memorial day weekend.

I used a vacation day and had a long weekend with my baby girl. 

It started with a glorious 9 miles through Calvary cemetery and the highlands in Louisville. The sky was so clear and blue. Everything was green. So alive. And I loved exploring the homes and hidden streets all while listening to S-Town. A podcast I devoured and highly recommend! Zara had to stay with her babysitter since jonas had to work late unexpectedly. She didn't mind- she got to go on a walk and play with dogs. 

Saturday we just had a slow morning. I cleaned and played with Zara. Then we went shopping. Zara slept in the stroller and I found some deals at anthropologie :) we went to Trader Joe's and got some lunch. We cut up a watermelon and played on the porch. Since it didn't rain like it was supposed to, we went to the zoo with our neighbor. All we really wanted was the splash pad but could only enjoy it for about 45 minutes because of some thunder. Zara was in heaven though and I can't wait to take her back! It was such a great day. I even got to watch some tv while Zara took another little nap. 

On Sunday, Zara had her first day of nursery at church. It was so much easier than chasing her in the halls for hours. I can't believe she is 18 months next week! We made turkey burgers and took naps. I took Z to Waterfront Park to play and place a flag on the great lawn. It was gorgeous out!

Monday I listened to the first season of the Serial podcast every chance I got. So. Good. I worked on staining our swing set- a project I may never finish. But I have to give Z credit, she was pretty good this time. We got lunch and brought lunch to papa at work. And when he was off, we packed up and headed to Red River Gorge! We love getting there- mountain parkway is the best. We stayed at john swifts campground. I really like d it- we were close to water and surrounded by trees. Zara helped us set up- I'll never forget her waddling around carrying sleeping bags. We found a frog and she adored it! We held him for a while and z even gave him a kiss (near the frog, not on it). We made smores and watched tangled in bed. We shared our air mattress and around 5am we were all laughing because some birds were singing so loudly! At some point they stopped and we could sleep again! Jonas made us breakfast burritos. We went on a hike which is hard for a tired, cranky baby but we made it to the suspension bridge from shiltowee ridge. We had lunch at Miguel's- not my favorite pizza but it's tradition! We came home and had a lot to clean up from one camping night but I'm glad it was just one night- we needed to test out the situation with a toddler. We called it a success! I still had time for a target run while jonas played soccer and had time to listen to the Amelie soundtrack outside with Zara. 

I wish I could spend all my days doing the things I love but there is still a lot to love in everything. I'm just glad to be here. 

Happy Birthday Jonas!

It was grey, cold and rainy for Jonas' birthday weekend and I think it was just for him! Jonas misses Germany and his family terribly around his birthday, so the grey weather made it feel more like home. We ate at the wonderful Gasthaus. Zara ate so much butter and bread. Our waiter wrote "The North Remembers" on our receipt because of Jonas' Game of Thrones shirt. It was a perfect dinner. I still have not tried to make a Black Forest Cake in a few years, but Flour De Lis bakery made the perfect one. Happy Birthday Jonas!

a song for Zara.

When I heard this song, it sounded just like something I would write for Z. You know, if I was musically talented. Regina Spektor & Ben Folds sounded so beautiful together too.

I just wanted to remember this and dedicate it to my little girl.

Dear Theodosia, what to say to you?
You have my eyes. You have your mother's name.
When you came into the world, you cried and it broke my heart.

I'm dedicating every day to you
Domestic life was never quite my style
When you smile
You knock me out, I fall apart
And I thought I was so smart

You will come of age with our young nation
We'll bleed and fight for you, we'll make it right for you
If we lay a strong enough foundation
We'll pass it on to you, we'll give the world to you

And you'll blow us all away...
Someday, someday
Yeah, you'll blow us all away
Someday, someday

My father wasn't around
My father wasn't around
I swear that I'll be around for you
I'll do whatever it takes
I'll make a million mistakes
I'll make the world safe and sound for you...

