Indianapolis Zoo

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great time at the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday.  As you can probably tell, our favorite part was the oceans exhibit.  Leon was mesmerized by the sea creatures.  It was a wonderful day for us to spend together as a family - something we really needed.

blah.

Leon's been a real booger today.  Anyone want a really cool, but sometimes CRAZY 18-month old for the day?  Man, I'm already ready for a break.  I talked to Kyle on the phone - I actually asked him to come home although I knew it wasn't possible.  I feel like I've wasted so much time the last couple of days.  I'm tired and feel like doing nothing!!!  I've got photos to edit, a home decor project I'm working on, my mom's dog for 5 days, a garage sale to get ready for, and no stinkin energy to do any of it.  Oh, and I need a shower.  I haven't eaten lunch either (or breakfast really).  Well, I'm off to feel like I'm wasting time to do the things I need to do to take care of myself - showering and eating.  

Anyone else having a crabby day?  I sincerely hope it gets better.

blah. blah.

What is going on?

Something is going on with Leon.  My baby is growing up and doing more toddler like things everyday.  I know, I know - you're thinking "Well, he is almost 18 months old, Kelly!"  But I'm saying "He's my baby!"

I've found him taking his pants off and then putting some on. 

He also likes to try to take his diaper off.

 

He's holding popsicles on this own.  This is his "mom, I wanna hold it" face.

He has been a REAL stinker about bed time.  Notice his feet stinking out of his crib?  This is how he fell asleep one night.

 I keep finding him in his room looking at his Dr. Suess books

(which are the best) all by himself.

 

He can be such a stinker!  All weekend long we kept having to fish him out of the kiddy pool.  He loves that thing.  We had to dump the water out.  However, yesterday morning while I was getting everything packed into the car to run some errands, I let Leon run around the yard.  Well, I looked back to find him in the pool and WET!  It only had a little bit of rain water in it, but he managed to get very wet.  He had to go back inside and change (AGAIN)

 into some nice, dry clothes.

So yeah, my baby isn't a baby anymore.  It makes me happy and sad.  I love him though, especially when I get to see those sweet little smiles and hear those incredibly contagious laughs.  I'm glad I'm enjoying him. 

P.S.  I knew this stinker face was a hint of what was to come, but I had no idea!

this morning

It's been one of those wonderful mornings.  Leon didn't wake up until 8:00, so I got a shower and a few chores in before he got up.  Leon woke up in a wonderful mood - talking away to me as I got him out of his crib.  We ate breakfast, did some laundry, and then headed outside for a little bit.  I needed to get the kiddy pool ready for some friends who are coming over to play this afternoon.  Leon decided that he needed a morning swim in the FREEZING water.  He didn't realize how cold it was and started to cry, but then he got used to it and all was well. 

As I was getting everything ready, I saw some red among all the green in the garden so I went and picked the ripe tomatoes off off the vine.  Aren't they beautiful?  I'm sure they'll taste so delicious!  Our garden hasn't done as well as we hoped.  We have A LOT of pine trees in our yard which makes our soil acidic.  Next year I want to try raised beds - maybe even try doing a square foot garden.  Has anyone done one before?  Did you like it?  I also want to try doing my own starts.   

I love mornings.  I love they way the day is new.  I love the birds chirping.  I love the way the sun comes into our living room.  I love cuddling with Leon.  I love the way Leon actually has an appetite in the morning.  I love that they're all about getting ready for the day ahead for you. 

I hope you had a wonderful morning too!  Enjoy your weekend!

Honoring Leon

Leon just went down for a nap.  I'm exhausted but have lots of things I could and should be working on.  However, I'm taking a moment for myself to blog - to blog about my little guy.  I love this little boy.  I love his smiles.  I love his curiosity.  I love him for who he is and for what he has made me.  I'm very grateful to be his momma.  By becoming his mother, I've learned so many wonderful things.  I feel much more complete.  I've found real purpose to my life.  I've come closer to God by being his momma.  Here are some pictures to honor my little Leon (who is getting so big it makes me want to cry).

Relaxing one Sunday morning.  Kyle put him on his video game chair while he watched a little bit of Elmo.  He just stayed - I thought for sure he was going to fall asleep.

Exploring at the Horticultural Park - he liked picking the dandelions. I think when it's time to redecorate his room, I'm going to do lots of exploration things, like maps and globes and airplanes and animals.  Would that be fun?

hehe...one night while Kyle was gone.  I put in Elmo to make it a bit easier to get him ready for bed (it had already been a long day).  He just plopped right down in front of the TV butt naked.  I don't think he cared to much.

Having fun at in the water at play group - I love these smiles.

 

Eating corn of the cob - well attempting to.

Again, at the Horticultural Park - I love this picture.  It's perfect in many different ways.

This morning, I had to go to Michael's Craft Store.  There is a PetSmart really close, so I took Leon in so he could see the fish - he loves looking at the fish at Walmart.  He LOVED it.  We petted the cats, looked at the birds, and watched the hamsters and lizards.  We even made a new little friend.  She was so cute.  I love doing things like that with him, but I'm running out of ideas.  We go to parks, the local zoo, the library, we play outside a lot, get out the bubbles alot, and play in the water at home alot.  We've tried crayons and even water color paints (he just wanted to eat the brush).  I like having activities that we can do together.  I got a book from the library with ideas for toddlers but they all seem like they're for older toddlers.  I can tell he is getting bored with his toys and need something to do, but what?

Do any of you have any good suggestions for things to do with an almost 18 month old?  I'm dying for some ideas.

Things are finally starting not to be so crazy busy around here.  I've had a ton of photos to edit and not much time to do much of anything else.  I finally got around to edited these pics from when we took a little trip to Carmel to see Kyle's brother's family.  We had a great time with them.  We took the kids to a really cool little splash pad.  It's totally free to the public.  We need one of these here in Lafayette SO BAD!  It was great.

  

Do you see the big grin on this little guy's face?

We love cousins.

 

Harrison makes me laugh.

Tyler, Leon, and Kyle chilling.

  Tyler is such a good kid.  Just look at him helping Leon.

 

I thought it was SO cute how Leon would grab

 their hands as they walked around together.

This is Harrison after all the fun - knocked out.  He is such a sweet sleeper.

Thanks to Kent, Kris, and the kids for making time for us.  We had a great time!

P.S.  Check out what I've been working on here.

Minnesota

It took me forever to get these up, but here are some

 of our vacation pics from Minnesota.  Enjoy.