Daddy's Green Chair

Lucy and I picked up Daddy's Green Chair today. Jon now has a comfy place to relax when he comes home from work.

Doctor

Photo by Lucy.
After our Doctor visit this morning, we went to the toy store and got some furniture for our doll house. Lucy spends hours playing with the house.
Lucy did really well at the Doctor's. We read a book about the Doctor and talked about what was going to happen yesterday and this morning so she knew what to expect. She likes to know what is going on. Each time they tell us no more shots until 5, but we ended up getting the third polio vaccine today. Jon was concerned about Lucy wearing her orange glasses all the time, but we were told they are okay and it is good that she protects her eyes. Lucy can now drink skim milk like Mommy and Daddy. Lucy's weight is 21lb 7oz (<3%), height 31 1/2 inches(5%), and head circumference is 18 1/4 inches (25%).

Alarming Statistics
The nurse gave me a handout stating that accidents are the number one cause of deaths in 2 to 4 year olds with nearly 300 children in the US dying each month. AHHH. The good thing is with a little care most accidents can be prevented. Please read and help me keep Lucy safe when we come to visit.

• Falls - Hazards include stairs - use gates, second story windows - lock or put window guards, play equipment - make sure there is a soft surface underneath, ride on toys - wear a helmet, and anything that can be climbed on - don't let child climb on furniture.
• Firearms - Please let me know if you have a firearm in your house.
• Drowning - Keep bathroom doors closed and pools fenced in. It only takes and inch of water to drown a small child so also be aware of buckets and pet water bowls. Never leave a child in a bathroom alone, especially during bath time.
• Burns - The kitchen is a dangerous place when cooking. Keep children occupied with other activities. Also be aware that wall heaters, irons and other hot surfaces can retain heat long after shut off. The water heater should not be set hotter than 120 degrees. If a burn does occur, run under cold water and call the Doctor.
• Poisoning - it is always possible that a child will swallow something they aren't supposed to. Have the Poison Control number posted by your phone.
• Car Safety - always use car seat and walk behind your car before you back out of the driveway because you cannot see a child in a rear view mirror. Don't let children play in the street or driveway.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. It makes me feel better to know I am doing everything I can to keep Lucy safe.

Pictures from Linda

Linda and Ray always take lots of photos when they visit. Here is a sampling of my favorites.
So sweet!
Yay Elmo.
Lucy did really well on the boat tour. She didn't listen to the guide though. She enjoyed checking out everyone's hats and sunglasses, ate crackers, looked at the water, played with Grandma and Grandpa.
Birthday cake...let me touch it.
Lucy playing on her tricycle while Grandma watches the Tour de France.

Worn out from celebrating

This afternoon, Lucy took her first nap in her new room. We picked the bed up on the evening of the 25th, but she was too excited to sleep in it yesterday afternoon. The poor girl was worn out from celebrating the big two, but she didn't want to miss anything so she refused to take a nap yesterday. She ended up falling asleep on the way to supper and slept right through that instead.
She slept all night last night in her bed too. She likes it and her new room and is only mildly confused by all the changes.
Here is a picture off all Lucy's gifts. On the morning of the 25th we opened presents, then went downtown Chicago for an architectural boat tour, and then at lunch on Navy Pier at the world famous Billy Goat Tavern, then came home for nap, then ate supper that Daddy cooked, then went to IKEA to purchase a bed for Lucy, a new dresser for Mommy and Daddy (Lucy inherited our old ones for her new room), then Lucy took a bubble bath while Daddy and Grandpa Ray put together the bed and finally at 10:30 a very worn out Lucy decided she would like to sleep in her crib.

Mommy and Daddy got Lucy this doll house. Lucy loves it! Notice that toy Daddy is sitting on the kitchen table. That is his chair and if you put him in one of the little pink ones, Lucy moves him right away. And the goats in the attic - they are Libby and Daisy.
This is Lucy helping me clean for company. She didn't take a nap Thursday either, because she thought I was having too much cleaning. She insisted on getting up and helping me.

