Horsing around......

New hat we got her....sorry the photo's kinda blurry. It's tough getting shots of a kid who's always going 100mph.



She likes to have Daddy's work keys hooked on her waist-band


Little Miss Chatterbox....I've been eyeing this t-shirt in Gap all summer....they finally went on sale!!


Showing off her new backpack.....we got one just like it for Savannah.

The chef contemplates what to cook for supper....

Riding on Daddy's back.....

Sitting on his head.....

Haiku Weekend Summary

For all the pictures: http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=aaronshunnie&AID=5225895

Gramma and Grampa
Arrived quite late Friday night
Missed hugging Chloe

French toast for breakfast
Crunchy sizzling hot bacon
Yum way to start day

Hamburgers and Franks
Potato salad for lunch
Small cake for Chloe

Cute clown-face cupcakes
For Chad, Jill, Aaron, Jami
Gramma, Grampa, Ben

Chloe opened gifts
Thanks for all the noisy toys
Fun ripping paper

Afternoon bowling
Jami and Jill the victors
Fun was had by all

Boys and Girls shopping
All had supper at HuHot
More cupcakes at home

Farewell to Chad Jill
And Ben on Sunday morning
Then off to meeting

Potluck afterwards
More birthday cake for Chloe
Two new babydolls

Long afternoon naps
Nate and Jana for supper
Tacos and more cake!

Weekend long party
All in honor of Chloe
Lasting memories

For your viewing pleasure.

She climbed back and forth over this chair for a good 30 minutes. Who knew folding chairs could be so entertaining?!

Learning how to be a parent early?! How do you like my walking skills?!

I've been playing with Uncle Ben's soccer ball since he left it behind.....almost have the throw-in perfected! I'll be ready to play next time you come to visit, Uncle Ben!

Drrrrummmmrollllll please!!

And so our days of limitation are done....now we must be on lightning speed reactive time. Nothing will be safe anymore!

Is spring finally here?!

It was finally warm enough today to wear flip-flops....can't tell ya what that does for my recent depressive mood. I even snuck out to OldNavy this afternoon and got a couple springish shirts to help lift the winter blues. Chloe and I have both had a rotten cold all week, so we're ready for warm weather in this house. So please excuse the crusty/snotty nose in the following pictures.....those of you with little ones can appreciate the pleasure of trying to wipe their noses, right? I can't believe that I have to start thinking about planning Chloe's first birthday party.....it absolutely does not seem possible that a year has passed already. Sigh.....



Chloe-hawk!

Plumber's crack....thanks for the jeans Auntie Wendy!


Kayla brought over this kitchen/washer set for Chloe today. She loves it already!!


Playing on the playground...it's finally warm enough!!


Remember this hat?!

Care packages!

Nana and Uncle Ben had to leave for home Thursday afternoon since the flights didn't look too good this weekend. Turns out Thursday wasn't a great day either, but after lots of scurrying through O'Hare they finally made it home. Flew in to Richmond and Mum's car was in DC, but Auntie Wendy was kind enough to pick them up! Chloe got some care packages to brighten her day now that Nana's gone. A cute little dress from Gramma S. (thanks! can't wait for it to warm up enough to wear it!) and a package of clothes from Auntie Wendy to wear outside to help Daddy in the yard. (Thanks Auntie Wendy!!)


Dress from gramma S.

Cool wrappin paper from Auntie Wendy (way more fun than the stuff inside!)

Trying on my new hoodie from Auntie Wendy

"Spring" Break

We've had Nana and Uncle Ben here since last Thursday evening. Thankfully they were able to scramble and leave early to make it before all the glorious "spring" weather we've been having. Saturday we all went up to MOA for some retail therapy after being snowed in Friday. Sunday we had DELISH corned beef dinner a la chef Nana. Made sure to have Nate and Jana over since Nate loves it.....and spent the afternoon playing board games. Nana and Uncle Ben have been relaxing and keeping Chloe occupied while Aaron and I are in and out to work. Here's a smattering of pics from our time together so far....and the outfits Chloe got. When we go shopping now she always ends up coming home with most of the loot! But how can you resist cute little girl clothing? (Especially when the Ladies' clothing doesn't look good/fit right/feel flattering...)

Can you stick your tongue out this far?! Helping with the laundry

Dressed up for Easter Sunday

Happy Friday

Friday when I got home from work this was waiting on the kitchen table for me with some chocolate chip cookies from my two lovebugs....the card said "Happy Friday" from Daddy and Chloe. I'm soooooo spoiled.

Bargain Shopper

She's checking out bargains this week at Menards for her daily trip with Daddy.

these boots were made for walkin.....

