Beach Day

During Mom's last visit, we took a trip to the dunes park in New Symrna Beach. This is a great place to bring a baby because it's stroller friendly and has restrooms and parking that's not too far from the beach. We mostly went there to get some good phorta of Mary Ellen (and so Mom could get her beach fix). Here's a sample of what we captured:

But No "Mama"...

A list of words that my daughter has said before she dares to utter the word "Mama":

1. Dada
2. all done
3. Where go?
4. Daisy
5. owl
6. cat
7. bear
8. bubbles
9. yellow
10. hello
11. up (up, up)
12. down
13. out
14. der (there)
15. dat (that)
16. Bop (her current substitution for Mama)

I know, I know.

The /m/ sound is difficult to form.

It's a physical limitation that will disappear soon enough.

She doesn't love me any less.

But please? For me? Just that one little word...I can't wait to hear it.

Working at Home

When I decided to leave my job at HMH, I knew it was the best decision in the world. This last year went so fast, and I am so blessed to have been able to share it with Mary Ellen. I love teaching her and showing her the world around us, and the selfish part of me loves that I don't have to miss any part of these fast-flying early months.

But what about my brain? I know this is a very standard issue with women who choose to leave their jobs to be at home with their growing families. I'm certainly busy enough during the day, but I can't say that I get to use my problem-solving skills or creativity in the same way that I used to when I worked 9 to 5.

So a few weeks ago, I started freelancing part-time with my old company. I'm doing some technology editorial support for (get this) high school Biology, Chemistry, and Physics online textbooks. The work is challenging, yet flexible, and I'm really enjoying it. I am lucky enough to have a sweet neighbor who is able to come help out with Mary Ellen a few hours a day, so we've been settling into a regular schedule.

But what I really enjoy doing is my completely unofficial second job. Earlier this year, I opened an online shop on ETSY.com. For those of you who don't know, ETSY is a marketplace for all things handmade. I've been a shopper on ETSY for years, but I took the plunge and started listing some of the little things that I had "designed" for Mary Ellen along with nursing covers that I had made for several friends. Here's a link to my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetSummerBaby

Last night, I reached 15 sales, and I couldn't be more excited. It's the art of creating that I really love, but it's also so exciting to think that my little things are finding homes with babies all over the country (and world, for that matter).

I also wanted to let my friends and family know (i.e., those of you who read the blog), that if you ever need a unique gift for a little one, I'd love for you to check out my shop or let me know. I love making custom things, too, so if you have an idea for something that you'd like, just ask. I'm pretty sure I can make it happen for you.

Who knows? Maybe this little adventure could allow me to "work" from home doing something that I actually love. Well, there's nothing I could love more than the work for raising my daughter, but you get my drift.

We have a walker!

She did it. Mary Ellen took a few steps on her own tonight. We'd seen a few running steps over the past few weeks. You know, the kind that are taken between two pairs of open arms but aren't technically "walking."

Tonight, though, just after Grandma had gotten settled in for her visit, our little girl turned to go over to Brian and oh-so-casually let go of the coffee table and toddled on over to her Daddy.

Who knew it was just that easy?

Way to go, baby girl. We're very, very proud of you!

Trip updates, etc

I've been bad. I know.

I don't know where the summer has gone, but it dawned on me that I've not written about the 10-day trip that Mary Ellen and I took to IL/MO/IA last month. So here goes:

 We were able to celebrate with Amy and Chris at Jenson's baptism. It was a nice little ceremony, and my godson did quite well. The kids were just getting reacquainted at this point.

 Mary Ellen got to meet her other Great Grandma Mary. We celebrated Grandma's birthday with a BBQ after the annual Knepper Open. I wish we could make it back for this weekend every year - it was so good to reconnect with everyone.

 Aw, Uncle Mike and Aunt Nicki. We miss you!

 By the end of the 10-day trip, Mary Ellen and Jenson were quite used to each other. They're going to be pretty good pals, these two.

My Little Animal

Mary Ellen's latest trick is to do little "actions" for many of the animals in her jungle animals puzzle. I can't believe she let me capture it on video.

More 1st Birthday Fun

I realized today that if I was planning to add more updates from Mary Ellen's first birthday extravaganza that I'd better do it before August 15 when she will officially become a 13-month old. Here are a few more pics from her birthday weekend:

For the final event on Mary Ellen's actual birthday, we took her to Willow Tree Cafe, a family favorite. This German restaurant features a polka band on Friday and Saturday nights, and our little dancer was delighted by the music. Jenson was delighted with the spaetzle, but then aren't we all?

On the Saturday after her birthday, we hosted a little BBQ for family and some close friends. We really tried to keep is simple, but there were a few special decorations for Mary Ellen. She (like I'm sure all babies are) is infatuated with the balloons at the supermarket. So what better decoration than the largest balloon I could find? Seriously, this thing was enormous. And she loved it!

I put together a quick timeline made of Mary Ellen's monthly photos. It still amazes me that the first year is already over.

Amy and I tried our hands at a cupcake menagerie. Aren't they cute? Don't worry, Amy. I won't show any pictures of the pig-lions.

Mary Ellen was somewhat interested in her little birthday cake, but she wasn't thrilled by any means. She tried a little bit of the frosting, smeared a little on her face, and then declared, "Dow-Doh.: (Translation: All done.)

Fun times with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Matt!

Part 1 of what I hope will become a birthday tradition: 1-year-old Mary Ellen in my Cards jersey. It's hard to believe that someday she'll fill it out.