We're Still Alive

Whew! Wally's birthday and a trip to Grandmama's and Grandaddy's kept mommy away from the computer.

Happy birthday daddy...bright and early. Rhianwen digs the maglites, so did daddy.

We had a KFC dinner at home with some friends. And lemon poppy seed pound cake for dessert.

Wally conducts (just kidding....don't know what he is doing...oh, probably turning off the fan that is threatening to extinguish his candles) as we all sing Happy Birthday. (Please ignore the huge red blob holding the cake. We don't know where she came from...).

Rhianwen and her friend enjoying the festivities.

But the ultimate gift that both Rhianwen and daddy are super excited about:

I told you I'd get one ;) And, we just purchased a helmet for Rhianwen today, so watch out Lance Armstrong.

Then it was on to Grandmama's and Grandaddy's for a week while daddy worked on tiling the kitchen and dining room. Rhianwen had a blast as expected. We started off the weekend by going to Aunt Clara's first bridal shower where Rhianwen enjoyed a gourmet lunch, managed to hide Uncle Brooks' (Clara's fiance) lens cover in a plant, and went pee-pee on the toilet. Rhianwen very conveniently chose this week to up the anti on potty training. Mommy decided we need a little potty for the car. They just don't design rest areas with toddlers in mind. Getting back to the events of the week...We spent many days at the "big pool", she again played for hours with the Fisher Price clubhouse, eating fresh peaches, and enjoyed feeding chickens and a horse. Rhianwen also provided the mealtime entertainment and kept the entire household rolling with laughter. She really enjoyed repeating key phrases of dinner time conversation. Hearing all those big words coming from her was just too much.

Reading with the soon-to- be-wed couple, Clara and Brooks.

Writing with Grandmama.

'Rithmetic with Grandaddy? ...well, no. Grandaddy found a sparrow in the chicken feed and brought it in for Rhianwen to pet.

We fed Dan's horses some carrots. Rhianwen threw hers on the ground, but the horse didn't seem to mind. It's amazing how big horses are. Her head was as big as all of Rhianwen! Rhianwen was a little intimidated by such a big snuffling animal in her face. She refused to pet her. Oh well! She still had fun feeding her.

"Forget the Men in Black! Here comes the Tot in Pink with the big gun!"

Rhianwen had so much fun in the big pool. I think she could learn to swim with a few lessons. Doubt if that'll happen this summer though...just too busy!

Rhianwen learned to kick shoes off. This reminds mommy of the times that mommy and her brothers kicked shoes up on the roof of our house when we were kids. Dad loved it!

Mommy had a nice time too. Quite relaxing. Grandmama sent mommy to get a real pedicure ...the first one ever! It was amazing and my toes are pretty now too :)

A few nights Rhianwen got to say goodnight to daddy on the phone. It was SO adorable to hear her carry on a conversation. It would go something like this:

Daddy: Hi Rhianwen! I miss you.

Rhianwen: Daddy work on floor.

Daddy: Yes! That's right! I'm tiling the floor.

Mommy: Can you tell daddy what you did today?

Rhianwen: Played in big pool, sleeping.

Mommy: What did you feed?

Rhianwen: Horsie caddot.

When we finally got back to our house, Rhianwen took a look at the HUGE mess and said, "Daddy make mess!" Guess she wasn't too impressed with the floor, unlike mommy!

Now that the floor is done, we unpacked the few remaining boxes into the china cabinet and sideboard. These had previously been taking up lots of room in Alden's closet. So, we were able to organize his room today too. For the first time, Rhianwen really felt Alden kicking. She was sitting in my lap while I read a book, and Alden gave a bunch of huge kicks to Rhianwen's back. She turned and laughed and looked at me like I had done something, and I said, "You finally felt baby Alden kicking!" When it happened again, Rhianwen said, "Ha! Baby Alden kicking!" I was so excited b/c I thought we would go through the entire pregnancy without her feeling him inside of mommy.


Checking to see if the bouncy seat still functions. Already, we have the swing swinging, music playing, bouncy seat vibrating, and its music playing...I have a feeling we'll be going through a lot more C and D batteries with Rhianwen around.