Toddler Fun Day!

Being one year old is so much fun for Shannon AND for mommy and daddy! Now that Shannon is walking and growing up she is so much more interested in everything!  We are able to take her out to do more activities where she can participate.

Today our park district hosted a Family Toddler Day. The rec center was filled with all kinds of activities for kids under 5.  One room had children from the dance classes performing tap, ballet and jazz routines. For a baby who loves to dance this was a special treat and she couldn't take her eyes off the dancers while clapping with the music!

Outside was a petting zoo with goats, lambs, and other small barn animals.  Since we haven't been to the zoo yet Shannon has only known animals in books and I think she wasn't sure what to make of it all!  She did get a little brave and pet a goat or two.  It was really chilly and windy so I'm guessing that may have been a factor as well. 

Inside there was a music room with instruments, bells, and all kinds of sound makers to play with. This she loved!  She didn't look back at us once and could have played all day.  I signed up to be on the mailing list and we won a gift certificate for a future class.  We will be able to start class in the fall, can't wait!

March Favorites

I have always thought of March as a pretty low key boring month, so it's no surprise that I don't have much to share for this month. Here are a few random pictures. 

Shannon loves this chair she received for her birthday from her "great" Aunt Anita, my mom's sister  This chair once belonged to a great aunt of mine, then Anita, and now she is passing it on to Shannon.  I love things like this!  The chair is a little wobbly, certainly doesn't meet the safety standards of today, so it has taken Shannon a while to maneuver her way on and off it. In this  picture she is showing off her "i can get off by myself skills"!

Grandpa thought it would be fun to take Shannon for a horsey back ride (with grandma holding on of course).  At first, for about 10 seconds, she thought it was fun. Then, not so much and wanted to get off.  She doesn't care much for things that are different..hmm..... I wonder where she gets that from? 

Asleep in her new facing forward big girl car seat. Now that she is 1 year and 20 pounds (just barely my little skinny minny) she can have her car seat facing forward. She really likes the new view and I like how she falls asleep in it so easily! 

On this day we visited Shannon's friends Blythe who is 2 and her sister Eliza who is only 2 months old! Their momis my good friend Lisa. Shannon loved all Blythe's big girl toys, especially the Bee Bop Band with a drum, cymbals and fun sound making pieces. Of course Shannon now has a Bee Bop Band of her own!

Enjoying all the new colors, textures and shapes in the pantry.... this keeps her busy for a long time. I have rearranged items to put unbreakable and safe ones within her reach. 

Uncle Mike and Aunt Jen

With Spring approaching we have had a few nice sunny days to enjoy the weather outside.  On this day Uncle Mike and Aunt Jen came for a visit.  Shannon loves anyone who will walk up and down the sidewalk with her (she thinks the sidewalk is the greatest thing ever!). I wonder how long that will last? These are her first experiences as a walker in the spring. Last year at this time she was only 1 month old! 

 

Uncle Mike was a big hit that day!  He let her play in the bed of his pick up and she was more than happy to run around in it with her favorite toy these days, a water bottle!  Thanks Uncle Mike!

March 17, 2009

Today is St. Patrick's Day. For this very Irish holiday I had envisioned my little irish baby Shannon Kelly to be wearing green and taking adorable pictures of her!  Well, this year that did not happen.  Shannon was sick and I was too.  Todd would soon become sick and we traded it back and forth for weeks! It was really not pleasant at all. 

We are very fortunate that for the most part Shannon has not been sick.  This day was monumental however in the life of a 1 year old! We had been weaning her off of formula with a combo of milk and formula and today is the first day she is completely drinking whole milk!