Ada's new phrase!

I have no idea where she learned this, but she started saying this today. Remember, she isn't even 2 yet!

A day at the parks

Well even though today was not a pretty weather day, it was the first dry day we have had in several days, so we decided to take advantage of it. This morning we took Ada to the park. On the way we made a pit stop at the fountain pond to feed the geese and ducks. Ada loved it, and we loved the fact that she never tried to jump in after them. Ada kept yelling at the ducks to "eat" after throwing bread into the water. She never did say geese, but we were happy with the well pronounced "duck".
Once at the park Ada met twin boys who were much older than her, maybe 5 or 6, who taught her a new way to go down the big slides, head first. Ada loved following these boys around the playground and they had fun leading her on all all the big kid toys. The grandmother that was there with the twins was very concerned that the boys would knock Ada over and she would get hurt. Adam and I were very watchful, but were more concerned for the boys safety. We realized that once Ada got comfortable around the big boys, she started to "nudge" them down the slides. It was very funny, yet bad habit forming so we tried our best at keeping a straight face and letting her know that "nudging" on the slides was not appropriate behavior. She figured out real quick that if she beat them to the slides then she didn't have to wait on the boys to go down.
If you haven't figured out already, then the pictures should clue you in, Ada has no fear. None. Not a bit. Heights don't stop her. Steep stairs and long climbs are not going to keep this child on the ground. There was this very old, very tall, very rickety slide there that Ada loved. Standing at about 10 feet tall and zero safety features on it, it's a nightmare for any mother seeing her not even 2 year old standing on the top as happy as can be. What did Ada do? She went up and down it about 10 times, each time doing it a little faster and not holding on as much. Adam finally had enough with climbing up behind her that we were able to get her excited about another shorter safer slide. It wasn't long after that when we decided that it was time to go. Ada cried the entire walk to the car, it about broke my heart, but we all were very tired after 2 hours at the park.
We came home, got a quick bite to eat, grabbed the dog and headed to the dog park. Ada fell asleep in the car on the way as Adam predicted and slept the entire hour in the car we were at the dog park. Adam had the pleasure of being inside the fence with Bentley this time, I stayed in the car with Ada. Bentley was in heaven. The pond was open for the first time in several weeks since the all the ice had finally melted so Bentley jumped right in. Adam said that Bentley figured out real quick that none of the other dogs could keep up with him, so he would egg then on to run with him then take off on them. He would also catch other dog's toys and run off with them only to return them after a victory lap. One owner/dog pair had a ring Frisbee that Bentley caught and flipped around over his head so he had it around his neck. He was running around with this neon orange necklace on. As the sun started to fade and the temperature dropped even more, our once very white English setter had turned very brown and it was time to head home. Adam was able to give him a very quick very cold shower with the hose that was there and then it was a warm towel in the back of the car for Bentley for the ride home. All in all, today was a great day. The house is very quite now with the baby and dog fast asleep in their respected beds. We look forward for the next "parks" day.

January so far...

With the unbelievable cold conditions that we have had here in Knoxville of the past few weeks, we all have been stuck in the house more than we wish. Luckily we have managed to keep ourselves entertained. Adam and I have been working really hard with Ada on her letters, numbers, and animals. She is blowing me away will how fast she is picking things up. I have not been able to get her to grasp the idea that letters and numbers have an order to them, but I know that it will all come in time. The fact that she knows most of them is a blessing in itself.
Ada is also quickly turning into a little girl. She has developed the massive need to help and be involved in everything that Adam and I are doing. Out daily duties she has started to master like helping to empty the dishwasher, find her food in the pantry and open the fridge to bring us her milk or juice. This morning she and I played dress up with my shoes and her tutu. Unfortunately for Bentley, he got a little too nosy with the activities and got involved weather he liked it or not.
My baby is turning into a little girl more and more everyday.....

Happy Birthday Spencer!

The new addition to the family!!

Spencer Thomas Eckenrode
Born: January 5th, 2010
4:57pm
7lbs 2ozs, 20 3/4 inches

Congratulations Lauren and Tommy!!!