Reunion: A Pictoral Essay

This year we left something important at at the beach. We thought this item was gone for ever, but luckily it was returned safe and sound.

"Something is missing from my crib."

PALS

Jocelyn and I joined a local playgroup called PALS (Preschool Activities Learning Shop). It's a crazy group with lots of kids that gets together every Wednesday in the Civic center. Jocelyn loves it! Today she made her very first craft project: An apple. She was too cute while she was placing all the pieces on the glue, and she was so proud once she was done. She carried it around and showed it to everyone. When we got home I took some pictures...

09-11-01 Never Forgotten

I will never be able to forget the events that occurred on September 11, 2001. It is sad that 8 years later, it seems that many have.

Especially today, but also many other days, I think not only about those who lost their lives that day, but also about all who were affected. The victims of 9/11 were many more than those who died.

September 11 is a day that will forever cause a heavy heart for me.

I once again find myself pulling out the picture below and thanking God that I (and especially Todd) was not (but absolutely could have been) directly affected by the evil that occurred that day.

To find a safe journey through grief to growth does not mean one should forget the past. It means that on the journey we will need safe pathways so that remembrance, which may be painful, is possible.
-Donna O'Toole

Here We Go!

Tonight marks the start of another Steelers Football season!!!! This year Jocelyn got her very own jersey!

I am definitely biased, but Jocelyn has to be the cutest Steelers Fan ever!

Oh, and even Elmo is a Steelers fan!

G O S T E E L E R S!!!!!!!

A No-Go on the Potty

Ok, so the potty (both child-sized and adult-sized) is terrifying to Jocelyn now. She will still go into the bathroom and point at them and say "poop", but if you try to sit her on one she freaks. So for now, the potty sits unused, which is OK. Jocelyn can try again in her own time, but for now I'm still very proud of her!

Potty Time!

Last night Todd and I bought Jocelyn her first potty. We bought it thinking that we could just set it up in the bathroom, and if she was interested, we could sit her on it when we go or when she wanted to. Last night when we got it out of the box she was super excited! She wanted her diaper off and wanted to sit on it right away. Nothing came of her "attempts". She mostly just excitedly sat on it, got up and ran around without a diaper, sat on it, got up...you get the picture.

Today, much to my surprise, was a different story. When I got her up from bed, I changed her diaper and took her into the bathroom with me. She sat on her little potty. She peed! Her little potty plays a little song when it senses anything in the potty, so the music started and I freaked! I was super excited that after only one other try, she actually produced something on the potty! She got up and looked into the potty and seemed a bit horrified. I barely noticed because I was so excited that I scooped her up, ran downstairs and called Todd. His enthusiasm was somewhat mellow--all his coworkers can hear his conversations. So, I hung up and took her back upstairs before her bare bottom turned into an accident on the floor! She caught a glimpse of the potty while we were up there, and she didn't seem very happy to see it. I was a little worried that I may have been a little too excited and scared her. It really seemed that this was the case because she didn't want to sit on the potty anymore throughout the day. Good thing the little potty seat can also be placed on top of the big potty. Jocelyn is OK with it this way, and I must say she looks super cute sitting on the potty!

After dinner Jocelyn grabbed her diaper and said "poop". I took her upstairs, put her on the big potty, read the Elmo potty book and she peed again!! Pee #2!!! A couple of minutes later she leaned forward, grunted, and pooped! She actually pooped on the potty!!! I didn't overreact this time. I didn't want to scare her again, but OMG was I excited! I never thought I could be so excited about poop!

I made a trip out to Walmart today and I purchased some training underwear, some plastic covers, and also some pull-ups. I'm not a big fan of pull-ups, but I'm going to use them until she gets more used to this potty thing. Don't get me wrong--I'm not expecting a miracle here. I'm sure tomorrow could be totally different. I know that she is young and this may be beginner's luck, but wouldn't it be great if she just potty trained really quickly and easily? I'm not going to stop buying diapers just yet, she's only 19 months old!

We will see what tomorrow holds!

