Miss Independence

Oh, my little independent 14-month-old girl.

As I've mentioned once or twice, I've always been proud of Miss Olive's determination, focus and enthusiasm for learning anything and everything. She's very loving and caring but also very independent.

And, the older she gets, the more she has decided to assert that independence.

The last couple weekends have been rough, with a hot-headed Ladybug wanting nothing other than to do things herself, her way.

This independence is both positive and negative. It's great in that she's all about feeding herself, listens closely to every word anyone says to try to communicate, and has little fear to try anything once. It's difficult mostly because some of the things she wants to try are things she shouldn't do - because they'll hurt her - or won't end well - because her was isn't necessarily the right way.

For example, she recently wanted to eat a banana peal. Please picture my child demanding nothing other than to eat the banana peal. When I calmly explained a few times that the inside for the banana was for eating and the outside peal was yucky, she quickly and fiercely took a piece of banana from her try and flung it at this lady. I was not so pleased. That was the end of the bananas for breakfast that day. (Don't worry, she had already eaten most of it and only had a few bites left when we left the table.)

After that, there was a 10 to 15 minute crying/sobbing episode during which she babbled on to me, seeming to declare her list of reasons why I should have just given her the peal and asking how I could be so cruel.

The next day, the Ladybug wanted to drink from the straw in her juice box while tipping the box upside down. Why? Because that's how she decided she wanted to drink it that day. Every other day, she drinks the right way. That day, not so much.

Then, there was the corn-on-the-cob incident. Miss Olive wanted to eat her corn by herself, like a big girl, like her nearly 3-year-old cousin.

We split the cob in half, and when she had mostly finished the first half, I offered to trade her for the second half. She wasn't having it. She opted for this ...

"Why are you taking MY picture?"

"I told you I could do it."

Honestly, the corn was so funny, I've cracked up a great many times the past couple days just thinking about it. She only let go of the ears of corn when she heard there was the prospect of coloring with crayons in her future.

I guess - even with the frustration it causes me from time to time - I'm definitely thankful for the assertiveness and dedication that my little one has. They are qualities of her personality that I hope she doesn't lose as she grows up. I hope they will help turn her into a leader, someone who isn't afraid to speak her mind, someone who isn't afraid to take a few risks here and there in an effort to achieve whatever she's put her mind to. 

Couldn't It Still Be the Weekend?

This past weekend was so relaxing and fun.

Friday night, the the Ladybug and I met the Hubby at a local restaurant (OK, basically a bar that serves pretty yummy food) for a pre-party for a fun day of sports the Hubby and his brother host every year. It was fun to hang out with friends that I don't see often, even if just for bit.

Aside from that, Miss Olive just looked adorable. She learned what "say cheese" means, and she's pretty much mastered it.

On Saturday, I work up at 5:45 a.m., followed shortly by the Hubby. By 6:20 a.m., we'd woken up the Ladybug, and within 10 minutes we were on the road.

Let me point out that I'm not a fan of mornings in general, and I am definitely NOT a fan of early mornings on weekends. But, we mid-way through last week, we saw promotions for an annual hot air balloon festival not too far from us.

We've gone to the event before, but not for a few years. It's something fun to do, but also means a little more to our family than it probably does to most.

The Hubby's parents flew a hot air balloon from the time he was little until he was a teenager. They made it a family affair and have more than a few fun stories of their adventures at balloon rallies. To me, this is one of the many fun pieces of family history from both sides of our family that I can't wait for Miss Olive to be old enough to understand and be kind of in awe by.

By 7 a.m., we were driving through rural countryside, scanning the skies for the floating globes. By 7:20 a.m., even the Yo Gabba, Gabba video blaring in the back of our minivan wasn't enough to keep the Little One distracted from the fact that we were still in the car, and she had yet to see a "super huge balloon" like this Mama had promised.

Thankfully, within about 15 more minutes, we saw the first three balloons coming over some trees from the east. We sped over to where the were, pulled to the side of the road and hopped out with the Ladybug, who was thrilled.

First sight of the "super huge balloons." Response, "Oooooooooh."

Total excitement!

We had so much fun. A very nice bit of family time, even if it was way early on a Saturday. Very much worth it to wake up early for the memories. 

The rest of the weekend was filled with swimming with the Hubby's and my families and catching naps at our house when we got the chance. 

It was a busy weekend, but it was the perfect combo of summer activities. 

What are some of your favorite things to do with your family in the summer?

A Month of Catch Up

So, it's been almost a month. Let's play catch up through photos ...

These first four are from Miss Olive's first birthday photo shoot. We took a couple Mommy & Me pictures, too. Just a couple of my favorites.

This was her birthday dress.

A little bit of summer

The classic tongue smile. Love it.

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Olivia insisted on trying on the Hubby's dress shirt  while I was folding laundry.  She's so silly.

Miss Olive enjoying her first ride in the swing she got for Christmas.

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Sporting her first "unicorn" ponytail. This Mama was happy to get the Little One's hair out of her eyes.

A baby-girl-and-Daddy Father's Day photo. They're best buddies.

Miss Olive laughing SO hard while taking a horsey ride. 

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Miss Olive took her first carousel ride during her first trip to the zoo. She jumped off the horse into the Hubby's arms on the first go-round, but loved it after a few spins.

The Little One zonked about half-an-hour into the zoo trip. Once she woke up, we took another spin through the manatee area, which she loved.

My favorite photo from the zoo, as Miss Olive and the Hubby check out the big fish.

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Miss Olive enjoying a breakfast of O's and chocolate milk on a long-weekend trip for a  conference for the Hubby.

In a random weather situation at the end of JUNE, it was too cold to get in the water, but Miss Olive enjoyed her first feeling of sand between her toes.

"Bye, bye water. Bye, bye squishy sand."

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The Hubby and I went to a fancy dinner for his work. The next day , the Ladybug decided she wanted to wear Mama's shoes. And so she did.

Miss Olive showing off her big guns while wearing the Hubby's sunglasses in her Supergirl jammies. Did I mention she's so incredibly silly all the time?