Birthday Trip to the Zoo

On her first birthday, we took Ainsley to the zoo.  It was a lot of fun because she recognized many of the animals from her books.  I think her favorites were the lions (grrrr!), the camels and the sea lions.

Looking at the elephants

Looking at the lions



Looking at the sea lions. She kept trying to climb up the fence!

Ainsley picked out a stuffed snow leopard
at the zoo gift shop.

Happy First Birthday, Ainsley!

One year ago today, at 8:23 a.m., the doctor said, "It's a girl!" Our lives were changed forever.

Words can't fully describe the joy Ainsley has brought over the past year, as we watch her learn, grow, and interact with the world around her. It's amazing to me how much she understands and communicates with us. She has learned sign language for several words, including milk, cat, light, book and all done, and she gets so excited when we understand what she's trying to say. She is so alert to every detail and notices things that sometimes we don't even see.

Ainsley is such a happy baby - always smiling or giggling, giving hugs and kisses, or mooing like a cow (my personal favorite)! We're so proud of her and feel so lucky to be the parents of such a sweet little girl. 

We took Ainsley to the zoo today for her first birthday. She loved the lions, the camels, and the sea lions the most. We have a lot of pictures, and I'll post them separately. Ainsley picked out a stuffed snow leopard at the gift shop, and she's holding him here in her 12 month pictures.

We love you so much!  Happy birthday, Baby!

  

Look at that pointed toe.  Maybe a future ballerina?

Need a swig of water - photo shoots are hard work.

And since Father's Day was this past weekend, here are a few photos of Ainsley helping Daddy celebrate. Last year on Father's Day, we were heading to hospital (3 weeks, 3 days early!) to welcome our baby girl!

Daddy got a remote grill thermometer!

Say cheese!  She knows to smile when she's
getting her picture taken!

Our New Kitchen

On March 14, we started our kitchen renovations.  According to our contractor, it looked like our kitchen was last updated in the early '70s, and it had been a do-it-yourself job.  There were several places where things just didn't line up or weren't put together quite right.  The coating had long since worn off the floor, so we could never really get it clean - never mind the fact that it was peeling up and pieces were breaking off where the seams came together.  So we were long overdue for an update.

Since we needed somewhere to eat and "prepare" (I use that term loosely) meals during the renovations, we moved our refrigerator and kitchen table to the basement.  We used the washtubs next to the washing machine to clean dishes and an old tabletop microwave that Nathan had from college.  

The food prep area, complete with microwave and coffee pot.
Dishes were stored here, too.

Our fine dining area, also cluttered with boxes full of
everything that had been in our kitchen cabinets.

Eleven long weeks later, our new kitchen is complete!  We had a three-week delay around Week 6 due to a cabinet supplier/manufacturer issue.  However, we got a nice discount on our cabinets because of it, so we can't complain too much. 

Here are some before and after pictures.  I can't believe how nice it is to have a brand new kitchen!  We still need to add some decorative touches, but here it is!

Before

After

Before

After

A new built-in dishwasher.

Before

You can see in this one where the floor started to peel off.
There are three little dark spots in front of the old portable dishwasher.

After

A microwave with a digital timer -
so exciting!

Parade the Circle

Last Saturday, we took Ainsley to Parade the Circle at University Circle.  We had about an hour to kill before the parade started, so I took Ainsley around to all the booths.  Ainsley was especially excited about all the balloons and pinwheels on display. 

After we finished at the booths, we (literally) danced our way over to where a reggae band was playing.  Ainsley kicked her feet and waved her arms to the music.  People were actually looking and pointing at us - I assume because Ainsley is so adorable and not because of my awesome dance moves.  When we got to the stage, even the band members were watching our little princess boogie.  We joined a conga line in front of the stage, which Ainsley thought was hilarious, and we had a great time.

By then, Mommy was tired, so we went back to our seats with Daddy and waited for the parade to start.

I attached the tissue paper flower we made at one of the booths 
to Ainsley's stroller. She's checking out the bracelet we made from a ribbon
and aluminum can tabs at another booth.  So creative at Parade the Circle!

The balloon arches were a big hit with Ainsley.

An awesome float, but a little scary, too!

There were a lot of people on stilts.

Colorful costumes

This guy was the end of the parade and represented Mardi Gras,
along with a small band playing When the Saints Go Marching In.

Ready to head home after a fun afternoon. 
Ainsley fell asleep as soon as we got in the car!