Vote for Edie

Poll: I vote for number: THREE

Our super great photographer - Grethel Van Epps of Grethel Van Epps Photography has chosen a photo of Edie to represent her work {12} from past sessions. It is such a sweet one where she is hugging her Lolly Dolly. If Edie has the most votes we will win the picture in a 16x20!!! Go and vote for Edie as one of your favorites too!! Hurry contest ends July 5th!!

Just click on the Poll tab above and vote for # THREE!!! You can vote from as many different computers as you want. Pass on to your friends too! We can always use more photos of our precious Edie!!

Beach Bums 2010

We had such a great time last week at the Palms of Destin Resort.  They had a super great pool perfect for a "little fish" named Edie.  She LOVED the zero entry pool and she LOVED the ocean.  She would have spent all day at both if she could.  As long as she was in the water that is.  The slat water did not seem to bother her either even when a few waves went over her head.  In the pool she LOVED wearing her swimmies like the big kids.  I am pretty sure she knew what they were for because she willingly put them on and immediately started towards the deeper part of the pool.  She did go under a few times but she really seemed to like it when she did. 

The condo was great.  Edie slept until 9:00 most mornings - what more could we have asked for?  The resort style pool was great for kids and adults with lots of room to move around.  It never seemed crowded and Edie loved seeing all of the action.  For the most part she enjoyed playing with the other babies, especially their toys and they loved playing with hers so it all worked out.  The only trouble we had was on the last day when Edie put another little girl in the choke hold and pushed her under water.  Other than that she pushed a 2nd little victim when she got too close to her daddy.  I am starting to think Edie may be becoming a bully. 

We ate a lot of great sea food but my favorite restaurant was AJ's.  I loved the atmosphere and I especially loved seeing Edie feed the fish.  She went CRAZY!!  We also took some time to visit San Destin and Sea Side which is always nice - so much to do and so little time!!  I could have spent another week at the beach.  Hopefully we can make it back for a long weekend before fall.  That's my goal anyway : )

Just Splashing Around!!

Today we went to the Splash Pad in Gardendale with our friends Maxwell, Joseph and Merritt. It was a great way to cool off and have some fun! Edie lasted about 20 minutes and then she was over it. We recharged with some of Merritt's snacks and Joseph's drink and they were off again. We had a lot of fun playing in the water and getting some sunshine before our vacation to the beach next week! What a great way to kick off the weekend! Now we are Beach Bound!!!

Three Summer Loves

There are three things I love about summer - fresh flowers {especially hydrangeas}, Gigi's homemade grape leaves {they are the BEST} and homemade margarita pizza with fresh basil from our herb garden and homemade dough {found in the bakery section of Publix}. Edie of course could care less about all of the above, but I am working on her. One day she will learn to appreciate how good Gigi's grape leaves are. I could eat the whole pot by myself!!

Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Kitchen

Aunt Mindy {aka Mrs. Kitchen} made my day by posting several of their wedding photos on fb today!! These are some of my favorites from the beautiful day. During all of the photo shoots I thought to myself, "Edie could not have been more of an Angel" as she totally cooperated by sitting so sweetly while the photographer shot away. However, once I saw the photos I do not think there is one where she is actually looking at the camera. I guess she was just so into everyone else she forgot to look at the camera and smile. What kind of 2 1/2 year old does that ;)!!!

None the less the wedding was beautiful, the bride and groom were just as perfect and Edie walking down the aisle as the flower girl made it all the more special. I am seriously considering bring her dress to the beach with us next week for some more photo shoots. She was just too stinkin cute in it!! I need more!!!

Flower Girl

I said I would post more photos of the wedding and of Edie walking down the aisle.  But because I can not copy any of the pics from the professional photo link and our camera was terrible that day, I have now started begging friends and relatives for pictures.  Kelly, one of our cousins from Colorado, shared this one with me.  So Cute!!!!  Look at that smile!!

The Bell Center Seeking Summer Peer Models

I usually would not post this to Edie's Blog - but it is the only way I can get it to post to face book for everyone to see. If you have a typically developing child you may be interested in this therapeutic "play-date" group. They meet all over Birmingham one day each week. Your child would serve as a model peer to children with special needs. What fun!!


The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs is currently looking for children between the ages of 29 months and 3 years old (by June 30th ) to serve as peer models for children in their summer Stay and Say Playgroup.

The Stay and Say Playgroup is designed to promote independent play skills and encourage socialization in both typically developing children and children with special needs. A parent and/or caregiver participate with their child in this weekly playgroup on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:00. A team of therapists including an early childhood special education teacher, physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech and language pathologist lead the playgroup that takes place in a variety of locations including McWane Center, Pink House, Homewood Park, Cherub’s Clubhouse, The Birmingham Zoo and Children’s Dance Foundation . A short informative session on positive child rearing practices is included for parents and caregivers.