... Will come of age with our young nation
We'll bleed and fight for you, we'll make it right for you
If we lay a strong enough foundation
We'll pass it on to you (on to you)
We'll give the world to you (world to you)

And you'll blow us all away...
Someday, someday
Yeah, you'll blow us all away
Someday, someday

mother's day weekend.

Fridays before my weekend off are always exciting, especially when I get a cute Mother's Day gift when I pick up my girl:::

Fridays are also great for tacos and seeing friends who moved away but came back for a visit:::

Saturday mornings are for podcast listening, errands to Whole Foods & Trader Joe's & veggie pizzas for lunch:::

Saturday nights are for playing with your little one, dinner made by your awesome husband, trying out your new fire pit and eating too many s'mores::

Mother's Day Sunday is apparently for surprise breakfast(a Jamie Oliver recipe- Go Jonas!) Flowers. A thoughtful card. & making it through a talk and lesson at church (I really did enjoy it, I just get nervous). Also, I am so grateful for all that Jonas did to make me feel special and for everyone wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. It was the best.

Sunday afternoon photos with a toddler are very frustrating sometimes- you can't tell, right?!

& then some time at the zoo in the sweet sunshine:::

The day ended with brownies and laughs and a baby girl who refused to go to bed. haha.

 I loved this weekend so much!

Zara::: 17 Months.

Seventeen months looks a lot like this photo below!:::

Seriously, 17 month olds don't care if you still need to adjust your camera settings :)

 Zara understands everything I say. She will throw her trash away when Jonas asks her to in German, she will get her shoes, her diaper, anything really. She goes to her highchair when dinner is ready or out to the car. She gives kisses when we ask and understands that we will be back when we drop her off. So she also understands when she is told "no" or that she is not allowed to do something. I am amazed by her understanding. She seems so much older than she did even a month ago! Unfortunately, I don't always understand her- or maybe it is more accurate that I don't always know how to handle a little person who seems to throw a tantrum at the worst moment. We are learning together and I am trying to handle those difficult situations with patience and love :)

We are finally sleeping in this house- because when Zara wakes up through the night I take her to the couch and we fall asleep shortly after. It is the only thing that works and I was desperate!

She puts headphones on and says "bye bye" and pretends she is going to run like I do.

She loves her toys, especially her stuffed animals. She carries them all around the house and cleans them with her baby wipes.

"Ball" is one of her favorite words and she gets excited when she sees one, especially the red concrete balls outside of Target!

She bites through oranges before they are peeled and gets mad if I try to peel them. So mad that she refuses to eat any peeled oranges sometimes. She loves fresh carrots and green beans! She loves so many different foods, I don't feel like listing them this month.

When she needs to show me something or show me where she wants to go, she just takes my hand to take me there.

Z loves to clean up- especially sweeping. She knows where things go and loves to clean up her bath toys too.

She pretends to read books while saying something that sounds like "Goya" over and over.

We have started trying out the toilet- she goes to her potty when we go to the bathroom.

She points to her mouth, nose, eyes, belly, hair and ears when asked.

She wears 18 month- 2t clothes, size 5 diapers and she does have enough hair for the tiniest ponytail.

Most of the time she loves to say "hello" and "bye bye" to people and socialize with humans and animals.

She loves to share my water- to pour it, play in it and sometimes drink it. Zara is also a known smoothie stealer!

My favorite game is basically tag around the house. She says "shhhh" and then runs to scare one of us. She loves when I chase her while her Papa holds her so she doesn't get too scared. She also loves peek a boo. We love to make her laugh!

Z loves Little Pim more than anyone in the universe. She wants no other show.

Zara will repeat words, they just don't always sound the same. It is still so cute!

She still loves her books, especially when they have animals!

There are a lot of teeth in her little mouth, but I can't get in there to count. Her smile is making her look like a little kid though!

She is messy, moody, playful and very curious. She has no regard for her own safety. None at all- so we have to watch her like a hawk. She loves us so very much and we are grateful for that love every day. Happy 17 months Zara!