Music Class.

Here is your music class.  I never wanted to enroll for the fear that one of my friends would videotape me singing and dancing, but I am glad I did it.  You liked it, not so much loved because you stared every person down until you understood them.  However, you loved the bubbles and the other kids!  This doesn't mean that I enrolled you for another session.  You see my dear, there are all types of mothers in this world and yours happens to be the dance when M. Jackson or Young Money is blared in the apartment, but not Here we go Round the Mulberry Bush.

Jonas is freaking me out in this picture.  

So you don't feel like having your picture taken?

Just in case you wondered what you do when I have to use the restroom.  No there is no free time for your mother, so when I have to go you come right along with and explore the cabinet.  This usually means you take out all the tampons and pads and try to drink the Listerine.  

Faithe's Birthday!

This is right before Cealy started screaming at the top of her lungs in the movie.  This may be why the sign read, "No one under 5 years old."  Now of course your mother doesn't follow rules and you were scared out of your mind.

Aaron and Kizler at the food court.  This is right after I asked, What would you want to eat on an island if you could only have one thing?   Aisha said Watermelon.  Who eats that much watermelon.  I of course said pizza.  I am pretty sure Aaron said something lame as well, like fish?  

Faithe, Aaron, Aisha, and Kyle came to visit!  We pretty much laughed the whole time.  We went to the Shedd Aquarium and walked around Chi!  Faithe came to visit a couple of weeks after I had you.  She made my life bearable in a time I thought I would lose my mind.  She made meals and took care of you at night.  Faithe is the type of friend that becomes family and I hope you have a friend like her one day.

Hiawassee Continued.

We made smores!  They were so yummy.  Pop had you try your first marshmellow. Of course you loved it. 

Amy's Wedding and Hiawassee.

Look at you with your Nana and Pop.  You Nana has never taken a bad picture!! Quite annoying if you ask me.

We went to Georgia for Amy's wedding! It was very fun and beautiful! You were a dream.   We ate and then you fell fast asleep in your stroller, while the music was blaring.  Could I ask for a better child?  After Amy's wedding we headed to Hiawassee for Mamaw and Papaw's 65th anniversary.  You were awesome on the plane trip down, but not awesome on the plane trip back home.  You wanted to crawl, and it wasn't going to happen on the plane.  However, all went well and you have been on a plane 4 times in 10 months.  You little traveler you! 

Mamaw and Papaw's 65th Anniversary.

 

You will never know two people as hardworking and loving as your great-grandparents.  They are such amazing people.  I have been fortunate to be apart of their lives since I met your father, 12 years ago.  They have shown me what strength it takes to grow up in a world that was difficult and beyond imaginable.  They managed to love one another and stay together for over 65 years.  I am proud to know them both.  Papaw may be one of the funniest individuals, I have ever known.  He makes me laugh about every time I am with him.  He gives big hugs and always has a joke.  Mamaw is the so loving.  She treats you like her own and loves you to pieces.  She holds you every second she gets, and kisses your sweet face. Mamaw held you our entire trip.  Take every opportunity to learn from those older than you.  Mamaw has shared many of her experiences with me, and I will remember them always.  She was separated from her family as a young girl, and not always treated fairly.  She did not let her past rule her future.  Her and Papaw have loved you since the minute they met you.  They are role models to us all.  They work hard to love each other and those around them.  You must remember how important your family is. They will not be here forever, and you must put in the effort to be present in their lives. They are the type of great-grandparents you wish for, and they are all yours.  

10 months.

I want you to remember to go out and have a good time with your girlfriends.  Becoming a mother can define you at times, and you must remember to define yourself in different areas of your life.  There is nothing more rewarding than taking care of you.  I also love to work and make a difference in the lives of my students.  I love to spend time with your dad.  I love to hang with my girlfriends, and act like we did when we were 21.  I am blessed to have family who love you so much they fight over who can watch you while your dad and I get out.

You love this horse at Marm's house.  Marm thinks it talking stuffed animals create confused children and I can't help but agree.  I mean you think every stuffed animal is supposed to talk to you.  

You are getting grouchy because you have teeth coming in and I am thinking it hurts.  You are not sleeping as well and crying a lot more often.  Getting you out in your stroller takes your mind off of your pain.  We go to World Market, Lincoln Park Grocery, The Park, Bed Bath and Beyond, Walgreens, Jamba Juice, and Einsteins about once a week.  You love to swing and watch all the bigger kids at the park.  I have not met many friends, mostly because they bring antibac wipes to the park and wipe off everything which I think is weird.  Or maybe when I act like I am driving a race car with your stroller.  We get crazy looks, but hey we have fun.  You play games with Lorenzo every time you see him.  He is our doorman, and you can't seem to get enough of him.  You love the lady at the dry cleaners.  She takes you right out of my arms when we come in and you go back with her to grab our things.  I talk to you like a ten year old child in the elevator, so many of the older individuals living here are nervous around me.  "Cealy, why didn't you answer the phone when it rang?  It was important.  You are grounded for a week."  It entertains you, but no so much those around you.  I want to pull my hair out when we do laundry.  I am pushing your stroller and pulling loads of clothes, while trying to maneuver to the basement.  You love to watch me divide the clothes and throw them in the machine.  I pretend to put you in as well, while those around me feel the need to call social services.  Again, probably why I don't make many mom friends around here.  We have a blast.  I will have to say living in Chicago is exhausting, but completely worth it.  You have lived a packed life for a ten month old.  I hope we get to Indy soon, but I hope we live it up while we are still here.    

Pop's Retirement.

Your Pop retired! Here he is with his fellow retirees giving a speech.  We are not sure what he will do with all his time off, but I will bet he and Nana will be seeing you a lot more!

Nana held you the entire time.  You were in a great mood, and had fun with everyone around you.

You are ready for race weekend!

I went to the Cub's game with your dad.  Kate and Bruno babysat and you had a blast with them.  We decided to dress you in Cub's gear.

Aunie Kenzie came into town for the Cub's game.  I can't figure if she was going as a superhero or a prep.  She sure has changed from when she was little and dared to wear nothing but umbros.  I believe she is also wearing Gram Jo's purse.  

Ella's Birthday.

You love Ella's kitchen.

I was flipping out here, because you were trying to lick whatever this reptile is.  

Here you are more interested in the grass.

Look at your little leg bent.  I love this pose.

You had a blast at Ella's birthday party.  It was very fun.  Of course Courtney needed to have a traveling zoo and there were some animals there that freaked me out.  You seemed more interested with eating the grass, but then again you live in Chicago where there is little grass.