Zoo-tacular?

Today Addie got to go on her first Zoo trip. Erik, Adalia, my brother Jacob, and I decided that it would be an awesome day to visit the Kansas City Zoo. The weather was perfect and we had no other plans. Thankfully my friend Jamie was kind enough to let us borrow her stroller for the day, especially since the KC Zoo is just so darned spread out.. Thanks so much again!

The day went well, although Erik and I were a bit surprised that Addie didn't get a little more excited over some of the animals. We thought she would've gone bonkers over the elephants and giraffes, but she seemed most excited to see the meerkats. I think she could've stayed with them all day, trying to put leaves in their habitat. (I guess she thought they would eat them? I'm not sure lol.)

Here are a few photos from the zoo. We didn't take many pictures that day but know that we all 4 of us had a good time.








And here's a few videos:

Mini-Vacation

Well this seems to be the only vacation we'll be taking this year with the current state of the Merryman economy, i.e. our bank account.

Last week my mom came to our house and when she left she took Addie with her to Kansas City. She's been at her house for the past week and we're finally going to pick her up this week.

After a little bit of procrastination (see previous post) we finally got on the road. We wanted to make it into town by 4:00pm in order to rest up a bit before going to meet Erik's sister, Marissa, at his Aunt Debbie's house. The traveling down to KC went pretty well, probably because I spent most of it in the backseat with Bethy. I know she gets so bored back there without Addie in the car too. I'm not sure how I ever did this 4 hour drive with Addie alone before.. lots of creative singing and distracting with toys I suppose.

Dinner at Debbie's house was really good. She made the famous Walter family Lentil Soup, which I actually liked this time around! Go figure, I've actually developed mature taste buds after how many years? The girls were pretty well-behaved and it seemed to go smoothly. Meeting Marissa's (boy)friend, Ben, was nice too. (Thanks for letting us know he's your boyfriend, btw!! lol) I'm really happy that Marissa and Debbie finally were able to meet their nieces. And Marissa got schooled on lightning bug catching by Addie, which was a treat! I hope they enjoyed the evening as much as we did. Too bad bedtime comes early for little ones!

New Game

Sunday marked the first of a few requested days off from work and Erik, Bethany, and I spent our last day without Addie not doing a whole lot. Erik and I recently got a new video game, (well new to us, but it's been out for about 8 months) Valkyria Chronicles, a turn based RPG. We really enjoy it and have been having some good times playing together. So we spent most of Sunday just lounging around figuring out the new game.



Monday came and we left the house early that morning... ok, ok. It wasn't early morning. More like 11am or so, but we just had to finish up the chapter we were on in the game!!

Fishy Baby

We took Bethany to the Y to day to go swimming for her first time. Although she didn't really do much swimming per se, she definately took to the water like a little fishy. She only had slight hesitations at first, and by hestiations I really mean death grip on my arm. However, I don't blame her. The water was a bit cool at first and she was probably wondering what the crap was going on.

I'd have to say her favorite part was probably the side of the pool (she gets that from her big sister obviously). But she was able to sit and crawl around on the lip of the pool and still splash and be wet. We tried going under water once, but she wasn't really into that. Oh well, there's always next time! I was pretty excited for her today but am wondering how I'll do it alone with two girls when Addie's back in town. I think I'll have to get a floatie thing for one of them while I hold the other.


Of course I spent yesterday afternoon sweating my ass off mowing the grass only to have today be overcast and cooler. Of course.. I'm really hoping it will cool down a bit again so I can open the windows. Yep, I'm one of *those* people.. the ones who like to open the house up for fresh air any chance I get. Who doesn't like fresh air?

I love summer..

I love summer, I love summer, I love summer.. This is my new mantra. I want to keep reminding myself that I would much rather it be hot and miserable than cold and miserable. I mean really.. I remember just 5 short months ago it was about -20 degrees with a windchill hovering around -37 or something. And in only 5 more short months it will probably be -20 degrees again. (Man I dislike Iowa. See how nicely I said that?)

It's been really quiet here in the house without Addie's constant chatter. I know Bethany is living it up being the sole center of attention. I think it's good for her to get some alone time with mom and dad. She's really starting to babble more and more each day and we've been focusing on repeating the basics to her. It's so cute because everytime she sees the cat she starts going "ssssssss". So I should count that as her first word... or at least a valiant attempt at a word.