Interesting tidbits about DAD

• I watch Chloe Monday - Friday while Jami works. This is generally from when she leaves for work at 6:30am till she gets home at about 4:00pm. Honestly, however, I don't know when she actually leaves for work. I just know I'm fast asleep and couldn't tell you if she has come in to say goodbye or not.


• I actually have somewhat of a routine down for those days.


• I do the Tango with Chloe....and ONLY Chloe. She loves it. Yes...now the secret is out!


• I am actually considering flying to Chicago for the day with Chloe...I may have to muster up a bit more courage, however.


• I am, in fact, biased when it comes to Chloe.


• I have only given Chloe one bath in her life. Jami usually runs that department.


• Diapers, on the other hand, I cannot count.


• Chloe and I visit at least one store every day. Usually it's one of the following: Menards, Lowes, Home Depot, PetSmart, PetCo, Walmart, Target, World Market, or Linens and Things. Usually, it's in the morning soon after we get ready for the day.


• I have already been bitten by Chloe. On the knee-cap. It startled me more than it hurt. Her five teeth command great attention.


• Cannot WAIT for it to warm up so Chloe and I can go outside and do things. Hoping to get a trailer for my bike so we can hit the trails this summer.


• Chloe helped me pick out a new vaccume. It was mostly yelling, something about being sick of sitting in the cart waiting for me to make up my mind and also caught something about not needing to read every box and examine each floor model.

A year ago now?!

A year ago....about this time.....I was around 32 weeks pregnant. Trying NOT to count down. Working 8 hour shifts instead of 12 to avoid death by exertion. Decided on a girl's name but still somewhat undecided on a boy's name. Still a little bit high off our trip to Paris...wishing we could go back. Working on getting the nursery ready.....desperately wanting to know if we'd have a boy or girl so I could do some shopping! Confined to land travel until delivery.....requiring a crane to lift me from sitting/sleeping.

Chloe- I can't believe you're 1o months old, now! It has definitely flown much faster than the 10 months before you arrived! It's so much fun to take you out- you have such a personality and you're sociable with everyone we bump into. People constantly stop us to admire your cuteness and smile and goofy faces. You're crawling all over the place....nothing is safe anymore. You're starting to play the "here you go, Mum" game and hand things off. You're eating like a grown-up....more than me sometimes! I'm slightly jealous that you're going to be a daddy's girl since you two are home all day together.....but it's heart-meltingly cute to see you two together having fun. So much about our life has changed since your world-upside-down arrival.....but it's all been amazingly worth it and we wouldn't change a thing. (Well maybe you could work on sleeping all night.....the 2am wakeup is getting a little old.)

Love you muffin!

Houston, we have a problem

So we got new carpet installed in the basement today. Chloe was excited to have some place soft to crawl around now. Then she headed for the stairs.....and climbed up all by herself! Keep in mind that she's never been on stairs before today.....ever. They're a totally new concept for her since we usually carry her down when we go. Good thing there's a door at the top.....and I guess we'll have to start putting the gate up at the bottom when we're down there. Geesh! What happened to my little baby girl?!

Check out the leg angle....

Wish my butt looked this cute..... (this is the Valentine's outfit we got in the mail from Nana)

She wants to call Nana and chat.....

Giggly Piggly

Surgeon General's Warning: Caution- the following video may cause heart palpitations if you are a grandmother. This video should only be watched in small increments if you have a previous heart condition or use a pacemaker.

An even funnier video would be one of the face contortions I was making to get her to giggle so adorably....

A Bum weekend

Chloe and I were supposed to go to Gramma and Grampa's for the weekend....but we got 1/3 of the way there and oil light kept coming on in the car so we figured we'd better turn around. Aaron met up with us and we left the saab at the shop. Then Chloe and I were stuck in the house all weekend without a car while Aaron worked. Guess it wasn't so bad anyway since we got MORE snow. This weather is really getting me down....and I'm trying so hard to stay cheerful! Spent the weekend in our PJs... (well except for meeting this morning) and accomplished very little. We did nap together! I can't wait for Mum and Ben to come out next month for a whole week.....(please let the weather and seat availability on the plane cooperate!)

On another note....any ideas on how to get Chloe to sleep all night? Lately it's been 2 times a night she wakes up and expects to nurse. And here I was hoping I could wean her soon?! At least the 2nd time sometimes coincides with my alarm about to go off at 515 anyway. But weekend nights it sure would be nice to sleep!

Happy Hearts!

Am I not the luckiest girl in the world? This was all waiting for me when I got home from work today.....and Brendan and Kayla babysat tonight so we could have a date! Yummy italian at Macaroni Grill and some wandering around the mall, etc. After only 3 hours we were ready to go pick up Chloe again! Is that weird or what?! Thanks though, BKAA!

Last night Chloe had spaghetti o's.....and this was the end result..... hehe