Gym rat.

The little one’s always loved the gym. I guess she comes by it naturally with a momma who played college volleyball and a dada who played college baseball and now coaches every sport possible. Remember these gym pics from way back?

Well, she still loves being in the gym. She went from a little baby in an old high school gym {above} to a little girl in a new, shiny, high school gym {below.}

I’ve taken her to see my college volleyball’s team play twice now. She sits for two hours just watching in awe at the game. It’s her little heaven: balls, noise, clapping, music, and a crowd to wave to.

I couldn’t get her to look away from the team warming up to take a picture. This was as good as I could get…

The college mascot, Ezry, snapped the little one’s pic – too cute!

Here’s a quick clip of her in awe…

I won’t hide it; it makes me happy that she loves being in the gym as much as Eugene & I do! :)

Nap time woes.

The little one has always required me to hold/rock/cuddle/pat her to sleep since she was born. We tried numerous ways to get around this, to teach her to fall asleep on her own, but inevitable they always resulted in her crying until she made herself physically sick. The last two weeks, we’ve slowly made progress to where she’s able to fall asleep laying on a pillow next to use, and we then transfer to her crib. Still an ordeal, but better than having to hold her constantly for 45 minutes or so. {Don’t get me wrong, I love my cuddle time with her, but I also want her to learn to sleep without me.}

The other night I even managed to get her to fall asleep on her own in her crib. Albeit, there was lots of rubbing her back and playing with her hair, but nonetheless she went from awake to asleep in her crib! This was definitely a high-five moment for Eugene & me!

However, we’re still fighting the battle. Check out this funny 15 second glimpse of a nap time fail…

I’ve watched it probably 20 times, and I laugh every time! She is something else!

My little fish.

I mentioned in my last post that the little one has gone from being absolutely terrified of swimming and even just getting near water {other than the bath}, to now just happily jumping into the pool with us! She even sat in the sand at the beach while the water splashed on her – big strides! I couldn’t get the Instagram video back {but it’s posted still on Instagram, so feel free to request to follow me}, so I took a little montage to share here…

She was so entertained by placing each pool noodle in & out of the pool. She’s pretty methodical as a one-year-old already. I’m curious to see how this trait emerges as she gets older.

I’m so proud of my little fish!

The little one visits the pond.

We had to run to my parents’ place {they have 40 acres of farm land and a pond by their home}, so I begged Eugene to let me bring the pup with us. I grabbed my girl, the pup, and my camera and we headed out to enjoy a little piece of nature together.

My parents have planted some fruit trees. Apples…

Cherries…

Peaches…

They also have a few grape vines…

Isn’t it amazing how tiny vines can curl so tightly on their own…

There’s one tree that kind of sits near the back center of the 40 acres, affectionately called the lone oak…

When we got married on this land, I specifically asked our photographer to capture us with the lone oak in the background, and it’s one of my absolute favorite photos…

Okay, back to reality. The pup LOVES the pond. He loves swimming, chasing, diving, and running. He is in doggy heaven when we take him to my parents…

The little one isn’t so sure about large areas of water – pool, pond – not a fan.

Eventually she warmed up to it, and even ventured to squeeze some mud through her fingers. {The girl loves anything gooey.}

They had a little patch of wheat that had yet to be harvested, so I snapped a pic. I love wheat {you can see why from the photo from my wedding day above and read a hint of it here.}

Lastly, I snapped a few pics of bees & lavender on our way back inside. My parents keep bees {I’ve mentioned it here & here before.}

The little one loves being outside. And I love that she loves being surrounded by God’s creation, in pure beautiful nature. That makes my heart full.

*

Ut ut ut oh.

Maybe I’m “that” mom. The one that posts annoying videos of her child that no one other than her would enjoy. I know I’m the one that posts an overload of photos, but that’s why I have a blog rather than clogging everyone’s Facebook feeds. I digress.

Sorry if this video’s annoying, but to me it’s an instant smile. The little one’s newest favorite phrase is “ut ut ut oh.” She’ll say “ut oh”, but usually she stutters/repeats the beginning and really emphasizes the end so it ends up sounding like “ut ut ut oooooh.”

I think anything said in a little child’s voice is cute. There’s something sweet and simple about little kids’ voices. You just have to listen and smile. Proverbs 16:23 says, “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” {I love that verse.} I think it’s true about a child’s voice too. Sweet to my soul.

More dancing.

We’ve had a lot of dinners at the baseball field lately.

We’re not fair-weather fans…

But for the most part, the weather’s been gorgeous, and the little one loves being at baseball games so it’s a win-win {and hopefully a win for the team too!}

It’s usually a family affair – Eugene’s grandpa & dad help coach {and they always come out between innings to say hi to her}, and sometimes the little one gets extra time with Nana, Uncle Dillan, Aunt Heidi, or Aunt Kelsey.

I’ve shared this before {see here}, but the little one loves to dance at her dada’s baseball games. There’s always music played between innings and after the game {if they win}, and lately she’s been really getting into it!

I love it at about 7 seconds in when she falls over from dancing so hard and then bobs to catch the beat again!

…love…

Let the games begin.

Eugene’s baseball team had their first game this weekend, and let me tell you, the little one loved being outside and watching baseball.

It was weird/normal Ohio weather: cold, sunny, windy, yet warm at times. {That’s why she’s rocking the Winter coat and Summer hat.}

What a goofy look!

Papa came out of the dugout to say hi to his grandbaby. {He adores her.}

We be stylin’ in our shades…

I seriously couldn’t handle the cuteness of her hat and shades. Be still my heart!!

Eugene’s team won their opening game. Go Dada!

After every win, they play “Celebration” and the little one immediately started dancing.

She cracks me up!

Weekend wrap up.

It’s been a while since I’ve even attempted a “weekend wrap up,” mainly because life’s too busy, and I’m too busy soaking it up to stop and blog. This weekend I captured a few wondrous moments using my phone.

I got some sweet Saturday morning snuggles with my girl…

And even daddy snuck in some sweet Saturday snores with his girl…

Our church had a YMCA night this weekend, so the little one had her first swimming experience – well, other than swimming in my belly for 39 weeks and 6 days. The pool was too cold for her liking. She only lasted a couple minutes; can’t say I blame her. Brrr!

She and second cousin {who is just a month younger than she is} were pretty intrigued with each other at a family birthday party…

And my wondrous thing tonight was her sloppy dinner giggles. She was laughing at me waving my arms & hair around.

It’s these everyday moments that I pray I don’t ever forget. The normal, simple, daily life with the little one and our little family.

{I am so blessed.}