In the Words of Christine

These are just a few of the words Christine says now. I was finally able to record a little bit of it. She usually won't let me record her! By the way, when I ask her to say "Da Da" she actually does say "da da," even though at first I thought she said "pa pa" which is what she's been calling my dad (grandpa walden). I've been practicing Grammy and Grandpa with her since my parents are coming down next week to watch her.

Daddy's Day

I had to go to Cincinnati for work, so Brian was on Christine watch. He took off work on Monday to stay home with her. I'm so lucky to have a husband that is willing to stay home with our kid when he needs to! They hung out in the morning, then ran some errands, went to lunch at Chick-fil-A (I swear chick-fil-a will be Christine's McDonalds...Brian and I are a little addicted!), had nap-time (Christine, not Brian), and then went outside before dinner. I think they had a really great time! Also on Monday, Christine received a care package from Grandma & Grandpa Sampsel. It seems I am not the only one encouraging the "doggie" obsession.

Christine opening her package

Her new "doggie"

Brian said that Christine thought the peanuts were the best part~

Lions, Tigers, Bears....and Ducks!

Yay for good weather! Christine is ready for spring and I'm pretty sure this spring and summer we will be outdoors at all times. We finally got rid of the snow and the 50s & 60s have returned to Atlanta. On Friday we went to the park to feed the ducks and play on the playground. Christine loves all animals (especially dogs) and she was so excited to see the ducks and get the chance to feed them. I think she would have jumped in the water to pet them if Brian didn't hold her back!

Daddy & Christine checking out the ducks

Christine feeding the ducks

Then on Saturday we took a family trip to the zoo. It was so much fun! I think it freaked Christine out a bit to see the animals moving, but she seemed to like it over all. She roared like a lion, bounced like a monkey, and said "sssss" for the snakes. We even ran into my good friend from college, Kara and her family. How random to see someone you know at the Atlanta Zoo?

Chrisine thought riding the duck was so much fun!

very excited to pet a pig

Dress Up

Sometimes while I get ready in the morning, Christine will get out my bracelets and necklaces and play dress up. This morning I walked out of the bathroom and this is what I saw:

Poor Duke; this is probably just a small dose of what is to come. I'm sure in a year or so he will be dressed in a tutu having tea with the princesses. At least he doesn't seem to care too much!

Little Chef

Christine is getting more fun (and crazy) everyday! I LOVE this age! She is not quite old enough to where I have to discipline her, but she's old enough to understand what I am saying and she is able to communicate to me what she wants. It makes things much easier!

Christine ready for church - notice her doggie on the right

She says: doggie (by far her favorite word!), Duke, Mommy, Da Da, Cat, Cow, Roar (like a lion), Tea (no I don't let her drink sweet tea, she likes to play with her tea set), Baby, Shoe, Me Me (when she wants something, or when she wants her pacifier)

She likes to: Read Books (Especially about doggies), play with her baby dolls (she rocks them to sleep and gives them a bottle), play with her stuffed animals, pour tea, play on her slide, run, brush her teeth, loves being outside, kick a ball, crawl on top of Duke, and get into anything we allow her to.

She also likes to help me cook or bake. I set up the breakfast table with all the ingredients and she stands on a chair and helps me pour everything into the bowl. Then she likes to push all the buttons to start the oven/microwave/bread machine and then she watches as it bakes. It allows me to get things done (I make bread every week) and Christine thinks we are having fun.

getting ready to make bread

pouring the flour in

now it's time to bake cookies

watching the cookies bake

enjoying the fruit of her labor...Duke is so jealous!

Snow in Atlanta

So much for global warming! It snowed in Atlanta, in February, I thought winter was supposed to be over by now? On the bright side, Christine made her first snow man! I don't think she could decide if she liked the snow or not. She would cry and then would be happy. I finally decided to take her inside, but then she threw a fit and decided she wanted to put more stuff on her snowman. It was fun, but I am ready for spring!

Tired of Chicken Nuggets

Christine is officially a toddler! Yay! No more baby food! However, I've found this to be a new challenge in my life. I want her to eat healthy and try new things. (although I am not opposed to chicken nuggets and mac n' cheese) Also, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that she can eat whatever we are eating, which means I eat a little healthier as well. And I'm tired of eating chicken and sandwiches and veggies, so I tried something new and it worked! (I LOVE when things work!)

I found a recipe in a baby cookbook for orzo pasta with peas and cheddar cheese. The picture looked good (don't you love pictures in cookbooks?) so I decided to try it. PLUS it said it was easy for toddlers to pick up with a spoon. It was super easy too. Boil the orzo according to package directions, during the last minute add frozen peas, drain, then add cheddar cheese. I was a little nervous about it because Christine doesn't like Mac n' Cheese (I know, she's weird) and this was sounding a little similar. Anyway, then you top with grated parm. AND Christine LOVED it and she was able to use her little spoon (which made me cry a little). You could just tell how proud she was! I even ate it (it was a little bland...so i recommend adding salt for adults), but it was a success, which made me feel successful! (it's the little things!)

Then we had chicken and yellow rice for dinner and she was able to use her spoon again. Ahh...what a great day!

Duke's position whenever Christine is eating

P.S. If anyone has anymore ideas for toddlers, please let me know!!