Memorial Day Weekend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!
A bunch of us girls went out Friday night to celebrate Amy's 23rd birthday! I can't remember the last time I went out with just the girls and we had so much fun! We went up to Atlantic Station and ate at the Geisha House. The atmosphere was really "sex in the city" so we felt pretty important! I had googled the crazy menu names before we went so we could look cultured when we ordered instead of having to ask what everything was. We all had kabobby things (obviously I forgot all I learned from Google!) that were delicious! The bartender even gave us free drinks (except Tiffany, poor pregnant girl!)There weren't any forks on the table and I was danged if I was going to be the one to ask for one so Amy gave me a Japanese lesson before the food got there. It took me a really long time to figure out how to pick my chicken up with these stupid things and I still ended up using my fingers.Tiff went for the bottled water. We knew it would be a little over priced, $3 or $4. Nope EIGHT DOLLARS! She swore she could taste a difference between her water and our tap water. Whatever makes you feel better Tiff! At least it came in a neat little holder.We went to another place for Amy's favorite...Cheesecake! The bartender there felt bad for Tiffany since she couldn't drink so he made her a fancy Shirley Temple with all kinds of fruit juice. It was yummy!This was delicious!Amy ate her cheesecake so fast that I didn't get a chance to put her candle in it. So she made an after dessert birthday wish.Since the summer season has officially begun we decided to introduce Josie to the wonderful, juicy world of watermelon. She's a big fan.We went and bought her a little kiddie pool since it's been over 80 for the past couple weeks. She looked so adorable in her little surfer girl swimsuit! She screamed every time I tried to put her in the pool, but she loved splashing around from the outside. Her and Everett played outside all day. Best 5 dollars I've ever spent.Look at that ruffle butt!We played with Everett again on Monday so Andrew could try to catch up on his sleep. I forgot my camera though. It is so fun to watch them now. They are actually starting to play together instead of just being around each other. Josie was following him all over the house. Everett has an awesome gravel pit area outside with a big cover to keep the sun off of him and Josie loved putting the rocks in the bucket. I think we are going to have to find time to build her something like that too.
It was a great weekend. I love spending so much time with friends and family. We're going to my Dad's in a couple weeks and I can't wait!

Geranium Festival!!

We had an awesome weekend! I am SO tired, but it was totally worth it!
I ended up getting off of work early on Friday so Andrew decided to take me out on a date! We went to our favorite pizza place, Slices, and then out for ice cream. It was so much fun.
It was Geranium Festival time in McDonough and that is my favorite festival ever! Tiffany and I got up early and headed out. We looked like quite the circus trying to get both the babies, two strollers, two full diaper bags, and us all on the little city shuttle. Thank God some man finally got a clue to help us! The kids thought it was pretty cool that they didn't have to be in car seats.Josie found a time out chair! So far time out has been the only discipline method that has any effect on her. She does not like to stop playing to take a little break. But it works. All we have to do is ask if she needs a time out and she straightens up.Amy met up with us at about 11. We ran into a bunch of old friends too. We were there for about 6 hours and the kids were on their best behavior all day. We have amazing kids.They were ready to get out and stretch their legs by the time we were ready to go.Josie was fascinated by the acorns. She sat and picked them up for about 15 minutes.Are you serious?!? Could she get any cuter?!?
Amy bought her this headband that is so adorable so I had to find a dress to match. These are called Pillowcase Dresses and they are so sweet. I bought fabric to make her four different ones for the summer. I got so many cute ideas at the festival! After the festival we went to Christina's graduation party. It was fun and perfect weather. It was neat to see some of the people from the church that we haven't seen since we left.
After that Tiff and I went and rented a movie and drove back to my house to watch it. Josie was passed out by the time we got there. I don't think I've ever been so happy to sit down in my life! This is what I woke up to on Sunday morning. Amy had told me to put on sunscreen, but for some reason I was under the impression that I don't get burned. Opps. I am so burned on my shoulders and top of my back, but the worst in the back of my knees. I will be applying aloe for the remainder of the week.On Sunday we went to Kelly's sister's house for a play date. Josie was a big bully most of the time, but I attribute that to her lack of a schedule all week. Bryant is so stinking cute and the happiest baby I've ever met!
Now I am trying to find enough caffeine to make it through the day and praying Darlene can get Josie back on her schedule! Next weekend, we sit.

