Today it was a little too quiet down stairs and I was wondering what Arden was up to so I peered down the stair and she was quietly sitting on the couch. This is first time that she has climbed upon the couch by herself. She was sitting there going through the mail. She litterally was opening up the bills. I redirected her and went back to cleaning the upstairs.

A few mintues later it was really quiet and I came into the room and this is what I found.

Now this made me laugh because this is what I look like once Arden goes to bed. I relax with a magazine or book, something to drink and I watch a little tv. She had turned the tv on and watching Clifford the Big Red Dog, reading my Parents magazine and she had her juice within reach.

Adventures in Eating Out

We just got back from eating out and there are two things that stick out in my mind that I just had to blog about.

The first is we had to wait for a table (which is not a shock especially on a Saturday night). Right around the time they told us our table would be ready Dave went to check on the placement of our name on the list. The last time we were at Maggiano's they skipped over our name and it took us forever to get seated. We were compensated that time for our wait and was taken very good care of by our waiter but I digress. So as Dave is waiting to talk to the host the man in front of him asks the host to be seated and was told the time amount and apparently this wasn't satisfactory to the man because he slipped the host a $20 (obviously he wasn't as slick as he thought because Dave was able to watch the whole thing take place). The host then helped Dave and told us there was only one person in front of us.

Dave came back to the wait area and told me what happened we watched the man who slipped the host a $20 and he was seated before us!!! How frustrating!! There was one other couple seated and then us so we didn't wait much longer but how many people went in before us just because they have a some cash burning obvious holes in their pockets.

The next event happened at the table. Arden was in the middle of eating her dinner and all of a sudden she puts her head to her shoulder (imagine holding a telephone between your ear and shoulder) and just starts talking to herself and at the same time feeding herself with her fork. This continues for a couple of minutes. I couldn't stop laughing. I guess she's seen me eating and talking on the phone at the same time.

Refreshed

Today has been a day of refreshing for me. Dave has had Arden all day so I can run errands and take time for myself without having to chase her around or clean her up. He's also spoiling me by taking me out to dinner tonight.

I must say after a couple of hours I feel like I can tackle anything but I must say I do miss my little sidekick.

In the Neighborhood

Today as we were on our way back from the park and we stopped at one of our neighbor's house to chat. The lady's house we stopped at is deaf and she teaches the children in the neighborhood sign language and we learned some new signs today. Arden's friend Coleman was there. He is 4 and really good with Arden. He loves to show Arden new things around his house or at the park.

Today Coleman wanted to show Arden the birds in Mrs. Betty's bird feeder. While they were walking in the grass Coleman put some wildflowers in Arden's hair. It was so sweet. As we were talking about was great pictures this moment would make I remembered I had my camera with me.

Arden came home and took a nap with the flowers in her hair. When she woke up she checked to make sure they were still there. They were a little wilted and kept falling out of her hair but she kept putting them back in until she finally forgot about them.

Pretty in Pink

I realized that I haven't posted any pictures of Arden in her Easter dress. She was so pretty in her pink dress but I'm a little bias so you'll just have to judge for yourself.

Aiken Steeplechase

This past Saturday we headed back to Aiken for the annual Steeplechase. The event draws about 30,000 people and is so much fun. We went every year that we lived in Aiken and have since traveled back every year. It is a great opportunity for us to see all of our friends and make some great family memories.

Arden was really intrigued by all of the horses. There are mounted police officers riding throughout the event and Arden was able to pet the horses. She wasn't shy and laughed as the horse would turn its head.

During the first race I was holding Arden and the horses came by going to the paddocks and she started signing "more". She wasn't prepared for the speed of the horses. We were right on the rail where the horses run and we could hear the thunder of the hooves pounding on the ground and the horses came running past us. She jumped so high in my arms. As soon as we saw the horses they were gone. Arden started signing "more" and saying it at the same time. She loved it.

Dave and her watched the carriage parade and she really liked watching the horses pull the carriages. The people are dressed in traditional ridding clothes and several had their dogs in their laps. Arden signed "more" every time a new horse and buggy would come out. She enjoyed herself so much. She did crash during the last race and took a 45 minute nap. She ran the fields and would go up to everyone she saw and said hi. I definitely got a workout trying to keep up with her.

I am so glad we took the time to drive to Aiken it was well worth the trip and Dave and I really enjoyed catching up with our friends.

Arden tailgating before the races.

Daddy provides a much better view of everything.

Pointing out the horses as they go by heading towards the paddocks.

As people are packing up and heading out...Arden is still full steam ahead. Running through the field.

He's Risen!!!

