One Whole Year

Last weekend we celebrated Maxine's birthday. My little baby, born all chubby and red, is a whole year old. I can't hold her the way I used to, but I can chase her. I can't sleep next to her anymore, but I can put her to bed with a squeeze. I can't lay her on my bed, but I can bounce her on there. She's not quiet anymore, but she can chatter with me. 

No matter what changes have occurred and are yet to occur, I can still, and always will:

sing to her

hug her

laugh with her

read to her

be enamored by her

and forever and forever I will always love her. 

I love you my sweet little toddler. You're the apple of my eye and the joy of my life.

What a Difference a Friend Makes

For the first week while Seth was back to work, I was feeling pretty lonely. There is tons to do here in the city, but I didn't want to go with just Maxine. I love her, but she's not a great conversationalist. We mostly just stayed in the apartment...all....day.....long.

Then I got a call from a girl in my ward who said, "Hey, I'm in your ward and we live in the same building. I have an 11 month old son. Can we come up and meet you?"

Yes, that was the start of my friendship that changed Chicago for me. Honestly, I couldn't have planned where we live any better. Our kids are the same age, we're interested in the same things, she has lived here for long enough to know where stuff is and how to get there, and she's super fun.

You all know what it feels like to make a new friend. It's awesome huh? What an answer to a prayer.

 Our cute kids. Keys are so cool apparently.

 Ready to swim.

Having the best summer ever!

(Does that sound yearbooky to anyone else?)

Chicago!

Well, we made it! We're unpacked and moved into our 10 week apartment! I can already tell it's going to be hard to leave. I LOVE it here. I forgot my camera cord at home, so until it gets mailed to me I have no pictures, but our apartment is wonderful.

Here's a list of what I am most enjoying right now:

1. Beautiful park 5 minute walk away from our apartment

2. Beach and lake 5 minute walk from our apartment

3. 10 minute walk to Navy Pier, such a fun family area

4. Gorgeous 21st floor apartment viewing the city and lake

5. Wonderful weather, not too hot yet

I love love it! We're going to church tomorrow which is half an hour away, so we'll see how Maxine does. She is loving the apartment too. She just crawls around chattering to us and herself. It's wonderful. Yay for Chicago! Yay for us!!!

They Watch and Learn

Maxine is growing into the imitating stage now. It's amazing to see her grow and understand more and more each day.

Lately she has taken to talking on the phone. She'll hold it up to her ear, or the back of her neck, and talk in her high soft voice. It's incredible what they pick up from just watching us.

She's such a little doll and she's so much fun. I need to get videos of all her cute little tricks before she out grows them. She grows too fast!

Pretty Proud

So. I've gained some weight. It's not a good thing. What's the best way to lose weight? Diet and running. Alright, let's do it.

I used to go for jogs quite frequently, but stopped for awhile. I've been working out at home but really need to start jogging again. So I went yesterday.

I went for a jog around my neighborhood didn't stop or walk the whole time. I was thinking, ok, maybe it was half a mile? Still, even if it was half a mile I would be happy about not stopping. I got home and checked how far it was.....

What!? A mile and a half. I've never been able to do that before in my life.

Therefore, I'm pretty proud.

What We Do With Books

I love to read. Seth loves to read. Little Maxine....we'll have to see.

Right now books are good for:

1. Kissing

2. Standing

3. Being taller

Oh the uses for books.

9 Months!?

What the? Has it really been 9 months since I had my little girl? Incredible.

She has grown SO much this last month. She is crawing, trying to walk everywhere, waving, clapping, saying 'da-da', and giving kisses. Although, just recently she has taken to kissing her mama. She would save them for Saren mostly.

I can't believe she is in my family. I'm so grateful for her little person. It feels like she is growing right before my eyes. Learning new things and becoming a kid instead of a baby. We're so blessed to have her in our life. I love love love her.

I need to take better pictures of her. I'll put them up. I promise.