A Cutie Riding the Boats

Here's a video of Jocelyn riding the boat ride at the boardwalk in Dewey Beach. We just love how she is waving and blowing kisses!

Growing

2008

2009

Dewey Beach Trip 2009

Vacation!! We look forward to it every year!

Each year we travel to Dewey Beach, DE. This year was our ninth year. It was our second year with Jocelyn, and I couldn't have imagined how much fun she would have. On our first trip down to the beach, Jocelyn pointed to the ocean and said, "Ohhhhh!!"

I was a bit nervous about how Jocelyn would handle the beach. I was worried she would run wild on the beach and we would be exhausted chasing her around all day. I was worried she would get burnt. I was worried she would get bored easily and we wouldn't be able to spend much time on the beach. I was worried she wouldn't eat. I was worried she wouldn't sleep.

I did not need to worry.

Our baby girl turned out to be quite the beach babe. She did none of the things I was worried about. She LOVED the beach. She played endlessly in the sand and way past nap times. She sought out her aunt Kristen every time she wanted to go in, or sit near the water.She listened when Todd and I told her not to get too far away.

She didn't get any sunburn.

She ate.

She slept. Even on the beach once!She really had a blast. We all had a blast.

I have to say that this year was the best year in Dewey since the year I celebrated my birthday while we were there. Don't get me wrong, every year is great. OK, maybe the weather isn't always great--last year was cold--but this year was especially wonderful because Jocelyn is older and knows what's going on. She really enjoyed every moment of the trip.

She loved being surrounded by her grandparents, parents, aunt and uncles, friends--everyone. She just loves people and action. She loved playing on the beach.
She loved going to the boardwalk, playing games and riding rides. She loved eating Grotto Pizza. She loved Big Fish Grill. All of these things just made the vacation even more fun for Todd and me. Watching her have fun and enjoy herself was the best! The best ever!

We had a classic beach week. The weather was hot and sunny. My Father-in-Law was a grill master and cooked amazing dinners as always--minus Shish Kabob night ;)

Jocelyn was spoiled and loved on. Todd and I were spoiled and picked on. The week goes way too fast for our liking.
Once again, thanks is not enough to say to Will and Carolyn, but I will say it anyway. Thank you! So much! The memories we have are invaluable and we enjoy spending an amazing week with you year after year.

Doctors are NOT fun!

Jocelyn had her 18 month appointment today. It was a bit late, since we switched insurance with Todd's new job. She now weighs 24 pounds (40th percentile), up from 20 lbs 11oz at 15 months. She is 32 1/4 inches tall (60th percentile), up from 31.5 last visit. She also got 3 more shots. She knew they were coming this time. After the doctor left she was in a panic to leave. She cried the whole time until the nurse came in (which seemed to take forever). Two in one arm, one in the other. The hardest she ever cries is with shots. I just want to cry right along with her. I feel so horrible holding her little arm so that they can hurt her. I know it's for a good reason, though, but it's still horrible! She has had 28 shots since she has been born. That seems like SO many! The good news is that she doesn't have to have any more until she starts Kindergarten!! Thank goodness for that--and please, let the time go slowly!

We had a Daycation!

I think our day yesterday would qualify as a daycation! We went to the pool, had Wendy's for dinner, went to the park, and also ate ice cream cones. It was a fun day!

Jocelyn and Daddy in the pool. Jocelyn just walked right in!

It was cold, and Jocelyn never warmed up the whole time we were there. Her lips were purple and her teeth were chattering, but she only posed for this picture with the towel. She just wanted back into the water, no matter how cold she was.
Just to be fair (and so that it is proven that I actually entered the water too), I included a picture of myself. Todd doesn't like being the only one pictured in his bathing suit. Just shuffle by quickly please...

After dinner we went to the park and Jocelyn sat in a tree...

and slid down a big slide with Daddy

and also swung in the baby swing!

It was a fun day!

I should have taken a picture at the ice cream place. Jocelyn had chocolate ice cream everywhere...her face, her arms, her hands, and her shirt (which I'm pretty sure is ruined)!