SUMMER has finally arrived!

We had a great weekend enjoying the awesome weather! Any weekend that a little girl gets to: go swimming, go to the park, hang out with her grandparents, go to the zoo, get two baths, and spend so much time outside..... has GOT to be good! She also got her first skinned knee, so welcome to summer, kiddo!
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The photos below show - Melanie's push-toy that she got from Jeff's coworker Sarah - she cruised the neighborhood with Daddy while Mommy got a pedicure, and then went to the park with both of us. Second photo - at the zoo! Third and fourth photo - with the three planted in her honor last summer!
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While Melanie got to spend time with her Grandparents on Saturday evening, Jeff & I had date night, we went to dinner in Broad Ripple and sat outside to enjoy the weather, and then had drinks at a couple of restaurants with outdoor seating up by our house to wait out bedtime back home!

Baby, Puppy

Mel has two words she loooves to say now - "baby" and "puppy." She sometimes gets them interchanged, but for the most part is very good about pointing at puppies and identifying them (especially while watching the movie "Marley and Me" this weekend), and for identifying the word "baby" when holding her new baby she received for Easter. That's right, now, instead of having her silky with her at all possible moments of the day, she now has to have her silky, her baby, and her blanky - the little green blanky that Aunt Cory made for her. I'm trying to limit the use of all three at the same time outside of the bed, because we don't need as many backup babies and blankies as we have silkies all over creation. She loves to hold her baby - hugging her, patting her on the back, and giving her kisses.

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Last night, Mel was very fussy, and then ended up puking all over the place right as she was going to bed. I'm very happy to report that not only was she one happy baby tonight (complete with dance party after dinner), but she also went to bed without hassle. I was worried last night that she might have a milk allergy, since she threw up shortly after her second bottle with milk in it, but was reminded today that between her love of cheese and non-issue with yogurt, I think she'll be okay. We're currently doing 2oz of formula once a day mixed in with her bottle to ease her into it. This is day 3.

5 Years and Counting!

Saturday was a fabulous day of sunshine & sisterhood as we participated in our 3rd annual Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk! (I say our 3rd annual - the event has been going on much longer, but this is our count!)

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This year, to help raise money for breast cancer awareness, honor all women affected by breast cancer, and to celebrate my mom and her five-year survivorship (is that a word?) we came out in full force. It was Mom, Julie, Molly, Diane, Cory, Charlie, Sammie, Brenda, and Vicky. What a crew! By the end, the kids were muddy, we were tired, and I think we speak for all of us in saying that there was no better way to spend the day!

GI Update

On Friday afternoon, Melanie went to visit Dr. Fitzgerald, her Pediatric GI. She weighed 18lbs, 2 oz, and has moved from the 3% to the "3-10% for weight. For height, she moved from the "3-10" to the 10%. Of course, I can't find my notes on her actual height. Anyway, the GI was very pleased with her progress, and can tell that she's doing everything she needs to do. We're FINALLY going to start weaning her onto milk - first shot was today. We don't have any other dietary restrictions, which we never have had. He was much more positive & reassuring about everything. His goal is to get her to the 50% of weight, but I'm flexible. They have the scale for a reason - some kids are petite, and that's A-OK. As long as she's healthy !

Weekend with Gamma & Gampa Worzala

Melanie was truly spoiled the last several days, as her Grandparents Worzala got in on Wednesday night and stayed through Sunday. Mel stayed home from daycare with Gamma W on Thursday AND Friday, and loved it!! (We will see how the Monday morning drop-off goes after being out for four days!!) She was very lovey all weekend, giving both Grandparents lots of hugs & kisses. She was in a great mood all weekend, and got to show her grandparents all of her favorite toys & tricks, including the six gallons of snot that moved in with us for the weekend! Hopefully that will be gone soon ~ not sure where it came from, maybe there is a tooth on its way!

Happy Easter!

We had a happy Easter, with Melanie in a great mood all weekend and eating well. Saturday we went to the Zionsville egg hunt. We knew Melanie wasn't old enough to participate in the egg hunt, but we wanted the chance to get outdoors, and to expose her to some of the characters. As you can see from the photos, she wasn't a big fan just yet.

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Sunday, we all went to church (usually nap time interferes with church, and so I typically go on my own). Melanie did great in the nursery, and then went home for a nap before Easter celebrations in Frankfort. She had an egg hunt in Grandma & Grandpa's kitchen/dining room, entertained us all with her antics, and got a new baby doll that she is currently sleeping with as I type. Between that, her new vacuum cleaner from Gma & Gpa Worzala, and all of her other great gifts, I think she was well-treated for Easter!

