Is it a Mud Mask?

Well, Rhianwen did not fail us yet; this week was yet another week of firsts and fun for her and us! The beginning of this week was very very poopy. Don't know why! Usually Rhianwen needs prune juice, but not so this week. In fact, one morning, I was happily painting while Rhianwen was happily cooing in her crib after a nap. I thought, "Well, as long as she's happy, I'll finish up this trim, and wash out everything before I get her." It seemed like a good idea at the time. 15 Minutes later...I approach her door to get her out of her crib and smell a very strong poopy smell. I think, "I wonder why it's so strong?" and open the door to....a big brown smeared mess of a baby. My expression on my face must have told her something was amiss because her smile turned into a look of confusion. Poop was all around her mouth...I don't want to know...all over her arms and legs, on her railing and blanket, and fortunately, most was in her removed diaper. I made a mental note to never put her to bed without pants again! No, I did not take a picture. I figured I'd spare everyone.

A few days later, Rhianwen again pulled a surprise for us. I was standing at the kitchen sink looking out at the backyard while preparing something. And I heard this big frustrated scream! It went something like, "YaAAAHHHaaaah!" I turned around to see a very red faced Rhianwen holding a full gallon of baby water with one arm! It was off the floor and everything! I am shocked that she could do that! It must have been very frustrating for her to not be able to just walk off with it!

As I've said, I've been painting...a lot. I paint the higher things while Rhianwen is up by using a ladder and placing the paint on top of it. She's been climbing over the back of the ladder a lot! She's very determined at this stage. She also has learned that she can dribble the beachball and has done this all over the house with much enjoyment. Surprisingly, she even did something we did not know was possible. She can "play" the case to a thermometer. Yes, she has learned how to blow (something I have been getting her to do in preparation for a fast approaching birthday), and she somehow got ahold of the thermometer case and blew into it. It makes a wonderful whistling noise when you softly blow into it. Who knew?!

The next thermometer case virtuoso.

When are they ever going to be done with this renovation thing?

Rhianwen had much much fun with Daddy in the back yard this week. Somehow between working, renovating, going to orientation, and attending his FIRST class at NC State, Daddy managed to have time to play with her! He pulled out the sleds from Pittsburgh, turned on the sprinkler, and motered her around very quickly through the water! I wish we had a video, but alas, the battery was dead. And we thought we'd never use those sleds again now that we're down South! It poured rain today, the first good rain in a very looong time. Rhianwen didn't even know what it was. That's how long it's been. She was fascinated. After the rain, Daddy took her down to the creek to sit and reflect.

Well, We Moved

My amazing family came up for the weekend and helped us move everything to the new house. Grandma Nanny Kim played with Rhianwen and helped clean! Thank you for all of your help; your work is very appreciated. Thank you everyone else for all of your prayers! We know they are working! We feel very loved and cared for!

Last days in the rental house:

I find this intriguing!

The cat spent most of the day here.

Now for the hard part! Renovation work while living in chaos. Rhianwen has done fabulously in the new situation. I've set her room almost completely up, Moley-Ratty painting and all. Her room needs painting, but that will wait until other parts of the house are in order. She seems to love having her own space especially since the rest of the house has mountains of boxes, tools, dust, paint, and furniture scattered about almost haphazardly.

"Anything need measuring?"

Now that we have a yard, I am dying to get her some shoes, but where to get them? What size? How much am I willing to pay? It's insane the amount of money you can pay for a pair of baby shoes...$56 anyone? No joke! And she will grow out of them in a couple of months! I have been entertaining delusional thoughts of trying to make my own...I mean the Romans did it back in the day right? Just get some leather, cut some straps and holes, and walla...nice sandals. Well, maybe it was a tad more complicated.

"You say I'm supposed to run through that?"

Other new things in the life of this 10 month old: Rhianwen has discovered the joy of cuddling! She loves all of her stuffed animals now and will pick on up and squeeze it close to her face with a contended smile. At playgroup she even tried to "steal" a little one from a 5 month old who is totally incapable of defending himself as all babies at that age are. Very funny. Rhianwen went to her first birthday party this past weekend as well and had lots of fun running around with her little friend but didn't seem to notice the big gifts being opened. She was more interested in the toys that were already out of the boxes! Lastly, she has been more interested in eating with utensils and will sometimes put the spoon in her mouth instead of banging it around on the chair or slinging food with it.

(Sorry about the pixelated pics...yet another Dropshots problem. When will they have it done?...don't know!)

Grandparents Galore!

Mommy and daddy have been sooo busy that this blog is falling by the wayside. Really, Rhi's grandparents would probably be able to post a better entry than us since we have spent the majority of our time away from baby and instead with wood floors and sheetrock (substitutes which are not so cuddly or fun).

These new noserings are all the rage!

Hanging out with Grandmama.

"I don't care if it's the leftovers, I think it's scrumptious!"

"No, this nosering is all the rage! Get with it mom and dad!"

A new toy from Grandmama.

Helping Grandma Nanny Kim with exercises/dancing to some strange Christian swing music.

Rhianwen is walking up a storm now and has even run away from daddy once. Well, I'm not in a writing mood, so off center pics will have to do...dumb Dropshots changed their format!