The Playgroup Meets for 7 more weeks this summer and the cost for Friends is $50 for the entire summer.
If you are interested in participating please contact the Andi Gillen at 870-0081 or agillen@thebellcenter.org

Crazy Lake Lady

While Aunt Mindy and Uncle Chuck were away on their honeymoon we headed up to their lake house to spend a few days playing in the water and grilling out. Last year when we went to the lake Edie was content enough to stay in her pack-n-play down on the pier. This year not so much. Scott and I quickly realized that our little busy body did not equal "relaxation" I am not sure what we were thinking. She wanted nothing to do with a life vest and everything to do with playing in the water. We ultimately had to line the edge of the pier with chaise lounges so she could not get to the water. She eventually settled with playing with water in buckets and wearing it on her head.

Edie also got a new bathing suite for the trip! Ms. Jackie surprised us with several new outfits including a precious seersucker bathing suite with her initial monogrammed on it! I LOVE it! I am not sure how much she is selling these for, but if you are interested let me know. She also made Edie several short outfits with swing tops and matching shorts along with a precious pillowcase dress with a fun Disney theme. I am so excited that she will have all new clothes to wear for our BEACH TRIP in the coming weeks!!! Thank you so much Ms. Jackie!! We love you so much!

Congratulations!

Congratulations Aunt Mindy and Uncle Chuck!!  Mindy and Chuck were married May 29th at Gabrella Manor.  The ceremony, led by Chucks father was so beautiful not to mention the bride and groom!  The flowers were amazing complete with an aisle of scattered rose petals that was nothing short of something you would see in a magazine of a Southern Garden Wedding.  The colors were green, brown and cream with pops of colors in all of the flowers.   

Family came from all around to witness the marriage of Mindy and Chuck and to see our baby WALK down the aisle!  Yes!  Edie WALKED down the aisle all by herself, carrying her sweet little flower girl basket!  She was so precious in her dress.  I said she looked like a little cupcake.  Scott and I were a little emotional as we watched her coming down flashing her smile to everyone.  She did perfect!  We had a goal, "a wish", that Edie would walk for Mindy and Chuck's wedding and she did it!  She is AMAZING!!

We spent the rest of the weekend with family having a great time catching up and seeing everyone.  I had hoped to have some photos for this post, but my camera was not taking good photos since I do not have a flash.  So I snagged this one from a fb page.  I hope to have some to share with everyone soon!

Edie's First Princess Tea Party

This weekend Edie attended her first "Princess Tea Party" for her friend Addie's 4th Birthday. Each Princess was dressed in style wearing her most beautiful gown. We made wands, colored pictures and even had a special visit from Cinderella! Addie's mom made the cutest castle complete with balloons, center pieces and a bubble entrance into the Tea Party. Each Princess drank from their own personal tea cup and had Princess cookies and cupcakes. Edie had a great time playing with all of the little girls, eating stickers and crayons. When will she learn that crayons and stickers are not food :) The party could not have been more precious, nore could Edie. Her favorite part was drinking from her tea cup and sitting at the table with all of her friends. She was too cute as you can see!

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day with Edie, Scott and family. We started the day with brunch at Brio's, where Edie ate grapes for the first time { that I am aware of }. Then again, who knows she probably has eaten them many times at school with her buddies. She seems to eat EVERYTHING there. From salad, to fig newtons, to pineapple and pizza. She has never eaten any of this stuff for me and believe me I have tried!!

After brunch we went home and did a little yard work, took a little nap and later Scott and I went on a date night and Edie had a spend the night party with Aunt Mindy { which she loved }. Scott had bought us tickets to see Norah Jones in concert at The Alabama Theater for my Christmas gift. We have never been to a concert at The Alabama Theater, but we did watch Friday the 13th in 3D there years ago which was hilarious to see at age 30 not so much at age 10. I love the building and I love Norah Jones so it was a great combination. The seats were perfect, the concert was great and the day was wonderful. What a great way to end the perfect weekend!! I love my family and I LOVE being Edie's mom!

Buck Creek Festival

Saturday we spent a beautiful day with family and friends at the Buck Creek Festival in downtown Helena. I was not sure how the day would go, but my plan was to get out there early and stay as late as possible. We drove to the top of our neighborhood and parked to catch the shuttle. Once we got that far we just decided to go ahead and walk the rest of the way and to my surprise it really was not all that far. We all had a great time eating, listening to music and watching the rubber duck race.

For those of you who are not familiar....you have the chance to buy one, two or a flock of ducks. Each duck has a number written on the bottom, they are all tossed in a huge container and later dumped into the Cahaba River. There is a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place duck with money prizes. Needless to say we did not win anything, but we had a great time watching.

