The Best $5 Ever Spent

Saturday morning, 7 am: I'm getting ready to go on my run, and Millie begs to come along in the stroller. Hmmm...okay. I'll just shave a few miles off my plan and push the extra 50-60 lbs instead. 

7:40 am: We run by yet another yard sale. Something in this one catches Millie's eye. 

7:42 am: My conversation with the yard sale lady ensued.

 "Is that scooter for sale?"

"How much will you give me for it?"

"I only have a $5 bill with me"

"Sold."

7:43 am: Best moment in Millie's little life (besides that one when I gave her life...)

The best part? That $5 scooter has kept her happy for at least 10 times longer than her 3 second attention span is usually up for, AND has only run over her sister twice. I'd say it was a good investment. 

Speaking of her sister, Alice is quite the walker/climber lately. This is what she does while Millie is riding on her scooter.

They are so lucky to have each other, and I am so lucky to have them.

Dirty Baby

Why is it that all the pictures I take of Alice are of her in a filthy high chair, covered in food?

Isn't she adorable?

Chicago and "Baby"

Did I get your attention yet? I'll address that in a minute! Hold your horses. Chicago first.

B had a conference for work in Chicago last week, and I previously served a full-time mission there for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so I wanted/begged to go with him.  And Alice made the point that she would be really hungry by the time we got home (she just likes her mama's milk I guess), so she had to come.  Millie, on the other hand, didn't make enough of a convincing argument, and she costs a plane ticket.  Yep, she stayed home.

We had a marvelous trip! We got to see just enough without getting overwhelmed or over-exhausted. Alice was a dream (I hate to say it, but it was very uncharacteristic of her), as was Millie at home (I guess they liked being only children).

Buckingham Fountain

The Sky Deck of the Willis (Sears) Tower

Millenium Park

"The Bean"

Willis (Sears) Tower

Alice crawling into a suitcase

What she thinks of Chicago Pizza

The Metra

It was really fun to get to spend some extended alone time with Alice--something I had with Millie, but I've missed with my second-born. She has such a different personality than Millie, and I loved every minute I spent with her in Chicago. It seems to me that every developmental stage has come earlier with Alice--maybe because I'm not so wrapped up in every moment like I was with my first. Alice has started saying words! What?!!? I thought it was crazy when she was saying "uh oh" a few weeks ago, but now she's saying "ball" "daddy" and "baby". I must say, she's got the cutest little voice I've heard in a while.

Millie is also at a really fun stage. She's so independent these days, and learning so much. Yesterday, we went on a walk, and she said, "Mommy, stay close to me! I don't want you to get hurt!" That's very characteristic of her present stage--picking up on everything and comprehending a whole lot.  I only hope I can keep up with her.

Happy 9 Months, Baby Girl!

The Latest (aka. no captions, so just use your imagination)

Crawling

Well, as of two days ago, the child is officially crawling. It seems to me that the wonderful phase of sitting happily without mobility, didn't last nearly long enough. Oh well, she sure is a cute little mover!

These are a few of my favorite things

The best thing in the world is the sound of my children loving each other.