The computer is back! Which means one thing...we have some catching up to do and pictures to see! Gwen has been super busy with Spring Break adventures, Easter egg hunts, playing in the sun, pig tails--in her hair, new teeth, and just being Gwen! In the past month so many things have been going on it is hard to think back and start recalling them, but I will certainly try. The computer was dropped of at the "MacPort" (airport at the Apple Store) on March 27th which was right in the middle of Spring Break. That sounds like a great place to start.
Gwen and I began Spring Break at home in Dale just hanging out together, running errands, and just trying to relax. Wednesday we headed out for Chicago, via West Lafayette to visit Uncle Joey and Purdue for a quick lunch break. Once we arrived (this time in a timely manner unlike our Christmas trip) Gwen was ready for action! We were able to spend a lot of quality time with Auntie Erin, Uncle Don Don, Gammie, and Grandpa Casey every day and night which was FABULOUS! We played at home, visited Great Grandma D., did a little shopping, and even went out to eat. We had a great trip, but of course it ended way too soon! Here are just a couple pics from the week.
As you can see Miss Gwen is developing quite the sense of humor!
With Easter just around the corner, Gammie had all her decorations out for all to see. Gwen even made some friends that were just her size!
Gwen also discovered some hidden talents while in Chicago, such as the best way to enter a shopping cart and how to properly maneuver a shopping cart. It was quite a show and one that had us laughing so hard we were crying!
"Into the cart I go!"
"Watch out Auntie Erin! I know how to work this thing!"
Once back at home, and me back at work, things weren't that exciting. The highlight of the week came on Saturday morning when Brad, Gwen, and I went to Ferdinand's town wide yard sale! With 90+ houses to hit (no we didn't go to all of them) we were sure we would find everything our hearts desired. Well, we left with quite a bit of exciting finds, but not everything we hoped to find. My favorite find...a mom selling all her little girls clothes for 2 for $1! Everything was Baby Gap, Children's Place, Old Navy....and seemed to be brand new! Gwen is set until December as long as she doesn't go through a crazy growth spurt and all of the sudden jump into 2T! It was so much fun! Now we have play clothes that I am not freaking out about getting dirty in because hey, the outfit was $1! Gwen' s favorite find was a little stroller for her dolls and animals. When opened it up for her as soon as we were home and I couldn't believe her! She automatically new what to do and how to do it! It was so much fun to watch her tool around the house with her buddies!
"Come on I have cool stuff to show you!"
"So...Do you know the guy in the red suit? I sat on his lap too"
And then came Easter! What a day! We went to 6:30 am mass (yes, you read that correctly--it is Dale's Sunday morning mass), and then came home for a little breakfast and an egg hunt. Gwen and I had been practicing all week so she would know what game we were playing. I didn't think it would matter that stuff was in the eggs. She was a bit distracted during most of the game, but did find all the eggs (which were obviously "hidden"). She loved her basket and proceeded to attack it every few seconds during the egg hunt to see what else was inside. Finally we got smart and put it up high for the last few eggs and then had it magically appear again for her to really get into it.
"Something is in this. How can that be? They were like that before?"
(Notice, her shoes are already off...We didn't wear them the rest of the day because they kept slipping off. We ended choosing another pair)
"Daddy, I love you!"
"My Mommy and me! We so cute together! Don't you think?"
"Although my Easter basket is awesome, I still prefer Pooka's"
Gwen not only modeled a very fancy dress for Easter, she also wore a fuzzy chick-a-dee jacket to keep warm during the cool morning. (This is her trying it on the night before)
After our Easter at home, we went on to an Easter Brunch with the Tempel's and had great food, yet another Easter Egg Hunt, and even won a prize just for being there!
Following Easter, things slowed down again, except for the occasional sugar highs experienced by all of us. Over the weekend, Jenn and Andy came to visit from Indy and we had a great time, despite me not feeling the greatest. We now have a great Rock Band! And I think Brad convinced Andy he NEEDS an XBox 360 which probably wasn't a great thing to do. But we all had fun. I have been much better since the weekend, however Gwen caught what i had and now it battling what we now know is Strep! The pediatrician said that it is really unusual for a toddler her age to get it, but Gwen is amazing so she proved it is possible! Now we both are on antibiotics and hopefully will not share this experience with Brad. I really hope he is spared! We also were able to find out Gwen's weight and height. She hasn't grown since her birthday, but she is now 21 lbs. and 14 oz.. A whole pound heavier. This still puts her at the 37th %ile for weight and the 33rd %ile for height. You'd never believe that by looking at that belly!
Even with being sick, this girl is unstoppable! From running, to climbing, jumping on couches, falling like she is sliding into home plate, to exploring in the yard... nothing phases her! I wish I was half as brave! Here are some of her recent pictures from this week of non-stop moving.
"Am I turning violet since I am in the violets?"
(Our back yard is currently a field of wild violets and it is beautiful! I almost hate asking Brad to mow)
"Do you like my pig tails?"
"It is super windy, but I can hold a pose!"
"Now, where did I leave that shadow?"
