Long gone...

Just about 2 years ago, I got an iPad from Santa.  My iPad lived in a gorgeous case from one of my favorite designers, Kate Spade.

It looked like this:

I love my iPad - I use it all the time.

But...

someone else loves my iPad too.

Her name is Lainey.

So now my iPad looks like this:

Yes, it even has that Fisher Price dog on it some times too!

Long gone are the days of that fancy Kate Spade cover.

Now, while it is a little out of control to think of my toddler playing with an iPad, I must admit something. I am impressed with her using it and I am impressed with the amount of free apps available for toddlers and preschoolers in the Apple App Store!  I have loaded it full of story books, a piano keyboard, a drawing board, and all of the Fisher Price apps that are available.

There's one app called "Giggle Gang" that Lainey absolutely adores to "play." Every time you touch the screen a little giggle buddy pops up and starts to giggle! Lainey gets so tickled every time she touches the screen and actually giggles with them! There's got to be some educational value in the action causes reactions realm some where in all of this, right?

And if the iPad is reading her a book, then at least it's a book and not a silly game with no value.

I think there is definitely some positives to technology and education in all of this.

And if there isn't, 

well...

at least my iPad is drool-proof now.

xoxo,

Linda

One Year Old

Photo by: Pyle Photography

Dear Lainey, 

It is absolutely bananas (queue The Fresh Beats) to think about how far you have come in the last 12 months. To quote your pediatrician, "this has been a phenomenal year for you."  Boy, is he right!

You have grown from a teeny, tiny, preemie princess into an inquisitive, giggly, toddler. Starting out at just under 3 pounds when you were born, you are now right at 16 pounds.  Now, to most, 16 pounds is not that big - and they are correct. But to compare your birth size to your size now, it is a HUGE accomplishment! 

Here's what you like these days:

- blueberries

- apples

- chicken nuggets (including my toddler trickery of veggie nuggets!)

- puffs of all flavors

- peas

- squash

- swimming and splashing

- climbing on stuff

- the fresh beat band

- chasing Nana around her house in your walker

- "your" iPad

- monster trucks

Here's what you do not like:

- being fed (you insist on feeding yourself!)

- getting dressed

- laying down for a diaper change

- teething

What are you saying:

- Momma

- Daddy

- NeeNee

- Dee Dee

- Nana

- dog

- buck

What are you are doing:

- crawling

- standing

- couch surfing

- giggling

- talking

- clapping

- dancing

- open mouth kisses (guhrossssss)

You are still on the low side of that silly growth chart. But hey, you are healthy and you are growing! You are learning new stuff all the time and it's incredible to see you change.  You have an uncanny need to touch everything around you... are you a texture girl? Or are you OCD, perhaps? Either way, you probably get those tendencies from your madre.  

Everything is so new to you and it's all such a breath of fresh air in my life.

I love you, baby errr... big girl!

Love always,
Momma

Is it time to say goodbye?

I have been thinking on this for a while.... I think it's time to say, "Goodbye." 

Tricked ya! I am definitely not saying "Goodbye" to ya'll!!! 

It's time to say, "Goodbye" to this thing...

Playtex Ventaire, I can not sing your praises enough! But it is almost "the big day."  You know... the big O-N-E!!! So I think it is time to phase you out.  Don't worry, I won't kick you to the curb cold turkey, but your days are dwindling.

Lainey is perfectly capable of drinking from a sippy cup... all be it, it has been a daunting adventure to find a sippy cup she likes, but we have accomplished that - finally!

But of course, it was a random find at Marshall's... that can not be found anywhere locally.  Never fear, diapers.com is always here!

So for Lainey's birthday, she is getting a plethora of these babies!

Don't worry... there will be plenty of fun gifts too! You didn't think I would only give her sippy cups did you?!

Check back next week for a birthday party recap!

xoxo,
Linda

A photo a day in June

My friend Blair, from The Ellwood Avenue Chronicles, posted over the weekend about a neat "Photo A Day" project.  Now I will admit, my previous attempts at these things have ended in failure. And I must also admit that I have already to double up on today's photos with yesterday's photo in order to stay on schedule!

But, really... I am going to try and stay caught up with this one!  I am posting each photo on Instagram @lindavenema, so feel free to follow me there!  At the end of the month, I will figure out a nice little post for you to see all of the images!

In the mean time... I leave you with a sneak peak of our one-year photo shoot.  For this shoot, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with the mother/daughter duo of Pyle Photography.  It was a pleasure working with them and I truly appreciate the fact that let my inner-stylist shine! Lainey and I loaded up the car with tons of props, a few outfit options, a cake and cupcakes, and a giant bouquet of balloons!!! Thank goodness my cousin, Jessica (the soon-to-be high school grad) had the day off and could come with us! She was such a big help!!

photo credit: Pyle Photography

xoxo,
Linda