Marissa and her daddy...

Actually, Marissa and her flat daddy!  There are times I catch Marissa touching flat daddy and talking to him but this was priceless.  She was touching, pointing and saying 'dat'.  I have to admit when we were first told about the concept I laughed and thought it was a little corny.  Flat daddy has been instrumental for us and it's because of flat daddy that Marissa even knows and understands who her dad is.  Watch this...

Happy Birthday Marissa!

Wow.  One year has come and gone already and our baby is not just a baby any longer.  She's closing in on toddler.  She's pulling up on everything, throws things, loves to dip in Lilly's water dish then lick her hands (gross, I know), points at all sorts of stuff waiting for you to tell her what it is, she sleeps GREAT, naps well, enjoys eating food (especially noodles, smoked turkey and bananas), dips her face in the bath water then giggles, loves her sister, Kennedy and anything she does, wishes she could play in the toilet water, pseudo signs 'all done' when finished eating (rather than hands in the air she lightly pounds her chest to indicate she's done eating), waves good night and hello, says 'dat' for dad, 'mom' and 'dock' for dog.  At night before going in her crib she lays her head on my shoulder and we sway together.  Just when it's time to lay her down she points first at the flowers on the wall waiting for me to say flower, points at her pig, bunny and radio all waiting for a response.  It's an every night routine...most nights at least unless she is just too exhausted.  She wakes up happy and smiling every morning.  We are so very lucky.

On Marissa's actual birthday we celebrated with cupcakes and our friends next door.  The little girls all had a cupcake and candle.  Marissa did great but didn't make much mess.  She did a whole lot better at her party with the chocolate frosting and I had to rinse her body in the bathroom sink.

Girls Trip to Minnesota!

The girls and I took off last Saturday for a week in Minnesota with my family.  All things considered....we had a great time!  Highlights include hitting the splash park (twice), bike rides, church festival/outdoor concert and fireworks in St. Joseph with a Santa Claus sighting, dinner in the cities with the Prostaff girls, drinks with Mindy (beauty school girlfriend), visiting Grandma Ann Marie at work, helping Grandpa Harvey with yard work,  taco night in St. Anna, fireworks and fishing in Alex with Travis and family and finally a cousins wedding in Rochester.  Minnesota is definitely the land of the mosquito and we lived in bug spray.  It's funny because I don't remember complaining quite so much when I lived there but they are TERRIBLE.  Kennedy swells with each bite so I hope she grows out of that with age.  Marissa did pretty well with the long trip but I'm sure she will be better next time when she's a little older.  Whew...busy week!

 Kennedy sitting with my parents friend, Bill.  She danced around all night with the live music waiting for fireworks.  Oh, and she learned what a "port-a-potty" is and sadly, I think she kind of liked it.

 Santa Claus was at the beer garden in St. Joe!  Rather than telling him what she wanted for Christmas this year she kept thanking him for the Criss Cross Crash from last year.

 Although Kennedy and the Dora fishing pole tried to hook a fish she was unsuccessful but Connor was a busy kid!

 Marissa got to open her birthday presents early from Auntie Bonnie and Uncle Travis.

 Grandma and Grandpa with the grand kids!

 The Prostaff Girls!  Shannon, Tricia, Sandy and Kate!

 Kristi's wedding at the Rochester Country Club...beautiful day and beautiful wedding!

She made friends (immediately) with the flower girl and ring bearer.  She was also the first one on the dance floor.  Shocking, I know.