The Perfect Afternoon

We sure are enjoying this warm weather! Yesterday was Sarah's perfect afternoon; lots of time playing at the park then milkshakes and dinner at Steak 'n Shake with Mama, Dada, Nana, and Bon Papa. Sarah even saw her friend Chloe from church at the park. We hope this warm weather is here to stay. No excitement on the baby front. I kept thinking that second children come earlier than firstborns but this little baby is nice and cozy and in no rush:-) We'll keep everyone posted!

Fun weekends!

It was a wonderful couple weekends with visitors. The last weekend of March, Gramma Sue and Uncle Stacy visited and the first week of April, we saw Aunt Carol, Uncle Pierre, Uncle David and cousins Neil & Preston. We had a blast with Uncle Stacy and Gramma Sue. Sarah loved all the birthday presents!! It was so nice of Gramma Sue, Uncle Stac, and Uncle Ty. We watched lots of basketball. Saturday night, Gramma Sue, Sarah and I picked up Greek food so we could all watch the Butler basketball game. We even had some chocolate chip cookie cake to celebrate Grama Sue's birthday a few days early. Sarah likes to dip her chips and enjoys the appetizers Mama set out. She is a great hostess and will always be sure to get drinks for everyone Sunday morning, we went to Hoglins and then the highlight was the Children's Museum. It was such a nice weekend. On Sunday, my friend Jennifer came over for dinner. Sarah just loved Jen. She kept calling Jen "mama's friend" and gave her lots of cheese and veggie sticks and some sparkling water. Sarah was excited to show Jen her room and the baby's room. When Jen left after dinner and some basketball, Sarah gave Jen a big hug. She waved goodbye from her bedroom window saying bye bye mama's friend.

The next weekend, on Friday afternoon, Aunt Carol, Uncle Pierre, and Grandma ("Gigi), came over for a visit. Sarah had such a nice time doing a puzzle (24 piece jigsaw) with Uncle Pierre. Saturday morning, I went up to the Carmel Police Dept. to have the baby's car seat installed. Then that afternoon, we went over to Grandma & Grandpa's to watch the game with the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and great grandparents and to have dinner. It was a blast and a great Butler win on Saturday night in the Final Four. We stayed up at Glamma & Bon Papa's and enjoyed Bon Papa's biscuits in the morning. I wish I took more photos from the two weekends but these will have to do.

Sarah loves the park and does a little dance by the back door saying park, park, park when we say that we can go to the park. She keeps talking more and more and repeats just about anything you say. Loves to ask for more goldfish snack and tortillas. She loves having lollipops at Glamma's.

Any day now, we'll welcome baby tresize. I'm 38 1/2 weeks and my list of projects to complete before baby comes is about done.

Preparing for Baby

It has been a busy couple weeks preparing for baby and finishing up projects. Sarah has been a very big help and part of preparing for baby. She helped Daddy with the stud finder in the baby's room. Tonight, Daddy showed her how to use the paint roller (without paint) and a paint brush since this weekend, we're painting the baby's nook.

Sarah now can say her name when you ask her what her name is (she says "SarSar") and will also say that she is 2. She does a great job too following instructions. Tonight, she could tell Daddy on the phone that we were having Shepard's Pie for dinner tonight. It is amazing the words she picks up in one day. She was so sad to see Nana leave today (Mommy volunteered this morning at the Oaks Academy). She love going shopping and loved going to the paint store. For the past couple nights, for the first time, she has wanted to be "tucked in" bed with the quilt that Aunt Susie made. She'll pat her back to let us know to cover her up for naptime and bedtime.

My 36 week check-up at the doctor went well (dialated to 2!). Now I'll go every 2 weeks. It is great that Andy comes to the doctor as well.

Oh, and how could I forget the HOURS we spent at the park this week. I loved it too, being outside in the 70 degree weather. One or the many WONDERFUL advantages to being a stay-at-home mom. Some days we went in the morning and after naptime. Whether by ourselves or with the Pivec boys she has a blast and loves waving to new friends. We want our warm weather back.

We're looking forward to seeing Gramma Sue and Uncle Stacy this weekend. I'll try to take lots of photos to post.

Sarah's Second Birthday Party

We had a very fun birthday party Saturday afternoon at Glamma & Bon Papa's for Sarah's 2nd Birthday. Gramma Sue and Uncle Stacy were greatly missed but we hope that Great Grandma McCollum is feeling better soon. Sarah took a nice nap on Saturday afternoon so woke up refreshed ready for her party. Daddy dressed her in her beautiful purple butterfly party dress. Sarah loved seeing everyone and is so thankful for all the wonderful gifts and time together!!

