Exciting Stuff

We have had some really exciting things going on at the Shunnarah house lately. Edie is talking up a storm! She has even put together two word phrases like - "ziggy outside", "ziggy stop" and her favorite "ziggy no! no!" I am not sure where she is getting all of this from ;) I do feel sorry for Ziggy getting in so much trouble but it is so cute to see Edie discipline Ziggy. Poor Ziggy - she needs a nice long walk...alone. Edie is driving her crazy!

I also have to give credit to Edie's school, Primrose for making such a difference in her this past month. Not only is she talking more, she is signing a lot! Sometimes I have to consult our sign book just to see what she is saying. I am also giving credit to Edie's Primrose buddies for teaching her some "terrible two" lessons. I am only kidding - but I must say these past few days have been challenging. Although Edie has been sick (again) we are not quite sure if her attitude of slapping, biting, "no-no", whining, throwing, not sharing, and crying at the drop of a hat is from feeling bad or from feeling spoiled. Edie has always had such a good disposition that when she acts out it puts us all in a tail spin. I just want my sweet, kissy-face baby back. But even at her worst, Edie is still the most precious little girl ever.

Above is Edie getting ready for school. Yes she likes to brush her teeth while watching Tv. We have to get a better routine down for dental hygiene. Where did she get that precious dress from? Ms. Jackie of course! It was chilly out so we wore some brown leggings. Thanks Ms. Jackie! We LOVE the dress(s)!!

Is it March Already?

I can not believe how fast time is flying by. I can't believe I have not posted since Feb 21st! So much has been going on and we have a lot to share. Edie is doing so well in school. She loves Prim Rose and continues to excel at The Bell Center. Edie has started to stand up completely from the "frog" position which shows great strength. She is also really starting to find walking fun. She giggles as she comes towards you (we have realized that if we continue to scoot backwards - she will continue to walk towards us). The best part for her is falling into our lap. She thinks it is quite fun and we think it is so exciting to see her taking steps, many steps on her own. Now we have to work hard to keep it going!

Speaking of walking and standing alone. We were able to get a few photos of Edie showing off at her recent 2 year photo shoot with my friend Grethel, owner of Grethel Van Epps Photography. I have always loved Grethel's work and she is truly amazing, but this time it was one of my favorite sessions. We took our time and enjoyed just "playing" and being together. We played with books, bubbles and keys. You can see her slide show here once on site go to clients login and type Edie. Enjoy!

Don't You Love It!

 

Just wanted to share with you our newest love. Edie and I received these precious calling cards and gift cards from my dear friend Stacey Day owner of RocPaper. They are the sweetest things. My cards include My name - Mom to Edie, my phone number, email and blog address. Edie's has her name and a Ladybug design on the front and a cute design to match on the back of the card. I LOVE them!! Check out her site, she just uploaded some really cute stationary. Thanks so much Stacey - your the best!!

Halle's Hamper Playdate

 

Today Edie and I hosted a Halle's Hamper party at our house. Our home was filled with the cutest little clothes, the cutest little babies and some really great friends. Edie had a blast playing with all of the children and having some "girl time". At this party you can pick your child's outfit and design it yourself by choosing your own combination of some really precious fabrics! It is a really fun concept! With all of the cute designs and fabrics how could any mommy resit! Check it out soon - spring/summer orders end March 15th!

Pee Pee in the Potty!

 

Edie has really grown over the past month. She continues to amaze us. We bought her a potty several months ago with no expectations and no real plan. We just put it in the powder room, talked about it, played with it and let Edie sit on it while we were in the restroom. Sunday night to our surprise Edie was sitting in the kitchen floor and started to touch her diaper. When I asked her if she needed to "go potty" she pointed toward the powder room. So we went in there, I took her bottoms off and she sat on the potty for the first time without any pants on. She got off a few times and then sat on it again, looked at me with big eyes and she pee-peed!! I could not believe it! I grabbed her up gave her a big hug and called for Scott to come and see. With all of the excitement I scared Edie to tears. I reassured her that she had done a perfect job and gave her so many kisses. Like I said....she continues to amaze us.

Kiss the Cook

 

Last weekend after Edie went to bed Scott and I were lucky enough to have two of our good friends over for dinner, Chris and Shannon Poole. The best part was I did not have to cook! Chris, a super great chef, delighted us with a pheasant and cheese appetizer and for the main course shrimp and grits. Might I add some of the best shrimp and grits I have ever had. Chris picked up the fresh gulf shrimp on his way back from Pensacola that same day. They were delicious! Great food and even better company. Thanks Shannon and Chris for a wonderful evening!

Click On Me!!

"Click On Me" to see photos from our special Mercedes Marathon weekend

2010 Mercedes Marathon

I have so much to share!! I have so many pictures to share!! I am still trying to gather them all for a video. So above is a sampeling of some of my favorite shots from over the weekend. What a big week and weekend we had!

