Leaving Chicago.

There is so much to say about leaving your home of Chicago. Your dad and I are very excited to get back to Indianapolis and be around our family and friends. We want you and your little brother to be surrounded by love. It is going to be hard to say goodbye to Chicago. Knowing we are leaving in a few short weeks scares me. I take every second with you in the city and breathe it all in. You have become a very independent, happy almost 2 year old and living here has had a lot to do with it. We are always looking for the next adventure. We went to Music Class this morning and then ate outside Einstein's watching the buses and people go by. We take very long walks and find different parks to explore. We visit different parks each week, and right now we have about 8 different ones we love! It was a difficult winter. Chicago is very cold and as you say, "Windy Mommy, Windy." It will be wonderful to have a backyard and jump in our car to go somewhere. However, I love walking so we will be the weird Larners who walk most everywhere in Indy. It will also be most wonderful not to pass someone daily who is scary and screams for no reason, or asks you an odd question, and I have to skip a little faster away.

You are talking a lot. Cruz came to visit this weekend, and you are certainly obsessed with him. You will not let your dad even touch the baby, but I can hold him all I want. This may get interesting with the new baby coming soon. You like to say No to everything, even the things you like. "No Passy, No Night Night, No Park, No Eat, No Applesauce." I am impressed by all the names you know. You are getting to know your colors and sing songs with me. You always say "Hi" and use the names of the door or garage men. "Hi Loronzo" and then you go and give them a high-five.

I will always cherish this city, and the time our family spent here. We will visit often, and we stay near our old place and go to all of our favorite places. We will build new memories in our new neighborhood.

A lesson on Easter.

Easter morning was difficult, because I felt Ceal needed to see her grandparents. I was sad we were not in Indy. We had a lot to do in our place like unpack and clean up. In the morning I talked to Danny about everything we “needed” and how Easter would not the same without baskets and candy. Before Ceal woke up, I went through the mail. I found a letter from my precious Belinda who lives in Zambia. She often writes to tell me how thankful she is for Danny and I. We send her money each month so that she can eat meals, go to school, and wear clothes and shoes. We sent her an extra special gift at Christmas, but I didn’t think she received it, because she never mentioned it. I forgot how long it took to get to her. So I got her thank you letter on Easter morning.

“We were remembered by God through you. I bought my first mattress to sleep on. I bought new shoes for school and blankets for my family to use. I have nothing for you. I can only send my love through Jesus.” I love you, Belinda

So I cried and read the letter over and over. She also sent a picture of herself standing in front of everything she was able to buy. A little girl in the middle school grades who wanted a mattress so she could sleep easier. So this was my Easter gift. A lesson from Jesus and Belinda that “things” are never really needed. Third World countries ask for clean water and blankets, not Easter baskets and candy. A great lesson learned on Easter morning.

Fort Myers Vacation!

Mamaw and Papaw are two of the most interesting and loving people on the planet. We visited with them most everyday and went to Papaw’s favorite places to eat. Mamaw played with you until she would fall asleep. When you napped we would all sit on the porch and just when you thought Papaw was asleep, he would say, “Amanda, I’m putting an ad in the newspaper for a hungry billy goat.” “Why would you want a billygoat?” “I can’t afford those gas prices in Indy so I’m gonna buy me a billy goat to mow my lawn.” Papaw had me laughing most of the day. I learned that Mamaw never had a refrigerator growing up. Life is so much simpler now than it was many years ago. Mamaw and Papaw have many interesting stories. I learn a lot through them. I love them very much.

"Owange peas" Ceal would ask for oranges every minute on the beach. We gave her about 5 everyday, until we told her no more.

Ceal could color and draw out on the porch.

There is nothing I love more than Ceal's kisses.

The best dad Ceal could ever ask for.

Fort Myers was our first vacation as a family. We have gone on many vacations, but this one was just our family and we visited our precious Mamaw and Papaw. Our condo was on the beach with the most amazing view. The doors to the living room and master bedroom would open up all the way to the porch. It was so beautiful. The pool was right down the stairs. You loved the pool most of all. You would swim and jump and when we would take you out, you asked to go back in so you could go, “fwimming.”

There are sidewalks that link everything together, which makes it perfect to walk everywhere! We walked downtown every night and some mornings for breakfast. There were plenty of resturants and snacks (Yippee). I will even admit that we had ice cream every night!! I am quite nervous for you to get back to reality. You had your dad to yourself all day and you were given anything you wanted.

