Gotta Dash!

Nia loves to run around the house. Literally - full speed, as fast as she can, showing off her speed. She loves jokes and one of the new ones she came up with is coming up to us - either at the kitchen table, or in the living room, saying, "Hi!" and then...."Gotta Dash!" and off she goes - speeding around the house. We don't know where she got the gotta dash phrase. Funny girl.

Rock On

Nia has been asking for a guitar for some now. I'm not sure where she initially got that idea but she is definitely musically inclined. She has a great singing voice and keeps a tune far better than I (not hard). The idea of the guitar may have been magnified after she saw us playing the new xbox game Rock Band with her Auntie and Uncle in Atlanta. So, yesterday I finally got her one while we shopped. We got back in the car and I took it out of it's box so she could play with it. As I got into the driver's seat and started the car Nia said to me, "Mommy are you ready to rock on?" Yes, it's true - this is no made up story. Our 3 year old kid said "Are you ready to rock on?" wow.

Happy Kid

... most the time!

We love you Beth and Izzie!

It is true that Nia can tend to be a bit shy. But thankfully, once she gets to know someone a bit better (and this may take a short while) she reverts to her normal, happy self. I don't think she's a follower, but not sure she's a leader either. It'll be interesting to see as she grows. 2-yr-old (almost 3) Izzie is her relatively new bud. Poor Izzie couldn't understand why it took Nia a while to warm up to her. But Nia finally has. And Nia's mommy is happy because she loves Izzie's mommy. So, it's the perfect thing to help us all get through the summer - regular get together where mommies can enjoy each other's company while the kids play.

Ian & Nia

I feel so lucky to have a husband who is an interested daddy. Moving to Memphis was the best decision because it allows us to be a family who is together the large majority of the time. It is amazing how parents really play off each other. Where I may have some weakness (such as working on 'school' type work and challenging Nia with patience), Ian excels. And vice versa. Ian, I couldn't wish for a better husband or daddy. Thank you for being an amazing man. We love you.

Ahhhh, to be a carefree 3 year old

This is Nia being her usual happy, funny self. Here we're waiting to see our dermatologist. Nia still struggles with eczema and various rashes. She copes with it relatively well though sometimes we know she's miserable with itchy, bloody skin. Right now she's a bit better thank goodness.

The Children's Museum of Memphis 2

Yesterday we went to Stella Grace's birthday party at the museum. We had a blast and were so happy to be invited. Thank you Stella Grace!

The Children's Museum of Memphis 1

She's taking this flying thing very seriously. She loves to sit in the seat that daddy sits in and has a clear understanding of a pilot's job and airplanes.

They have a disco room at the museum. This girl loves dancing more than anything.

It's all cute for a kid to sit in the back of a police car. But God forbid this is a sign of the future! ha ha.

Nia's Sleeping Friends

Every night we line up all Nia's favorite friends for the night. And then we count them and talk to each of them. There's always around 10 or 11 of them and they sometimes act naughty and stay up talking and messing around all night (so says Nia). But, we put her in charge of them and when she can't sleep she sings to them and tells them stories (which we hear on the monitor).

Auntie K & Uncle D....

...thank you for these pants! Mommy thinks I look so cute and grown up in them, and I like them too which is important since I always have something to say about what I should wear and how my hair should be fixed. We went out for dinner with friend's last night and I helped pick my outfit and told mommy precisely what to do with my hair. Then I decided to prance around modeling for daddy. I hope you like the pants on me too!

Swimming Lessons

After toddler group lessons last year, we decided to do intensive private lessons this year. It's a 2 week course and last week wasn't great. Nia was feeling shy and a bit scared. I think this is because she's always swam with me and trusting someone else took some time. But this week, she's finally jumping in and going for it. I'm not sure we'll have a real swimmer at the end of the week, but we will have made some great strides.

The face of an angel (I think)

This kid seems to be growing daily before our eyes. We look at her now with shock at her height (though she hasn't gained any weight in over a year!) and abilities. She has such a creative spirit and loves to tell funny stories, sing make-up songs, and pretend to read and work. The tantrums seem to be on the decline a bit and we can actually reason and negotiate some now! All good fun stuff.