Slides, the lake, and butterflies

What a busy weekend the Baker family just had! Karlee and I spent the day outside on Friday after eating lunch with my mom. I pulled in to the little play area at Duck Samford Park (the East University side) because it was empty and I knew Hickory Dickory would be way too crowded. Karlee went running to first slide set. The play pieces at this park are just perfect for Karlee's age kids. The slides are small and easy for them to walk up to by themselves. Karlee loved sliding on her stomach the most and then trying to climb back up the slide.





Karlee and I then ventured up to the lake around lunch time on Saturday. She was running everywhere. We thought it was best for her to be in a life jacket while close to the water in case she ran a little too fast for mommy to catch her! She didn't seem to even realize it was on. I couldn't believe the lake was almost full. It is so early for the water to already be at our pier. She loved looking at the fish my dad caught. We waited until it got warmer in the late afternoon before we took a boat ride. We covered Karlee's ears in the cold wind since she just had an ear infection two weeks ago. My precious child is just like her momma. She loved riding in the boat and helping my dad drive.





Chip and I were talking Saturday night about the pretty weather and Karlee loving the outdoors. We made the decision that night that we would go to Calloway Gardens on Sunday. Karlee woke up around 8:30 Sunday morning and out the door we went. We went to the butterfly center first before it got too crowded to let Karlee run around. I think Karlee was more interested in the water fountains than the butterflies. She would see one and run after it but would then go straight back to the water.

"Miss Independent" wanted to walk every where we went. We walked a lot of the trails to see all the flowers in bloom. It was absolutely breathtaking in some areas. Apparently, March 21-April 25 is Spring Celebration when all the azaleas are in bloom. We picked the perfect weekend to take this spur of the moment trip. We could not have asked for a better day. I think this was one of the most fun days we have had in Karlee's almost 14 months of life. We just enjoyed being together and watching Karlee take in all of her surroundings.

We left Calloway around 3:30 and I think Karlee may have spent all of one hour in her stroller the entire day. She walked with us all through the trails. She took about a twenty minute power nap after lunch. We put her in the car seat and drove the scenic driving trail for her to sleep. It was instant eyes closed as soon as we started the car. We almost decided to head home then but the eyes popped open and she was ready for more. The last trail we went on, Overlook Trail, was by far the prettiest scenery. It was all natural with no paved parts so pushing the stroller(empty) gave me a work out.

Karlee even lasted all the way through dinner at Niffers with the Spratlin's when we got back in town. She was asleep by 7:30 and I had to wake her up at 8:15 this morning to get her dressed and fed before leaving for Parkway. Chip and I were even exhausted after yesterday. We were both sore this morning but were glad for the fun workout yesterday. I definitely recommend going to Calloway before April 25. It was a sight to see this time of year. Pack a picnic and blankets and enjoy the great outdoors!!

Can you say stinkin' rotten?

Well, when I got to Chip's parents to pick Karlee up after work last Wednesday (Chip slipped off to "practice" fish), this is what I found.




Apparently, this is what Karlee and her Granddaddy do most of the day. If she's not driving a tractor, she's either driving a dump truck or work truck, watching cows roam, throwing rocks in the pond, and just wondering over all the land behind the shop. The girls got it rough, let me tell ya!!

At my parent's house she gets to "play" the piano, and "play" pool Karlee style. She just walks on the pool table and drops the balls in the pockets. We spend most Saturdays with my parents so they can get their quality time with Karlee. Chip fishes just about every Saturday so my mom calls that automatic Granna time.





Speaking of fishing, the fish actually did what they are made to do and SWAM!! So, all the "practicing" didn't pay off Saturday for Chip. He just knew that they would be in the same spots they were in on Wednesday and Friday. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate and sent those fish a swimming from the shallow water. Oh well, there's always next time. He was just excited to be in his first big tournament. The next one is at West Point Lake on April 25. Karlee and I loaded up in the rain with my parents and went to watch the weigh in. The fishermen can't talk on the phone during the tournament so I couldn't call to find out how he did before we ventured out in the rain. I saw Jay Galimore first because his boat was in the first flight of boats to come in. Chip was in about the 3rd flight of boats. Jay warned me that Chip wasn't in the greatest of moods!! But, when he saw Karlee waving, his face lit up and all the frustration was behind him. We enjoyed a great dinner at Sinclair's afterwards and Karlee entertained some high school prom goers at the table next to us. I really don't know how the wives deal with a husband who is a professional fisherman. This every Saturday deal is getting a little old. (Hint, hint Chip!!)

