The Itsy Bitsy Spider

I decided to dress Millie up as the Itsy Bitsy Spider for Halloween this year (last year we didn't even dress her up - she had no clue). This year, I don't think she had a clue either, but it was still fun. Our friend, Doug, gave us this costume for Bella, our dog, but it wouldn't fit Bella. So Millie tried it on and seemed to like wearing it. So she had some black sweatpants and I bought her a black turtleneck and she transformed into the Itsy Bitsy Spider.

We went to church for Hallelujah Night and it was fun, but COLD.... I had to work one of the game stations so Millie and her daddy went off and played. She rode the pony one time but was quickly over it after having to wait in line for so long. All she wanted to do was run around the parking lot or play in the islands with the rocks. Of course, what should we expect from a 17-mo old? She and I did go on a hayride. And then we went on one of the inflatables, which she enjoyed. She enjoyed it and then started pitching a fit b/c they were closing it down. As soon as we got in the car to go home, she was out like a light. Thankfully she slept late Saturday morning.

Mommy and Millie are twins

On Monday before we left to go to work and school, I got Jacade to take some pictures of us b/c Millie and I were dressed like twins.

Getting ready to go for a walk

This past Sunday we went for a walk over to Mawt Maw's house just to take her mail over to her. Plus she wanted to see Millie. Who wouldn't????

A trip to Noah's Ark

On Saturday after Millie woke up from her nap, we decided to drive over to Noah's Ark in Locust Grove (Daddy stayed home and slept b/c he wasn't feeling good). I had never been before but wanted to check it out. All I can say is, "This is a great place." And did I mention {it's free!!!}

There are so many animals there. They have emus, Evidence the Zebra, birds (macaws and parrots) monkeys, lion, tigers, cougar, some black bears, goats, pigs, llamas - that were roaming free, cows, buffalo, alligators, snakes, peacocks, and deer (and I'm probably leaving something out). We had so much fun.

I was a little nervous b/c the llamas were just roaming free - would they bother us or would we bother them. But they weren't really interested in us. I was taking pictures of one of them and I was talking to it making remarks like, "are you posing for me?" "are you smiling?" and by the look of the pictures, that's what it looks like. Like he was used to that kind of attention....

Look how grown up she looks

On Thursday, October 23 (our 4-yr wedding anniversary) the three of us decided to go on a little road trip. We drove to Macon to check out a new shopping center and then we had to go to the Macon Mall to return some shoes. So here is a picture of Millie getting ready to go, with her one of her new outfit on.

Happy Fall & Halloween!

Cookout by the campfire

One day last week on our vacation, we sat out back around the fire pit and cooked hotdogs over the open flames (well, Daddy did). Jacade brought Millie's rocking chair out and she sat in between us. She ate some hotdog and she and I shared two roasted marshmallows! She loved those - who wouldn't? Sweet and ooey-gooey!

These pics are just some snapshots that Jacade and I took that I thought were worthy enough of posting. Just to remember our night.

Just loved this photo

All Done....Millie's new haircut

Millie got her first haircut!

On Wednesday, October 22, Millie got her first haircut at Stoney's Hair Studio by Papa Stone, Jacade's Godfather. She did great. Never fussed. Wasn't squirmy. Behaved very well. And now she's got a cute little cut. Plus, she was wearing her new outfit from Nana and Papa. Thanks y'all. And thanks Papa Stone for cutting her hair (and saving the clippings for me, and trimming Mommy's as well).

Millie is ready to go.... sort-of

Everyone deserves a bad day, right?

One day last week, Millie was upset about something ... maybe she wanted more milk and I said no (can't remember). But needless to say, she was upset. So I took a few pictures. Her face is pitiful but check out her shoes. She wanted to wear one of each. Hey, why not? It's good that she is making choices.

Our nature walk

I was off last week for our 4th wedding anniversary (our anniversary was October 23) and during the week, Millie and I just hung out. We took a couple of walks (actually walking too b/c Jacade had my truck with the stroller in it). And I took my camera and snapped these pictures of Millie. Check out those boots - aren't they adorable?

Millie plays on playground

On October 19, the three of us drove to Morrow (after church) for the annual Cousins Reunion. My grandma said, "Don't leave the baby at home." You know that once you have a baby, no one cares about the parents - it's all about the babies!