Egg-Tastic

Today we celebrated Good Friday by coloring Easter eggs and hiding them in the yard for Arden to find.

I wasn't sure as I prepared the egg dye that this would be such a good idea. I thought would she like it? Would she even get into it or just make one very colorful mess that I didn't want necessary want to clean up off of Arden, the kitchen floor or myself.

I couldn't have been more wrong. She had a great time. She was very cautious at first except she would toss the eggs into the bowls. Luckily the bowls were deep enough that the dye didn't splash out too much. By the end of her dozen eggs she was stirring the dye and picking her eggs out of the dye very carefully so she didn't spill any. I can't believe that my little baby is now a little girl enjoying learning and doing new things.

After her dye job she went outside to hunt for Easter eggs in our yard. She got a kick out of it. The way that she carries the basket is so fun. She swings it through her arm, puts it upon her shoulder, bends her elbow and puts her hand behind her head. It is too much. I just loved watching her. When she picks up the eggs she just tosses them into the basket. There is no gently putting the eggs in her basket. I don't think she would be very good at collecting egg for a farmer.

Here are some great pictures and short clips of the day.

Getting ready to color eggs by putting on an old t-shirt of Daddy's.

Tagged

I have been tagged by my friends Candice and Stephanie to provide 7 random facts about me. I really had to think about some things about me that are unique.

Here are the rules for both:
When tagged place the name of the person that tagged you and URL on your blog.
Write 7 random facts about yourself.
Name 7 bloggers that you are tagging.

1. I talk to myself out loud. Well its not that loud but to remember things or focus on something I will talk aloud to myself. I do it quite often expecailly when I'm trying to do more than 3 things at one time but I try to catch myself doing it in public.

2. I love change but hate the intial thought of having to change. Once I make the change I love it. I have a hard time letting go but once I do I love the feeling of changing things around.

3. I love shoes. I love shopping and trying on shoes. If I'm in a bad mood or having a rough day I can go try on shoes without even buying a pair and feel better. I have no idea why but I love shoes.

4. I often forget to take my cell phone with me. I think it's because I was on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 8 years for my job. Now I know that I don't have to respond to an emergency and I just don't think about taking my phone with me.

5. I'm a news junkie. I like to know what's going on in the world and how effects me. I read the news online and like to watch the news at night. I like to have an educated opinion about the things going on around me. I also find in extremly important to know what is facing our city, state and nation and to vote accordingly.

6. I enjoy a good nap on Sunday afternoons after church. There is something about napping on the the day of rest that leaves me feeling refreshed and ready for the week.

7. I "watch" the Young and the Restless. Well I actually don't watch it because I don't have the time but I do read the daily updates online. I like to know what's going on in Genoa City. Not much has changed in the past 3o years but I still like to know what's happending.

I'm tagging:
1. Tim and Laura
2. Amy
3. Stephanie Carroll
4 .Kevin
5. Becca
6. Heather
7. Libba

Just Like Her Daddy

This weekend we were in WV visiting our families and my dad wanted to see if Arden could reach the petals of her tricycle. As I ran outside to put something in the car Arden and her Grandpa were riding through the house.

When I came back inside this is what I saw.

Now, I believe that Janet has a picture of Dave as a child getting a bike for Christmas with a similar expression as Arden's face. Dave loves riding his bike and Arden was having a great time being pushed around the house. I can't wait for family bike rides. I have a feeling there are some great memories yet to come.

She still has a little growing to do before her feet touch but I have a feeling that she will strain to try and get those tippy toes to reach. I can just tell that she will love riding her tricycle through the neighborhood park.

Girls vs Boys

The other day some of my friends and I were discussing diapers. The thing that I found interesting was that those of us with girls all preferred Pampers and those with boys preferred Huggies. The one in the room that a boy and a girl preferred Pampers for her daughter and Huggies for her son.

So what about you? What are your preferences when it comes to diapers? Is there a difference between boys and girls?

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mom's birthday and while I didn't get a chance to see her that often she is always just a phone call away and if I'm really needy or desperate she'll be here by the end of the day.

She's always got advice for me and she loves not only me but her little granddaughter too. Her and Arden are always up to something and will pretty much give Arden whatever she wants. She has a special closet for Arden to "shop" in when we go home. She always gives the perfect gifts and knows what I'll need.

Arden loves talking to her on the phone and most of the time will just chit-chat on and on. Everytime the phone rings Arden thinks it's her on the phone. Arden gets excited to see her when we pull into their driveway.

She probably doesn't remember her real age and I try not to remember for her. I've learned a lot from her and am glad that she's my mom.

Happy Birthday Mom.