It started last Saturday with Edie getting sick with pneumonia. She stopped eating, ran a fever for several days and had a terrible cough that kept everyone up for many nights. It got so bad that Scott and I did something we said we would never do. We let Edie sleep with us. I am not sure if anyone got any sleep, but it gave us peace of mind. Poor little thing. She stayed out of school all week. We canceled all of her therapy appointments and we just kept her home praying for her to get better before the big weekend. The Mercedes Marathon and The Bell Center Children's Run. Edie was sick this same time last year which caused her to miss the Children's Run so we really wanted her to make it this year. On Wednesday her fever broke, on Thursday she ate for the first time in 6 days!! By Friday she was on the road to recovery and acting more like herself. We were so thankful to see her bright eyes and smiling face on Saturday morning and know that she was back to her happy self again. We missed her.

So Saturday morning we bundled her in two layers of clothes, two coats and gloves and we headed to The Bell Center Children's Run. It was in Scott's words "The most exciting thing he had ever seen" and it was! All of the children from TBC were carried, pushed, walked, whatever means possible across the actual Mercedes Marathon Finish Line where they received an official Medal. Edie was in the "Walker Heat". We were not sure how well she would do since we had not been practicing but she did fantastic! She got right in there, grabbed on to her walker and she literally took off!! Almost at a running pace. She actually won her heat (if there is a winner) so maybe I should say she crossed the finish line first. The cutest part was seeing the look on her face as she passed by the cheering crowd. She LOVED it!! I thought at one point she was going to stop and wave. I wish everyone could have been there to see her in her glory. We were soooooo proud!

Sunday morning we bundled up again and headed back out to Lynn Park to watch Team(s) Ladybug cross the finish line. Scott, Jimmy and Eric crossed the finish line first around 9:30 after running the 1/2 Marathon. It was really exciting to see the three of them round the corner and see the smiles on their faces knowing they were so proud of their accomplishment. After they crossed the finish line we went in for a while to warm up before we headed back out to see the rest of the teams and Lisa who ran the full marathon run past. We had a total of 22 family members and friends running for TBC and in honor of Edie on Saturday. Scott, Aunt Mindy, Uncle Zach, Uncle Chuck, Jimmy, Eric, Randy, Matt, Mark, Russell, Tanner, Candy, Heath, Conner, Lucy, Cissy, Shanna, Amber, Brandi, Lisa, Amanda, and Daphney. It was such a special day that I will never forget. I can not tell you how great it felt to see everyone come together in support of our cause and most of all in support of Edie. I am so grateful to every runner who made this day possible and I so grateful for the love and support everyone has shown. It means more than you will ever know.

Hot Diggidy Dog

Edie loves to dance to the "Hot Diggidy Dog" song on the Micky Mouse Clubhouse show. She will even squat down in the floor, push up with her hands and bounce her bottom in the air if we sing it to her (I will get this on vedio next). This is the first song I have ever really noticed her dancing to everytime she hears it.

Scott recorded this on his phone the other morning and it was too cute not to share. She really only dances in the first few seconds, but if you watch it to the end you may catch her letting go of the toy and stand on her own for 1/2 a seconded. She can stand alone - you just have to trick her into doing it!

The Great Funundrum!

Saturday we took Edie to the Circus. I was so excited all week to show her the elephants, tigers and clowns we had been talking about. I must say Edie LOVED it!! I think I spent more time watching Edie and her reactions than I did watching the Circus myself. I loved to see her eyes light up when she heard the music and saw all of the flashing lights. She really loved the trampoline part as well as the elephants. There were a few times when she enjoyed watching the crowd more than what was going on with the Circus. But she never got bored nor did she ever want down. She just sat in her daddy's lap taking in all of the sights and sounds. For me this may have been one of the most memorable outings yet.

What she did not like was the funnel cake and cotton candy. Surprising, yes. Disappointing, no. Especially since mommy got to eat the biggest part of it!

Blog-worthy

Scott took this photo of Edie last week on her way to school. She loves her Lolly Dolly.

While Edie "Was Out"

Last Saturday, while Edie spent the day with Gigi and Giddo, Scott and I did a "While You Were Out" room makeover for Edie. While we did not completely redo her room, I like to say we "enhanced" it a bit. We took it from a sweet pink and green nursery to a fun and colorful toddlers room. Which I feel matches Edie's {new} spunky personality. We incorporated brighter colors of pinks, greens and yellows. But we did not do it alone we had help from some very talented people!

Above is my old rocker that Nannie painted white and made a chair pad and back cover with an "E" monogram. This was one of Edie's birthday gifts from Nannie and Pawpaw. Also above is Edie's Lolly Dolly that her Aunt Kelli made for her for Christmas. She is complete with brown hair and blue eyes. Lolly Dolly is playing in an old baby bed that Scott and I bought at a thrift store and refinished. Last but not least shown above was Edie's biggest birthday gift of all. A doll house bookcase handmade from scratch by Pawpaw.

Above is the picture Aunt Mindy had made for Edie's Christmas gift. {this was also the piece that began this whole process}. On the top right is the tree that Scott cut out and painted. We started off using a magnetic primer which was intended to make the surface - well magnetic so we could hang Edie's artwork. However, to our disappointment it did not work. So I made photo clips and glued them to the tree. Making the room complete is the table and chair set that Gigi and Giddo gave Edie for Christmas. Edie loves it. Especially now that it is in her room. We have been having tea parties with her babies all week and I have loved every minute of it!

