There's a first time for everything

First time playing with the slide. Here's Charlie's debut ride!
So happy to climb all around it.
The girls fighting for a chance to climb up
Jenny, Coranelle, Adelaide and Charlie cheering the Pibbers on at our softball game. Next time, cheer harder girls!
oCoranelle watching the other kiddos at the game.
First time in the bike trailer.
Checking out the HUGE tires on Josh's truck
"Driving" with daddy and shouting for joy!
Hating the helmet
One year ago today!


Coranelle has been experiencing some things lately for her very first time- it's fun to be a part of these new stages. Friday night, she got to come to our first softball game. Though we lost pretty badly, it was fun to be hanging out at the ball fields with a team. Jenny and Amy came with Adelaide and Charlie to cheer us on. Coranelle liked being outside, but would not relax on the blanket, but preferred crawling on the concrete, on bare knees. Yesterday, she went with us to her first bike shop, while we perused a sale searching for some used road bikes for our upcoming triathlon. We were not successful and actually got a bit annoyed at some rather rude bike salesmen. Luckily, Ryan found a great buy on Craigslist yesterday afternoon and went a picked up his "new" single speed road bike. It will be great for commuting and for our triathlon. We are still looking for a cheap, used one for me though- so if you know of any "vertically challenged" women looking to sell a road bike, keep me in mind!

Last night, Coranelle, Adelaide and Charlie tried out the little slide that our neighbors gave us. They had a great time crawling up, walking around, and sliding down it. I am so happy that the weather is allowing us to play outside more now!

Today, we decided to try out the new bike trailer we got for Coranelle from another mom in my MOM's club. She HATED the helmet. She was so mad at me for putting on her cute new gear that she was gagging and choking. And like a terrible mother, I caved and took it off her. In my defense, I did not want her to hate this trailer forever because she started off with a bad taste in her mouth from the helmet. And, how can you reason with or explain to a 1 yr. old that helmets protect your heads. After we took the helmet off, she seemed to like the ride a bit better. What she really loved was when we arrived at her uncle and aunt's house and she got to get out of her "prison" and play in Josh's huge truck. She had a blast steering and playing on Ryan's lap and I haven't seen her that excited or happy in a long time. Maybe (hopefully) we won't have a super girly girl on our hands. We'll see- but that lifted, decked out 4-runner sure was wonderful to her. And, after all that excitement, she did much better on the ride home- plus I caved further and gave her the pacifier. But, I enjoyed being able to go on a little afternoon bikeride again, so hopefully she'll allow us to do it again. Maybe even with the helmet on.

One of the things I love most right now is the smell of sunscreen on my daughter. She is just so sweet, soft, warm and smiley after a trip to the park or playing out in the backyard. I look forward to upcoming vacations, trips to outdoor pools, and toddling around parks this summer.

Tonight, we will celebrate Mom's birthday. It's fun to remember celebrating it a year ago today, and having contractions coming on strong by the end of our lunch. What a year!