We sang at chuch Sunday morning, and you played in the nursery with Jimmiqua… You and Jimmiqua always join me to sing the last song!
After church and nap, you had a FANTASTIC time playing with Symon!! Thanks Symon! You’re the best!
When your time playing together was almost over, I asked Daddy if he had taken any pictures. He said, “Not yet. But don’t worry. There is no shortage of laughter!” Looks like he was right!
A family outing to dunkin donuts to start off the day
‘Mama! Look! Everybody’s Sleepin!”
Strong Museum with your good friend Marlie Moo
Look who we bumpted into! It’s Missy, Jack and Lennon! What a treat!
Shopping at Wegman’s for kids… You even got to push your OWN cart!
Today’s sweet word was “Mommy El e PAnt!!” (pronounced just like that!) And “Mama, Elmo on PT peas?” (You call the TV the PT… it’s very sweet.) After your Daddy and I told you that you asked so nicely, you got this HUGE coy grin on your face. You are a trip!!
You are doing such heart-melting things, I just have to tell you about them!
For example, you LOOVE to be naked! And as soon as you are down to your diaper, you smile REALLY big and say “Pretty Baby!” as you pat yoursefl on your tummy. (You used to say “Baby Body!”) You truly are a pretty baby! Inside and out!!
Playing with the neighbor kids on New Year’s Day
Tonight, while we were snuggling before you fell asleep, you slowly leaned over to me and gave me the sweetest kiss on the lips, then moved back, and then another on my nose, and then moved back, and then another on my ear, and then on my eye, and then on my cheek… each time leaning away and smiling at me in between. You finished with one more sweet kiss on my lips, and then laid back on your pillow.
Playing with your new Choo Choo Train… Daddy helped you set it up during a Michigan football game… Go Blue!
We have SUCH a great time at bedtime! You pull my shirt up a bit to lay on my belly and you say “Belly!”, then you look up to my face and say HI and then you look away and say BYE BYE and back and forth and back and forth. I zerbert your neck, and you zerbert my belly, and we giggle and giggle.
Making blueberry muffins
Let’s see… other fun things you are doing these days…
You are working on counting to three. As you are standing down the hallway from me, you’ll yell TWO Free (you skip “one”), and you come a-running with arms outstretched… You barrell into me, and we both fall over and laugh. Then you get back up and go do it again. I say, One, and you say Two and something that sounds like three, and off you go!
Drawing together
I’m sorry I haven’t taken many pictures of you lately. I have had some big paper deadlines, so you and I haven’t gone on as many adventures these past couple of weeks… I miss them. Soon, I hope.
Just to be clear, this was YOUR outfit of choice, not mine. 🙂
And then you were reading your Hair book:
Your Daddy did take you for a little Daddy-Daughter time yesterday (Thursday) as he didn’t have to work until 7pm. You did a little Target shopping together, and then you played on the big soft play area like we used to do when you were very little. Daddy said you were much more aware of the other kids this time – you did a lot of watching them.
Tomorrow Aunti Judi and Uncle Jim are going to pick you up for a visit to the Strong National Museum of Play! You’re going to have lunch with them there, and then you’ll come home to me for a nap. They want to have a little alone time with you. I will give them some (what you and I call) “bubbly juice” (gingerale) to give you in case you need a little cheering up as you leave our house. Sometimes saying bye-bye to Mommy isn’t the easiet thing.
Then on Sunday, our neighbor friend Simon is going to come over to play with you after your nap. Daddy and/or Mommy will still be here, but Simon is learning her baby sitting skills (I think she is about 11 or so), and she is really looking forward to playing with you.
I’ll try to post some pictures of the weekend later.
I love you Sweet Pea! Happy Dreams…
*Mommy
2006 has been an absolutely AMAZING YEAR – mostly because of you! I cannot begin to tell you how much I LOVE being your Mom!! In one year, you grew hair and many teeth and went from one word, “Duck,” to so many wonderful words (tomato, bath, opposites, alrighty, adios, more lights, where are you?)! You have so much personality, so much spirit, so much tenderness and so much warmth. You are so talented and smart. Your Daddy and I say everyday how wonderfully special and beautiful you are! We love you!!
In 2006, Daddy graduated from nursing school and worked half of the year at the ICU. He is SUCH a great nurse, and he loves it. His patients are SO BLESSED to have him as their nurse. We could not be prouder of him or happier for him. He’s been working many night shifts lately (7pm – 7am) – a shift he likes because he can give his patients extra TLC and attention.
This past year, I’ve continued my work toward tenure as a university professor. I was given a semester off to work on my research, and I’ve made good progress. I thoroughly love my job – almost all aspects of it -teaching my courses for pre-service science teachers, my research with science teachers, and running clubs and camps for middle school kids. This year we had about 110 people at our Science STARS conference – 20 middle school girls from a city school shared their science investigations from the semester. I am so blessed to work with amazing colleagues and a Dean who I respect and trust completely.
