It's been three years since my dad past away and anyone whoever said it gets easier with time lied. Sure the day to day is better, but you find yourself at very special moments in your life wishing he was there to celebrate or share the joy with you.
Presley Ann sometime reminds me so much of him. From the way her deep blue eye just shimmer when the light hits them just so, to the deep cupids bow above her upper lip. I know that they would have been the best buddies ever and I just hope that for the rest of her life I will be able to show her all the experiences he would have. I know one of the first things that I will do when she is really able to understand and take her to a Cardinal's game and buy her her first baseball hat! Then, I will teach her to be a fish in water, I will have to drag her out of the pool. I'll show her how to cook the biggest breakfast and appreciate classic rock music. She may never really like football, but she will long for the smell of fallen leaves and cold air; a true indication that fall has arrived (my favorite season). She will know how to wash and detail her own car, nothing makes your more proud than to drive your freshly washed car. She will know to be kind to friends, do what is right, and be honorable.
It's been a month full of snow days and I have enjoyed all the extra time with my lil' darling. She is still a busy little girl. She pulls up on anything and everything that she can, pulls out and down whatever is on the table or in a drawer, and talks all the time. Todd caught her the other day saying "ball" and whenever she finds her dalmatian puppy she grabs it, gives him a big kiss, and says "dog." The best might be at bath time when she grabs the duck and says "dddddddduck" She really likes the sound of "d."
We had my nephew's 2nd birthday this month and it was a ton of fun to see the babies together. It is extremely hard to believe that it has been two years since my mom, green grandma, and I blazed the trail to Kansas City in the middle of a rainstorm. We all wanted to make certain that we were there for the precious arrival of Max!
We get to see each other about once a month, but I wish we could do it more often because the babies are more attuned to each other and love playing together. It makes me look forward to the days when they can play together and maybe even cause a little trouble.
Presley is on the move and wants to walk, but is lacking the core strength to hold herself upright. Recently there was a news report on the importance of tummy time, which as a teacher I am more than aware of the need for tummy time. Therefore, I am perfectly content with her taking her sweet time and building up her upper body strength and leaving walking for when her body is really ready.
Presley had her 9 month check up and though her chubby lil' cheeks and thighs would make you think otherwise she came in at 19 lbs. 5 oz. 28.75 in. The doctor was glad to hear that she was doing so well eating table food and encouraged us to keep doing what we are doing. She is not big on meat (unless it is a chicken nugget and I don't want to start that habit) or many vegetables other than carrots, but she sure does l.o.v.e her fruit and waffles. That girl has ate more waffles in the past month than I have in my entire life!
I am proud, I rejoice, and I am appreciative of the small things....she is the reason I am all these things!
Last year I trudged through the snow and ice to get to Garbo's to celebrate my 26th birthday, I was 27 weeks along and feeling great. I remember being surrounded by friends and family and wondering if I would ever be able to do this again with a little one on the way? Fast forward a year later and I was able to celebrate with just friends and family the weekend before my birthday thanks to Nana's generous babysitting offer. Then on my birthday I woke up to a foot of snow and a blizzard in progress. Not quite what I was hopping for on my birthday, but I was snowed in and I couldn't think of anyone else that I would want to be snowed in with other than Presley Ann.
I spent the day in my PJ's till noon, took a long peaceful shower, played and played some more with Presley and then rocked her quietly to sleep. It was a blissful birthday!
