Father's Day 2009-Summers first beach trip

For Father's Day we headed to the beach. Summer LOVED the sand and water. She is a little dare devil and would laugh as the waves crashed on her. With this being said, as always the suntan lotion or bag full of stuff to get into was way more fun than any water play or toys!!! I think the most memorable time of the beach was when Summer decided she was "ALL DONE" with the beach and started signing "ALL DONE" and saying "NIGHT NIGHT MAMA" NIGHT NIGHT MAMA"

So we put her in the car to head to Grandpa George's house to visit and within 2 minutes she fell asleep. We did visit for a little while, but forgot the camera:(

Splish Splash-Summer's first swim!

We headed to Destin for the weekends to have fun in the sun with the Downen's and to spend time with Steven's family for the Father's Day weekend. Summer had a fantastic time in the pool and the ladybug float was a hit. We start Mommy and me swim lessons on July 6th with Logan Click and Kaley Drawdy and I can't wait as I think its going to be quite an adventure.

To my sweet "Baby Love"

Summer-

Though you may not realize it, but you have TOTALLY changed my world. I often wonder what my life would have turned out like if you had not joined it. Mommy and Daddy wished for you for a LONG time and worked and prayed really hard to finally get you. One day when you are bigger I will explain to you the story of your conception! Over the last 14 months you have done MANY things to bring tears of joy and smiles to my face. I never thought I would be a woman that defined themself by their child, but today I must say that you are my life and I AM SO GRATEFUL for you. Today you made me belly laugh...Not the snicker or giggle kind of laugh, but the true laugh that life is made of. We were snuggling on the couch and you decided you wanted to play in your room. So you climbed down really carefully (like I wouldn't notice) glanced back at me with your innocent blue eyes and you took off crawling faster than I have ever seen you crawl. (Lord knows you wouldn't walk). You headed towards your bedroom...When I came to check on you I saw the funniest thing...A toddler laughing at herself while she danced to the music, then you made your way over to your armoire. You proceeded to pull out all your winter clothes and when you realized I was there with the camera you just laughed at me. Your laugh is such an amazing thing. I can remember just a year ago that your Daddy said to me..."I just can't wait to hear her laughing and playing" Now that you do, it's a wonderful thing. People often ask me "so, when are you going to have another baby?" and my response almost every time is "well, if you had one perfect baby like I do, then you wouldn't always plan for another." So my sweet "Baby Love Summer Elizabeth" thank you...for being just you. I am honored to be your mommy.

Blankets...

Summer loves blankets...lots of blankets. She will wirl and twirl in her blankets for hours if you let her. At night we can hear her in the monitor arranging the blankeys JUST right before she nods off to sleep.

Downat's-Orlando Weekend

We went to Orlando on Friday evening. Summer slept the entire way. She is such an easy car baby. If she isn't sleeping than she gazes out the window singing with her passy in her mouth. People laugh as she is almost 14 months and still in her original carrier. She still loves it. My theory is, "if it ain't broke why fix it."

Aunt Kimmy, Kaitlyn, Summer and I had a theraputic day on Saturday featuring TWO trips to the Cheesecake Factory. It was AWESOME. We shopped and caught up and it was fabulous. Uncle Glenn and Steven went down to Melbourne for the day to "shoot the guns" and pick up the last of our Melbourne belongings. Kind of crazy that we have been in Tallahassee now for almost one full year. I started thinking of all the things about Melbourne I miss...

1. The Downat's crazy weekends before children. (though we are learning to have them with children now...it just takes lots of planning and a resort to amuse everyone:)
2. Leaning Tower of Pizza-the Stromboli is still my favorite food
3. The turtles in the backyard and talking to God on the dock...
4. Our 2 bedroom "shanty" that I complained all 6 years that we owned, but reminisce now about how fond of it I truly was...although I am glad I don't have to mow the 1 acre lot now
5. Indian buffet on Sundays
6. Coconuts in Cocoa Beach..."pain in the ass drinks"
7. Not as much social obligation...although I do LOVE that I get to see my Tally people all the time now.
8. Great friends down there that I never get to see.

Life is rapidly passing us by but we are loving every minute!

Summer Takes A STEP

So my sweet girl FINALLY took her first steps. After much coaxing and clapping Summer took 4 steps toward mom. Although she thoroughly HATES using her walking feet (even to the point of throwing a tantrum) we are still practicing a lot and it seems that one day before she is two she will actually walk on her own. We got her cute new sandals and she likes to "tap" dance with them. She loves to "stroll" her baby in the stroller and is hilarious when she road blocks into the tv stand. She gets VERY serious over the stroller...

Memorial Day Weekend 5/23/09

We headed to Niceville for Friday night and stayed thru Sunday. Steven's parents LOVE Summer and she loves them. It poured all weekend long, but it didn't stop us from shopping and enjoying the company. We got to see Aunt Pam, Uncle Russell and cousin Jessy too. Jessy is heading to South Africa soon so it was extra special eating a wonderful meal with her.

On Monday, Summer and Emily decided that they wanted to try out the princess pool. At first neither one of them was too sure about it. Once they got used to the temperature they loved it. After playing in the pool, the girls decided they wanted to color. Summer got into her chair ALL by herself. OMG what happened to my little itty baby! It's such a blessing that Amy and Emily get to be in Tallahassee for the summer. Meemaw loves to snuggle them both and is in grandmother heaven! Summer's favorite thing is the Barney video that mom plays for her OVER AND OVER :)