New Room

Lucy's new room is getting closer to completion. I finished stenciling the alphabet border today. Now I just need to go back and do some touch ups. Stenciling is way harder than I would have thought, but if we redo Lucy's room and the new baby's room every few years I will be a pro by the time it comes time to paint Fighting Illini on their walls for their 18th birthday. I will post completed pictures once it is all put together, but here is what I have so far.
This is the bed Lucy picked out at IKEA. We have gone to visit it several times and it is so cute to see her lay in it and say, "Go night-night". We went today to pick up the sheets. That way they are all washed up for this weekend when Ray and Linda come (they are buying Lucy the bed for her B-Day). I like the IKEA showroom floor, because it allows the kids to test out the beds. The other stores lost out on Grandparents Browns money because they had their beds hung on the wall.
I purchased this night stand today from IKEA. I love having somewhere to put my stuff and big girl Lucy needs a place too.
This is "Mommy's chair" that will go in Lucy's room. Right now we sit in the rocking chair, which Lucy calls Mommy's chair, to read books. I still want a place to sit, but want to leave the rocking chair in the nursery. The chair doesn't look like much, but it is actually really comfortable. Also, it is light weight, so I can move it next to the bed easily.
The bed is adjustable length (short, medium, twin) and twin size width, so standard toddler bedding does not work for it. With that in mind, we will use solid sheets especially made for the mattress, a pretty purple cotton woven blanket on top, and a Dora pillow case.

2 Cool 4 You

This is Lucy in her ultra-stylish sun glasses after going to the park. She is enjoying some nice refreshing iced water. Lucy likes water, but usually will only drink it if Mommy is drinking it too or if it is in a cool cup.

The shiny face and comb over are thanks to lots of sunscreen.
Cheeseburger!!!!

I had my 6 month prenatal appointment today. My weight gain and the size of the baby are right on target. Everything still looks good :). Lucy went with me. She was very good and played with her toys the whole time. She didn't mind when they drew some blood to do a glucose test, but she got really concerned when the nurse took my blood pressure. She got off her chair to come help me and her little lip started quivering.

The Fourth

Lucy playing basket ball with Grandpa Ray at the Graue Reunion.
Peek-a-boo with Grandma Linda on the stairs.
Intermission.
Supper with the Schuder family.

Early Birthday Party

Lucy got to celebrate an early birthday 7/6/08 with Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Jim and Uncle Bill. She really liked the birthday festivities and she is still talking about her birthday.
We also opened a present sent home with us from Great Grandparents Brown.

This was my rocking chair when I was little.

Open it Uncle Bill.
Grandma made an orange jello cake which Lucy loved. Afterwards she ran in circles around the house making Uncle Bill chase her.

Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead

I had to tell Lucy to say, "Boo!" to Grandpa Jim to get her to look in the hole.
Lucy loved feeding the goats. She kept saying, "More food."
She was very fair and made sure each goat got some. I love the eyes on the brown goat.
Wiggle Bear on Grandpa Jim's lap.

My Baby Cousin

My cousin Kayla got married 7/5/08. Here she is with husband Brent, Grandpa Manley and Grandma Betty Lou.
Lucy had a good time at the reception. She found a ramp and made Daddy chase her up and down.
Lucy at the bottom of the ramp looking up.

Lucy really wanted to join in on the Daddy/Daughter dance.

Missouri Trip July 2008

Lucy with Daddy and Uncle Christopher on the Fourth of July. We had a day of picnics and fireworks. Lucy liked the display set off at the Fulton Golf Course. She would say "Boom" as each one went off, and then look over at Cookie Charles to make sure he was paying attention to her. Charles is Linda's brother.
What's up kitty? Lucy had a lot of fun chasing around Ray and Linda's neighbor cat.

This little piggy...

Pictures! Lucy loves to look at pictures of herself on the computer.
Hanging out with cousin Taylor.