Who needs Pottery Barn when you have such a wonderfully talented Daddy and Pawpaw!

Congratulations!!

Congratulations Aunt Mindy and Uncle Chuck on your engagement! We could not be more thrilled!
Edie will be a flower girl for the wedding and our goal is for Edie to walk down the aisle on May 29th all by herself!

Edie's 2nd Birthday Party

Edie had a perfect party fit for a perfect little Ladybug. Obviously the theme was "Ladybugs" - Complete with a Ladybug cake and a Ladybug Tutu. We had a house full of family, love and fun. It was a great day. Scott made some of the best hamburgers ever and we had some of the best chocolate ice cream too! Edie got a lot of great new toys, clothes, money and some of the prettiest handmade gifts ever. Gigi made Edie a needle work wall hanging of Angles. Nannie painted my old rocking chair white and made a seat and back pad and Pawpaw made Edie a precious dollhouse bookcase {more to come on these}.

Edie in her Ladybug Tutu made by Dinky Doo Tutu's

Look who is standing all ALONE! Yes, Edie has been standing and taking a few steps for the past week. She stood for the longest time ever all by herself on the day of her party. What a special birthday gift!

Mommy, Daddy and Edie - Edie, Wyatt, Wylie and Wesley

Aunt Mindy, our soon to be Uncle Chuck, Gigi and Edie

Gigi's beautiful needle point gift to Edie

Edie tired of all of the picture taking - "Enough Already!!!"

Happy Birthday Edie!

Edie turned "2" today. We have had such a blast with her this year. We have had many new adventures, many laughs and many-many proud moments. We went to the beach for the first time where Edie ate 10lbs of sand. We went to the lake and rode a boat for the first time too. Edie has learned to hold crayons, forks and spoons. Say several new words and use a lot of new signs. We had ice-cream, peanut butter, chocolate and even salad for the first time this year. Gosh - we have done so much, learned so much and grown so much. It is so amazing what God has done in our lives and the gifts he has given to us this year. We are so grateful for his love.

The photos above are just a few of my favorites from the year. I could have easily added 100 more. Like I said we have had so many great times this year and looking through all of our photos reminds me of just how great of a year it was.

I look forward to what this year will bring.

This is Edie showing you she is "Two". She has not quite learned how to show just two fingers yet. The photo on the bottom left is something new she is doing too. If you tell her to "smile" she will put her hands in front of her mouth like she is giggling. Not sure where she got that from.

Edie this morning with static in her hair and showing how old she is "Two"!

Check Up

We visited with Dr. Johnson, Edie's cardiologist, a few weeks ago. We have been so busy I forgot to post about the visit. It was great!! Edie was such an Angel for the Dr. and nurses. She sat so still during each procedure and only cried when they removed the EKG tabs. She got to weigh on the big girl scale. She stood there and held on to it like a pro, weighing in at 22lbs!! She stood so tall against the wall while they recorded her height. Did I say she was so good? She was so good in fact that Dr. Johnson was able to get a good view and reading on everything that is going on and there was no need to even talk about scope procedures. Scott and I were amazed at how still she was while Dr. Johnson did the ultrasound. I could go on and on about how wonderful she did - but back to the outcome.

Edie's VSD has closed!! You could see a definite, distinct bump where the closure was. There was no sign of blood passing through so it is a sure sign of complete closure. We were THRILLED to see this in person. He did still see the cleft in her right valve which was the new condition we learned of during our last visit. It has not grown however, which is good. We are not due back to see him again until January of 2011. The outcome of the visit is still the same at the moment. The cleft is there, it is not posing as a threat at the time. It is a condition that Edie can live with as long as it does not get any larger. So as long as Edie continues to do great and look great we will just continue to monitor it. So keep praying! Our prayers are being answered each trip we make! God has truly blessed us.

This is an old picture - but I have been playing around with a program I downloaded for free called Light Room. It is really cool.

Almost Two!

I can't believe that Edie is turning two tomorrow! This year has really flown by. I pulled out Edie's One Year Birthday cupcake dress last week and it may me cry to see how itty-bitty she once was. And now to see these pictures it only makes me tear up again. Why do they have to grow? As sad as it is to see my baby grow - it also brings excitement. Edie has accomplished so many things this year it is amazing! She is AMAZING!

Hats and Horns

We had a great New Years at the Hats and Horns Party benefiting The Bell Center and The Alabama Child Caring Foundation. We ate, drank, mingled and danced all night long! And to top off the night, we were escorted by the Hoff Clan {shown above L2R: Tiger and Elin Woods ( The Hoff's), Sara and Brian Young, Jennifer and Michael Friedman and Stephanie and Stephen Hoff} back to Ross Bridge where we were staying for the night. It was not just any ordinary ride either. It was a 70's style white limo filled with six of the funniest people I know. My side was still hurting the next day from laughing so hard. I love these guys. They really know how to have a good time!

Funny Girl

Edie, Scott and I had lunch at Zoes last week. I showed off my new eyes and Edie showed off her orange slice.