The New Adventures of Old Meg and Eric

Bubble Gupps

So just like every first time mom-to-be, I was delusional enough to think that I would never let my child watch TV. It wasn't long before I changed my tune. I mean, how else would I get dishes done or laundry folded? Sure, I don't let her sit there all day, but sometimes a little Nickelodeon can be mom's best friend.

For the most part, she was only a little interested. It would hold her attention for a few seconds at a time. But that all changed with two words, Bubble Guppies. All hail the Bubble Guppies. About a week before we left for Lake Geneva this cute little show about a bunch of little fish came on the tv. My child went bonkers. Hands in the air. Jumping up and down. Screaming. By the time we got back from vacation, about ten episodes had been recorded on our DVR. Every single day since, she asks to watch 'Bubble Gupps' or "Bubble Ducks" as she often calls it.

Eric and I are now those parents who know every character and can sing every song on the show. Every. Freakin. Song.

Does this make me a bad mom?

Lake Geneva

This summer we were luckily enough to go on our first family vacation in eons. It isn't often that Eric can get a week in the summer off from work but it finally happened (12 years later) so we took advantage. My parents took us on a great four day trip to Lake Geneva. Not too far, not too close. It was perfect.

This is how she spent most of the trip. She was a trooper..until the last day. She finally had it.

We did lots of this on our trip.

She spent most of our meals on Mimi's lap.

Best picture so far!

This place had the best burgers. I can't stop thinking about them.

Not really sure what is happening here.

Dad and Eric tried to get in a game of golf. Mother Nature made them quit at 9 holes.

Lots of kisses.

We made good use of the indoor pool while the weather was junk.

Floating with Daddy.

Dinner at Gino's. Not sure how we let Eric pick.

This is where the "lippy" obsession started.

After dinner stroll.

More strollin'

Finally the weather cooperated and we had snacks at the pool.

Scaring Mimi when Mimi couldn't find her.

Mimi forgave her.

Homemade ice cream. Delish.

So glad we got this on camera. Not really.

Every house got bigger. We starting making up stories about what these people did for a living.

Mimi and Pop got to see bed head!

This pretty much sums up the entire trip.

Pop and Ly in the baby pool.

Here she is again, trapped in the stroller.

My attempt at another family photo.

Pop is the best story teller!

He even makes up his own words.

Goodbye Lake Geneva!

Cowgirl

I saw a pair of little red cowgirl boots and knew that they would be the focus of her 18-months pics. Once again, Erin Eileen Photography did not disappoint. We headed to Naperville Riverwalk on a beautiful Sunday morning and this is what we got...

My favorite, by far!

Worried for Nothing

So, remember when the doctor told me that Lyla could be on the verge of speech delay and that I wasn't going to worry about it, but really worried about it every day for three months? Yeah, well, per usual I worried over nothing. I was fully prepared to go in there and tell her all the words Lyla was saying. I didn't care that I was the only one who could understand her.

We went through the whole check up routine and the topic never even came up! Annoying. Apparently she wasn't too concerned about it to write it down for this visit. Lyla was perfectly friendly, but quiet at the visit, but still, the doctor never mentioned it.

So, just to prove it, here is the list of words I brought to show her:

Mama
Dada
Booka (Book)
Wok (Rock, referring to the rocking chair)
Wort (work)
Grampa
Uk (Up)
Hok (Hot)
Hok (Sock, yes there is a difference)
Ball
Shoes
Coo (Cooper)
Cup
WaterGo (which means, I want my cup. Eric and I always say to her "where did your water go?) ha
Shtuck (Stuck. This is actually her favorite word. And even at this age, she uses it appropriately).
Out
Pool (used both for pool and bathtub)
Nomie (I'm hungry)
Boobooies (blueberries)
Duck (another favorite)

Other 18 Month Stats:
Still sleeping through the night from about 7:30pm-7:00am.   We had a rough period of about about 6 weeks where she would wake up every night around 9:30 and cry for about 45 minutes. Luckily that didn't last long. She is very attached to her bedtime routine. Some nights we read a book, others we don't. But every night, we get jammies on, daddy says goodnight and her and I sit and rock in the rocking chair. She just sits and stares at me and sometimes puts her little hands on my cheeks while I sing her a song. Our favorites are "Stay Awake" from Mary Poppins, "Crazy Girl" by the Eli Young Band, "Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift, and "Baby Mine" by Bette Midler. Seriously, favorite time of the day with her.

She sits in a booster seat at the table now. It was like watching a circus act with her in the high chair so we got rid of it. She LOVES the booster seat.   And she loves even more when Mommy sits in it.

So long second nap. This is sad news. It took a few weeks to adjust, but now she is taking a good couple hour nap in the late morning or early afternoon. By 7:30pm she is exhausted and goes right down for the night.

She weighs in at 23 pounds and is 31/5 inches tall. Still my little peanut.

More Fun at the Zoo

To make sure we got the most of our zoo membership, we invited Mimi and Pop on a beautiful summer day to Brookfield. Just like myself before Lyla was born, they hadn't been to the zoo in years. At least not since I was little and a polar bear flung his 6 foot long snot around for us all to see. Gross. Lyla usually hates to be cooped up in her stroller but as long as she had her Barbie cell phone she was content on this particular day Once again, I think the adults had more fun than she did. That is, until we got to the carousel. It was her first time and definintely won't be her last! "She" chose to sit on a gorilla close to the edge so that when we passed Mimi (who opted out of the ride) we could wave over and over again!

Grampa Turns 80

This summer we were lucky enough to celebrate Great Grampa's 80th Birthday. It really turned out to be an awesome day. My mom and dad hosted and their new pergola was the perfect outdoor party place. In fact, it ended up being a dance floor towards the end of the night, which now that we all have kids and Gramp is 80...was about 7:00pm! haha.