Daddy Day

Two days in a row hanging out with Daddy?!? Lucky Girl.

15 Month Checkup

Josie just finished up her 15 Month Checkup. I can't believe she's 15 months already!
She is still just a tiny peanut, weighing in at 19.4 lbs and 29 inches long. She is within the healthy range for her age, she's just small. She is in the 5th percentile for weight and 10th percentile for height, meaning she's heavier and longer then only 5% of the kids in America.
The doctor said she is perfectly healthy and right on target developmentally (even though we're pretty sure she's above the target!).
She had to have 2 shots, but she didn't cry as hard as she did last time.
She'll be spending today and tomorrow with her Daddy for some much needed Father Daughter Time. I know they were both excited about it!

Up North

We ended our Minnesota Adventure with a trip up to the cabin. I grew up going to the cabin, mostly with my dad, and I really didn't take advantage of it like I wish I would have. I would give anything to be able to go up there every other weekend like I used to, listening to Rush Limbaugh and eating Fruitfuls. I think the lake is one of the most peaceful places on Earth. I only got to spend the day there, but it was just as wonderful as I remembered it. A yummy breakfast of scrambled eggs, whole grain toast, and blueberries before we headed out.

This is exactly why I don't buy her toys. She would rather play with Tupperware then anything I could buy at the store!
These two are SO sweet together! My Grama Nyla fell in love with Josie the minute they met in Arizona and the feeling was mutual. Josie is so happy and comfortable in her arms. Chocolate face.We usually go eat at Mugg's, which is one of my favorite up north spots, but it wasn't open. All I can say is they better not go out of business. We went to Walleye Dundee's and it was almost as good as Mugg's.

Josie loves to snap her fingers!
And now for the 1000 family pictures that are always required...A Mother's Love Is Peace. It Need Not Be Acquired, It Need Not Be Deserved.
Another four generations.This is Josie "Thinking about it." How did she get so cute!!!

My First Mother's Day

I waited a really long time to be able to celebrate Mother's Day and it was entirely worth the wait! The day was perfect.
Josie was really excited for the tea party!Hats and Gloves were optional!The Ladybug Tea Parlor!She is my best lady friend. This is my all time favorite Mae Mae and Josie Picture.Grama Jackie was really happy when Josie finally let her hold her. I think it's so cool that she gets to have times like this with her great grandparents.So much love for one little girl.The reason I get to celebrate.
I did have a couple of moments during the day when I was sad for Josie's Birth Mother. I know that she may not even mentally remember Josie, but in my mind she does. She will miss so much wonder and joy. And I think about how awesome Josie is and how grateful I am that I get to raise her, but I can't imagine being in the other woman's shoes.
Four GenerationsNana and Josie!Josie thought Pearl was really funny!All the Rouillard Girls (minus Emma and plus Katie so I guess it evens out!)My mom's guests! We all had so much fun together. Thank you mom for making all of us feel so special. You're the best!
After the tea party our family stayed to play cards and have dinner. My sister went home to get her hubby and my sweet nephew Cash. Cash was not a fan of Josie when he met her at Christmas Time, but this time he decided she was OK. He even threw her and my mom their very own tea party!Then we all went outside to play the bean bag toss game that my brother made. Cash loved it, Josie didn't have a clue what was going on!
Here's Opa trying to teach her what to do. It didn't work.
This was a much more fun way to play.Probably not the safest spot to sit baby girl!We did bubbles too. The bubbles kept sticking to Josie's curls! We were laughing so hard!
Cash just learned how to plant potatoes so he brought some over to plant in my mom's garden.She was pretty excited that she was allowed to play in the dirt!We ended the night with a yummy Italian dinner that Josie was more then happy to share with Uncle Aaron!
It was such an awesome Mother's Day.