BIG GIRL!

goodness gracious, it seems that just yesterday we had a little baby, and now we have a BIG GIRL on our hands. she is starting to do so many things that make her seem so old. here are a few of our favorites... 1.peek a boo- she'll put whatever she can find over her head (my pants, the curtains, etc.)and then pull it off and wait for the .... PEEK A BOO! she gets from us. 2.eating puffs by herself- she can pick them up and feed them to herself 3.standing up- she doesn't "cruise" much yet, but she still likes just standing there 4.tickling- she tickles eric and he gives her a little chuckle which makes her giggle even more. i knew parenting would be fun... but i had no idea it would be this fun!!

THE SCIENCE CENTER

we just had an awesome morning at the science center! we met clint, al, and afton there about 10:30, and spent about two hours exploring. afton was a big helper and pushed zaida's stroller for a good 2 1/2 minutes. we walked around and showed zaida all the exhibits. undoubtedly she took it all in. her favorite was this "glowy globe thing"- i'm sure that's what they call it. (makes me think of goonies) we also went to a show in the planetarium about the planets. we all laid down on the floor to watch the show. zaida had her bottle, and LOVED the show. she was looking all around and taking it all in. eric got a slight case of motion sickness, and i enjoyed it all. we had lunch there, and were home in time for everyone's afternoon naps. we can't wait for this summer to visit again!

TRIPPIN'

i don't think that i'm generally a "clumsy" person, but for whatever reason i always trip over the same spot in our kitchen. i am not tripping over nothing, we have tiles in the kitchen, and wood in the back porch. (there is a difference in height between the two areas that is fairly significant.) poor eric gets so annoyed when i trip over it and rip the threshold (is that what it's called??) out. it's not like i'm doing it on purpose!! i just ripped out the new one last night with a mighty stumble. fortunately, i have yet to actually fall down! i promised to walk OVER it without ever touching it again. (we'll see how long this lasts!)

JABBER BOX

zaida has never been shy about communicating, but has recently taken it to a new level. she is either talking, squealing, grunting, or blowing raspberries. sometimes we just sit and listen to the baby monitor and laugh, since this is how she wakes up in the morning. when we're in the car she REALLY has a lot to say. sometimes eric and i have a hard time having a conversation because she's back there squawking. we can't wait until she takes those skills and starts saying "mama" and "dada". in this pic she is blowing raspberries. we love it!

IF I CAN'T HAVE NICK & SHARON...

...then at least i have jim & pam. the nick & sharon i'm referring to are the divorced couple from young & the restless. i have watched off and on for years, and have always thought that nick & sharon were such a good couple. well, now they're divorced, and married to other people... but as we all know in daytime fashion, it can't last forever. i said before that eric and i are watching the office, and we just finished season 2. in the last episode jim tells pam that he is in love with her and gives her a big smooch. i've been excited about it all day. i'm a sucker for fake love!

JUST CHILLIN'

last night when zaida was taking a bath, she turned herself sideways and had her legs hanging out the side of the tub. she looked like she was just lounging poolside. i half expected a martini with an umbrella next to her. it makes me think of how much i enjoy sitting by the beach relaxing with a book. meanwhile, there is a blizzard outside! can't wait for summer to arrive. :)

IT SMELLS LIKE CAT FOOD!

so zaida is experiencing new tastes and textures, one of which is some of this nasty baby food. we gave her chicken & chicken gravy yesterday, and i swear it smelled like cat food. i was gagging on the smell, and she was gagging on the taste. yummy!

CONGRATS CHRISTA & BRIAN!

this is my dear friend Christa & her new husband Brian, happily married! christa is one of my treasured friends from the college years. we lived together in the sorority, and in multiple apartments. we are the rare breed of females that can actually live together (and share a room) and come out on the other end still friends. she has been living in phoenix for the past several years, but we have managed to keep in touch.

brian seems like such a great fit for her, and they seem so happy together. their wedding was beautiful and she looked gorgeous. i was honored to be a part of their special day, and can't wait to see them again. (hopefully sooner than later!)

congratulations to christa & brian!

THE OFFICE...

eric has me totally hooked on "the office". he got seasons 1 & 2 for christmas from clint & al. we have been watching episodes here and there. it's not the kind of comedy that is for everyone, but we find it downright hilarious!

IS THAT A BIRD CHIRPING?

just the other morning when we were leaving for school, i distinctly heard a bird chirping. could it be that spring is around the bend?? of course at this moment, i am looking out my window to see the snow falling, and hearing predictions of an ice storm on the horizon. but that's iowa for ya, right!?! here's hoping that we see spring sooner than later!!