We enjoyed a ladybug cake from Taylor's Bakery long with a couple of hors d'oeuvres (bacon herb cupcakes topped with cream cheese, puff pastry with gruyere cheese & soppressata, strawberries & grapes, olives, snack mix, sesame sticks, and sparkling raspberry juice, and cinnamon coffee with cake). Sarah did a great job blowing out her two candles with a little help from Nana. We had to sing happy birthday twice (which Sarah enjoyed) since I didn't capture the first time on video:-)

When you ask Sarah how old she is, she says two then pauses for a second and then with a big smile says five. She did her tap dance for everyone and showed what a good puzzle-doer she is. After cake & ice cream, Sarah along with Daddy and Uncle Dick played with Chloe outside for quite sometime. Sarah is a huge fan of puppy play time and loves running around the backyard. She had fun opening all of her presents.

Just about 4 1/2 weeks until my due date and still feel I have a steady list of things I would like to get done before the baby's arrival. I think this weekend, we'll start on the nursery.

Happy Second Birthday

You always hear who fast children grow up and today I feel that is so true. Sarah Margaret turns two today, and the past two years have flown by so quickly!! She is such a joy and delight to her mommy & daddy!

We have had such a fun day already celebrating her birthday. She even calls herself the birthday girl. We sang "Happy Birthday" last night at pasta and she did a great job blowing out her two candles with a little help from Bon Papa. Bon Papa ordered a gooey chocolate cake with ice cream. Sarah loved it! Her stuffed fly puppet joined us last night at dinner. She just loves bugs and especially her fly. She even loves to say the word fly (and fast and farm).

This morning when Sarah woke up, she liked having happy birthday sung to her but didn't like the streamers we put on her door. She kept going "no, no, no" (when saying no she usually says it 3 times:-)). Sarah had her banana, bagel, and egg this morning and then a morning snack of a whole orange (she loves organge now), cereal bar, and a big bowl of oatmeal with a little shagbark syrup and cinnamon. She carried around her birthday balloon almost all morning. Nana came over while I volunteered with the 1st graders at the Oaks. She didn't have too much of her pasta for lunch since I think she was looking forward to going to Goose for ice cream after lunch. Nana, Sarah, and I met Bon Papa and Andy at Goose for some gelato. Sarah chose to have the cake batter gelato which she loved and she liked carrying around a shopping basket looking at all the produce. We were suppose to play with Graydon and Marcus today but Marcus has a bit of a cold so we'll plan on playing next week. More birthday fun tonight when we get to pick out a few toys at Mass Ave Toys for her birthday. Also, she will have her big birthday bash with family this weekend and we can't wait to see Gramma Sue and Uncle Stacy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!

Happy Birthday Nana! We had such a fun time celebrating with you at Hollyhock Hill on Sunday. We enjoyed our fried chicken and mashed potatoes & green beans plus cake AND ice cream for dessert. Hollyhock is one of Sarah's favorite! We love you very much Nana.

Sarah has really enjoyed going to the Children's Museum (only a mile from our house!). Today, her favorite spot was the sand table in Playscape. She shares and plays very nicely with the other kids. We played at the sandtable for at least 30 minutes today. At first, she wasn't sure about getting her hands dirty in the sand but then saw that it was ok and enjoyed playing with all the little toys. She loves walking (we leave the stroller in the car) all around the museum. So far, she does a great job taking my hand. We missed going to the museum this past Saturday with Andy's friend from high school and his family. Sarah took a 4 hour nap. She didn't miss dinner at her favorite Mexican place in Broad Ripple. She gobbled up her refried beans & rice and her quesadillas and used her fork. She loved dipping (no double dipping for her) her chip in the salsa and loved the salsa. She takes after her daddy on that. For lunch, she has loved bean & rice burritos with cheese and avocado. She stays very busy. Her favorites still include her dollhouses and Leap Frog DVD. At Nana & Bon Papa's, all she wants to do is go upstairs and do puzzles. She loves puzzles and can get some pretty challenging ones.

Her two top front teeth are getting better. The one is sliding back down into place but the other is still a little loose. We'll do back to the dentist next week to get them checked again.

22 & 23 Month Photos

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