North Carolina Visit Day 1

We decided to go visit Aunt Melissa, Uncle Shawn, and Cousin Nathan in North Carolina over President's Day Weekend.  We left early Saturday  morning so that Kelsey would sleep in the car most of the way.  That planned worked perfectly.  We had a pleasant drive down and got there to enjoy a beautiful day outside, which is Nathan's favorite kind of day.

Right: Kelsey practicing her walking outside.

Bottom: Nathan and Shawn have truck races down their driveway.  Very cool!

Aunt Melissa enjoying some snuggle time with Kelsey.  Zsa-Zsa did not seem to mind Melissa holding her.  I did get to feel the baby kick, and it was AMAZING!!! 

 What a happy family!  All smiles now, the baby isn't here yet. :-)

 Nathan does an awesome run and swing.  See the video below for the full effect.  He loves his swing!  Mark had to try out the swing as well.  He was too nervous to do the "Super Nathan" approach.

 Here they are building a rail road.  Mark looks perplexed on how to connect the tracks together. 

 Here's the best picture of the two of them. I think Nathan is totally ready for a baby sister.

We told Melissa and Shawn to go out Saturday night and we would watch the kids.  Aren't we the best babysitters?  Who knew kids loved Jeopardy? :-) It was an easy night.  We won't mention that Melissa and Shawn ended up at Target on their date night after going to a party.  Gotta get those essentials before the baby comes.

Where Has She Gone Now?

You might be wondering why Kelsey is sitting by an open baby gate at the top our stairs just like I was when I looked at the camera after work one day.  Grandpa told me to keep looking at the pictures and I soon found out why. 

That's right, she's learned how to climb the stairs.  This has become her new favorite thing to do.  Grandpa says she goes up it about 6 times a day.  Now we don't have to carry her up all of the time.

A Little More Snow

Back on Feb. 11th, a Saturday, we had a little more snow come our way here in Maryland.  This is all we have seen all winter, except for on her birthday when it snowed then, also on a Saturday.  Mommy's happy with no snow days this year because it means she will get out earlier from school in June.  Kelsey enjoyed watching the snow through the window.  She also opened her present from Aunt Tammie for Valentine's Day.  Thanks!!!

A Special Visit

Grandpa took Kelsey to visit a special family friend Mrs. Curry on Feb. 10th.  Mrs. Curry taught at Concordia and was Melissa and my art teacher and cheerleading coach in 6th - 8th grade.  She retired when I was in 7th grade.  We see her at holidays and it was awesome of Grandpa to take Kelsey for this special visit.

                                  Who doesn't want to hold Kelsey while she drinks her milk?

                                            Mrs. Curry imparting her wisdom to Kelsey.

                                                Look at Grandpa and smile for the camera!

Baby Shannon

A 5th grade teacher just had a baby girl on Jan. 24th. Shannon and Kelsey are almost exactly 1 year apart. Kelsey came with me to go visit Baby Shannon along with some other teachers from work. Kelsey wasn't phased at all when Mommy was holding another baby. Big Brother Owen (2 and 1/2) enjoyed having some company to play with, not Kelsey, but the other teachers. They ran around and rough housed with him. We had a good visit and can't wait to go back again.

 Kelsey looking at Baby Shannon, and then going right back to playing with the tools. 

                      Meredith, fellow teacher, and Big Brother Owen resting for a moment.

                                                     Kelsey being her super cute self!

             Baby Shannon and mommy, Elizabeth.  Congrats!  We'll be back for more playdates!

Field Trips

Grandpa might not have a third grade class to take on field trips anymore, but he does have a Kelsey.  With this winter being so warm Grandpa and Kelsey have been able to take a few field trips.  The first one was on January 31, when they went to the Washington National Zoo.  Then on February 7 they rode the Marc train from Odenton down to catch the Metro in New Carrollton and went downtown to the Natural History Museum.  Kelsey loved the animal exhibit.  I'm sure there will be more field trips to come!  Thanks Grandpa!

 (Left)Dinosaurs? Really? This was one "animal" that was close enough to be in the picture. Most of the other ones are further away. 

(Right) Pointing at zebras. 

 (Left) Crawling right next to the gorilla. (Right) Waiting for the Metro and watching it go by











At the Natural History Museum Kelsey saw all sorts of animals. My favorite is the giraffe picture.  Grandpa is doing very well with our digital camera. 

                                                  Of course they had to see the kangaroos!

                     How cute is that?  She fell asleep on the Metro holding her animal cracker. 

 

                   Time to go home!  What a wonderful time they had, who knows what is next.

Family Time

It was so nice to spend time with family from FL, NC, PA, and MD during Kelsey's birthday.  We appreciated everyone taking the time to travel to be with us.

Now, we're really in trouble...

Our pediatrician estimated that Kelsey wouldn't walk until 16 months because of how much verbal progress she has shown.  I guess her estimate wasn't quite right.