We saw family members that we only see once a year and then other family members that we are closer to, like Grandma Sara, Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Gary, Aunt Priscilla and Uncle Garrett, Betty Jean, Edna and Edwin, and others too.

Millie wasn't interested in sitting still and eating all that delicious food. Instead she wanted to be running around outside, playing on the playground. Needless to say, Mommy had to eat her lunch......fast!

Millie is talking more and more every day

Millie has really started talking a lot more lately and doing more signs too.

Her current words (speaking) are (as of 17 mos):
Beep Beep, Car, Shoes, Milk, Dada, Mama, Mawt Maw, Mops, Pops, Papa, Nana, Please, Bath, Bus, Ball, Bella, More, Blake (the little guy that she stays with every day), Book, All Gone, (and my mind has now gone blank).

She is also identifying things in pictures and either saying or signing them. It's amazing how much her brain is soaking things/ideas up.

Right now she loves: cars, buses, motorcycles, horses, dogs, books, taking a shower, milk (what kid doesn't), beans, mostly all fruits, shoes.

Right now she dislikes: sometimes getting her diaper changed, brushing her teeth (well, she doesn't hate it but she won't do it either), having to come inside when she's not ready to.

Can't give up the book just yet

I have a book for Millie that I've been keeping track of what she ate, when she peed or pooped, when she slept, etc. since she was born. It was helpful to track her progress, to keep track of interesting things she was doing, to keep track of when she took medicine. Here recently, I haven't been keeping up with it on the weekends when she is at home. So the other day, I decided that I was finished keeping a record.

I told Andrea that I would just ask her what she had done during the day and to not worry about keeping track of it. That was Monday. It's now Wednesday and I've asked Andrea to continue to use the book. I missed reading it every night. It was like a small glimpse into Millie's life during the day when I wasn't around. I could see what she ate - if she liked it or not - when she peed or pooped (these things may seem gross but for a parent, they aren't. Plus it helps to keep track of it in case there is a problem).

So, the book is still in progress. We are in our third book since her birth. It will be fun to look back later to see what she was doing...

Millie's still using the potty

Last night, before Millie's shower-bath, I asked Millie if she wanted to use the potty and she pulled at her diaper, like she knew it needed to come off. I set her on there and she pooped. (I know this seems gross, but it's exciting to me). Then, this morning, after she got up and her diaper was soaked, I put her on again and she peed. I am not being pushy about it, but rather casual about the whole thing. She seems to enjoy it and enjoys the praises from both of us. Then we say "bye-bye" to the pee or poop.

This is soooo.... Millie

I took this picture this morning before we left for the day. Here's Millie sucking her thumb and playing with her hair. Too funny and sweet at the same time.

Millie's new socks

One of Millie's great aunts, Aunt Peggy, recently sent her a large pack of socks - in all colors and designs. Really cute socks too. So I wanted to take a picture of her with her socks on so I could send to Aunt Peggy with a thank you card. So here she is with a pair of her new socks on. I can't believe how grown up she is looking.

Millie's choice of clothes

Yesterday, I was doing some laundry and Millie was helping me put things in the washing machine and then helping me after the clothes had washed to put them in the dryer. Well, I was putting her clothes in the washing machine and she decided that she wanted to put on a particular dress that I was going to wash.

Keep in mind though that she was already dressed. It was a little chilly yesterday so she had on pink sweatpants and a blue shirt. But she wanted that dress on and was getting upset when I wouldn't help her get in on. So, what the heck. I put the dress on over her clothes and put the bloomers on over her pants. She was happy then. The funny thing is, is that the dress matched perfectly with the clothes she already had on.

I guess this is just the beginning of Millie setting her style....

Millie has hit a new milestone?

I've been introducing Millie to using the potty. We got a padded insert for the potty (from one of Aunt Lexi's friends) that I cleaned up and put on the potty and put her on it. Last week, she peed first and then the next night, pooped.

(17 mos. old) Last night, I put her on it and she sat there for a second and then POOPED in the potty! This morning, after she got up and had some milk, I put her on it again and she PEED in the potty! She was proud of herself as were we. She loves getting the praise from Daddy. I've got to start showing her the sign for using the potty. I think that will help.

