Check out our vacation blog

We're back from a relaxing and wonderful family vacation to Mackinac Island. To check out our photos, visit our vacation blog at http://wishyouwerehereinmackinac.blogspot.com. Mackinac was so much fun for the whole family and we're so grateful to have the time all together.

Today, we're heading off to the zoo for our first visit to the Indianapolis Zoo with Sarah and our friends the Hobsons. Their daughter is exactly one day older than Sarah so it will be fun to get the girls together. Have a great HOT Indiana summer day!!

15 Month Check-Up

Sarah Margaret's visit to the doctor for her 15 month check-up went very well. She is still in the 75th percentile for height (2'8") and 25th percentile for weight (21.5 lbs.). She had four vaccinations and was very brave for the shots. By the time we left the office, she was smiling and waving to the nurses. The next day, she was a little sleepy. In the morning, she laid next to Andy on the couch with a blanket on her watching the morning news. She has never sat on the sofa for more than a few seconds so we knew that she was a little sore from the shots.
Her new favorites (in addition to swimming) include sitting on the bottom step of our stairs, Bitty Baby (who must go everywhere and even sleep with Sarah), and clam chowder & chilled strawberry soup. The other night, Sarah would not fall asleep until Bitty was placed next to her in her crib.
Click here to view the new photos & videos.

Another favorite activity of Sarah's is singing into her play microphone and dancing to Disney songs. For Sarah's birthday, she received a little play microphone. She hadn't noticed it until recently but now loves talking/singing into the mic. We might have to sign her up for voice lessons soon. There is a video of her singing ability in her 15 month album. Also on YouTube, she'll bounce along to "Under the Sea" and "I Can't Wait to Be King."

Enjoy these hot & humid Indiana summer days!!

15 Month Photos & Video

Click here for some new photos and videos. It is a hot and humid weekend here in Indianapolis!

15 Months Old: Loves to Travel and Swim

We're sorry for the delay in posting photos and updates, but it has been a busy couple weeks. Sarah Margaret took her first trip to Chicago and was great in the car with Glamma & Bon Papa. She was too excited to sleep. Adrian graduated from high school on a hot Sunday afternoon. Sarah fell asleep in the stroller walking Adrian over to graduation. We did have a chance to go to our favorite park in Wilmette; Maple Park. That evening, Uncle Pierre & Aunt Carol prepared a delicious pork tenderloin, and it was a delightful time with family on the screened in porch. Sarah did snooze on the way home. Photos from the weekend can be viewed in Sarah's 14 month album to the right.

The next weekend, we headed up to Toledo for Uncle Stacy's big 30th birthday. Sarah did excellent in the car (great training for the big trip up to Mackinac). Gramma Sue threw a wonderful birthday bash.

To be continued...Sarah Margaret is waking from her afternoon nap and we have to pick up Bon Papa from the airport...arriving back from Paris.

Here are some photos from Aunt Anna from Cliff, Anna, Aaron, and Cislak Baby #2 visit.

We had a great time seeing Uncle Cliff, Aunt Anna, and Aaron. The highlight (for Sarah at least:)) was going to swim at Meridian Hills. She loved it and didn't want to leave the pool. She cried when she had to eat her lunch at the snack bar and then again when we had to leave. She fell asleep so quickly on the ride home. Aaron and Sarah had fun going to visit our neighbor at his fire station. Sarah also enjoyed more the storytime for the older children and liked sitting next to Aaron on a little mat and getting her wiggles out. Afterwards, we went into the library and Sarah searched the shelves for books for Aaron. Aaron enjoyed reading stories on Aunt Anna's lap. We can't wait to see them again in Mackinac!!

Big Brother Aaron!

Andy and I (and Sarah) are so excited to hear the news of our new niece or nephew due around Thanksgiving!! Aaron is going to be such a wonderful big brother. Can't wait to see you soon!

The Polite Movie Star

Sarah Margaret got her first pair of sunglasses this past week and she seems to do a pretty good job of keeping them on. With her big sunglasses, she looks like a movie star and some of her mannerism are starting to reflect those of movie stars. She just learn how to politely refuse food or let us know that she is done eating. She will put her little hand up and shake her head no when she has had enough to eat. She will also do the same with books. You'll pull one out of the basket and she will very nicely shake her head and put up her hand. She loves her new freedom of walking and her vocubulary is growing everyday. We are amazed at the things that she notices. On the way home from Glamma & Bon Papa's, there is a Dog Grocery Store and on the sign is a dog. Every time we go by, she always says "dada" for doggy. She loved dogsitting Chloe last week. She will get Chloe a bone out (just one) when she comes in from outside and when we leave and she loves giving Chloe toys to her. The other day on a walk, when Sarah wanted to keep going but Chloe was ready to stop, Bon Papa took Chloe inside but Sarah did not want to go on a walk without Chloe. We thought for the week at Glamma & Bon Papa's that she had given up one of her naps but now this week she is back to her two naps. I hear her waking now. Enjoy the photos!

Happy Belated Mothers' Day!

For mother-love and father-care,
For brothers strong and sisters fair,
For love at home and here each day,
For guidance lest we go astray,Father in Heaven, we thank Thee.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are so thankful for all the wonderful women in our family who are such a blessing to Sarah Margaret. The top photo above is from Mothers' Day 1961, and I think it is such a fun photo. The little girl in front with her hands folded is Glamma. Also in the photo is Uncle Carter, Aunt Jody, Grandmother Boyd, and Grandmother Boyd's parents.

Sarah Margaret is now officially 14 months. She walks more and more everyday. She started walking several steps at Wednesday night pasta night at Meridian Hills and by Friday at our friends' home with her 18 month old friends Graydon & Marcus, all she would do is walk. She also likes to climb up in the rocker chair in her room (all by herself!) and read a story. She has two more molars coming in so those are bothering her a little. She is starting to use a plate (and not throw it on the floor) and also use the spoon with a bowl. Daddy is reinforcing the bib rule with her and she seems to be doing much better with wearing a bib.

Click here for Sarah Margaret's 14 month old album (includes more videos of her walking).

Sarah Margaret wanted to wish Rowan a very happy 2nd birthday on Thursday!!