The Crazy Toddler Dress-Up Stage

Alaina has been picking out some unusual outfits/accessories lately (see the post about NYC glasses and a jacket on an 80 degree day for additional proof) and today was no exception. This morning she refused to take off her favorite pajama shirt because it has monkeys on it... OK, so she wears the jammie shirt with her shorts. Then, when she came downstairs for breakfast, she put on a beach hat and sunglasses, indoors at 6:45 AM. As I came downstairs Harry called out, "I think we've entered the crazy toddler dress-up stage." 

Need more proof? Alaina watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while playing with blocks wearing her new life jacket this evening. I have to admit, this is one stage I think is hilarious and I can't wait to see what awesome outfit she comes up with next.

Beach Baby

This past weekend, Harry, Alaina, and I visited my parents in Wilmington and spent a couple of days at the beach. Alaina loved playing in the water and destroying sand castles.

Day 1: Oak Island Beach

 The beach AND bubbles equals yay!

Day 2: Caswell Beach

She was fearless in the ocean despite the large waves from the tropical storm.

Alaina LOVED the bucket of sea water.

Last night, Harry and I left our little lady with her grandparents and headed to Southport to eat at Provisions, Co.

Waiting for a table on the docks.

After dinner, we went for a walk on the small beach down the road. 

Captain Thompson's House (he was a river pilot captain on the Intracoastal Waterway in Southport. 

Views from the beach.

 Looking back at Provisions.

Our Trip to Asheville

Yesterday, Harry and I dropped our little lady, Alaina, off at her grandparent's farm and headed to Asheville, NC to see Jack White perform. 

 We had several hours to explore Asheville before the concert so we shopped (and ate) at many of Asheville's local stores and restaurants. In the picture above, we are enjoying ice cream in the garden of a local shoppe in Biltmore Village (I spelled it shoppe instead of shop because it felt so fancy in Biltmore Village).

The concert was amazing. Jack White is currently touring with 2 of his own bands (an all boy band and an all girl band) and you don't know which band you will see until they walk on stage. We enjoyed seeing the all girl band... The Peacocks. Harry and I both agree that it was one of the best shows we have ever seen, second only to Sir Paul McCartney. We couldn't get a picture of our own, due to a strict "no video" policy so I found this picture from another website that looks very close to our show. The concert was at a very small venue, The Orange Peel, in Asheville and there were only 1050 people in attendance. While we missed Alaina a lot, it was really nice to get away and enjoy some time together. It was also great to see Jack White in concert again.

Glasses, Jackets, and Bridges

This afternoon, Alaina, Harry, and I went for a walk to our community pond to visit the geese and turtles. Alaina picked out her accessories for our walk. 

She chose her NYC glasses and a velour jacket, despite our 78 degree weather. 

Needless to say, she took the glasses off immediately and the jacket followed quickly afterwards because she was hot. 

After we got to the pond, she spent a lot of time running back and forth across the bridge.

Occasionally, she would stop and enjoy the view, too. 

Baby Turtles

Today, on our walk, Alaina and I met 2 baby turtles. They were very cute and it was so adorable hearing Alaina try to say, "turtle."

Here is one of the tiny turtles we met.

Both of the baby turtles.

Alaina petting the baby turtle.

Mother's Day 2012

Today was Mother's Day and I spent the day with my 2 favorite people. We also spent the day with Harry's parents, sister, and grandmother. It was a wonderful day with family (but I missed my mom and dad) and I feel so blessed to be Alaina's mother.

Snuggling with Alaina and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Our Family Photo

Alaina and I getting ready to go visit Harry's parents and Alaina ready to give her grandma a Mother's Day card and her gift... a gardening hat.

Harry, Alaina, Laura, Mama (Harry's grandmother) and me

Happy Mother's Day!

 A special Happy Mother's Day to the wonderful Moms in our lives...

 My Mom with Clay, Martha, and me

Harry's Mom with Laura and Harry

And... thanks to Harry and Alaina, who make every day amazing!

(Our Family, the day Alaina was born)

Playing

Alaina has started playing more and more independently lately. She is obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so she plays with her "Minnie" characters a lot. This morning, she started putting them in chairs and in her dollhouse; it was too sweet not to share. 

Minnie in the camp chair.

Mickey on the potty.

 

Putting Donald into place in the living room. He was going to answer the phone. 

Admiring her work.

 

Finally, Alaina has learned how to do somersaults. She loves tumbling all over the place, especially after bath time.

Alaina's First Haircut

Tonight, Alaina got her first ever haircut. She was born with very LONG blond hair and up until now, I haven't had the heart to cut it. Her hair has gotten very long and it needed a little trim; so, after her bath this evening I gave Alaina her first haircut. 

The "during" pictures. We had Mickey Mouse Clubhouse playing so Alaina would be entertained while she was getting her hair styled. 

 

 

The "after" shots; not a huge change but her hair looks neater and has a little shape to it (in my opinion). She is such a cutie!

Shorts Weather!

Alaina is so happy that it is finally shorts and flip flop weather.