A Monkey Turns 2...

Even though our monkey has been 2 for a couple months now, posting pics from the party is better late than never.  We celebrated the big event at Meme's house with what other theme than a monkey theme.  Monkey picked out her favorite foods to serve- fried chicken and fruit, and I channeled my inner Martha Stewart and made monkey cupcakes.  Lots of friends came to celebrate, and our hearts smiled at how many family members made the trek from the Delta and Nashville to join us.  Our monkey is lucky to be so loved by so many people!  We tell her daily that she is the most loved girl in the whole wide world... and we're not kidding.



The Birthday Girl

How Martha Stewart is that?

Looking over the fence to see who's arriving!

Monkey and Meme- you can't imagine how much she loves this woman!

Lilly, Abby, and Gracie- Monkey thinks they are all the coolest!

Silly Alden

The Godparents- they remind me constantly of what a bad Godparent I am; They don't miss a thing for monkey :)

Monkey got her very own backpack so that she can carry her own juice, snack, and diaper!

My sweet, precious family :)



Easter

Well, I guess we all know one thing... I'll never be a professional blogger.  I can't seem to find the time to pull together a post but about once every 6 months.  So, with that established, here is my monkey, 6 months older since I last posted pictures of her.  She is now a little over 2 years old and she is a mess!  She is so smart... like crazy smart.  Her teachers at Parents Day Out have asked if they can bump her not 1, but 2 classes ahead so that she will be with children "more on her level."  How crazy is that!  At her 2 year old doctor appointment, doc suggested we consider montessori schools when looking at preschools.  Doc worried that monkey would be bored and have behavioral issues in a "regular" Pre-K 3 year old program.  Seeing as how this is the only child we are ever around, we have nothing to compare her to.  We just thought that all kids recognize and point out letters and numbers and carry on conversations at one year old.  According to her teachers and doctor, this is not so.  Who knew?  Doc was very impressed that monkey went into full detail about her friends and all of the activities she does with her friends at PDO.  Doc says she should be into "parrallel play" at age 1 and not so much into having full conversations with her friends and referring to them by name.  Who knew?  So yes, we are delighted that we birthed a baby genious and thankful to the Lord that we didn't kill all of our good genes in our 20's.  Monkey is the most precious little being ever.  She knows EVERYTHING and has very strong opinions about everything. Her strongest opinions come out regarding food, and having her picture taken.  She hates having to stop for a picture, and protests this by refusing to smile or look my way.  I don't care though, I snap hundreds of them a day anyway. She is so full of energy and yet is turning into a little love bug.  She loves "family snuggle" time each night, and has settled into a routine of having Goodnight Moon, My World, and Potty Animals read to her each evening before bed.  Her favorite outing is to the zoo, which is our own personal playground and we are there at least twice a week.  Currently, her favorite animal is the meerkat, and every time we watch them she starts to cry because she wants to take one home.  She says, "I want dem, Mommy.  I take dem home. Peeeeez."  It's so stinkin cute.  She is the neighborhood greeter and yells "Hiiiiiiiiiii!" at anyone walking, biking, skateboarding, or driving down our street until they say hello back.  She also does this in restaurants.  She's the sweetest, cutest, smartest monkey ever, and we're so glad she's ours.  Here are some pics from Easter.  We lost our camera and didn't get a family pic, but here's a couple my Mom sent.



Bella, Me, and Monkey (refusing to look at camera)



 Uncle Buck- sweetest uncle ever :)

And yes, I realize these pictures are sideways.  I have tried every which way to turn them, but can't figure it out.  So just drop your head to the right and enjoy.