Daddy & Doggies

While in Princeton, Ryan was stopped at a gas station buying a drink and we'd just passed a garage sale and I jumped out to take a look. I ended up purchasing a wooden high chair for Phoebe's babies, a wooden rocking chair for Phoebe and got this huge Elmo for $2 - put in 3 batteries and I'd say that's one heck of a deal! He giggles, he shakes - here Phoebe is trying to find his tickle spot.

Once she got bored with Elmo, she decided to get into Daddy's wallet. Ryan said she was starting a bit young...

Friday morning, Ryan had to work out in the field - it was going to be above 90 so he was prepared. I think this picture is adorable.

Friday I had a dentist appointment so Auntie Kate opted for the Children's Museum instead of anything outdoors - I'd have done the same thing! They tried out different exhibits and Phoebe had a blast! We don't have Barbies at home, but I think it may just be a matter of time.

They also checked out their new exhibit "Rock Stars, Cars & Guitars" - Phoebe enjoyed dancing and jumping with all the lights and music.

I met them afterwards and they took me back to the Rock Stars exhibit so I could see Phoebe's dance moves. Here we are on our way out - I think both of us are ready for a nap!

Saturday was a hard day - one of my friend's from middle school - her 27 year old brother died unexpectedly last week due to complications with diabetes. Papou and I went to the funeral while Daddy fished (it was, after all, Father's Day weekend) and Phoebe spent some time with Auntie Kate (we are SO glad she's in town!). Later that afternoon, Uncle Steve arrived and Phoebe had LOTS of fun with him.

We woke up Sunday to celebrate our dads! Just as I've been blessed with a fabulous dad who loves unconditionally, Ryan has done nothing but impress me with his love for Phoebe. It has been SO fun to see Ryan embrace his role as "daddy" - he's nurturing, he's protective, he's fun - he's simply enamored with our little girl and Phoebe is so lucky to have him for her daddy. I was so proud of the card Phoebe got him - if anyone asks her, she'll tell you she's "Daddy's Girl!" and that's what this card was all about. She jazzed it up with some glitter glue and colored pencils.

She got him a gift card to Starbucks and his first helicopter lesson! I have a feeling more lessons will be in our future. We also got him some new grilling gear - just enough to make him dangerous!

We headed to church after breakfast - here Phoebe is wearing Uncle Steve's shades. So cool.

An attempt at a family picture. Not completely successful, but worth sharing!

Eating ANY meal with a toddler can be a struggle - Phoebe has an extremely hard time remaining seated for an entire meal - at home or in a restaurant. Here's what was going on UNDER the table while the rest of us finished up lunch at YiaYia and Papou's.

After lunch, Auntie Kate taught Phoebe how to play horsie. Fun times for the two of them. Those watching were entertained as well!

Around 3:00 we decided to head out to see if Phoebe would nap (she decided not to Saturday) so we drove up to look at some puppies we'd called about earlier in the week. They lived on a farm up near Muncie. After deciding not to nap, AGAIN, we played with the puppies. There were three, but we came for just one - the yorkie poo. They also had two black chiuaua/yorkie/poodle mixes that were cute but not what we were looking for.

She LOVED picking up all the puppies and giving them some extra attention.

Somehow, this one ended up on the drive home with us. She got lovin' the whole way home.

Here's Brutus meeting the newest addition.

She loves to sit near the vents and seems to think Phoebe's sit 'n spin is her newest chew toy.

This little one is 10 weeks old, has no name (she's a girl - any suggestions???) and is having poop issues as she adjusts to life with a toddler who likes to pick her up and carry her around the house. Just the same, I think they're going to be fast friends.

Rock Candy

I forgot to upload this one a few weeks ago. One of Ryan's favorite sweets is rock candy so we'd picked some up and Phoebe got her hands on it before Ryan. I'm pretty sure sugar just makes her giddy.

Bring on the Heat!

So we're a bit behind in our blogging - I blame the 6 hours without electricity on Sunday night (stupid storms!) - but that led to some fun card games by candlelight with Auntie Kate after Phoebe went to sleep, so at least memories were made. It definitely made us thankful for air conditioning and working lights!

The weekend after Memorial Day, Ryan and I headed downtown to attend an Indians game with my office. It was hot there, too! These are the girls I work with in the office (Tawnia on the left and Terri on the right) - I'm so thankful to have them in the office with me - they make life sane at work!

Here's Ryan with one of our reporter's husbands, Lee - an office event just isn't the same for Ryan if he's not there.

I'm not sure what day this was, but we headed to YiaYia and Papou's for some swing time - this time it was for Baby, with Phoebe doing the pushing...

Here she is singing on the big swing. She just bursts out in song - B-I-N-G-O, Home on the Range (thank you Little People cd!), Jesus Loves Me. The girl can carry a tune - I'm thinking she got that from Auntie Kate!



This past Friday I decided to take Phoebe to get an official haircut at Cookie Cutters (they took off three inches and informed me that I'm not too stellar at cutting bangs - shocker!). She was NOT thrilled. Despite the car, the Elmo video, the balloon and the sucker, it was not as amazing as I'd hoped.

See what I mean?

Afterwards, she wanted to play on a slide and it was almost 90 degrees, so we compromised. I took her to the mall and here she is in all her new-haircut-glory. Still not looking thrilled.

