our playground test run

Here are some pics from Leah's first time at our playground.

Fun Leah Updates

testing out the new shoes

Mommy....please do something with my hair

Leah showing love to her Teddy

Now that all of the birthday parties and recent holidays have simmered down it's just been everyday stuff around the Shaw house. I have to admit those are the days when we get to really sit back and pick up on all of the new things that Leah is learning and going through. Here are some recent updates in her life.

1. Daycare: After two rough weeks of getting adjusted Leah has really found a second home at her daycare. She loves her teachers ( gives them hugs and blows them kisses). I went to pick her up for the first time last week and couldn't believe my eyes. Right there in the corner of a loud classroom Leah was asleep. She had been for an hour and her teachers say that she goes down with no problem. I wasn't convinced this would ever happen for her...but i got to see it with my own eyes. It gave me time to talk and get to know the teachers. They say she loves music and group time ( that we already know) and is a good sharer ( yeah Leah!!). She has a good friend Flint and is happy and smiling most of the day ( Thank G-d!!)

2. Ms. Chatterbox: We can't get enough of just watching her talk and babble away. As soon as she gets home she is non stop. It's almost as though she is telling us about her day at daycare. She LOVES to sing and we can now tell the difference between "row row your boat" and " the abc"'s. Of course she is not saying all the words but we can tell the difference between them. Even her expressions, laughter, and personality are all becoming like a little girl. Even this morning when i left for work she said "by da da" and blew a kiss. Okay....not the right person but close enough! So cute I can't take it.

3. Tubes in the Ears: This has been the least fun part of the past few weeks. Leah has her 7th ear infection and we are off to the ENT to most likely get the tubes in her ears. At this point I would do anything to get her better. Each cold/cough seems to last longer and longer and she is starting to build up an immunity to the antibiotics. Poor thing......at least stays happy and sleeps through the night. Nothing messes with that girls sleep!! So we will keep you posted on that front..........

4. Her Teddies: She has become so affectionate and has a real love for her two big teddy bears in her room. Every time we walk in there she wants to play and hug them.

5. What to do with that hair: One day it's curly , one days it's straight......almost everyday, it's a mess. When she gets home from daycare it looks INSANE!!!! I know this is the "in between stage" but I can't wait for the cold days to be over because her hats are not helping. And now her new favorite thing to do during dinner is mush her food in her hair. FUN!!!

6.Walking Shoes: Last week we got her first pair of real shoes. She was fitted and all.....a wopping size 5!! No surprise there with the big feet. To bad she isn't walking on her own yet, but we think with all the cruising she's doing she could use the support.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Top o' the day to ya!
It's par-tay time

I have cool shamrocks

No, she didn't have any green beer

Everyone is Irish on St. Patty's day. Leah actually allowed us to keep her leprechaun hat on for the entire night....what a treat ( since Mommy wore it all day at school!). We headed out for some green beer , fish and chips, and late night partying ( yes 8:00 has actually become LATE NIGHT for us) with Casey, Ryan, and Riley. The little leprechauns stayed occupied by looking at each other in their funny hats and watching the man play the bag pipes. Cheers!!!!

What goes up, must come down.

The past few weeks have been just amazing with the words you can say!!! As parents we have been so consumed with the "walking" that we didn't even realize how quickly the langauage development happens at this age.
From your current favorite word ....."down" ( thanks to the window in the toy house) to "no"," that ook" (book),"mama","dada", "aloon" ( balloon), "that".....and so many others. As you can see I don't think the "b"'s are there just yet. Everyday seems like you've learned something new. That must be so cool to figure out how to share your thoughts with the world. If you are anything like your Mommy and Daddy once you get going it will NEVER stop!!!

Spring has sprung.....at least this weekend.

Leah couldn't wait to test out her new "ride". The sun was shining and the wagon was built.....it was a perfect day for a stroll. It was nice to see all of my neighbors who only come out in the warm weather. I can't wait to walk so Mommy will take me to the playground! Now that I can point and say " what's that?" I am so curious to find out what everything is outside. It's a two seater so looking foward to all of my friends coming to take a ride with me. Thanks Aunt Marcie and Uncle Jeff for the great birthday gift!

1 Year Ago Today........

Happy Birthday Leah!

The best aunt and uncle Leah could ask for ( thanks for all of your help!!)

Daddy is so proud of his baby girl

Happy 1st Birthday Princess!

Leah and the wonderful women in her life

Leah is leading the band

We asked her how old she was today and this is what she said ( no joke!!)

Noni and her grandchildren

There were no tears at this birthday cake!

Thank you Mommy for such a great party

Leah surrounded by her best friends

Mommy surrounded by hers!!

Leah is proud to be another Shaw lady!!

The Shaw's and Jalosky's....can anyone say future vacations?

We love our playgroup!!!

..........our whole life changed. Today is your first birthday and we just want you to know that our love for you is bigger than our hearts. You have changed our lives for the better and just make everything sweeter. So much has happend in a year and to watch you grow into a beautiful, sweet, smart, playful little girl has been the best thing to ever happen to us. There are not enough words to explain the feeling we get when we look at you. Not only have you grown over this past year but we have also. You have opened our eyes and our hearts to what really matters in this world.

Today was your birthday party and you were surrounded by your family and friends. It was a beautiful day for the beginning of March ( almost 70 degrees!!) and you were such an angel today. Of course Mommy can be a little crazy planning all week and Daddy couldn't sleep all night he was so excited and anxious........but in Leah fashion you were just AMAZING!!! No more fear of big groups, you just laughed and played the whole day. As soon as the music started you were front and center and clapping. And then when we sang Happy Birthday to you, you again clapped on cue ( I am really starting to think music may be a possible future for you :)....but the cutest was you waiting very nicely for us to cut you a piece of cake and then you just threw the whole thing in your mouth/face. What a ham!!!!!! Overall, the day was just PERFECT. To have Noni, Grandma Shirley, Aunt Marcie & Uncle Jeff, your cousins Jared, Lainey, Jocelyn, and Great Aunts Ethel and Anna Lee , and all of our amazing friends made the day so special.

We love you to pieces and can't wait for all of the memories we will make over the years.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

We may have said it once before but we'll say it again.......................

WE LOVE SNOW DAYS!!!!!!

my new adventure........DAYCARE

It has been a new and exciting week for Leah. She started daycare last Monday and although it is a transition for ALL of us we think she started enjoying herself as the week went on. She really likes her teachers but it sad to see Corey leave in the morning. As each day went on we would see her get happier each time he picked her up. It has really made her more affectionate at home ( we get lots of hugs and kisses now). I think she is just so happy to see us and be home. She lost her voice during the week and we were thinking , aww she must be crying alot. While I was at work I tried to imagine that instead of crying alot she lost her voice because she was so busy talking to her new friends ( kind of like how Mommy always lost her voice every summer at camp because of all of the fun she was having).

Well only to find out over the weekend that she was losing her voice because she has a cold AGAIN!!!! When is this winter going to end??? She actually threw up on Saturday from coughing so hard and it made me think of something I read once:

" No one ever told me that becoming a mother would at some point require me to cup my hand in front of my child's mouth in an attempt to capture as much vomit as possible to keep their cloths in tact. And they certainly didn't tell me what to do with the handful once I had it........"

So now it's Monday and we had ANOTHER snowstorm. Which is usually great news because I get the day off, but I am starting to think snowstorm=Leah cold....this will be the 3rd snow day I have off and we take a trip to the doctor. Only 5 days till the big birthday so let's hope this cold is a quick one..........