Last Day of School

Today is *Bob's* last day of school. Oh, how we have changed.





Well, Bob's clothes - not so much. (I made him wear the same stuff.)

If you are wondering my feelings from approximately nine months ago...

http://emily-bobwicks.blogspot.com/2008/08/first-day-of-school.html

And how did the year go?

Well, it was a struggle at times. When looking back on something you tend to only remember the good times. Rose-colored glasses, anyone? I had to remind myself of all the things that I didn't like. Things that stressed me out. Things that I hope to never experience again.

And then April 17th happened. (I think) that was my last day of teaching in 2008. That corresponding day of 2009 was one of my hardest of the year.

And then.

Total peace.

I can't even begin to describe the feelings that I have had since then. Staying home with Etta is the best thing that ever could have happened. I am here with her almost all of the time. I do take some time to myself and do things that I enjoy. But there aren't many places that I HAVE to be. And to me that is important.

Staying home has been financially hard for us. It is a MUCH different lifestyle than we were living before. But you know what? I don't need satellite TV, an iPhone (or whatever everyone has), we hardly ever eat out (which makes when we do even more special and exciting), and any number of other "very important things" that people "have to have". You just make do. I want to stay home and I'm staying home. And it makes me smile. This on the day that it is 1:45 p.m., I am sitting unshowered (and not caring as I am about to go out and haul yard waste around on a sweltering day), smiling that my baby girl is asleep in her crib in her own house. Smiling that we had a fun picnic lunch at the park and got to stop and visit our favorite Jorgens boys. Smiling that dinner is basically ready and that when Bob gets home we get to spend time as a family and not worry about the billion things that need to (but probably won't) get done because we are both rushing home from work.

This is our life. We like it. It's not for everyone, but it's right for us.

Favorite Pastime #1

Going for stroller rides...

C'mon Mom, let's go for a ride!



That's more like it!

Mommy's little...helper?

While I was vacuuming the other day Etta decided to "help". By cleaning the end of one of the attachments with her mouth. Or maybe she was thirsty and was trying to get a drink?!

If you look close you can see the outline.





Okay mom. It's not funny anymore!

Another visit's end

Although The Princess turned out to be The Crabby Princess during my family's last visit, we did have a good time. And leaving is always hard - for me anyway. But it makes for some nice pictures.

Group shot



Yeah, he's my uncle.

13th Month Annibirthery

[two days late...]

I had a brilliant idea a couple of weeks ago. Instead of having Etta lay on her foot rug for the next 12 months of growth pictures I can have her STAND next to her penguin!!

#1. Take a picture of said penguin on said foot rug to get a perspective of how big the penguin is.

#2. Have Etta stand next to the penguin and get a shot. Granted, I realized that she may need a little help the first couple of months since she is not quite standing completely on her own yet.

#3. Put adorable picture on the blog.

That's it. Three easy steps.

But guess how easy it WASN'T?! Step #1. No problem.



Step #2. Bob calmly suggests that we "just try" to get one picture of Etta laying on the foot rug. (He really really likes the foot rug.)



[A different perspective: Here is Etta at 1 month - 1 year ago...]



We then proceed to the actual step #2. Etta decides that this would be a good time to turn to baby jello and that making faces at mommy is WAY more fun than standing next to an old stinky penguin.









I put the camera away for a few minutes until I think that Etta has forgotten about it. We play for a bit and then I sneakily hand the camera to Bob, grab the penguin, grab baby Etta and get her to stand up. Notice - she does not look nearly as happy as she did when 1) she was laying on the foot rug or 2) she was posing for mommy...





I'm hoping that next month it goes a bit better. [Bob also mentioned that I should have chosen something STATIONARY for Etta to stand by. Not a roly-poly penguin who's job it is to NOT stay upright.]

P.S. Bob decided he wanted to get in on some of the blog fun. What a guy.

The first of many

It was a weekend for bbqs. One of my favorite things is a burger off the grill and enjoying good company. Sunday evening we had Cathy and Steve down to join us (along with my folks) for a relaxed backyard dinner. After Etta took a dip in the pool (I can't believe that I didn't get pics!) we threw some burgers on and had a great time.

What's that dad?



A chip? I think I like it!



Ready? One. Two. Three.



Bite.



Self portrait close up. Use your imagination...



Nice dude. It's an okay pic...



Relaxin' and enjoying the Doctor.

Thinking about walking

There is part of me that wants Etta to start walking and there is part of me that is just fine with her not walking. I know that it will come, she is actually very close. Things will get more hectic - BUT - when she can actually walk on her own then she can get down and run around instead of having to be in the stroller or be held.

Saturday was a perfect example. After being in the car seat on the way up to Moscow, pushed around the Farmer's Market for awhile and then held at the bakery she was ready to go. [If you ask my mom she will tell you that I let Etta crawl around on the - GASP!!! - sidewalk for a bit. I just felt sorry for the kid.] We did find some carpeting, so she could crawl, and she is okay at holding on to a hand to find her own way.

If. I. Could. Just. Pull. The. Table.



Intense concentration.



I think that I'm moving!



Here we go!



Can I get in the water Mom?



No! I won't jump in! Promise!!