Watching Bethy today I couldn't help but think of how darn cute she is. I know I'm so biased, but dang watching this itty-bitty little girl stand up and cruise around the living room, only stopping to smile up at you when you catch her eye... It's sooo freaking adorable. (The empty mouth except those two viscious fangs on her bottom row is pretty cute too.)

I think I'm going to take Beth swimming for the first time tomorrow at the Y. I've taken Addie a few times, but now that I don't have to hold two of them, (more like drown two of them), I'm hoping Beth will enjoy the experience. I'm a bit concerned with the amount of chlorine in the indoor pool, but it seemed to be ok the other times I've gone. If she really likes the water, we'll definately be making a trip to the outdoor pool in the next week or two when Addie is home.

Let me backpedal a bit here.. I know I said it's nice and quiet without Adalia around, but man I miss her. Sometimes I think it's actually getting harder to leave her the older she gets. Shouldn't it be the other way around? She's just so special to me and I miss having her around. Her personality is really shining lately and she can actually hold conversations with you. How fun! I'm sure the time will pass by fast enough and she'll be mad at me for making her come home.

Catching Up

Boy I've missed a few days already!! What a bad, bad blogger lol.

The past few days have been somewhat eventful. My mom and aunt came to visit us on Monday night as planned. It was nice to finally have some people come to our house again. Too bad Erik and I weren't able to spend much time with them.

Instead, Erik and I went out to eat some wings and drink some beer with some friends of ours. The wings and beer were great!! After eating, we headed over to Perfect Games, a new bowling alley/arcade/laser tag place in Ames. Bowled a game, drank some more, played laser tag, drank some more, cut my foot, drank some more... wait. huh? Ya I cut my foot on some glass while there. How did that glass get there? Oh.. that would probably be from the glass that I knocked out of Erik's hand while I was a bit inebriated. Ok, I'll admit it, I was a LOT inebriated. That's what happens when you've not had much to drink in the past, oh 3 years or so, and then go on a drinking rampage!

Anywho, it was a blast. And it was soooo nice to be able to let loose and know that my girls were being taken care of, that I didn't have to rush my fun, and that I could act like an adult, albeit an immature adult!

Addie, Grandma, and Aunt Christine got to finally try out Addie's new sandbox. She really seemed to enjoy it. It took a bit of coaxing to get her to really dig in and get dirty. She kept holding up her hands to have them wiped off when they'd get all sandy. (Such a girly-girl!) Later while inside, she showed off her awesome architectual skills by build numerous block towers.. only to have Godzilla, I mean Bethany, come over and knock them down uncerimoniously.

They left last night, with Addie in tow. I wish our guests could've stayed a bit longer, but it's ok as I'll be going to visit them next week when I go to pick up Addie in KC. The awesome thing about next week is not only will I be getting Adalia back (already miss her!), but Erik's sister is going to be in town and will finally get to meet her nieces. I know Erik is excited to see her and I am too. I'm hoping they both have dirty diapers while we're with her.. just so she can be even more grossed out!! HAHA

Bethany is in a great mood these past few days.. well actually her mood is just constantly improving over the past few weeks. I think that being so mobile and a lot more independent is really starting to help her out. She is just being a show off lately when it comes to standing without holding on to things, and last night she even attempted to take a step to Erik. It was completely out of no where; I'm not even sure if she knew she was going to do it. So she almost toppled over, but Super-Dad was there to catch her. Oh.. and let's not forget the great reminder she gave mommy about keeping the gate up on the stairs. Yep.. she was up about 11/15 stairs before I even realized. (Bad, bad mommy!) Luckily I caught her while she was giggling and trying to race up the stairs faster. Crazy girl!

It's Friday.. for me at least

Finally, another week of work is done. Thank goodness. I hate to admit it but I think the powerball gods have forsaken me. I've yet to win any money,(actually I've not won even a free ticket in forever), and I see no end in sight to me working. Gah!

Tomorrow should be a big day. Addie will finally get to play in her sand, and hopefully I'll have some visitors! We'll see though. It's only supposed to be about 94 degrees here tomorrow, let's just hope the A/C doesn't konk out on us again like it did a few days ago..... yes I'll admit, I am addicted to the A/C this year. Normally I wouldn't even have turned it on by now, but somebody had to go and have really bad allergies this year. That somebody won't go to a doctor and get any meds, so instead we all clustered into our house and shut out the world, and the allergies.