Beautiful weather + one ugly ear

I just can't get over this beautiful weather we are having right now. Karlee spent every moment she was awake outside this weekend. We started the day Saturday at a home show at the Galimore's then headed to the lake to meet Chip at Oscar's for a wonderful lunch. He was "practice" fishing for a big tournament coming up this Saturday. It's his first big tournament, so keep him (and Jay Galimore) in your prayers on Saturday. There are 150 boats with 2 people per boat in this one.

Back to Miss Karlee....She stayed outside all day Saturday after lunch until she just couldn't keep her eyes open anymore. Her new favorite place to be is next door at the Cowan's. She loves sliding down the slide and swinging with mommy. She also adores their dog, Zach.






Sunday after church, we ate lunch outside at Amsterdam where Karlee talked and waved to everybody that was trying to enjoy their outdoor dining. Then we stopped by Town Creek Park to just let her run in the grass. She kept migrating towards anybody that was lying on a blanket. We met the Spratlin's at Laredos for dinner. That little Mason is just a chunk and so darn cute. Karlee is going to have her pick later on of many good "boyfriends".





Monday was school and more outside play. She started getting really fussy after her afternoon nap and it continued on into the night. She had a restless night Sunday night and Monday night. She woke up Tuesday morning running a fever of 100.2. I thought it was just teething because her one year molars are popping through. By lunch, Chip called me at work and she was running a fever of 102. Dr. Greer immediately saw us. He did a heel prick to find her white counts were very elevated so it was bacterial and not viral. One look in her right ear and his words were "nasty". The dreaded first ear infection and a really bad one at that. Chip and I never had them growing up so I thought Karlee would be in the clear. WRONG!! She didn't have any normal signs liking pulling at her ear. It was just there with fever and lots of irritability. She got a big shot in the rear end that hurt so bad she was shaking like she was having a seizure when it was going in. I was crying as she was getting it just seeing her in pain. We started a heavy antibiotic Cefrin (sp?) this morning. She finally slept all night without a sound and woke up in the best mood this morning with no fever. I think that hurtful shot must have really been potent. The morning report from Chip's mom was that she was running around the house and getting into everything like normal. Maybe the worst is behind us.

Crazy hair and some curls

Karlee's hair is getting thicker and longer, finely. This is what it looks like after her bath every night.



There are a few curls starting to show up on the ends when it's dry. It's getting a little tangly to brush after the bath too. I had hoped that she would have her daddy's thick hair and a few of my curls but nothing dramatic. My hair is horribly naturally curly and not manageable wet at all. It takes forever to dry and straighten my hair every morning.

Well, let's just watch this hair grow and see what it does.

Snow and Birthday Cake

Karlee had a pretty eventful weekend. It started off with being snatched out of bed early Saturday morning when the severe weather sirens went off. She had no idea what was going on when Mommy took her out of bed and ran down the stairs. Word on the news was that a tornado had touched down at Chewacla Park (the street we live on). But, crazy as it was, the wind wasn't even blowing at our house. By lunch time, the sun was brightly shining and all severe weather was over in our area. We headed over to the Wohleb's for Anna's 1st birthday celebration. Little Miss Anna didn't know what to think about someone else playing with her toys.



The weather report had said all week that we would get snow on Sunday. I just couldn't believe the weather would change that fast. It was gorgeous Saturday afternoon and we were wearing short sleeves. Well, to my surprise, this is what we woke up to Sunday morning:

Karlee wasn't quite sure what to think of that cold, wet stuff at first. She strolled down the sidewalk and back and then went into the garage and pulled out her car. She had the right idea: don't get my feet wet! We strolled her through the snow in her car as she waved at the neighbors. Then, she started standing up and pointing so we put her feet in the snow. She was as frozen as a snowman at first then started walking. She picked her feet up like she was marching and it was sooooo funny. She watched Daddy pick up snow and throw it at Mommy and thought that was funny. Chip had a bright idea of making a snow angel with Karlee and that was the end of the snow play. In the house and out of the wet clothes we went. Karlee spent the rest of the day before nap looking out the window and saying "go go".

We all trekked in the snow to the Jan Dempsey Art Center for Thomas Dilworth's birthday party. It was a music party led by the music teacher at the Center. All the kids had fun playing with instruments and singing songs. Karlee loved shaking the bells and toting around the guitar. She especially loved eating birthday cake two days in a row.




I hope everyone enjoyed the snow while it lasted. Weather reports say 74 degree weather this Friday and over the weekend!!