A Beach Adventure

      Yesterday, for our holiday, Danika and I went with Mary and Ryan Rotman, and their dog Ember, to Doran Beach. This was Danika's first beach experience as well as Ember's. We were all excited about it and wondering how both of them would like the beach. I was thinking that Danika might not like the loud sound of the waves, or the cold water or even the feeling of the sand in between her toes. And then we weren't sure what the weather would be like exactly. We checked online and it said it would be nice with not too much wind, so we were very hopeful.
      Of course, since this was my first time taking a baby to the beach, I had no idea what to bring! So, naturally, I bring a bunch of stuff, extra clothes, clothes for warmer weather, clothes for colder weather, jackets, sweaters, diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, etc. Whew! I felt like we were moving! Haha!
     We started out and transfered the car seat and everything into Ryan's car. Not more than five minutes into the trip to the beach, Danika was out cold. Ember had lots of fun looking out the window and trampling all over Mary and eventually settled down. We got to the beach and the weather was perfect. Not hot, but warm enough that our long sleeves were just right to keep us from being cold. I took off Danika shoes and socks, and had to think about how I was going to hold on to my shoes, the camera, Danika AND her shoes! Luckily her shoes are Velcro so I attached them to my belt loops! She was so cute when I put her down on the sand. Not quite sure if she liked it, but was very curious about it. It took her a while to figure out how she was supposed to walk in it. First her toes were flexed up and eventually she curled her toes down. We walked around for a bit and watched Mary, Ryan and Ember get their feet wet and I wasn't too keen on the idea of having freezing feet. So Mary was kind enough to take Danika out to the water. It was really cute watching Mary and Danika. First they looked down at the water and Mary slowly put Danika down. I couldn't see her face directly so I am not sure how she reacted right away, but I got pictures of her looking down at what she was standing in and then grabbing onto Mary's legs. She must not have liked the initial shock of the cold water. But after a while, she loved walking in it. And would get annoyed when I tried to get her to walk on the dryer part of the sand.
     Well, to keep things short, we had a wonderful time. I can't wait to take her to the beach again! If you want to see ALL of the pictures go to:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75215&l=ece66&id=575032259

and

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75225&l=5bd70&id=575032259

An Eventful Day

Yesterday was quite the day! It started out where I got up at 7:20 am for Danika and we jumped on Papa. Then she was antsy to have her bottle so I was rushing to get one made. While rushing I failed to realize that there was no bottom on the bottle! So when I put in the formula powder, it feel out and covered my foot. Here is the evidence left behind...

That afternoon, Papa put up our new swing! Now Danika can swing all day if she likes. Of course we would have to bundle her up sometimes, but luckily with this weather, we don't have to as much! I guess it is an especially unique swing because unlike regular swings, our swing goes in all directions! We can make her go around in a circle even! Lets just hope she doesn't get motion sickness, haha! But we will have lots of fun with it. Thank you Papa!
I went to one of my best friend's wedding yesterday too! It was so beautiful and when I get pictures I'm sure I'll do a separate entry just for that. So stay tuned.
And lastly! I am so proud of myself. I made, over the course of two days, a Chocolate Pistachio Torte with Chocolate Ganache! It took me a long time because when I started it two days ago, I didn't read the recipe in its entirely and failed to notice that the torte had to rest for 3 hours before the ganache can go on it! So yesterday I made the ganache and finished it. And voile!

It is amazing, if I do say so myself! Very rich so you want a glass of milk or water nearby, but it is chocolate heaven!

A Great Reminder

Tonight my mom mentioned how smiley Danika is. Lately she has been all smiles. It is wonderful. And it is kind of weird for us now because she has a bunch of teeth, so it isn't the gummy smile that we have been so used to, or the "cabbage patch teeth" smile either.

But later I was thinking about it, and I felt very encouraged at how much Danika smiles. Because it reminded me that things are great how they are now. And that, I don't want to sound cocky or anything, but that I am doing a good job. I have always been scared of the "single mom" thing, but we are doing fine. I am in no aspects alone. And we have so much support, we aren't missing anything.

Her smiles are such a blessing, and a great reminder to me. And that makes me smile too.

Unbelievable Blessings

I still cannot believe that Danika is 13 months old. It seems like yesterday that I was holding her in my arms for the first time. Memories come to me in flashes, and I laugh so much thinking about them. Like how I somehow got out of changing Danika's diaper until she was about 2 weeks old. Mom and Jamie just took over and volunteered all the time. My mistake was mentioning it and joking about it, lol!
Or the time I took Danika for her one month pictures at JCPennys and she had a terrible diaper. Her tights ended up full and we had to wash her dress in the sink at the bathrooms, and how she didnt crack a smile until after we were done with everything. I tried so hard to be mad at her, but with that little smile, how can anyone stay mad?
The time Jamie and I freaked out because we thought she rolled over all by herself when she was just a few weeks old. It really was just that she was laying on the couch and my sitting next to her made the cushion go down so she rolled over.

*sigh* So many memories and so many pictures. I wish I could put them all on here! Now Danika is starting to walk. I think that she really could walk by herself if she wanted to, but she is too cautious. And she sits and reads her books to herself with her cute little voice. And we have so much fun making the monkey noise together and making faces at each other. She makes us all laugh so much.

I never knew how much fun I would have, how much love I would feel and how happy I would always be with her. Everyday is a new happiness, a new adventure and new love. I couldn't ask for more.