Friday afternoon, we headed down to Princeton to meet up with Ryan's grandmas and Nana. Grandma Maralu just spent a month down in Georgia and Nana was bringing her back. The neighborhood that she lives has an abnormally large number of bunnies and birds - much to Phoebe's delight. Saturday morning, she took off in a neighbor's yard trying to touch a bunny - I'm sure if they looked out into their backyards and saw me chasing her, they got a good laugh!

GG (Great Grandma) has a lot of older great-grandchildren so Phoebe got to enjoy lots of toys while there.

I picked up a few hairbands for Phoebe in hopes to get her excited about her hair - she wears all three at once. Crazy girl. At least they ALL matched!

It was a hot weekend, I think it hit 90 before noon but that didn't stop us from spending LOTS of time outdoors.

Luckily, one of Maralu's sons lives on a large farm and has a swimming pool next to his garden so we went for a dip just to cool down. I think Phoebe is going to be a fish this summer in the pool!

One of GG's grandkids just got a whole bunch of chicks in that he'd ordered online (go figure) and Phoebe loved petting them.

Nana came stocked with goodies for Phoebe, including gobs of glitter glue - we're just thankful it's washable! So is GG!

After coloring and decorating with the glue, we moved on to playdoh - anything to keep us inside for awhile!

Sunday came way too fast and it was no fun to say good-bye - our trip to Georgia is right around the corner so Phoebe is already excited to play with the dogs. We're working on getting her excited about cousin "Soapy" (Sophie) - I'm sure she'll love her once she meets her!

Bieber Fever!

Phoebe and I are taking it easy this morning, doing laundry, watching a little of the Today show and because it's Friday, they're doing their summer concert series. Now most of our t.v. with Phoebe consists of Elmo and Big Bird so this was a bit different. I've always been amazed at kids who know ALL the words to the latest songs and the infatuation that follows. I thought, as parents, it'd at least be another year or two before Phoebe would be star struck - AND that she'd have better taste. No such luck, Bieber Fever has struck the Wallis home...

We will in no way be encouraging this. I just thought it was hilarious that she sat and watched three songs in a row of this kid whom she's never heard/seen before. Does this happen with boys too or just girls??? She even ran and got her play microphone and did her usual "Doh doh, doh doh" after he was done. She cracks us up!

Memorial Weekend Fun!

Before we talk about our long weekend, I have to post a few pictures of last Saturday. Ryan got to go fishing with a good buddy of his and Phoebe and I took them lunch. Phoebe is definitely her daddy's girl and has inherited his love of all things water.

Don't they make a cute pair?

This past Friday, we met YiaYia and Papou at the zoo.

We got to see some animals that were sleeping last time we visited like
Mr. Walrus here - this guy is HUGE!

And we rode the train for the first time. Phoebe wasn't too sure about it but once we got close her excitement grew!

We got to see the giraffes and rhinos too.

After the dolphin show and lunch, it was time to cool down in the water park - but oh was it crowded! I feared for Phoebe's safety a time or two. After she got knocked down and ran over, I decided we'd had enough. It was past naptime anyhow but she had a great time till then!

Once we got a dry diaper and outfit on, it wasn't ten minutes into our ride home, that this happened:

On Saturday, we went to the 500 Parade. I've lived in Indy for over 20 years and this was my first parade - I don't think it'll be our last!

There was lots to see, motorcycles, horses and...

ELMO! ROSITA!

And a big Elmo and his goldfish, Dorothy!

Here's My Man, Mitch (Ryan is a HUGE fan of our govenor - even has him as a friend on Facebook!)

Saturday afternoon we headed over to YiaYia and Papou's to celebrate Papou's 60th birthday. Uncle Steve drove down from Chicago to get in on some bubble action with the Phoebes.

YiaYia bought Phoebe this cute party hat.

Sunday we headed back to their house to spend a bit more time with Uncle Steve. It was nice to just sit with my husband for a bit on the swing.

Phoebe got in some swing time too...

And anyone who has spent ANY time with Phoebe outdoors, knows she's a fan of birds. Gus got to sit out on the back porch and enjoy some fresh air and Phoebe loved the fact that he couldn't fly very far.

And although we didn't see much of him, Papa was in town for the big race and Phoebe LOVED spending time with him and playing. Seems none of us know how to master the Chinese yoyo but Phoebe is easily entertained all the same.

Once we got her into her giggle monster pjs, she snuggled in for some bedtime stories.

On Monday, we went out for a late breakfast after sleeping in and then did what we could to entertain Phoebe. We visited a pet store to look at puppies. Then we headed to the park to let some energy out. It was definitely hot enough to play in the water.

So we played in the water. Then we played on the playground. Then we fed ducks - well, we tried - it ends up they're not big fans of popcorn - but fish are!

Then we walked around the lake and chased birdies.

By then we were ready to play in the water again.

And then hit the playground again.

And then back to the water. She LOVES to mimick what other kids are doing.

Last night, Ryan had a softball game and since they're too late for us to go see and still get to bed at a half decent time, Phoebe and I ran to the library and then played outside till the mosquitoes got bad. She did make enough time to enjoy a popsicle though!

And lounge in her wagon.

We're excited about the short week. It means we're just a month away from our trip to Georgia - Phoebe got a new cousin last week (Lucas is officially a big brother now) - we welcome Sophia Grace Ross to the family and can't wait to meet her!