All Talked Out...

We're having a GREAT couple of days.  Roo Bear's vocabulary has easily TRIPLED this week.  She has said "Mommy" nearly 1,000 x (Yes, I'm counting!) which is a relief after hearing "Daddy" for sooooo many months.  She's also picked up two new phrases -- the first was a little upsetting... In response to "Roobie, you're making a mess."  She responded, "No, I'm not!"  Wonder where she gets that smart mouth??

But today, after our ritual "Thursday morning dance party," I said, "Ok Roo, say bye-bye puppies," and she gave each one a hug and said, clear as day, "Bye-bye puppies."  I couldn't believe it!  Usually she just waves and walks out the door.  Then, stunned by her own abilities, she repeated "Bye, bye puppies" all the way to school.  Hopefully, she continues "using her words" because it's soooo incredibly helpful, and she seems less frustrated with her inability to communicate.

In the pic above, Roo Bear is taking a nap at school.  She woke up this morning with a cough and is a little under the weather.  We'll start her asthma medicaitons, and hopefully, she recovers before her cousin's christening this Sunday!

M-A-D

Rylee is M-A-D at her new molars! This pic was taken by her Center Director at school. Bad Molars!

Lehigh Valley Zoo

Our little bink addict wouldn't drop the bink, but she still LOVED the animals at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Note: Anything with four legs is a "doggie."

Hangin' with my BFF

Yes. This is what happens when two drunks procreate...

First Tumbling Class

Dear God-Mommy,

I know you wanted video of my first tumbling class, but Mommy and Daddy were soooo busy chasing me as I ran from apparatus to apparatus that they barely had time to take these two pics. I hope you enjoy. Maybe they'll be able to take more pics over the course of my class... but I doubt it... I plan to keep running all over the place!

Love, Roo-Girl

P.S. Notice the bink in pic #2. I wouldn't give it up. Heehee!

Daddy's Shoes

After Chris left for work today, Rylee walked over to a pair of his sneakers, pointed and said, "Daddy's shoes. Daddy's shoes." I responded (in my 'getting ready for work' voice), "Baby, Daddy has shoes on. Don't worry." But, Roo didn't listen. She picked up Daddy's size 12 sneakers (which were bigger than her!) and walked towards the front door.

At that moment, the door handle started to turn, and Daddy returned... for his sneakers! Imagine his surprise when Rylee was already standing at the front door with "Daddy's shoes" in hand!

That's the last time we question the memory of the Mighty Roo Bear! (Side note: I'm starting to worry that Chris and his "mini me" are telepathic...)

Kicking off Soccer Season

The 2010 soccer season is officially underway! Rylee is rooting on her Dad by wearing her new PUMA soccer shoes (thank you Aunt Carly and Uncle Greg!) She'll be ready... just in case her Dad needs to bring her in off the bench!

Siblings

Here's a pic of Roo and her big bro snapped this weekend. Marley started sleeping downstairs this weekend, instead of climbing Mt. St. Gerber to our bedroom. It was sad, but he just can't do the stairs anymore -- and he seems much happier not having to climb them.

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

I put together my Christmas list a little early this year, because I was looking through the Toys R Us catalog and couldn't find much there... so I figure you and your elves can make a lot of this in your workshop...

1. blow torch
2. gasoline
3. large pane of glass (preferably broken)
4. brass knuckles
5. pogo stick
6. giant cliff
7. samurai sword
8. get away car
9. bones for Marley and Simon

Good luck! See you December 25th!

Rylee Roo

First Climbing Lesson

Before Chris morphed into a suburbian, soccer-coaching PE teacher, he could often be found hanging from trees, indoor rock walls and heck, even the rafters, in our Grove City house -- which is why it is so shocking that it took him 18 months (exactly 18 months!) to give Rylee her first climbing lesson. With her freakish strength, she is a natural climber! Her daddy has two more weeks before soccer season begins, and so he's going to spend it erecting a bouldering cave in our basement! Rock on, Roo Girl!!!!

School Girl

Here are some pics taken by Roo's Teacher, Miss Christine -- who assures me, by the way, that "Roo's not bad. She's one!" I disagree. Look at the bottom pic... this girl is planning world domination! But we love Miss Christine for being so optimistic and loving!

Update: Roo, who is "not bad" headbutted Mommy in the face last night (multiple times while being told "not to hit Mommy") until she finally split Mommy's lip. Good girl!!!

Plant More Corn!

Dear Pa,

This morning, Mommy drove Daddy and me to the local farm stand to pick out some corn. We let her do the pickin' since she has "Corn Stand Employee" on her resume and all. She did a good job -- picked six full ears. There was a nice young girl workin' the register. Mommy thinks that the young lady, who is probably being forced to run the stand by her Dad, has a bright future in sales or marketing!

Anyway, Daddy grilled the corn with a parmesan-basil butter sauce, but I wanted my corn "straight up" with butter. As you can see, I put all six of my teeth to work and finished a whole ear all by myself. I think you and Uncle Rick have some corn-eatin' competition. You might want to PLANT MORE CORN!

Miss you. Give my puppers kisses for me.

xoxo

Rylee Roo