Noooowwww!

Adelaide has picked up the charming habit of telling us when she wants something, and it is always "Nooowwww!" She even changes voices to tell us. For example, "Ade wants to watch Madagascar... Nooowwww!" During the word Now she will make her voice sweet and open her mouth wide like an O.

Talking to her is like talking to an adult. She understands and remembers everything you say. The other day she told me the wine fridge was not for her and she shouldn't touch it. She said it is for Mommy and Daddy. Then she said daddy drinks beer and mommy drinks coffee, and Ade does not. Ade drinks honey water. This was a long conversations, unprompted, where she told me all of these things. Okay, then.

Our bedtime routine has improved lately. I will read her 3 or so books in the chair while we cuddle with HooHoo and her blanket. Then, we she lays down in her crib and I sit next to her and hold her hand while I tell her a story or two about the Princess (whose life very closely resembles Adelaide's). Then I sit near the door and she must close her eyes and try to sleep while I will quietly sing her songs. If she isn't behaving, or is in a tolerant mood, I will leave the room and come back to check on her in a few minutes. This process is working well. However, she is up before the roosters in the morning. If we make it to 6am, we are thrilled.

Today we went to the farmer's market, and Ade tried a fig for the first time. In fact, so did mommy and daddy too! We had never had just-plucked-fresh figs before and they were delicious! A very country farmer who looked a little like Santa gave them to us, and as we walked away Adelaide said, "I like that fig man."

Surrey and Grammy

The month of July has absolutely FLOWN by. We had a really awesome fourth of July weekend, including the trip to the outlets, Dana's bday party, a walk in the woods at Durant nature park, a cookout at our place with the Guptill's, and a lazy Sunday of arts and crafts.



Then, it was time for me to get ready for my MBA international course on Product Innovation at University of Surrey. I was in hell dreading leaving my sweet family for a whole week while I was in another country! It is amazing how parenthood can add such a bittersweet tinge to experiences your previous-self would've been thrilled about. I truly had a LOT of anxiety and guilt going into the trip. It helped knowing that Grammy was headed down to help Ryan out all week, and then a last minute surprise was to have Aunt Lindsay come down for part of the week too! I knew that having new people around to play with would be a good distraction to Adelaide, and a big help to Ryan. So, off I went. It was rough being so disconnected from things. Even on previous shorter trips I've taken, I haven't left the time zone, and I had instant text access to updates. This time, I had a horrible issue getting the internet to even work while I was in the UK. But, we all made it through with flying colors, and I know Ade, Grammy and Lindsay had a wonderful time together!


Now we can finally settle back in to our normal routine, and look forward to our relaxing vacation to the Outer Banks in August. I still even have a few weeks off from classes! Woohoo!

Garbage trucks and nuggets

Two things that must be recorded without delay -
1. Adelaide is apparently terrified of garbage trucks because "they are too noisy."
2. Adelaide just fell asleep in the car on the way home from some outlet shopping. That in itself is rare, but here is the gem: it was WHILE eating chicken McNuggets. It was hysterical and darn Palm Pre for not releasing its video update yet. Her head was nodding and she kept dropping the nugget as she chewed. Ryan and I were trying not to crack up loudly but that was definitely a scene we aren't going to soon forget.

Our Adelaide.

Birthday weekend

On Friday, Adelaide's birthday proper, she celebrated with her friends at school over cupcakes.
	Then we picked her up early and headed to the pool. When we got home we gave Adelaide her present from mom and dad - a new easel! She loves being an artist.
During bedtime the few nights before I had been telling her a story about a princess who was having a birthday. The princess ran into a dragon on her way to her party. I won't tell the whole tale, but basically Ade loves the story. So, Saturday morning, Ryan went to Target and bought a dragon and it was sitting in the carseat when we left for her party. It was an amazing coincidence that Adelaide ran into a dragon on the way to her party just like the princess! She was amazed. Doing little things like to make her world special is the best part of being a parent.
	Saturday we had her party at Marbles, and it was a hit. We had a princess theme.
We had a great time at the museum, and so did all of her friends. And, we had no clean up. Great party all around.
	She was so worked up and over stimulated that she didn't nap though, and she was a bit of a fuss that afternoon while we opened presents.

Today Adelaide has had a really big day. She had her two-year old checkup this morning. She is 23lbs and 32inches, which is 7% weight and 24% height. She was SO good at the doctor. She sat patiently in the waiting room, and then she took all of the instructions from the nurse. The nurse couldn't believe how well behaved she was. The doctor said she is socially and verbally advanced, but we already knew that! We have a little adult in a 2yr old's body. She likes saying who is a "silly goose" and who is a "pickle." She has thrown a few terrible 2's tantrums, but when she does, I calmly talk to her until she starts listening to me, and we get through it. Afterwards I ask her how she felt, and tell it is okay to be mad, but not okay to throw a tantrum. She will tell me "Ade was crying" and "Ade was mad." The other day when she wouldn't nap, we let her try to cry it out for a while because we knew she was exhausted. Later, Jenna asked her why she didn't nap and she said, "Ade was crying. Wanted mommy." Heart. Breaking. Million. Pieces.

We also went to her Fourth of July parade at school today where was dressed in her handmade flag costume that she created during an art project. Adorable. She is just such an amazing joy. She is soo clever, and adorable, and she is a ton of fun to take places now. We adore going to the pool, hanging out with friends, and even just sitting and watching movies together with popcorn. She is our little princess, and she needs to stop growing up!!!

I will leave you with this entirely untouched photo of Adelaide glowing. To me, this is proof that she is an angel. :-)