Playing Catch-up

First and foremost - HAPPY FIRST FATHER'S DAY TO LOUIE! We definitely had a fantastic time celebrating his first father's day weekend. It actually worked out that I was so busy, because he got a lot of quality daddy/daughter time with Josie - including an exciting trip to the zoo so they could see the new giraffes! As you'll see in the video at the very bottom - they also got in some quality Wii Fit time. As it turns out, Josie loves to hula hoop (see below). All in all, it was a great father's day. I made a shutterfly book for Louie with all the photos of him with Josie over these past 10 months. It's like a storybook that he can read to her since he does storytime every night. It was definitely a chance for us to both look back and reflect on how much our lives have changed now that we are parents. We both feel so grateful and so fortunate.
On Father's Day we met my dad & mom at Dewey's (YUM). As usual, Josie had a fantastic time being entertained by her grandparents. Grandma even gave up her seat next to Josie so Granddaddy could sit with her. Josie was even more amazed by him than usual. She just sat and stared and smiled at him all night. Here they are playing after dinner.
Notice - we've given up on shoes for the summer. Who needs 'em?! (Like mother, like daughter I suppose.)
And I had to include this photo because it cracks me up. Before mom & dad arrived, Josie was entertaining the servers by clapping, waving, squealing, and dropping her toys so they would repeatedly pick them up. This is definitely her "who me?" face.
Okay, on to things that have been going on around the house lately. These days it's all about pulling up, standing, and cruising along the furniture. I really think she'll take off walking in the next month or so.

Although she's not standing completely unsupported just yet, she definitely is a lot more "courageous" when she's busy with something. If she's occupied or really into something, she'll walk or stand with a lot less support.
Oh - and another funny thing (video coming soon) is her alligator push toy. She can totally do it on her own but you have to be touching her. It's a flash forward to learning how to ride a bike. If she thinks you're going to let go, she just sits down. If you just put a pinky finger on her, she goes full steam ahead. Hilarious.

Now on to another new toy around the house. Actually it's an old toy. Or at least a replica of an old toy. Meet Mrs. Beasley:

She was my favorite doll ever when I was a little girl. (From the tv show Family Affair.) I loved her and took her everywhere. I can remember my Grandma telling me stories about how much I loved that doll. So, when my mom saw that you could buy replica Mrs. Beasley dolls, she bought one for what, at the time, was "the little girl I was going to have" since it was before Josie was even born. I must admit, when I opened that big pink box and saw Mrs. Beasley and thought about myself carrying her around as a little girl, I totally sat there and cried at the thought of "one day" having a daughter of my own to carry around the doll. I kept Mrs. B in her box until Josie was bigger. A couple of weekends ago, my mom suggested that we get her out because Josie has been into stuffed animals with animated faces (i.e. cookie monster). Plus we knew she'd love the fact that the doll "talks" to her. Mrs. Beasley was an instant hit! Josie adores her. She claps her hands, plays with her hair, gives her kisses, and swings her around. Here she is just before she gave Mrs. Beasley her first clapping lesson.

And, I really do have to mention that, hmmm...how do I say this...there are definitely people out there (who shall remain nameless) that find Mrs. Beasley to be a wee bit scary. Suffice it to say, dolls look a little differently these days than they did 25 years ago. And, Josie loves her so that's all that matters, right?!

Okay - one last random photo from the week before I move on to the video. Only because I think it's funny. Chalk it up as one of those moments where the kind of parents we are hits us right in the face. Check out our "naked" baby wearing nothing but her chlorine-free, unbleached diaper, sitting on the floor reading "Eco Babies Wear Green." Need I say more?

And finally - a video for your enjoyment. Louie will not be pleased that this is on the blog, but by the time he notices it, it will be too late (plus he doesn't have my password). Check out Josie and Louie getting some exercise in with the new Wii Fit. She loves hula hooping (and apparently her dad does, too). Enjoy!