Night night sweet girl

In all Fiona's months, she has never cried as much (all together) as she has since we started making her sleep in her own bed. By steadfast, we are. I remind myself that it will confuse her and make her more upset if we waiver. So she sleeps in her crib...but we have a pretty gentle approach..we stay with her still she is out.

We alternate nights putting her down so she does not become too dependent on one of us (and then that person has to bear the burden for a lifetime).

Tonight was Matt's night and off to sleep she went. I heard her crying about an hour ago and ran upstairs to try and comfort her. I tried and tried. Then, she started crying "dada." I called Matt up and he goes "she just cries for the one that is not with her. she was crying for you when i put her down." But into the nursery he went. She let out a few "dada"s...and then silence. He is upstairs patting her back as I type...

How sweet...our girl just wanted her dada. And, now she is happy.

Weekend Update

Well it was a long weekend (as in, it started on Thursday!).

Matt and I went to the Outer Banks for Tricia and Tim's wedding!

On Thursday night we met everyone for a pig roast (sorry no pics), but Fiona LOVED the decor:

And then we had time to see the sites..which basically included the hotel room, a nail salon, and lunch at Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar. Oh well.

Then we were off to the wedding! It was so pretty..and they had a sitter for Fiona!

Back to the burg for some quailty time with Yaya and GiGi and crew! We got to meet the adorable Miss. Kayden

She is so tiny - About 5.5 lbs and so sweet. You might note the head band. That was a gift from Fiona - It was her BABY DOLL'S!

Tara and I did some shopping and might have gotten Fiona a baby doll :). We had no IDEA what a hit it would be. It was totally like watching the Discovery Channel or something. She hugged her baby, sat in the "Fiona Chair" (which is a faux leather chair for lil ones that Yaya got for Fiona to sit in when we visit). Then, Fiona rocked and fed her baby for almost AN HOUR. She shared her puffs and even put the baby to bed on the stairs - complete with back patting and all. Heres a little blib of playtime with BaBa (which I think is Baby).

Just another monday night

Dear Fiona,

Tonight, after dinner we were cleaning the kitchen and your dad turned on the PINK CD we bought you and started dancing you around the kitchen. You laughed and laughed. I joined in, and there we were having a spontaneous dance party though the house - and we were so happy.

There are little, dumb, seemingly, insignificant moments in your life that actually make up your life. And, when you are lucky, you actually notice them while they are happening.

We love you, bean.

Mama

PS Your dad is going to think this post is so lame and call me a "romantic," but I don't care, because I don't want to forget it.

Good morning

For the last two mornings, Fiona has woken herself up dreaming about waffles.

It begins with a few stretches - a bit of a whimper - and then, the sleep talking begins quietly, "waa-fuuu," a little louder and faster "waa-fuu, waa-fuuu." Eyes open, sits up, "waaa-ffffuuuuuu"

We go to the kitchen "waa-fuu," sit in the high chair, rub eyes. "waa--fffffuuu." Then the magic happens when I open the frezer and show her:

...The biggest smiles ever!

Fiona can be so easy to please.

"The best weekend ever and my mom forgot her camera..."

...Well, at least that's what I imagine Fiona would say if she knew how to form sentences and knew what a camera was.

The weekend started out well - low key night at home on Friday (well OK I cleaned and cooked all night, but whatever). We were supposed to go to the Renisance Festival in the morning, but that fell through. Thankfully Adam was around - and his mom who is a mad genius knows every kid friendly venue in the city. So, Stan, Adina, Adam, Fiona and I went to the best park!

Like, seriously? How amazing!

Adina's phone has a camera on it, so we were able to capture a few moments.

The buds on a cool sway type ride:

And of course they had swings:

And race cars:

And a Merry-Go-Round.

Adam, who is more familiar with the ride, was crazy excited when he saw it. He started crying out with joy and then cried "no no no" when it ended. Fiona, always more cautious then her playmate was a little skeptical..in fact, she was scared out of her bloddy little mind and I got sick.

Oh well.

Then it was time to go home for a nap (Fiona) and cook (me). Then, the Grindals came over. Oliva went to play tennis with the dads, while Lorianne, Greyson, Fiona and I decided to stay back, eat a block of cheese, drink a bottle of wine and play with a puzzle.

OK Fiona and Greyson really only had a few bites of cheese and basically none of the wine, and Lorianne really did most of the puzzle. But whatever.

The boys came home and BBQed and we had a great eve.

On Sunday we had no plans! WHAT!?!? You know I can't sit still. Matt decided we should invite the Salomons (Adam and fam) to go to the zoo with us.

To be honest with you, I don't really "get" the zoo. I mean its fine and all..but ...

Well this time I was impressed. We went to see the gorillas who were totally playing and eating and a baby was climbing all over her mama. Adina and I took the kids way close so they could see and they were amazed! They stared and laughed and I felt like a good mama, being able to show my little girl all of God's amazing creatures. I really thought she looked like she was enjoying it...and she was...until the she shouted "BALL BALL BALL!" And, I realized that yes...while the gorilla's were cool...My daughter was more impressed by the very large ball in their cage. Alas.

But then the weekend took a turn for the AMAZING...Adina mentioned that the pool in her community was closing for the summer..and on that very day they were letting the dogs go in for a swim.

Its like all of Fiona's life had been building up to this one magnificant moment when all that she loves would come together in a perfect melding of the fates (if only for a half hour).

Get to be outside? CHECK

Surrounded by dogs? CHECK

I can splash? CHECK

Is Adam around? YEP!

I through in a juice box for good messure and we were off.

FIONA FLIPPED OUT! She could not stop laughing and screaming. Its was "dog! dog! Wadder! dog! wadder! ball! dog! wadder! adam! dog! dog! dog!"

