"Dear Hulman Family"................

If you don't mind, do you think you could change the time the Indy 500 starts? I know I speak for A LOT of parents when I say----it's just not working for us!!! I mean there are those of us who have babies who nap in the afternoon!!!!! You have made it impossible to attend race parties!!! We were thinking an evening race would be fun----let us know what you think! I mean these babies are potential future race fans you know!!! Delaney missed her afternoon naps the last two days so we decided we were just going to stay home today and that's exactly what we did! We still dressed for the race though in our black and white!!!!
If you look closely, in Delaney's left hand, she is holding a rock...............
And here's what she did with them! She is OBSESSED with rocks. I guess we'll start our own rock farm! What can I say, my kid is weird!
Our flowers are planted, the landscapers are scheduled and the pool will be open this week! Have we forgotten anything?????

Weathering the Storm............

Wednesday night we were suppose to get some pretty bad storms. I was hoping if I was well prepared, it would pass by us without much damage (or, requiring us to go down to the basement). Most of you know, I have a love/hate relationship with our basement. After more than one "flooding catastrophe", I must say, when a storm's coming, it's kind of nice to have one!!! Here was our survival kit---we were packed up and ready to head down to the basement. We had all of the necessities (after all, we are becoming pros at this)!!! Fortunately, we didn't get "really" bad weather and never had to go down to the basement. As I sit here and type this, I don't think Delaney has ever been downstairs in the basement!!! And, as I sit here and type this, I also realize that before I know it, the basement will be her "hang out"!!! Oh, if I could only freeze time!!! We were just glad we weathered the storm with no damage---(except for that fact the news interrupted the season finales of Modern Family and Cougartown)!!!!!I just can't explain enough to you how much Delaney is enjoying her new chair. I thought I"d let you see for yourself (again)!!

And

She's

Up!!!

These "hips" are made for walking.

We thought we'd skip "Wordless Wednesday" today since we have lots to blog about. Delaney got her "reminder" call from Peyton Manning for her follow up visit with her pediatric orthopedic doctor. After the FORTY-FIVE minute drive there today--oh, and the HOUR LONG WAIT for the doctor, she got a clean bill of health and we got to walk right past the scheduling desk because she NEVER has to go back!!! (But Peyton, feel free to call us anytime-you've got our number!) Delaney had to get two x-rays and it was such a different experience than when we were there in May! She sat as still as you would expect a 14 month old to sit through them.......here are some fun pictures I took today!!!!
This is her new Adirondack chair her aunt Beth got her. It's for our deck out back (which is undergoing a make-over-----stay tuned!)
Have you EVER?????????????????????? No deviation in these hips!!!!
As you can probably guess, she sits in this chair every way but the proper way!!!!
And now she's stuck.............

I came across this picture and couldn't believe how much Delaney has changed in just the last 2 months!!!! Here I am trying to inconspicuously tickle her foot so she'll smile!!!!
And here it is, the monthly 14 month post as to what Delaney is "up to" these days..........

• I don't know how much she weighs (or height) but she has really slimmed down. I think she will be in 12 month clothes for awhile (or at least I hope because she has tons of them!) Delaney doesn't go back to the doctor until late next month so I'll know these "stats" then.
• From the minute she wakes up (still about 9:00 a.m.) until her nap (usually around 1:00 p.m.) she is NONSTOP on the go! Her new thing when she wakes up in the morning and I go in to get her is to run from me--of course she doesn't get far in her crib!!! SO CUTE!!!
• Delaney takes her morning milk bottle when she gets up and then after that she has oatmeal, breakfast bar, or banana. We don't make a big deal about having "typical" breakfast/lunch/dinner foods at those specific meals. She really isn't a "big eater" as far as quantity. She likes her juice from her sippy cup and milk from her bottle. She LOVES bananas----I can't stand them!!! She also loves yogurt and applesauce!
• She is really starting to recognize things---like if I say "where is your___?" she knows and it's so darn cute!
• She is still like a mini WWF wrestler when it comes to changing her diaper! It is unbelievably annoying but I wouldn't trade it for the world!!!!
• She says "night-night", "dog", "hi", "daddy" or "da-da"---no interest in "momma" or "mommy" for the most part!
• She WILL NOT learn to kiss or give hugs. I decided she knows her dad would NOT be happy with people spreading germs by doing either!!!! I have never seen a kid who wouldn't kiss!!! She will waive bye-bye! She tells EVERYONE who crosses her path "hi". She literally got the attention of EVERY SINGLE PERSON AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE TODAY. It's crazy how much attention people pay to her when we're out. It's like she's a celebrity!
• She LOVES to be outside. When it's not raining (like it has been the last 2 weeks) we go outside and sit on the front porch, swing, or go for a walk.
• If Delaney drops something she turns and looks at you with that "ought oh" look and makes a "fish lips" like "did I do that"??? SOOOO cute! Need to get that on video.....
• It's unbelievable to watch her personality develop. If we are out and she starts doing her "hi" to everyone who walks by, I say "she's soooo shy"....just joking of course because there's nothing shy about this little girl of mine and I love it!
• She STILL doesn't keep her shoes on and takes them off and chews on the velcro! CRAZY
• She has another tooth coming in on the bottom!
• Since our last post, she's had her 1st haircut!
• She takes her bath every other night in the big bathtub and LOVES it (now). I keep meaning to videotape it but of course remember once she's already in the bathtub and I can't leave the bathroom to grab the video camera! I will try to sit it on the tripod so you can see how wet I get during her 5 minute bath! I really need to go back to the sink baths!
• We're thinking about taking swim lessons......
• We're also thinking of not (since mommy has to get in a bathing suit for them)!!!

