc. in it though.

She pushed it down the street yesterday and then decided she wanted Mommy to carry her home. Daddy got to carry the stroller and Super Puppy back home.

Sometimes Reese likes to sit in her booster rather than her highchair. I have a feeling we'll be retiring the highchair soon.

~Gigi's Birthday, July 12, 2009~

We celebrated Mom's birthday on Saturday night with dinner at Carrabba's followed by Crave cupcakes.

Reese crawled in my lap (so sweet) when Grandpa was doing this breathing treatment. Sam is doing well by the way...still fighting as we like to say. We have had a couple more hospital visits, but that is to be expected. Your continued prayers are appreciated.

Reese and I shared a strawberry cupcake. It was devine.