I don’t LOVE swimming in the ocean. I love watching the ocean and hearing it, but swimming with the creatures that live in the ocean is not my cup of tea. I let you put your feet in, but I didn’t want you swimming in it, because there were stingrays everywhere!! Every time I looked in the ocean I saw a wicked stingray and a sweet sign that said if you don’t shuffle your feet you will do the stingray dance. No stingray dance here. However, your dad felt the need to give me high anxiety, even on vacation so he took you out into the ocean everyday. This is about when I took my chair and faced it backwards so I couldn’t see you. I am sure you had a blast, but I would have no idea.

You thought you saw Marm at the pool and kept calling to her. It of course wasn’t but I felt so bad, because you had to think that Marm was ignoring you the whole trip. You would even leave the pool and say, “Bye Marm.” It broke my heart thinking you thought she would just pretend you weren’t there. The lady was quite beautiful so Marm felt good about that, but she was not fun in any way, so I snarled at her for you.

There were two little girls your exact age here. They were too cute and you played well with them, but you only like to play for a little and then you want them to leave you alone. You go and sit on your dad’s lap and say, “No No,” when they come over. It is a good thing your dad works, because we had a pretty tight relationship until this trip. You freak out if he leaves the room and follow him everywhere. If I get you up from a nap, you ask “Where daddy?” Daddy has to ask you to give me kisses. You won't even let him shower. You scream cry until he gets out. What is this all about? I am going to allow it for this trip, because he has been super fun with you, but when we are back to normal things better get back to the way they were…

Fort Myers Beach Pictures.

Beach Fun!

Downtown or "Times Square" was super fun with performers, restaurants, ice cream (Yippee), candy, and shops. We walked down from our place every night.

Ceal could run around the whole time until food came. Patience was not needed, which is going to be super fun when we get back to reality.

No I will not sit in the chairs, but I will stand in them.

Mug Shot after all the sunscreen was put on.

Fort Myers Beach!

Park on the playground. Slides were 100 degrees, but Ceal loved the bridge.

Sweetest picture ever.

We took long walks at night and found starfish, sand dollars, and lots of other creatures. I was crushed when Ceal broke a sand dollar in half. He was moving and everything.

I spotted roughly 40 stingrays a day. Yes I counted. They were everywhere. They are not supposed to show up until May, but they wanted to meet me I guess. It was super scary, and I did not swim in the ocean. I can't same the same for my husband or daughter who he made swim with him.

This is my precious Ceal.

Ceal stole Elmo or "Melmo" from a friend on the beach. She would not give him back. Good thing her friend was a lot less hot headed and let her play with him.

Ceal wanted to take her puppy to the beach. Then she wanted to walk down the boardwalk with her pup. There is one problem that I never remember...the kid only likes to walk the puppy there, so on the way back her mother got to walk the puppy while people drove by and wondered what I was on. I kept up the facade for others and even called the puppy by name. I just wanted people to have something to talk about.

Wicked Wagon and My Birthday!

Here is that wicked wagon that I bought along the sidewalk. It is hanging out in our living room, which is not large. However, I have taken this out. I take Ceal and her best bud, Danny (not my husband) to the library and park in this thing. I love it!! This picture is Bella, Annie's adorable 4 year old. I took care of her when she was born, and I love this child dearly. They were so much fun when they visited. You can't control your laughter when you are with Annie. Bella is so sweet and gentle with Ceal. Love them both!!

Gealy, Bruno, and Amy came to my place to take me to eat on my birthday! It was so much fun. Not only did they take me to eat, but they ordered a cookie express, which is the bomb.com. They are so good with Ceal, and I love them for thinking of me all the time!!

Ceal makes Bruno read to her whenever she comes. I take it she doesn't like the book Bruno is reading in this one.

It's a Boy.

I am shocked. During the ultrasound, I knew I would find out my precious baby was a girl. Please remember, I was sure Cecilia was a boy, so I am really good at these things. Danny was pumped. We would have been so happy to have another girl. Ceal is the best kid ever, and I couldn't ask for anything more. So to add a boy to the mix is being blessed beyond measure! I don't know much about boys. I thought I would always be a mom to a bunch of girls. After my shock wore off, I got super excited and started to plan his room. I got my Land Of Nod mag and Ikea and created a stellar boy room. I told Ceal her brother was in my stomach, but I didn't want to freak her out too much, so by her reaction I think I will just bring him home and show him to her later on.

I am still very tired. I don't remember being this tired with Ceal. However, I got to come home from school and crash. One of my teacher friends knew I was having a boy, because I look very different. My sister Aisha also thought I was having a boy, because we had the exact same symptoms. We were sick starting at 5 weeks to 17 weeks. We also had bad headaches. I still have these mean things, and take Tylenol like hot tamales.