Dear Delaney,

Someone told me today before I know it, you'll be 14 YEARS! Clearly, I wanted to punch his lights out (but I'm a lady so I just said "ya, I know"). We have a lot of fun things planned for this summer and I can't wait to wake up each morning to your smiles, laughter and giggles!!!! You have the sweetest disposition and your personality blossoms everyday! I love to just "watch you" when you're playing or trying to figure out how something works. I remember in the hospital thinking "is this baby really mine", "do I really get to take her home", "I don't know a thing about babies", "what am I suppose to do with her".....and the list goes on. And now, I just look at you and think "is this baby really mine"???? NEVER EVER will I know what I did to deserve you! You are the most precious thing I've ever laid eyes on and my favorite person in the whole wide world!!!

Love,

Your mommy

Hello Cuteness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not Every Day Is Good

But there's good in every day............................And while I'm always aware of what I don't have.................
That doesn't mean I'm not also aware of what I do have.............

Helping Mommy Get Ready!

Wonder why our trash can is sitting on the toilet???? Because everything must go "up" when a certain someone is helping mommy get ready....................I didn't have to take the roll of toilet paper off "this time"....................
I am definitely a "whatever it takes" kind of mom..................................

Wordless Wednesday

3rd Time's a Charm!!!

For what you ask???? For Delaney to FINALLY enjoy her bath in the bathtub. She had her 3rd "real" bath and she A. didn't cry and B. finally sat down (well, actually because she fell but down is down!). I don't know if I've ever blogged about this (or maybe you've noticed) but Delaney has ALWAYS held her bottle (and now sippy cup) from the bottom. Her bottles are not tall and skinny so I think it was too hard for her to hold them so she started holding them from the bottom. It is so funny....tell me my kid is not the only one who does this?????????

Here she is getting ready to tip it up........

And here she is still mad at me for not letting her take her baby IN THE BATHTUB WITH HER!!!!

****This post was actually from last week pre blogger's technical difficulties but I thought I would go ahead and post it. Just last night, during Delaney's bath, she was really getting into it (still not big on sitting down) and played with her ducks and splashed water. It was so much fun. I forgot to add her bubbles which is probably the first time she's not had a bubble bath. Maybe I'll "forget" them more often since she was having so much fun without them!!!

And we don't want to forget to wish great aunt Trina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!!!!

Where's Waldo...... I mean Delaney!!!

This girl is so full of energy when she gets up in the morning. If I wasn't making her morning bottle, I would think someone was slipping her Red Bull. She goes straight for her toys when she's done with her milk. Never mind her grandma just organized her toys for her the other day. I now "get" why parents have toy rooms for their kids!!!!!!

I know this has NOTHING to do with Delaney's toys but I want to record this "somewhere". Last night, I asked her if she was ready to go get her jammies on and reached out to pick her up and she turned away, walked down the hallway and stood at her bedroom door! GENIUS.......

"We're Baaaack!"

So have you been wondering where we've been??? Blogger has had some "technical" issues but my friend, Angie, who has some serious MAD computer skills was able to change my browser from Internet Explorer to Google Chrome and VIOLA....here we are, we're back! Not much has been going on with us this past week so we don't have much to blog about. I thought I would "treat" you to a video. Delaney takes her pillow pet and treats it like a wrestling opponent. It is so funny to watch her. She walks with it and can't even see where she's going and runs into everything with it. Make sure to turn up your volume, you'll get a little giggle out of her. As expected, once she sees the video camera, she stops doing what I"m trying to capture but I think you get a glimpse. At the end, she of course is reaching for the camera!! She's so much fun!!! (Have I mentioned that before????) Oh and her "new" thing is to walk sideways! I"ll try to video it too!

1st Haircut, Kentucky Derby, New Cousin and Mother's Day..........

We have A LOT to blog about from this weekend. First up, I did go through with Delaney's haircut and clearly, survived to blog about it!!! We headed to aunt Beth's salon (Waves). Delaney had a short wait (don't we always at the salon???) ha ha ha and then it was her turn. While she waited, she looked at a hair magazine to try to decide "how short to go"!

She needed a little boost!!

And then it was time to start cutting.....I did great---I mean Delaney did great!!!

And here are the before and after pictures..............

We left the salon and went to pick out a bookbag for Delaney! I mean look at this kid, she looks so big with her haircut like she's ready for school. I know what you're thinking, it was just a trim she can't look that different but she really does! Thanks aunt Beth!

Why of course I kept her hair!!! What do you mean you can't see it?????

Here's a closer shot, look again!!

Tucked safely away in her trinket box from Delaney's grandma Cathy!

And then it was time to watch the Kentucky Derby which you can't do without Mint Juleps---or in our case, Margaritas!!!!

Don't worry, Delaney had milk..........

She wasn't really interested in keeping her hat on but she did like her sunglasses!

See what I mean about the hat?????

Still not sure about the hat but she kept it on long enough for a couple of pictures.......(and don't think I didn't try last year's hat on her...as you can imagine, there was no way!)

And now onto Mother's Day!!! First thing this morning, we got news that cousin Logan David was born weighing in at 9lbs 3 oz!!!! Not only was he born on his due date AND mother's day, he was born on his daddy's birthday!! We can't wait to meet the newest addition of our family. He is the 3rd baby born in just over 13 months!!

I am "one of those" moms who firmly believes in never waking a sleeping baby. But wouldn't you know I had to wake up Delaney at 10:10 a.m. this morning! We had brunch reservations at 11:00 a.m. Delaney wanted to wear her signature colors!!! I think this is the last (and only 2nd) time she'll get to wear this dress and hat I just "had to have".

There are soooo many things I could write today about what it means to be Delaney's mom but I think I'll just say this...................

Delaney, being your mom is EVERYTHING I knew it would be AND A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Mother's Day