Growing Up

Goodbye, pacifier and hello big boy bed! We have finally said goodbye to Daniel's pacifier(s) - which he calls his "blah-blah-blah." He was very attached to his pacifier and so I was nervous about finally getting rid of them but my friend Hillary inspired me. He's done really well. He still asks for it a lot - but I try to distract him with other things. So far, so good.
This weekend we also moved Daniel into a big boy bed! The first night we put him to bed he didn't want to stay in the bed and kept getting out. But ever since then hasn't had any problems! Every time I say it's time for bed or a nap he says.."In my big boy bed?!" I can't believe my little guy is so grown up!

Helping daddy put the bed together.

It's not my favorite bed, but it was cheap and it has drawers underneath. Daniel seems to like it.

Do you think he's excited?!

Trying to get him to sit still for a picture - not much luck.

Reading books.

Beach

We went to Myrtle Beach, SC for a few days with everyone. Last year Daniel was too little to really enjoy the beach but this year he is fully enjoying himself. He especially loves playing in the sand.

My little beach bum.

The water slide at the hotel: Shannon asked Daniel if he wanted to go and of course Daniel said yes. (Which I advised against- for the record.) But they wont let kids go down with an adult and there is no age limit. So Daniel had to go by himself! He started out ok but somewhere on the slide he tipped over and came down the rest of the way on his tummy! Needless to say he did not enjoy it!

Our hotel - thanks to James Marriott hotel discount.

Our hotel

Off to the beach.

Grandma

Daniel and Daddy

Emily and cute Ruthie: You would never know Emily is 6 1/2 months pregnant -she's so tiny.

Daniel and Mommy

Ruth enjoying her snack.

After a long day on the beach!

Daniel and Mommy

Annie and Maya: Going on an morning walk.

Annie

Maya

Riding the waves

Having a snack with Grandma.

Maya, Annie and me.

The Koller's

Slip-and-Slide and The Science Center

Grandma had a slip and slide for the kids to play on - which turned out to be a huge hit! Good thinking Grandma.

Yippee

One happy boy

Maya, Annie, and Ruth: I think this picture is hilarious! It looks like I superimposed everyone into the picture - but this is honestly how they posed! They are adorable.


Daniel kept drinking the water - Someone get this poor kid a drink!

I have the best nieces! Every other second one of them would come up and hug me and say " I love you 'Manda"

Daddy and Daniel

We went to The Natural Science Center which has a great little zoo.

Daniel and Mommy

I had to get in some southern food while I was home. Lunch at Stamey's: BBQ pork, hushpuppies, and slaw - yumm. Daniel especially loved the hushpuppies.

North Carolina Fun

We just got back from a great trip to North Carolina. Daniel has been so excited to see Grandma! To make it even better my sister Emily and her family came as well. It was so much fun to see friends and family.

We originally had plane tickets to fly to NC but the airline went out of business so we ended up driving the 12 hours. Shannon actually worked from the car while I drove so he didn't have to take that day off work which worked out great. And Daniel did a great job in the car for so long!

My good friend Ashley and her husbands family have a Strawberry Farm so we took the kids to pick strawberries on Memorial Day. They all loved it.

My niece Maya

My niece Ruth

My niece Annie

My good friend Ashley (she has a heart of gold) and her cute little boy. We have been friends since elementary school!

Daniel picked a full basket.

Ashley and me

Ashley's husband (whose family owns the farm) was so nice to take the girls for tractor rides! They LOVED it. We couldn't convince Daniel to go.

We also went on some paddle boats at Country Park on Memorial Day. Daniel had a fit when we told him he had to wear the life preserver but once he was in the boat he didn't mind.

Of course he wanted to steer the entire time.