It's Summertime.

My little Scarlett. You are now fully potty trained. I am kind of glad that I didn't push you too much early on because, practically overnight, you decided you were big enough to use the potty. Two or three days of accidents and then you were golden. No more diapers. YAY! It's strange that you no longer wear diapers. You are growing up in all sorts of ways. You are as independent as ever. And you crack me up most days. Here are a few things that you have said this past month:

(While laying in bed cuddling under the blankets)
"It's a little bit cold in here Mama, turn the ABC off."


Daddy: "How is your food?"
Scarlett: "Good, but it's a little bit spicy."
Daddy: "But you like spicy, you're Korean."
Scarlett: "I'm not a crayon, you're a crayon!"

We've begun summer with swimming, walks into the city, horse drawn carriage rides,  miniature golf and even some fireworks. You are amazed with the big world around you. I have loved every age and stage of you but this age, (3) is one of favorites. I am VERY excited to bring you to Disney World this fall.

15 Months!!!

Dear Scarlett,

You are 15 months old today. I want to cry and smile at the same time. I can't believe what a happy little girl you are becoming. You seem to grow bigger every time I turn around. Little miss. This is what we have been doing this month....We went on a mini weekend Getaway to the Ocean to visit Nunna and Grampy Bobby. It was a fun weekend and you loved playing in the sand. We have been going to lots of play dates. You made a new friend, Chloe. Mommy made a new friend, too. (Chloe's mom) So we have been hanging out with them. You are talking more and more. You say "more" now and "all done". You also sign them in baby sign language as you say them. You say "Dadda" mostly. And usually you say it while he is at work. Then when he comes home and tells you to say it, you don't.....You do what you want and you are very independent. I see a bit of me in you. That scares me and makes me smile at the same time. It makes me happy to know that you are independent and strong. It scares me to think that you might be as rebellious and naughty as I was.

Right now, you are into everything. I can't keep track of you long enough to catch you. You pull all of the clothes out of the drawers. You empty the tuppawares all over the kitchen floor. You pick up every tiny piece of anything that you find on the ground. As I clean, my little twister is behind me fixing that. But I love every moment of it. I love the sound of your pitter patter as you run across the floor looking for me. I love that you reach for me every morning. I love the mess that you leave for me to pick up. Everyday after you go to bed, I go around picking up the storm that you leave behind. As I organize books and put babies back in cradles, I think of how lucky I am to have such a beautiful baby girl. Before I know it, you will be all grown up. And I do not take one single day for granted. I cherish your spaghetti sauce face, your curly cues, your wondering fingers, your tiny baby toes, your devilish eyes and that big beautiful smile.

I can't get down the aisle at the grocery store without someone telling me how beautiful you are. I never get sick of hearing it. You smile as soon as the camera turns to you. Those eyes.....so inviting and loving. You are really a joy to have. When we go for walks, you pick a stuffed animal or baby to take with you. It is the cutest thing. Well Scarlett, I can no longer call you "Baby Scarlett". You are becoming my "Little Scarlett". I know soon you will be my Big Scarlett so I'm taking this time to suck up all the little you that I can. We love you sweet girl.....

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Watching Olivia on the way to the beach.

Taking in the view from our Hotel Room

Daddy building you a sand castle.

Beach Toes

Waking up in our Hotel.

Baby play dates. 

Duck Feeding with Chloe.

Baby Play Dates

Dear Scarlett,

    Here's what we've been doing lately....

Love Mommy

Pool Day & Mama's Lesson.

Dear Scarlett, 

I am posting another post from my blog. I wanted to share our weekend and a lesson I learned,  with you. 

This holiday weekend is going by in the blink of an eye. Isn't that always how it goes? 

Time flies when you're having fun? 

I was laying outside by the pool, watching Scarlett play with her Daddy in the water, kicking & splashing, & I couldn't help but think about how happy I am. After a stressful month or two, and lots of praying,  I am thrilled with the way things turned out. 

 All the worry was for nothing & everything has fallen into place.  It became obvious to me that enjoying each precious day, is what really matters. Scarlett is already one year old! It went by in the blink of an eye. I want it back.  

I want all those days back...

The day she was born. 

The first terrifying night at home, when I had no clue what to expect.

The tears I shed after watching my baby sick in the hospital.

The amazement of watching Scarlett crawl for the first time.

The first night that she wrapped her little arms around me & cuddled me.

The way her Daddy checks on her a million times in the night.

Her two little teeth poking through.

How she crawls around the house with two rings in her hands, always. 

And then there are all those memories with Ty that I hold so close to me.

The first day I laid eyes on him.

The way he looked back at me.

Riding on the back of his bike, that one day.

The way he lets me be right, even if I'm wrong.

Sitting in that restaurant, looking across the table at him.

That unforgettable night on the beach...the first time I kissed him.

I want those moments back. But I'll never get them back. They are gone. All that's left of them lies in our hearts. Which reminds me that I need to live each day to the fullest. I need to love every second, grab hold of every moment and live it 'til it slips away from me.

I have been practicing this more and more lately.

Having babies does this to you. It wakes you up from living a life full of meaninglessness. I can tell you what true happiness is.It's looking into our baby's eyes and knowing that she needs us. It's always wanting to be with the one you love. It is being content in the little things. It's the faint smell of soap on Ty's skin. It's falling asleep in his arms every night. It's playing "Where is Scarlett" over & over because I love that perfect giggle. It's watching myself grow and become a wiser, better person. I am, by no means, an example to live by. In many ways, I am still learning. I fall down, too.
But happiness is where I am.

I have come to believe that happiness comes from living life to the fullest. 

Taking each single moment and squeezing every bit of life from it. Even if I'm having a bad day, learn from it. Take it and make something good out of it.  Once that day is gone, it's never coming back....

Truly Live your life.

Your First Swim Class

Dear Scarlett,

Today was your first swim class in Saratoga Springs, NY. You did a great job! You were the youngest in your class at 8 months. The first thing they teach the babies are to hold onto the edge of the pool and have the parents let go. You were the only one to successfully hold onto the edge while I let go! What a good job, especially since you are the youngest! 

(Happy feet kicking while Mommy got in her bathing suit)

(Listening closely to the instructor) 

You loved the water. You splashed around in it the entire time. At swim class, you sang songs, played with water froggies, used the water slide and played some water games. You swallowed a little bit of water from your super large splashes, but that didn't stop you. You didn't cry once. Although you did watch, in concern, as some of the other babies cried. My little baby is getting so big! :( 

Daddy was sad that he missed your first swim class but he is hard at work for us. I sent Daddy this pic from my phone. He is excited to come watch you in open swim on the weekends. 

I'm so proud of you Scarlett! You did a great job and I'm excited to go to these classes for the next few weeks! More water pics to come :)




Love,  Mommy