Skip to the end if you just want to hear the funny part.  Last paragraph.

Just a quick story.  We are trying to acclimate Heidi to the church nursery because she is too active for church.  She is plus/minus on the nursery.  Michael had to study this past Sunday, so Heidi and I went to church by ourselves.  I’m thinking, “This is nice, just the girls on an outing.”  Heidi was likely thinking the same thing until we exited the stairs into the classroom/nursery section of church.  Instant tears.  It was so sad!  But alas, I was committed and Heidi needs to become comfortable in the nursery so we proceeded. 

I recently read somewhere that the “drop and run” method of leaving your kid somewhere is not always best and can sometimes appear to them that you do not like where they are being left, resulting in anxiety for them.  The article said you should go in and explore the nursery/classroom and show them how neat you think it is.  It did not work.  She cried the whole time I was in there.  She’s no dummy.  She knows what she’s there for…to be left.  So, the wonderful lady in the nursery, Noni, came over and took Heidi and distracted her while I left.  The church has a small sign that flashes your child’s assigned number if they need you.  I got through church with no flashing number! 

I returned to the nursery to collect Heidi before communion.  She was having fun and interacting with the other children and did not notice me come in, not even when I was standing next her talking to Noni.  I had to touch her and even then she was more interested in playing than she was in me!  Success!  For the record, I do not think the fact that I stayed in the nursery a little longer before leaving had a thing to do with the success.  It was Noni, pure and simple.  So next Sunday, tears or no, we are going to “drop and run” because she cries less and Noni has the touch.

And here’s the best part, the reason for the whole story.  I would give anything to have a 2 minute video clip of this.  We re-entered church right as communion started and our pew is up so we got directly in line.  Heidi is on my left hip; the minister puts my wafer in my right hand.  I turn toward the person with the wine and Heidi leans forward, nearly right out of my arms, hand outstretched for a wafer.  The minister asks if she can have one and I nod.  She is pleased with herself and he smiles.  We turn to the wine and I dip my wafer and put it in my mouth, Heidi watching me.  I turn to head back to our seat and again she leans forward hand and wafer outstretched toward the wine.  Uh oh.  Red liquid.  Toddler hands.  But the nice lady holds the cup out toward her.  So, knowing that not allowing her to dip her wafer will result in a tantrum in church, I let her dip.  The dip is not just a dip, it is a 30 second wafer and finger swishing contest and Heidi is the winner!  The nice lady chuckles as I quickly remove her hand from the cup and tell her to eat her wafer.  She looks at it and shoves it toward my mouth saying, “Yay!”  So I had two servings of communion Sunday.  As we head back to our seats I hear the minister say to the nice lady, “That was funny.”  Sorry to the majority of the church who took communion after us; you got finger-wine.

Charles Towne Landing is the site of the first settlement of Charleston, which dates back to 1670.  The park is on the Ashley River, right across from The Citadel.  Among it’s attractions are a reproduction of a ship that would have been taken from Europe to the Americas and the Animal Forest.  These two things are a lot of fun for kids, along with the wide open, vehicle-free acreage the kids can run around in without parents on their heels.  It was the kids first time there and they had a blast.  Everyone loves fresh air, especially when it is 72 degrees and accompanied by sunshine! 

The black bear initially made Heidi have “nervous” fingers.  😉

But she relaxed and called him over and over, “beer, beer, beer!”.  There was also a puma, bison, turkeys, deer, elk and marshland birds.

She even wanted an unobstructed view!

Wyatt got to ride “up front” in Heidi’s seat in the stroller so he could enjoy the Animal Forest and scenery.

Heidi and Daddy, melting eachother’s hearts.  🙂

She loved her first shoulder ride!

So much so that she felt inclined to give Daddy hugs and kisses for it!

All of that sighseeing and the bumpy stroller ride put the little man to sleep.

He didn’t even wake up in the transfer to the car seat and Heidi followed suit within five minutes of leaving the park, but not before reaching out to hold Wyatt’s hand.  Be still my heart!

Same story…if you want to print, let me know and I will email you the hi-res image.

As I downloaded the pictures I have taken all month to the computer I realized what a long, and full, month it has been despite the cold weather.  I can’t wait to see how full my sd card becomes every month once spring and summer arrive!  Beach and boat, playground and park, HERE WE COME!!!  I made my first New Year’s resolution in I don’t know how long.  (I will stop being so busy with tasks, chores and projects and spend more time enjoying life and my family.)  So far, so good in keeping my resolution.  Heidi turns 19 months old in two weeks and Wyatt just turned 5 months.  I wish I could freeze them at these ages; I would always have a snuggly, smiley baby boy and a little princess marveling at the world around her. 

 

Heidi resolves to go out of town with her Daddy, even if she has to travel inside his suitcase!

Wyatt is becoming a rough and tumble boy and is living up to the nickname “Smiley”.

Uncle Paulie visited over New Year’s and enjoyed some good snuggle time…

…and a few good meals courtesy of Heidi.  You’ve seen the video.  🙂

Kisses are Heidi’s specialty and we are thrilled that they never wake Wyatt from his peaceful slumbers!

Heidi plays a little bit of “Good Cop/Bad Cop”, princess style.

The sweet, demure princess…

…and the loud, opinionated one!

Thank goodness she learned a new recipe, “pretend vegetable soup”, because “pretend potholder soup” tastes terrible.

Wyatt enjoyed opening his Christmas gifts from Granny Kit, Uncle Paul and Uncle David over New Year’s.

The bow that topped her gift served the same purpose her hair bows do.  She will accessorize with anything! 

Cute baby!  Wyatt struck a pose for his post baby massage photo shoot.  What a life!

Heidi is FINALLY a little bit interested in her baby doll.

The near-bedtime-TV-induced coma doesn’t affect just the men in our house.

Sweet girl.

The Glenn girls came for a quick visit.  Pretty soon Heidi will be able to stand still for a picture.  I hope.

These star sandals are Heidi’s favorite shoes from my closet.  They take a spin around the house at least twice a week.

Oh man; Heidi and Wyatt had their first ear infections…on top of bronchiolitis (Yes, that’s what it’s called.) and cutting teeth (both of them).  It was rough on all of us, them for obvious reasons and us simply because of lack of sleep.  It did result in some really good snuggle time in front of cartoons.  😉

The West’s came for a visit too!  The girls had a blast at Alhambra Hall Park…

…as did Wyatt.  He loves to eat!!!

Evenings were spent emailing friends.

Wyatt loves his thumb so much that he sometimes slips in it his mouth between bites!

Sometimes the “magic blankie” doubles as a cape.  SUPER WYATT!!!!

He’s covering two faves with this shirt!  Hi Aunt Keira and Aunt Kim!

My mini me, the multitasker, reading and cooking at the same time!

She likes to stay informed of current events.

We finished up January with a playdate with Eliza.  Note Heidi’s ever-present drool.  I will sure be glad when all of her teeth finally finish coming in and she begins swallowing her spit!

Eliza totally gets it!  Accessories make the outfit and Heidi prefers the tiara!

Family:  If you want any of these images for printing, let me know.  I will send you the high resolution file as these have been re-sized, reducing print quality.