EP IL, Day 1

We arrived in Chicago to two great things, 1: a surprise post-baby shower for Scarlett, and 2: deep dish pizza.  I remember the first time Charlie brought me to Chicago, and I realized the pizza has the SAUCE ON TOP and for some reason, this makes it even more delicious. 

At the shower, Scarlett had her first cupcake- with a frosting ladybug, of course.

The airplane ride was A+.  We woke Scar up two hours earlier than normal, and she wasn't even grumpy.  She said 'plane, plane, fly'.  She was excited to come to grandma & grandpa's house for the first time.  We've been warning her that plane rides are for flying, sitting and sleeping.  Plane rides are not a Viking dance party (more on Viking dance parties soon).  And she was great: we had interesting snacks and a few books.  But the guy next to us had an iPad, which he used to take pictures of Scarlett, and she got to use touch-screen, and he didn't mind that she kicked him and climbed on him.  We have another plane ride next week to get home, so I'm hoping Scar is shooting for an A+ average.

Afterwards, she played in Grandma's garden while I took a well-needed 2 hour nap on the futon.  Viking dance parties are exhausting, so I really deserved that sleep.

Shots from Charlie's Birthday Party

For a few blissful months each summer-fall, Charlie and I are the same age.  Until November, when I turn into an older woman again.

This year was was the third, maybe fourth?, annual BBQ in honor of Charlie's birthday.  We had a lot of sun, a kiddie pool, corn-holing (thanks Parkers), crab cakes, and the Blues Brothers.

Birthday Boy

There were some adults there too, but I guess I didn't take pictures of them.

For Charlie's actual, mid-week birthday, we went to Foster Burger.  Have you been there?  It's delicious, they make a mean veggie burger, you should go.  The waitress recognized us from last time.

We went on a date to see Mamma Mia for his birthday gift, and Uncle Tom put Scarlett to bed.  He only had to read her The Runaway Bunny 3 times to get her to fall asleep, whereas I have to read it like a bazillion times when I'm doing bedtime.

And now, we're off to another adventure: Hood to Coast's 30th anniversary.  As if it wasn't horrible enough, they've extended it from 197 to 200 miles.  Ahoy- the Viking Runners are on the move!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER!

I'm at work and don't have a picture of Amber or Lucy to put here.  But here is a picture of Scarlett today, wishing happy birthday to her psuedo auntie.

Mama vs. Scarlett

My mom looked in my baby book.  At 18 months, I was 25 lbs 2 ounces, and 31 inches tall.

I was born at 7 lbs 15 ounces, 20 inches.  Scarlett was 7 lbs even, and 20 1/2 inches (I think, maybe 21 inches?).

18 Month Stats

18 months and 5 days
Weight: 25 pounds, 5 ounces
Height: 33 inches
19 1/4 cm head circumference

And she's eating peanut butter for the very first time, right at this moment.

Countdown to Hood to Coast

Team Nordic Trek is getting ready....

Watch out.  Viking runners will hunt you down...

Watermelon

Facts:

• A watermelon is 92% water
• Watermelon is the most consumed melon, per pound, in the US
• Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide
• Watermelon is a vegetable, related to squash and pumpkins

18 Months

Dear Scarlett,

Today is your 18 month birthday.  You haven't changed as much physically over the last few months- your hair and face and height seem the same, but your mind proves that you're growing.  Every day you're saying new words and phrases.  Yesterday it was 'hold on'.

This was a month of important birthdays.  You've learned the word 'party' and you say it, often.

Hope's birthday party was supposed to be at the Mt. Tabor playground, but it was pouring rain that morning.  So the party was moved indoors, and was a hit.

Dressed fancy for Hope's party

Opening presents

Hope's forest-themed cupcakes

The next weekend, Lucy turned 2. We celebrated at another park on a gorgeous summer day. I'm sorry baby, with a February birthday, you might never get an outdoor party.  But Lucy's was lovely; you ate an obscene amount of strawberries, and ran around chasing balloons.

Next up was Uncle Tom's birthday, celebrated at Foster Burger.

We celebrated Jon's birthday, and had another Foster Burger outing for your dad's birthday*

What else?

• We took you to see the Indigo Girls, your first concert, at the zoo.  You stayed up late that night, danced with cousin Hope, and were a real champ.  
• Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom renewed their vows at the Wahkeena Falls, in a very sweet, informal ceremony.  I'm so glad you were so there to celebrate the occasion.  

In the past month you also:

• Met your cousins CJ and Logan for the first time, when they came to visit from South Carolina*
• Are now able to drink from a cup you hold herself, adult-style
• Gained proficiency with a straw
• Are still sleeping with a sippy cup (every night 'tea, tea')
• Started saying Ramona's name.
• Have been growing out of everything!

Your favorite food starting out this month was blueberries, but this week you aren't so interested in them.  Daddy thinks your favorite food is sunbutter.  I think it's popsicles.  

We have this book, A Flower Pot is Not a Hat, and it describes your days perfectly.  You love playing with my purse and every day when I get home, you run excitedly to the door.  Mama mama, you say.  And once I step inside, you say 'purse, purse'.  You take each item out and examine it, use the hand lotion, try to open the mirror.  Mama's purse is not a toy...but if you play with it, it is.

You've learned so many words but my favorite is 'borrow', which you said about 30 times on a trip home from the library.  Daddy taught you to say 'octapus'.

Your daddy and I love you more than anything.  

Mama

*Events worthy of their own blog post