Aquarium Day

We all had a fun time at the GA Aquarium and while we seemed to go at a very good time (9-10am tickets), I think that all the people kind of sapped Maddy's enthusiasm (lunch afterward consisted of Maddy sleeping on my shoulder for the most part). There wasn't a lot of excitement from my little daughter, but I think you could tell that she was certainly interested. Especially when the fishies were swimming up above her head. I think she enjoyed the Beluga whales, the otters, and the penguins the most, although she certainly seemed to pay close attention to the eagle rays floating overhead.

Apparently, we've gotten a new whale shark and another beluga whale. Its sad to know that we've had to kill a couple of them off because we don't really know how they like their environment (my opinion, but wouldn't you rather be in the ocean instead of a little tiny fish bowl). I think overall everyone enjoyed the aquarium. I'm going to have to take her back when she's three or four to see the excitement pour out of her. Have her run over to the glass to see all the pretty fishies.

So, out of everything in one of the largest aquariums in the world, my daughter chose the plastic and fiberglass fish and mermaid as her favorites. Bring on the cuteness...

Sit Down

It's amazing to actually see the transformation my daughter is going through. I was looking through all her pictures the other day and was schocked to see the difference between Feb '06 and now. She just seemed so helpless then and so dependent. Now she knows what she wants and doesn't want (to some extent) and knows how to go about getting it...whether it's food or "up."

One thing Maddy and I enjoy doing is having yelling contests. She tells me to "sit down" and then I tell her to "sit down" and the volume escalates from there. What's funny about this is that Maddy doesn't know quite how to be funny about some of these things so her yelling comes out as almost scolding. Her face gets so serious, she yells "SIT DOWN" and then we both giggle about it. Then its my turn.

I think next on her list is "No, Blitz!"

First Female NHL Goaltender

Notice the cute little wintry neck protector (bib) and the hungry look in her eye. She'll be the next Patrick Roy any day now. We just have to figure out how to keep her teeth in her head!

The Black Eye

I'm not sure if you can see it very well. I think the flash took away a lot of the blackness, but there is swelling and what looks like a little red spot in the middle of it.

It scares me when I see her doing some of the things she does, but I know she's putting her feelers out there (literally) and experiencing the world.

My daughter, world explorer (with morning hair).

Rough and Tumble Genius

So, my poor little daughter got a black eye yesterday. Apparently, she was playing on the rocking chair and bumped herself (as she's done several times before). She's fine and everything and I'm sure she did her 10 second cry and continued on with what she was doing.

And so instead of just trying to keep her from doing it again, they promoted her! That's right, folks. My daughter, the 16 month old genius, the rough and tumble southern belle will be hangin' with the two year olds tomorrow. Yes, she's small and tumbly, but she seems to be keeping up with (dare I say exceeding) those the same age and older.

Can I get a MENSA application over here?

The word is "Blitz"

So, most of us knew this was going to happen...Maddy's diction is not exactly that of a full grown, semi-educated adult person. She's certainly making that she'll be 20 before I know it. But anyway, cracker is cackoo...outside is owsigh...apple is appoo. She does pretty good with words like banana (nana) and doggie (screaming it from the top of her lungs), but progress and it breaks my heart to know there's one word that belies her innocent demeanor. A word that calls out to her best buddy and at the same time emasculates him on the spot. That word? Blitz.

Originally, she was getting the BW part down just fine and although she never really mastered the TZ, we were getting a good "BWISH" out of her. Then it evolved (or devolved...I don't know) into "BWEE." I still hear it throughout the house when she's trying to give him one of his toys or a piece of her unwanted (enter name of food item here). But now, for some reason, the nom du jour is a resounding and echoing (I don't have too much furniture in my house) "BITCH."

I hope she'll get it right before it causes too much damage to the still young and impressionable Blitz. I have counselors standing by just in case.

From the mouths of babes...

Jewelry Box

Haven't posted in a while, so this is going to be a fun fun marathon of blogging...

What we have for you today is a hand crafted, hand painted piece of art from Acworth, GA. The piece is being called a prize (dare I say WONDER) of the known world. Ryan McCoy says "A delight. A treasure to behold!" And while this is the artist's first attempt at a jewelry box, many are saying that this will be her finest piece.

A side by side comparison with a Fabergé Egg left experts dumbfounded...they couldn't tell the difference! Can you?