Adalia spent the evening trying to figure out how to put hair ties into her own hair. When asked several times if she'd like some assistance she answered with the now all-to-familiar "no, my do it, my help you" (Addie translation: "No, mother. I believe I can do this on my own. I will not need your assistance at this moment as I believe I am all the help I will need in all of my endeavours.)

Bethy and Addie also played on Beth's new cardboard box... yes, a cardboard box. What can I say, my kids are easily amused and a copy paper box can last them for weeks of fun. Addie would stand on one side with some toys and then yell or scream something at Beth, who would then scream back at her and laugh like no other. She also took this opportunity to show us all again that she can now stand on her own, holding onto nothing. Man what am I going to do with two of them running around here? Nevermind, who am I kidding? I can't wait for her to walk, just as I couldn't wait for her to crawl. I love it!

Erik's Father's Day was pretty bleh. I had to work yesterday and today so I never got out to get anything and didn't want to bake anything last night. But little does he know that he'll be getting a gift from the girls later this week! muahahaha (I'm so sneaky.. just hope he doesn't read the blog for a while lol.)

Grease Lightning!

Oh man.. Bethany has figured out how to race around the house in her walker now. She's like grease lightning she's so fast!! I'm really excited that she finally figured out that she could be mobile in that thing instead of just getting mad and wanting out. I had to take the seat out and wash it though as it was covered in biter biscuit gooo!!! Yum yum.

Addie has yet to play in her new sandbox I just had to get her. I've been hesitant to open the sand bags until I'm sure that I've put it in the place I want it.. once they're opened, no more moving of that heavy thing!!

She's anxiously awaiting Grandma coming to our house this coming week. I'll admit it.. I am too! It will be so nice to have my mom here (not that I'll probably see her much as Erik's made plans for every waking minute of having a family babysitter in town lol.) It just sucks not having family nearby to come and visit, or to give us a break when we really need one. And though I have some great friends up here, I'd hate to stick them with the girls for more time than is necessary.

As for the rest of us(Erik and the cats I guess), we're all doing fine for now. It's getting hot finally in Iowa, but really it's Iowa.. how hot can it really be?

She's Tackled the Stairs

Tonight Bethany completely conquered the stairs. I can't believe how quickly she is growing up. It is amazing sometimes to watch her figure things out for the first time.. like how she learned to stand without holding on yesterday. It's even more amazing to watch such a little thing do all of these cool things. It looks like she's much younger than she is and totally advanced, but she's right on par for her age... I won't tell the onlookers that though! LOL let them be amazed at my daughter!!



As for Addie and her broken binky. Last night turned out to be pretty good after the initial hour or so. She slept through the night and Erik said nap time today went pretty well also. She asked for it again but was content to have her broken binky sit on the end of her bed while she slept.. after she inspected it yet again to be sure it was broken! Tonight also went over pretty well. She again asked for it and wanted to hold it, but then was ok with having it put on the end of her bed while she slept. She is now asking for her easter bunny to sleep with (a blue stuffed bunny.. but every rabbit is now called the easter bunny by her). I'm completely ok with trading out one lovey for another, especially as this one won't damage her teeth!

Here's one of Addie talking on the phone to grandma too.

Breaking the Binky

I finally decided tonight would be the first night Addie would go to bed without the binky in nearly 28 months of life. She's almost 2 and half years old and I know that she shouldn't even have had it this long to begin with, but she has always been such a little champ when it came to bedtime, I just didn't want to ruin what we had going.

I kept waiting and waiting for Erik's job to come back so I wouldn't have to work anymore and then I could dedicate more time to things like breaking her from the pacifier and potty training. Unfortunately, there's still no end in sight with the job situation. So I knew I needed to get it done.

This evening about 30 mintues before her normal bedtime I cut a slit in her pacifier and took her upstairs. We sat down on my bed and I showed her the binky and pointed out that it was broken. She fumbled with it and examined the broken binky thoroughly. She kept talking about"binky broken, Bethany choke binky." Then she'd show me exactly how Bethany could choke on the broken binky and she'd cough over and over. (At least we know the conversations about making sure pennies, raisins, and other crap on the floor needs to be picked up, else Bethany might choke on it.)

We went into her bedroom, she climbed into bed and we chatted for a few minutes like we always do. She kept talking about the purple binky being broken and Bethy choking. I told her it was time to get to sleep and started to cover her up and she was like "how 'bout yellow binky?" Damn her and her memory!! Unfortunately for her, I don't even know where the yellow one is.. she's probably got it stuffed away somewhere lol. I explained to her again that it was gone and that the purple one was now broken, told her she was a big girl and didn't need it to fall asleep. She started telling me to take it to daddy and he could be nice to it. I think she wanted him to fix it!

