just another weekend...

There is no rhyme or reason to this post, but I just wanted to share our simple, yet fabulous weekend with everyone. We did a lot of playing and rolling around on the ground. Marie is in this stage where she laughs, talks, sings and giggles over just about everything! She is literally growing up more and more every day and it is hard to catch all of her feats with just a camera. Andy & I just sit there every day and we keep saying, "This is happening too fast!" We want to remember everything, but that is not possible...we are doing the best we can however. Anyway, here are a few pics of our girly from the weekend. Saturday night we spent the day singing, baking banana bread, dancing, and napping. Sunday was recovery day. After church, everyone took a nap. We also took her out for a walk with Char, yes it was cold, but she is starting to get cabin fever...this girl is used to being outdoors more often and we are getting antsy for a random warm day. We also had to get her mind off her teeth. Her 2 bottom teeth are pushing their way out, but they are taking awhile.

Crawlin' Fool

Marie can crawl!!!!
For those of you who have seen Marie lately, you know that she has been getting herself into a lot of yoga poses, bouncing, and even trying to pull herself up; but she just couldn't get the crawling down. Suddenly, on a cold January day, Marie decided to move her hands and wah - lah - she was crawling! Now, we can't stop her. We have officially covered the outlets, moved furniture around, and even hid cords because she is on the move. She really likes to go to the kitchen entryway to feel the difference between the tile floor and carpet. I think she is just enjoying the sense of freedom and independence that comes with mobility :)

Other than that, things are pretty much the same. Andy is busy with school, Kelly has had MORE snow days, (she is now working until June 8), and Charlie is figuring out how to balance brother-hood and his nap schedule.

Sledding Day

This weekend started with a trip to urgent care - Marie has another double ear infection. But we couldn't let the Saturday 40 degree weather go to waste...a perfect day for sledding! After a few doses of meds, Marie was ready to roll. At first she seemed a little concerned, but it didn't take long to get a smile on her face...however I couldn't get her to smile for the camera. She was too busy feeling the zipper with her tongue...

Little Fish

This past weekend when it was -20 outside, we were in the pool, soaking in the hot tub, and racing down slides in a hotel in Des Moines. The Van Beek Clan came down to Des Moines and the whole family stayed together for a few days. This was Marie's first time in a swimming pool! We figured she would be a little cautious, but she actually loved it...we even took her on a little slide.

Daddy, Abby, & Marie

Daddy & Marie

another snow day?

Well here we are again...it's seems as though we are on a broken record this winter. I am pretty confident that I will be working until Mid June the way things are going! Anyway, this day has given me some time to play on the floor with Marie and stay in my sweats so who is complaining? Marie needed a day away from daycare as well - she has developed the dreaded and goopy problem of conjunctivitis, "pink eye." One trip to the doctor and 3 drops a day = fussy Marie and fussy Mommy...but we are on the way to clear eyes once again. Here are some pictures of our latest adventures on Francis Avenue:

G & G Mueting found a very cute sled for Marie. We are planning on using it as soon as we can be outside for more than 3 minutes...next week looks like a good opportunity with highs in the upper 20's.

Here is Marie with "Fritz" her sock monkey and new best friend (no offense Char). She loves to cuddle him and sleep with him at night too.
big hug for Fritz
Sitting up like a big girl. This is old news, but she is just so good at it now!
Trying sooo hard to crawl!!! She is very strong and tries to stand up. Marie is always in crazy positions and can kind of crawl backwards, but still working on the front crawl. You're close MarieB, so close.

Exhausted from the posing I guess....she was falling asleep on the ground.