Even More Words

As soon as I finished the post last night, I realized that I had forgotten some more words. So, while acknowledging that I will never be able to list them all, (which means I will probably stop trying), here is yet another list of words Penelope is currently using: uh-oh, stop, no, back (as in "put the books back"). With the exception of back it seems there is a theme here, and it may not be a good one.

More Words

Before I forget, I need to document a few more of Penelope's latest words: water, boo, more, up, socks, Clay (one of her classmates' name), nana (for Banana), and last but not least GO, as in LET'S GO NATS!

Pool Time in the City

This weekend we tried out a "pop up" pool that one of our neighbors passed down to us. Having a tiny backyard and front yard, the logical place to enjoy the pool was right on the sidewalk. Too bad I didn't capture Penelope's dad in the camping chair sitting beside the pool, occasionally "making waves" in the pool by pushing on the sides with his feet, the image is not really complete without that!

Great Grandpa's 90th Birthday

Last weekend we were in Atlanta for Ben's Grandpa Nevius' 90th birthday. It was a really nice trip, all of Grandpa's children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren were in one place for the first time in a long time, so we made sure to get a few photos. Below are some:

Words, Songs, & Other Tricks

So Penelope is really in mimicking mode these days. Practically every day we hear her say some new word that we just used. The latest list includes a phrase in addition to single words (although in fairness to her it is probably just one word). Here's the list: apple, all done, closed, & outside. In addition she is working on a couple of songs. So far we have "Row Row Row" from "Row Row Row Your Boat," and "Babies, Babies" from a very special Yo Gabba Gabba episode all about, you guessed it, Babies! (For the record, that's right, she watches some TV. I'm not going to say any more for fear of sounding even more defensive.) Last, she continues to add to the list of "tricks" she likes to do. Right now she will put her shoes away with the other ones at the end of the day and she is also adamant about helping put the groceries away (including trying to carry the cantaloupe all by herself). It turns out she may really be a girl after her mom's heart after all.

Nana's Family

This weekend we traveled to Indiana to say good-bye to my Nana who passed away the week before. Nana was what I called my mother's mother, and what we are hoping Penelope will call my mom someday. It was one of those bittersweet weekends that gathered together in one place a lot of family that rarely come together these days. Below is a picture from the weekend of five of my Nana's seven great grandchildren (the five whose parents grew up in Indiana), held by four of her granddaughters and one grandson-in-law. The oldest is my nephew Gable, who is 21 months old, and the youngest is my nephew Conley ,who is 4 months old -- we've had a prolific couple of years in the family, adding 5 children in a mere 17 months!



Also below is a picture of my Nana, my sister Rachel, and me from when Rachel was just a baby that I like. She was an incredibly unique person, and we will miss her.

Penelope & Her Sidewalk Chalk

Today Penelope embarked upon her first sidewalk chalk drawing session. It was relatively successful, as evidenced in these photos. In addition to sitting still for a few minutes, she also decided to mark the trail to the park (where her dad and Gabby were) Hansel & Gretel style, by stopping every few yards to bend down and christen the sidewalk with her own personal style. The best part, though was that when we came back in the house and I asked for the chalk back, explaining that it is an outside toy, she actually handed it over without argument, fit, crying, throwing, swiping/hitting, limp noodle move, whining, or any other negative behavior. I am pretty sure this will never happen again.