I called Erik up and we both explained to her again what had happened. It slowly started dawning on her near the end I think because she kept touching her mouth and she was at a loss for words. It was all I could do to keep from crying. I can't believe how heart-wrenching it was to watch her realize what was happening.

We finally turned off the lights and said goodnight. I had to walk back into her room 3 times within the first few minutes because she kept talking and talking and talking to me... no wonder they call it a pacifier!! Without it, she won't be quiet! I think she was trying to stall and still trying to figure out the whole situation.

In the end, I cried a lot and she cried a lot. I had to sit with her for a while to get her to sleep and as of now she is sleeping soundly. I just hope we can make it through the next few days ok. I know it has to be done, but man it breaks me heart.

Tiny Baby Bethany

Bethany had her 8 month check-up today. She weighed in at only 13lbs 12oz and 26.5 inches long. She is well below the 5th % for her weight and around the 45th % for her height.

I just can't fathom how I can have such a small baby. I am a giant. I come from a family of giants. And then I have this little petite cutie.

Other than being small she is right on track. She is crawling, standing, cruising, and can now even stand unassisted for a few seconds. Socially she's normal and she is a pretty happy little thing most of the time nowadays. I think she'll be right on par with Addie for walking.. probably somewhere around 10.5 months too.

Lunch and the Sandbox

Today we had a really great family outing. I've been wanting to buy Addie a sandbox for some time now as there really isn't any dirt in our yard to play in, and we allllll know how much she loves to dig in the dirt. After talking to Erik about it, we decided to pack up the ol' family and head down to Des Moines to check out some sandboxes.
I wasn't looking for anything spectacular, just a regular old sandbox. We stopped in at Menard's and found something that fit the bill perfectly, in fact, it was bigger than was I was originally thinking. Addie also got to spend some time "testing" the playsets they had set up for examples. Too bad I couldn't get her to go down the big slide, but she just isn't as brave as she used to be... that or she's finally figured out that she just can't run headlong into everything with no consequences.

After the sandbox shopping we decided to grab something to eat. Well, who am I kidding? Everytime we go to Des Moines it's a given fact that we'll be eating something there.. even if it's Burger King or Taco Bell.. at least it's more than what they have in Boone. Erik forced me to pick the place, yet again (sometimes it sucks having two indecisive people in the relationship.) I chose Olive Garden because at least Addie would eat something from there. That kid can put down some italian food, let me tell you!

Let me just preface this part with a momentary reminder of why we don't like to go out to eat as a family that often. When Bethy was only a few weeks old we had to run to Des Moines to buy me some pants. With the kids both in pretty good moods, and falling back on the "must eat out while in DSM" rule, we decided to head over to Red Lobster. About 2 minutes after having our food brought to the table Adalia, then about 21 months old, decides she wants a piece of ice from dad's cup. She takes it upon herself to grab some ice out and plop it right into her mouth, all the while Erik was saying "hey, hey.. that's too big of a piece." And guess what? Dad was right.. it was too big of a piece! Addie started choking on the ice, and not just a little choke; more the waving her hands in the air while trying to scream and cough it out kind of choke. The look upon her face was absolute fear. Even thinking of that look now makes me cringe. I thrust the then screaming Bethany into Erik's arms, swooped Addie up out of her high chair, flipped her upside down on my leg, and started pounding her back. Nothing was happening. Another woman who was seated next to us claims: "You're not doing it right!" At which point she takes her from me and start to do the same thing I was doing??? No matter, as it freed me up to grab her face and do a fingersweep of her throat.
By the way, it's amazing how far down a throat your finger will go while probing for something that is lodged in there.
I plopped it out and pulled her into my arms trying to settle us both down. Guess what the rest of the dining room was doing during all of this? Watching, open-mouthed, eyes wide, not a sound to be heard. Poor Erik was the one who was facing the rest of the dining room too.. all eyes were on us. Let me tell you, I'm not sure that Erik and I have ever eaten any faster in our lives, and we got out of there asap!

Anywho, back to today. We decided to take a chance and went to eat. The meal was wonderful! Both girls were absolutely perfect, the food was great, Addie ate like a champ and we didn't even have to hurry! It's so nice to be able to sit thru a meal in a restaraunt and not have to eat like a ravenous scoundrel who hasn't eaten in weeks.