Here are some pics:

Off to the happiest place on earth in Adam's little car (what a good sharer):

Heaven on earth (if you are a 15-month old who happens to be in love with dogs, Adam, pools and balls).

And, yes..I let her get in. I debated it..I mean it could be pretty gross and unsanitary..but if you could have seen and heard her..you would have too (well OK maybe not), but I could not resist the oppertunity to let her little baby dreams come true..Bad Mama.

And there we have it..the perfect weekend for the Armentrout Family!

Family time, friends, food, animals and wine (well that was just me -- WHATEVER)!

Off to see the 'Burg Family tomorrow night and meet the beautiful Kayden

And go to OBX for Tricia's wedding.

Life is good.

One of those recap posts

Been a while again, so this post is more so I don't forget the little things, then actually informative.

1. Jordan is having her baby tomorrow and we are so excited for Fiona to have another little second cousin---ahh! INFANTS..YAY!
   
2. Matt is working out (and so am I, but i do it at work, Matt does it at home), and when Fiona knows he is down in the basement and not with her, she hangs on to the banister, pokes her lil head through the rails and yells "dada!' She never dares go the stairs on her own, which I love.
   
3. She invented a new word.."dama" or "mada" which she cries out with joy when she is with one of us, but misses the other
4. She says oh-wr - for flower - and says "bubbles" like she invented the word.
   
5. She amazes me with her brilliance; we went on a walk today and she found a pine cone. I told her they came from trees - and for the rest of the walk, whenever she found a pine cone laying on the ground, she tried to put it on the limb of a tree
6. Incendently, whenever she saw a leaf on the side walk she tried to move it to someone's lawn...cause she is a crazy, insane neat freak...fall might just kill her..so many many leaves out of place
   
7. She started to hate the bathtub, but with a little love and tenderness, it seems to be growning on her again
8. And, OMG - HOW IS THIS #8....She is in her own crib. EVERYONE gave us a hard time about the fact that she slept in bed with me and Matt...But one day Tara said: "Look, you said you would stop breast feeding at 12 months and you did...you say she will be in her own bed at 18 months and I totally belive you. You will do it" And.... we did it. Thanks for the confidence Tara! We did do it, and she is champ! We read about 7000 stories rocking in the chair my mom so generousliy got us when I was prego...and then we put her in her crib (again, thanks Mom and Dad). She is so sweet..she whipers and whimpers..but Matt or I will just rub and pat her back (Mom, it reminds me of my childhood when i was upset and you would sit by bed and pat my back..I love those little moments with her - remembering what a great Mom I have). Then we sit there for a few amazing, precious-- hope they will never end moments -- she'll open her eyes and then she whimpers...sees we are still there and goes fast to sleep. She is such a doll...I was so scared of leaving her in a room by herself...and she is champ..of course.
9. So, not to be whatever -- but Fiona is now in the Toddlers room (one week down), but since its new...I stay and watch her for a while. I see little kids steal her toys and watch her reaction. She gets so mad, for a second...and then walks away. Which I think is great, but secrectly hope is not breaking her little spirit.
10. I am now reading a new baby book, which i have not done in forever - but Fiona is getting bigger and i have stuff to learn.
11. Last night, she really wanted a "Waa-aul" (waffle) -- so she walked over to the frezer, hit it, and then walked to her to highchair. Only problem...we had no waa-uals...try explaing that to one 15 month old who is looking at you like you dont speak English.
12. Missed Obama's speach, because prime time also happens to be bedtime..Bummer.
    

At any rate -- things are really good in the Armentrout household ...
And, that is THAT...

Loves to all!

August Update

WOW - Its been a while since we have posted.

So here we go:

We headed to NJ (book on CD and all) to see my family. We had a great time with God-mommy and daddy. Then, Matt and I went to Journie's wedding in NJ on Aug 22. My mom and dad babysat Fee and we had a blast with Hburg crew! The wedding was simply amazing and I am still thinking about all the yummy food.

Fiona had fun with Grandma:

And grandpa:

And just being a Jersey girl

Then it was off to RI to visit my Grandpa (but those pics are on Matt's camera).

We took Fiona to the beach for the 2nd time in her life and she HATED it. She loathed the sand and thought it was "dirdy." She hated when it touched her feet or got anywhere on her.

Here are some misleading pics from our adventure -

She may be smiling:

But its only because she is running off the sand

We had much better luck with the pool:

Time to dry off:

We visited one of Newport's Mansions - The Elms

Of course the highlight was sailing (breaking news: my folks got a new boat -- this is the old one)

Safety first:

Me and Fee chillin while grandpa sails

Grandma mans the ropes:

And, sexy daddy works:

But we also had tons of time to relax and eat all the yummy food I have been missing all year - from lobster rolls to clam cakes...mmmmmm was the word of the trip! Fee says that every time she sees food and is hungry.

Then it was time to head home so I could prepare for Cyn's shower and bachelorette party!

But no kid could stand the whole drive from RI to DC (and neither could I to be honest), so we stopped and went to the Mystic Aquarium where we saw a sea lion show and learned all about the cute little buggers. Fiona was sure they were "dooos" (which means dog, but now realize applies to any animal that is not a "birrr" - or bird).

I met up with girls to cook and bake and plan the shower and party:

And, Matt took Fiona to the 'burg to hang out with Yaya, Paw Paw and the gang.

But, of course -- I do not have pics from that because (drum roll please)..they are on Matt's camera. I found this on Missy's facebook though :)

PS...thats not the outfit I picked out for her to wear to the graduation party...oh daddy!

Was sorry to miss the h'burg clan but was happy to the NJ/RI family and get time with my ladies.

Thats all for now!

Loves,

US