Millie's first car show

Millie went to her first car show

After church yesterday, Jacade told me to get into something comfortable; something I could walk around in. He wouldn't tell me where we were going - it was a surprise. So we all loaded into the Jeep and headed north.

We went to the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton for the Super Chevy Show - Millie's first car show! We got there and it was hot! Then we got up to the grandstands and they were just starting the drag racing and it was SO LOUD!!! We had to cover Millie's ears but she looked like she was enjoying it.

So we walked over to the infield where they were having a car show and we looked at all the cars and trucks. She started to get antsy towards the end b/c she wanted to get in the cars, like she does at home; but we couldn't let her do that. We watched a couple of the races and it was so loud. One of the jet cars just about took my breath away. A total rush.

We tried to get Millie to drink her water and eat some hamburger but she really wasn't interested. We then got some ice cream on the way out - actually some Pina Colada Italian Ice and she kept saying/signing "more."

We left and she fell asleep on the way home. Could you actually blame her? I wanted to fall asleep too.

Millie is all grown up

I bought Millie two hair bows on Saturday at the Sock Shop. So I got her ready for church yesterday in her bright colorful dress, her white sweater, white tennis shoes and her pink bow. I snapped these pictures right before we left and she looks so grown up. She's not a baby anymore.

Guess what Millie did yesterday?

Millie peed in the potty last night!!!

I have put her on there a few times, just to see what she would do and she didn't do anything. I found an insert that goes on the lid that is padded and makes it more comfortable. So I put her on there when we got home from Mawt Maw's last night and she sat there for a second and then all of a sudden started using the bathroom. I was clapping and yelling to Jacade that she just peed. And he came to the bathroom and was clapping his hands and getting all excited too. She just loved all the attention!

Then she wanted to take a shower. She got mad last week when I put her in the sink again. She doesn't want to be in the sink, she wants to take a shower. So, my little baby is growing up.

New pics of Millie - 16 mos old

New Pics of Millie - 16 mos old

Millie climbs into highchair

Here's a video of Millie climbing into her highchair - all by herself. She does it with ease!

Millie says "neigh" this morning

This morning, I put on a pink Polo Ralph Lauren button-up shirt and when Millie and her daddy came out of her room, she saw my shirt and said, "Neigh" pointing at the horse! How fun!

She also knows the sounds for "cow", "dog", and "cat". We are still working on duck/bird and pig.

She can also say "dance" and it will look like she is dancing.

Millie is all about her shoes

Not that long ago, you couldn't keep socks, let alone shoes, on Millie's feet. Of course the weather was so warm that she didn't really need shoes, unless she was going to be walking around in public places.

But these days, Millie is all about having her shoes on. And she wants everyone to have their shoes on.

Last night, our neighbors, Mike and Virginia, came over and we were talking about shoes. We showed them Millie's new shoes - her pink Mary Jane's from Lands End. So Millie got down (Mike was holding her) and he asked Millie about Virginia's shoes and she looked at them (didn't even know she knew who that was, but I guess she knows more than we think she does). Then she remembered that Mommy took off her boots in our bedroom and she disappeared. She returned with boots in hand to show everyone and for Mommy to put on her shoes. Then she got Daddy's shoes too and brought them to him.

Millie is an observer

We've noticed lately that Millie likes for things to be in their places. She notices the smallest piece of paper on the floor and wants to put it in the trash. Or she'll notice that a book is out of place and she'll go put it where she thinks it belongs. That's not a bad trait, though.

She received a "just because" present from her Aunt Peggy the other day and I helped her open it. The gift was six pairs of cute little socks. She gave the pack of socks to her daddy and then wanted to throw away the paper. We actually recycled the paper and the box. She and I went into the kitchen and she threw the paper into the recycle container. Then I told her to go get the box and she went and got it and brought it back. Good job, Millie!

Millie took a shower - by herself

Millie gets a bath every night, in our huge kitchen sink. But last night, the sink was full of dishes (I know, I know...) so I decided to let Millie take a shower...by herself. Several times, Jacade and I have gotten in the shower with Millie and taken a shower. But last night, I was not in the mood to take a shower, so I just put her in.

And she loved it. She would walk through the water towards the drain and then turn around and walk back. She would get water in her face and make funny faces, and then sit down and play with her bath cups. At one point, she just stood there with the water hitting her back, like it just felt wonderful.