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We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and remembered the 'reason for the season' :)

Melanie's antics

What is Melanie up to?
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Well...... today, as I was talking to Aunt Cory and had my back turned, I suddenly heard the sounds of a 13-month-old clapping. Upon turning around, I found Melanie sitting ON TOP OF her play kitchen, applauding herself. The fun didn't stop there. She then figured out how to STAND on said kitchen. No pictures yet, because if I had left to get the camera, I can only guess what would have happened.
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Melanie climbs on our bed, loves to sit on pillows or the couch, can turn the TV on/off (on the actual set), talks "on the phone," loooooves her rocking horse (loves it more every day, it's crazy), lights from within when she sees her kitty, is obsessed with her or others' knees, throws herself on the floor crying when upset (VERY dramatic), has a new thing of laughing with her mouth wide-open and her nose crinkled for basically no reason, gives open-mouthed kisses when in the mood (usually to books or stuffed animals, but many times to Mommy too!) - sucks her thumb 80% of the day, loves to have her legs rubbed, hates to have her clothes changed, is going through a clingy stage with Mommy & Daddy, can recognize her grandparents from across a room and go crazy until she's picked up by them, colors, loves cheese, is doing great in daycare, and is generally making our world go round.
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Mel is wearing 12 month clothes, for the most part (smaller pants usually, because of the waist, and larger tops or pajamas since they have no waist)..... size three diapers still, size four shoes, has eight teeth (and gets them brushed "fairly regularly....") She typically goes to bed between 7 and 8pm - we had some growing pains with the time change - although I still LOVE EST, Super Ron. She's still on formula from a bottle under her GI's request, we go back to him on 4/17. She loves to drink water or "juice" from her sippy cup, though.
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She loves to do the "itsy bitsy spider" - and especially loves the "DOWN CAME THE RAIN....." part. She requests both very frequently. She loves to read her books, especially ones with furry parts or "peek a boo" parts - and loves to play peek-a-boo. She hears the words, and immediately covers her eyes with her hands. She loves animal crackers - she knows where they're kept, and walks over to the counter and just reaches until she's given one. She talks a LOT, but doesn't have too many words. Uh-oh, dada, mama (kind of), kitty, puppy and fish were said once, .....
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I wish I could bottle all of this up; instead, I'll keep blogging for my own (and her) benefit... and treasure the fact that you're reading this and love Melanie.

I Hate Fluids

Melanie was rejecting formula during the whole trip to St. Louis. It of course became a catchphrase.....anytime her thumb went in her mouth, her Daddy said "Okay, let's try some formula!" A lot of time was spent warming formula up, trying to feed formula..... Alas, barely no formula was consumed. By Sunday night, I could tell something was wrong with her stomach, and administered gas drops. Ah, but I had no idea what was to come.
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Monday on the way home (remember, this is a 5-hour car ride) - Mel got sick. Six times. Three outfits later, we finally made it home, and the car was a disaster. Melanie herself felt much better, I'm happy to report. However, over the course of the next few days, she was still rejecting fluids. Eating great as far as table & baby foods, but not much liking formula, Pedialyte, etc. Wednesday I left work and brought her home to monitor the situation. While she took her first afternoon nap in two weeks, I have to admit that the daycare was doing better with fluids than I did! Today - Friday - she had 20 ounces of formula. So we're back on track!! Next project- obtaining an engineering degree to figure out how to unhinge the stupid straps on the car seat so I can wash the cover! (The car itself, and all accompanying parts - have been detailed).

Trip to the Lou

We headed to St. Louis on Saturday morning - 4/4. We timed the trip fairly perfectly, as Melanie slept the first half of the trip. When she woke up, we stopped and ate (Steak & Shake is a great place for kids - especially on weekends - they eat for free!) Then, the second half of the trip, she did great, just entertaining herself and me as I sat in the back.

Toward the end of the trip, she got a little cranky, and of course RIGHT at the end, she fell asleep - just in time to get out of the car!

Saturday was spent getting re-acquainted with Janie (4 in May) and Elise (2 in July). The dads went to the golf course both days, and the moms cracked open the wine. Good times were had by all. Sunday, my friends Amanda & Chris came over and brought their two daughters - Megan and Adeline. Addie was just born on 3/17! For some reason, I did not get photos of the Campbells :(


While we were there, Kate's best friend CARMEN got engaged! Yippee! Carmen is such a good friend, not only to Kate, but to Kate's crazy friends. I'm so happy for her & Tom!