NC Botanical Garden

This morning Mia and I decided to visit the North Carolina Botanical Garden and it was amazing. I was so impressed. Mia had a blast saying flower a million times and looking at all the cool statues and sculptures. I can't wait until spring next year to see it in full bloom. It is so peaceful and it smells so good just as soon as you walk through the gates. I am embarrassed to admit I got misty eyed at one point looking at all the beauty around us that we ignore every day. I can't wait to go back soon especially since it's only about 10 minutes from our house.

Mia planning her next move.

I loved this little house. I was looking all around it at the details and finally realized its a collection box. It was so cute I almost put a dollar in it. Almost.

Mia was wondering if those blue herons were real or not.

Mia chatting it up with the stone face man. Just like a man, he was not paying attention.

I'm In Trouble Now!

I guess it's a onesie 24/7 for this little maniac. When I put this child down for a nap she had on capris... and a diaper.

Feeling fancy free.

Notice the capris under her "bankie" and the diaper to the right. Amazingly she didn't go potty anywhere that I could tell. She held the diaper out for me when I came in her room.

All The Live Long Day!!

I love the summer and love spending time with Mia doing all kinds of things BUT I am in need of some ideas of things to do with my 15 month old wild woman. She still has a very short attention span and I find I've run out of ideas by about 10:30am everyday. We go to the gym, museum, library, pool, color, and play outside but there are still a lot of hours to fill it seems. I would LOVE some ideas from you other moms that are in, or have been in, my same situation.

Mia likes moving her magnets around on the fridge.

This face melts my heart. She loves her little pool!

Her favorite pool activity is getting in and out of her pool 100 times.

Mia's Gardner cousins came for a short visit and she really liked them, she just didn't want them touching her for the picture! Let's just say it was bed time.

Mia's First Beach Trip

Earlier this month we went to Virginia Beach with our friend Emily (a co-resident's wife) and her daughter Ella. Ella is 5 months older and Mia thinks she is the coolest girl around. Mia calls her Ewa and tries to hug and kiss her nonstop, to Ella's dismay! It was a challenging trip but we still had fun. A small room and different nap schedules made the moms a little loco. We stayed at Fort Story in the Cape Henry Inn. It's a recreation resort for military families. We've decided to make this an annual trip but next year we will spring for a bigger place where the girls have their own space to sleep. I knew the sand was going to be an issue for Mia because the girl hates grass. She cried and wouldn't move because of the sand but hardcore mom that I am, I just left her in her sandy spot and tried to help her get over her fear. She eventually warmed up to it and discovered how fun the ocean can be. I had to hold on to her so tight or she would run out in the ocean and never look back! She was not the least bit scared of the waves and loved jumping over them. Too bad Dave didn't get to come with us but that is the life of a first year resident!!

Mia's first time out to the beach and she is NOT loving the sand.

Seeing if the sand tastes better than it feels.

Still in the same spot.

I love, love, love the beach.

Giving herself a sand facial.

She wouldn't take her crocs off.

Hard to tell but these are dolphins and we saw so many of them.

Mia was finally ready to walk on the sand the second day but needed a hand to hold. I was happy to oblige.

Ella and Mia enjoying chocolate chip pancakes on the Boardwalk.

Neptune on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.

The girls loved the Boardwalk and all the fun statues.

Last day at the beach and Mia is having a complete meltdown.

That's one sleepy girl and one happy mom!

Still upset with the sand and lack of nap.

Finally having some fun with Ella.

She knows I'm weird.

Mia Virginia Beach 2009

Beautiful lighthouse at Fort Story.

Nerd Alert!

One of our favorite places to go in Durham is the Museum of Life and Science. It has a fun kid's play area and a ton of activities (mostly for older kids). There is still plenty of stuff for Mia to do though. Outside it has animals and an awesome dinosaur exhibit. Mia loves playing in the play kitchen and we both love the butterfly conservatory. It's nice to have a place she can run around and have fun that I don't have to clean up afterwards!!

Mia is channeling her Grandma DeeDee for the perfect quilt pattern at the quilting exhibit.

I think I've posted this before but I can't help showing it again. She loves tunnels!

Mia and her new friend Becka. I could squeeze those cheeks forever!

Mia showing her stair skills

Making her dad proud with this weird animal and the giant toothbrush.

Carolina Girl

We are loving North Carolina. My family in Spartanburg, SC is only 3 hours away and Dave's sister and her family live down the street! We are so lucky to finally live near family. Mia LOVES having her cousins, Ben and Annika, nearby and her favorite person, Aunt Pam. Yes, Mia has quite a few aunts but I hate to say she just can't get enough of Pam. Don't get offended please, she chooses her over me even.

Mia can't get enough of this tunnel I bought her at IKEA.

First haircut and it is too cute! Of course she wants Aunt Pam.

She was pretty good for her first haircut. Annika is helping out!

We love our neighborhood! This is us at a neighborhood party. I hope Pam doesn't mind this picture. I think it is too cute. Except for me. I have to learn how to crop or something.

My brown eyed girl!

Booty Pickin Fun!!

Don't be offended people, Mia calls blueberries booties. It's hilarious and I need to download some video of her saying it because she rolls the "b" and it is the funniest thing you've ever heard. We have a blueberry patch very close to our house and we had a fun morning of picking deliciously ripe berries. Mia ate some berries off the bushes but mostly ate dirt. She was very patient with me as I picked and picked and picked. I wanted to get enough to freeze and considering she HATES grass she found ways to entertain herself. We froze some but still ate them all quickly anyway. She would eat them all day if I let her. I learned the hard way that too many blueberries in a toddler is not a good thing!

Graduation

Yes, Dave graduated in May but I am just now posting pictures. Pathetic. We had so much fun with family in town for Dave's big day. We started the day with an awards ceremony where Dave was recognized as class treasurer and tied with 2 others for highest board scores on Part II written. Then we headed home for a big bbq bash/birthday party for Dave. We played a game (I stole the idea from my friend Kimmy!!) with trivia questions about Dave and then headed off to graduation. We ended the day at Lynn's Paradise Cafe and ate until we popped. Thanks to all our family for coming out and celebrating with us. Also thanks to all our Louisville family (that's what friends become in dental school!) for going through the last 4 years with us. We miss you every single day.

Amazing quilt my mom made for Dave!

Yep he's gonna kill me!

Some of our Louisville Family!!

U of L dental nerds for life baby!!

Dave, Mia, his parents, and two of his sisters.

Dave and the Chapman clan!