Then I told her it was time to get out and I turned off the water and she stacked up her cups and got out. No fussing whatsoever. We might start doing this more often. I would really like to get a hand-held shower faucet and put her in a big Rubbermaid box and let her play like that, but we haven't done that yet.

Millie learns two new signs

Millie learns a new sign, but I didn't teach it to her. Andrea, her babysitter, did. Andrea said that yesterday Millie did the "play" sign. Andrea has been showing them the sign during the day, and she said that Millie did it while they were all just sitting together. Way to go Andrea and Millie!

I've also been trying to teach Millie the "pain" sign. How exactly do you teach a child the sign for pain? That's what I was wondering too. But she would fall down and bump her leg or arm and I would do the sign for "pain" and point to whatever she hurt. The other morning, unfortunately, she had a little bit of a diaper rash (she just got over a severe diaper rash from an upset tummy) and did the sign for "pain" and pointed to her diaper. Yeah, she did it. She is one smart child. The "pain" sign is especially helpful if your child has a tummyache or an earache or some other kind of pain. A little less crying in the end (maybe) and you'll know what to do for them.

Millie climbs into her highchair

Last night, I had fixed Millie's dinner and we had walked into the dining room to eat. I noticed that her tray was a little dirty (oops) and needed to wipe it off. So I removed it and went to the kitchen, leaving Millie alone in the dining room. She was being really quiet while I was washing, so I decided to peek my head in to see what she was up to.

Much to my surprise - she was actually SITTING in her highchair. I looked around and knew that Bella hadn't helped her get up there. Whoa, she did that all by herself. I called and told my mom that and she said that Millie was definitely my daughter; that she gets it honestly; that it runs in the family. I am going to have to especially keep my eyes on Millie at all times.

And so this morning, Jacade let Millie climb up into the highchair again. I stood by and watched - I wanted to witness it. She just got one knee up on the foot part and pulled her body up until she could put her feet on the foot part and then she just climbed into the seat and repositioned herself. I was impressed and amazed. Wow!

Millie makes noises - part 2

This was the first day that Millie discovered how to make farting noises. She started blowing on mommy's legs and we were laughing, which made her laugh and want to do it more. Cause and effect.

Millie makes noises - part 1

The other day I got the video camera out (my regular camera battery is dead) and I was trying to video Millie. She has started making funny noises - farting noises and spitting (almost). It's really funny. And she gets a kick out of it too.

Millie calls Bella - part 3

And one more of Millie and Bella playing together.

Millie calls Bella - part 2

Here's another short video of Millie calling Bella.

Millie calls Bella - part 1

Millie loves her Bella and she has recently started calling her by name. Of course she can't say her full name but you know exactly what she is saying.

Millie plays in the rain

A couple of weeks ago it was raining and Jacade was watching Millie while I cooked dinner. He decided to take her outside - it was lightly raining - and she had so much fun. (I posted some of her photos awhile back too).

Millie says goodnight

I wrote about our new bedtime routine, telling objects in her room goodnight. Well, the other night I was getting Millie for bed and she was walking around her room. She pointed to this boy praying plaque and said, "bye-bye," then patted her dresser and said, "bye-bye," then looked at her dirty clothes hamper and said, "bye-bye." It just made me smile and I realized just how attentive she is. She picks up on things so quickly. My baby is growing up :( , but that's good too!

Our New Bedtime Routine

We now have a new bedtime routine. I will give Millie her bath and we'll put diaper rash cream and lotion on, then she'll get dressed. Then we go brush (attempt to brush) her teeth and blow dry her hair. Brush it and then tell the baby (her reflection) in the mirror bye-bye and blow kisses. Then we tell Daddy good night and Bella too (with hugs and kisses). We read a book and then I let Millie turn on the CD in her room and we walk around the room telling objects good night.

Like, "Good night wipes. Good night band picture. Good night dresses. Good night rocking chair. Good night Miss Rosie Bear Quilt. Good night blinds and curtains. Good night books. Good night bed. Good night Humpty Dumpty lamp (which is the last one that we do). Then I turn off the light and tell Humpty Dumpty good night again and I hold Millie for a few minutes (either swaying or rocking in the rocking chair). Then we find her bunny and blanket and I put her in the bed. Not to say that she just goes right to sleep. Sometimes she whines and cries; sometimes she throws the bunny and blanket out and says, "All gone." But some of the time she does just lie in her bed and puts herself to bed.