After the race Dada taught Edie how to throw rocks and she tried eating a few too. After wandering back to our spot and a few pokes to the eye we gathered out things and headed home. I could not believe how well Edie did throughout the day. We were there for a total of SIX hours with just one 5 minute nap!!! I can not tell you how much fun I had spending the day outdoors with everyone. It was a great Saturday!! { with the exception of the walk back }

PADS Golf Tournament

Wow! Could time fly any faster!! I have so much to catch up on I can't believe it!! We have been super busy these days with birthday parties, weddings, fundraisers, work, hobbies, life, etc., etc. A few weeks ago Scott, Giddo, David Wilson and Brent Cobern played in the PADS Golf Tournament benefiting the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic here in Birmingham and in honor of Edie. There were over 90 golfers in attendance golfing in honor of a child with DS. I helped to man the check in tables and set out the silent auction tables. I also got to oversee the 9th hole which was where the car give-away was. Unfortunately no one won the car, but Edie's team did 1st place net score! Way to go team!! It was great to see everyone show their support and have a good time.

Aldridge Gardens

Edie and I have been taking a photo class from Grethel Van Epps Photography. I have learned so much about our camera and the timing has been perfect. I dropped the camera at the Mercedes Marathon back in February and since then the flash has not worked. But now after taking the class I have learned how to use the camera without the flash - even when it is dark outside! (well not completely dark) Above are a few of my favorite practice shots from our recent class at Aldridge Gardens. I have never been to Aldridge Gardens and we will have to go back soon for more photo shoots!

Edie is becoming more and more of a "big girl" each and every day. Her personality is really blooming. She talks so much now. Especially to her babies. She loves her babies, kisses her babies, bathes them, feeds them and puts them to bed patting them and says "night-night". It is so cute to watch her. I can't get enough of Edie and all of her love.

We Have Our Selves a Walker!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you our baby....walking!

Over the weekend Edie decided she was tired of having dirty knees, stood up and said "look at me!  I'm walking!".  Really she did not say that, but we knew that's what she was thinking :)  Edie is now walking about 75% of the time.  She is still learning how to keep her balance, but she is stopping and starting again, bending and standing, she is even turning to to walk around objects! 

She thinks this is the best thing ever and we could not agree more!  Edie, we are so proud of you!!

Jump! Jump! Jump!

Click to see Edie and Da Da Jump! Jump! Jump!  It may look dangerous, but I promise she is having a blast! 

nest EGgS design

As you know everything about me is "all about Edie". I simply just cannot get enough of her! Last year I met this wonderful friend who made photo necklaces and of course I had to have one of Edie! So I bought one and I LOVED it! I loved it so much that I decided I wanted to learn how to make one myself. I thought about it, read about it and talked about it for months. Finally Scott and my friend Grethel Van Epps was tired of my talking and not doing so they encouraged me to go for it and I did! So after much research, 100's of attempts (and I do mean 100's), many tears and frustrations later I finally found a technique that I felt was perfect and { nest EGgS design } finally "hatched".

{ If you are wondering where { nest EGgS designs } came from let me tell you a little story......... I decided a while back I wanted to do something creative, fun, involving Edie and to put a little money away in my "nest egg" for us girls. Edie's full name is Edith Gabrielle Shunnarah, which is where the EGgS part came in. Brilliant if I do say so myself! }

My friend Grethel of Grethel Van Epps Photography (my most favorite photographer in the world :) was kind enough to not only let me use some of her photos from past sessions for my samples but she was also kind enough to take photos of my samples to get me started. She has also advertised for me on her fb fan page as well as her blog. Grethel is having a contest and will be giving away 3 of my necklaces so please visit her blog to enter and win one for yourself!!

I have lots of ideas for { nest EGgS design } and this is just the beginning - please take some time to visit the blog and see for yourself what we have instore for you. Don't forget to tell your hubby you want one for Mother's Day or you can just buy one for yourself or for your own Mother or Grandmother!!

Easter Sunday

Edie in her Easter dress with Aunt Mindy

We had the perfect Easter Sunday. Church, lunch at Gigi's and Giddo's and an Easter Egg Hunt. Edie got more chocolates and candies (as did mom and dad) a new summer outfit and money eggs!! To our surprise after we got home we found a few special gifts in Edie's eggs. I do believe Edie has more money than we do. As a matter of fact, I am sure of it! Thank you Gigi and Giddo for a fabulous lunch and all of the goodies!

SONIC

This year the Easter Bunny brought Edie much more than just chocolates and bubbles.....he brought a SONIC gift card too!! Thanks Nannie and Pawpaw!