Life in the City

Today Arden and I headed uptown for lunch with Dave. Dave works 11am to 8 am today and has lunch at 3 pm. So that makes today a great day to meet him for lunch. The lunch traffic has already came and left and the rush hour has yet to start.

This was the first day in about 3 months since I've had Arden uptown and she took it all in her eye were wide with excitement and she just couldn't turn her head fast enough to take in all of the sights.

I also saw the city in a new way today, through the eyes of a child. I saw construction worker doing various jobs, business men and women in suit hustling down the streets. I saw tourist taking in the city and lots of cars and people.

The best part was when Arden saw Dave walk into her view she screamed and then she was so excited that she couldn't sit still. It was a nice change of pace for us to head into the city for lunch.

Reading at Night

Last night Arden did not want to go to bed and Dave and I were already in bed and the lights were off in the house. Arden is stirring in her room and she kept turning her aquarium mobile on every 10 minutes. I couldn't believe that she hadn't fallen asleep yet.

Finally, I heard her crinkling her cloth book in her bed and realized that she was sitting under her aquarium which lights up reading her book and will automatically shut off every 10 minutes. I whispered to Dave "she's reading." We both laughed. I can envision the nights in a few years where she's laying in bed with her flashlight reading while she's supposed to be sleeping.

Question of the Week

Why is it that you can throw a very messy bib into the washing machine without caring if it comes clean and it is always spotless but throw in a piece of nice baby clothing with a little bit of food on the sleeve or shoulder and it won't come out...even if you pre-treat it?

My Little Big Girl

I just love these pictures of Arden. She is growing up way too fast.

What a Fun Day

Arden and I had a great day today. We started the morning off at bible study where I was able to spends some time with my friends and she was able to play upstairs with a few of her favorite kids her age. During lunch the kids headed outside for a picnic on the deck (it was gorgeous here today) and played out on the swing. Arden loved every minute of it. You could hear her laughter across the yard.

Afterwards we headed home and Arden took a very short nap while I worked and then we ran some errands. When we got home Arden helped me unload the car and put up items in the house. Arden is a great helper and enjoys going through the bags.

I made a great dinner with homemade peach salsa and I must say that it was very delicious. Arden and I ate dinner together for once. She even asked for broccoli which she normally doesn't eat. She really liked it tonight. So another great food to add to her list of things she likes. After dinner Arden entertained my family on the telephone.

I had to laugh so hard during her bath. As I was filling up the tub she threw in a bunch of her bath toys which when I put them in there she normally throws them right back out but tonight she was a little feisty in the tub. She was turning up her bath cups and pouring them out. Eventually she poured a cup right on her face and she looked at me and started laughing and did this until the bath was over. It was great to know that she's not going to cry when water gets in her face. The pool should be a lot of fun and hopefully I will be able to teach her some basic swimming techniques this summer.

Now I'm off to rest before tomorrow when she is ready to do it all over again.

Happy Birthday Grammy!

Today is Arden's Grammy's birthday. Arden enjoys spending time with her when we visit. In the mornings they play together with Arden's dolls and then hang out together throughout the day.

We have been blessed to have Janet come and stay with us for a couple of weeks last year during Arden's first year. We were also able to go on vacation to the beach with her and Craig this past year. Dave's mom is an amazing cook and she enjoys making wonderful meals for her family. She always had good medical advice and is an encouragement to me. I am lucky to have a great mother-in-law.

Happy Birthday Grammy.

Little Miss Independant

This morning as Dave was heading out for work. I ran out with him to grab Arden's car seat that was in Dave's car to put it in my car. Arden was standing at the front door watching us and waving bye-bye to her daddy.

As Dave was pulling out of the drive and as I was buckling in her car seat into my car. Dave saw Arden wave bye-bye and then shut the front door. He saw her little fingers on the window sill as he pulled into the street. He couldn't see her through the window because she's not tall enough. Within a minute I was back in the house and she was heading over towards her books and toys happy as a bug in a rug. This our normal routine in the mornings when Dave leaves for work waving bye-bye at the door, the watching from the window and then reading.

I guess today she was ready to spend the day by herself.

Question of the Week

Why does March have to come in like a lamb?

It's been cold here for the past week but March 1st & 2nd have been beautiful close to 70 degrees. I was ready to get all of the cold weather over with instead of warming up and getting cold and windy again. Ah...time will tell if March will go out like a lion.

Sleeping and Streakin'

Arden has been streaking in her sleep. Several nights/mornings we have checked in on Arden and she has unzipped her sleeper in her sleep. I'm not sure if she's hot or just wanting to unzip her sleeper.