Millie calls Bella

This morning when we were getting ready to leave to go to the babysitter's house, I had opened the back door to go outside to put Millie's stuff in the car. Well, since Millie LOVES the outdoors, she went outside. Then she came back to the door and called to Bella, "Be, Be." Was actually screaming Bella's name and then was clapping her hands and opening and closing her hands as if she was telling Bella to come. Bella doesn't really recognize "Be" as her name so Jacade told her that Millie was calling her name. As soon as Bella came outside, Millie was so excited!!!

Millie will actually get upset if she has to go inside and she's not ready. She loves the outdoors. Likes to play ball with Bella. Likes to pick the green cherry tomatoes off of the vine. Likes to pick the basil and lemon balm and try 'em out.

She and Bella and Daddy all played outside last night until it was time for her bath. Which was nice for a number of reasons. One being that it's good time with Daddy and two being that I could get the kitchen cleaned up and get everything ready for bedtime.

Millie can't get enough of her shoes

Awhile back, I would put socks and shoes on Millie's feet, but no sooner than I had turned by back and the shoes would be off, with the socks following suit. Within the last couple of weeks though, all of that has changed.

This morning, Jacade got Millie dressed in khaki capri pants and a white polo shirt (no socks or shoes). She started to walk out of her room, stopped, turned around and went to the dresser, sat down on the floor beside her blue Crocs and said, "shoes." So Jacade put the shoes on her. She looked really cute (my camera battery is dead - when I get a new one I'll have to post a pic).

Millie said "apple"

Last night after we got Millie ready for bed, we were looking at a book. I had taught her the sign for "clown" so I wanted to show her a clown and reinforce the sign. On the cover is an apple, balloon and clown. So I said, "Apple" and Millie repeated and said "apple" very clearly. I was excited. Then she was saying "ball" for the balloon. And was doing the sign for "clown."

Millie learns a new trick

We went out to eat last night at Chick-Fil-A (I was too tired to cook and Millie wasn't feeling well so I was going to get her some chicken noodle soup). When we got our food (they had bogo free for a chicken sandwich) and we got Millie a grilled cheese sandwich and some fruit, Jacade taught her a new trick.

Jacade taught Millie had to blow bubbles through the straw. So she was going to town blowing bubbles in her milk. She was all about that. And had so much fun!!!

Millie climbs to the top

On Saturday, we had dinner with our friends, Gordon and Nilsa, at their house in Griffin (they are just a couple of streets over from us).

They have a swingset and "treehouse" for their son, Alan (who is 8 and I don't think he really plays with it anymore). But it has a ladder on it - I'm going to try to describe it for you. It is like 10 pieces of wood slats stacked like a ladder. Well, Millie walked over to the playset, got on the "ladder" and climbed right to the top. No hesitation, no turning around asking for help, no problems. Went on up and up and up. We were both shocked. Well, maybe we shouldn't be because she is quite the climber (she gets it honestly).

She is definitely all over the place, but in a good way. I was very proud of her.

Millie learns some more signs

Over the long weekend, Millie learned some more signs:

shoes
socks
bunny
frog
motorcycle

Mawt Maw (Debbie) kept her on Saturday so Mommy could do some work and I got some things done. Made some magnets and journals, and was able to tidy the house and do some laundry.

On Sunday, Millie and I went to church - we were there for a long time - because Mommy had to work in the walkers (in the room with Millie). Then she went to Mawt Maw's house and Jacade and I went out to eat (just the 2 of us), went bowling - I won 2 out of 3 games - and we played video games. We had a great time.

Then on Monday, Jacade fixed breakfast (Millie usually likes eggs, but she wouldn't eat any) but she did eat applesauce. And she and I did stuff around the house and she took some good naps. We went to the park and she walked around and swung in the swing and went down the slide.

We also went to Daddy's new office and Millie helped rearrange everything! She would find something on the floor, take it to Jacade and say, "Dada, dada" and start yelling his name if he wasn't immediately paying attention. We also ate pizza for dinner, including Millie. Tried to give her a mushroom but she didn't like that.

And now, it's Tuesday and back to the daily grind..... She went to Ms. Andrea's today and was eager to eat her oatmeal for breakfast.