Attempting to Catch Up...A Daunting Task!

Over the next few weeks, I will be attempting to update our family blog. I am a total slacker and am so far behind that its quite overwhelming, actually. So, let's see, as of yesterday, little Miss Aria is walking! Ok, so she's taking unassisted, on her own, holding onto nothin', cute little steps, and oh boy is she proud of herself! She's still quite hesitant to really start cruising, but oh those steps are the sweetest thing!

Today was her cousin Tyler's 1st birthday party. It was a pirate pool party where everyone dressed up pirate-y for the occasion. I made Aria and Ty these cute little mustache pacis, which, I think, were awesome! Aria made quite the darling pirate. She swam and swam until I made her get out because the water was really cold and I was worried about her getting hypothermia or something (overprotective mother, probably). Then she flirted and played with all the party guests. Everyone kept saying what a happy baby she is and how she is just so sweet and active and interested in everything. It made me think of what her name means: "Sweet Melody", and she really is just that. Even though she's not always super happy in the day to day, she really is almost always super happy and sweet when we are out with others and I am so thankful for that. She really is able to brighten others' day and bring them joy with her friendliness and her smiles!

I cannot, and I repeat, CANNOT believe that my sweet little baby girl will be 1 year old in just 4 days! Ahhhh, time is going so much faster than I expected it to, and I just wish it would all slow down a bit. My cousin's sister-in-law had her 1 week old baby girl at the pirate party and seeing her made me so nostalgic for those first few weeks of newborn life! I am truly loving watching Aria grow and develop into the wonderful little lady that God made her to be, but at the same time, longing for her to stay a baby. Hmmm, maybe its time for another one? Ha, ha, no...not yet! I can barely handle one right now, so I'm definitely not ready for number two!

Next week we are going to start working on potty training. I know, it seems early, but I've done a lot of research recently and everything I've read points to early potty training being easier and quicker and, obviously, cheaper (in that you are no longer buying diapers!). Did you know that the average age for children being potty trained in the 1960s was 18 months old? Did you know the average age today is 40 months? So, we're attempting to go "old school" and get back to the 60s in our house. I'll let you know how it goes.