We live in a WONDERFUL neighborhood filled with so many wonderful friends! Susie goes for walks with you and me all the time. Roz, Katie and Collin went apple picking with us, and we hang out with them on a regular basis. Hannah and her family have been so welcoming and loving since we moved in, as have Sam, Lydia and their parents! Laura and Alan continue to be dear friends. Joe and Martha stop and chat with us at the end of many work days… the list goes on and on… we are blessed indeed…
And this year we have been so thankful for the time we’ve been able to spend with friends who are also dear framily to us: Jim and Judi. 2006 was a year where they were able to be there for us, and we were able to be there for them. As just ONE of MANY examples, when Grandma Elloise died, they were here puddle-jumping and book-reading with us! They have also had life-changing challenges as Judi faced and BEAT cancer – and we are able to love them through many of these times. They are and will always be so dear to us.
And, finally we are so grateful for our family – our foundation and ongoing support who will always be so important to our lives! Grandma and Grandpa Luehmann came all the way from Minnesota to take care of you when I had to be away at a business conference; Grandma & Grandpa Tatro made the trip to celebrate Daddy’s graduation, Auntie Amy, Uncle Hakon and Cousin Elisabeth were again hosts for our annual Seattle adventure, and Uncle Mark & Aunt Bi (and Buster) were wonderful hosts for all of us at the Luehmann family Christmas. We didn’t get to see Uncle Matt this year, but we think of him often and pray for him along with all of our family members every night. We love you all dearly!!
What a wonderful year!
God is good. God is certainly good.
Last night, we had a Christmas dinner with Auntie Judi and Uncle Jim – always such a special time.
Today Jimmiqua helped us decorate cookies…
And then tonight, we headed over to Hannah’s for a neighborhood New Year’s Eve party. We were only there for about an hour (it was past your bedtime), but we had a BLAST!
The Luehmann Family Christmas was hosted by Uncle Mark, Aunti Bi and Buster in Jackson Michigan. We got to make a quick day trip up to Grandma & Grandpa Tatro’s. You and I went on Monday, and Daddy joined us on Friday. We drove home together on Christmas Day (Monday). It was such a special week – watching you reconnect with each and every family member. Check out all of these special photographs!!
December 19
These are Grandpa and Grandma’s feet… yours are there too – just inside the tent:
Here you are showing Buster a picture of you and your friends:
December 20
A trip to the children’s library with Grandma and Grandpa
The best bath ever!
Playing
Ice cream for BREAKFAST?!? 🙂
Can’t wait to meet you little Tiba!!
December 21
Hanging with Aunti Bi
the portable DVD player – what a hit!
Drawing with Aunti Amy on her tablet
This was the result – your masterpiece:
December 22
Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Tatro on Saturday (12.23)
Back at Bi and Mark’s (and Buster’s!)
December 24
A special Christmas dinner…
Christmas Day – time to say goodbye
Today we picked up Jimmiqua for an outing to Rochester’s Public Market.
Included in our adventures were…
A free sleigh ride… check out those BIIIG horsies!! Neigh, indeed!!
Jimmiqua got to pet the horse – she was very excited!
We checked out an alpaca who was there visiting…
After walking around a bit more, we had a cookie from John Jon’s Bakery and split a taco from another little shop.
All in all, a good time was had by all.
Last night our YMCA had a Christmas Family Night, so you and I went to check it out. We played in the gym a while climbing up to a loft, sliding down a slide, playing with balls and hoops, and hanging on the trapeez.
Then we colored a Christmas tree together with ALL the bells and whistles – pom pons, glitter, colored ornaments – the whole bit!
We played “hoop the cone with the wreath,” and then….
Santa Came!! You were not so sure about him(which is fine by me), but he gave you a candy cane and you LOVED that!
We were given a new (gently used) book to bring home.
What a fun time!
Oh boy! Do we have some catching up to do!!! Let’s see, so much has happened since I last wrote you. Let me list some things now, and I will add pictures soon.
New words: Opposites, Auntie Amy, hippopotomus,
Your first school fieldtrip on a BUS
Sledding in the “snow”
The museum with Marlie, her Dad and your Daddy
The Strong Museum and dinner with Aunt Judi & Uncle Jim
Neighbors Laura and Alan checking in…
We went shopping yesterday – on the day after Thanksgiving – CRAZINESS.
We did find a couple good deals, but I’m not convinced it’s worth the chaos. I couldn’t find you and Daddy for 5-10 minutes, and we were in the same section of the store!!
Anyway… one great find was a pair of black boots for Mama… You found a new playmate with the VERY cute kid in the mirror! Check it out!!
And the result of our boot shopping effort?
New Boots for Mama! Thank you!!
