Mary's 16 Month Birthday!!!

Mary turned 16 months old yesterday! She had a busy and exciting day, as usual. Here is how the events of the day unfolded:

Mary started the day watching some cartoons with her new baby doll.

Daddy started the day making Mary a "Pool Party" Birthday Cake

Then we surprised her with her new swing! (note she is still in her PJ's!!!) Look at that smile!!!

Here is how the whole sequence goes:

Strap in!

Get ready . . . get set . . .

Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This smile says it all!! She loves her new swing!!!

Mary and mommy pose for a picture with the new swing!!

Please pray for Mary and our family as we make a big trip to Washington DC on Tuesday to see a specialist at Children's National. We hope the trip goes well and all the doctors are cooperative!!!

Little Drummer Girl

Here is a little video of Mary playing her drum. She keeps very good beat and she even sings along. Mary has also been working on perfecting her animal sounds this past week. So far she knows: Cow, Duck, Monkey, Tiger, Dog, Cat, Dinosaur (after watching Sesame Street today!), Horse (mom's favorite), Elmo, Pig, and Sheep, and maybe a few more . . . we'll try to get a video of her saying her animal sounds and post it here as well. Enjoy!!

Father's Day Hiking!

Hey everyone, just catching up on our posts. We had a really good father's day. Mary got daddy a really cool picture book that her and mommy designed and made using Snapfish.com!! Dad really likes it. We also went hiking in a natural area near our house and then went for a nice Sunday drive in the Shenandoah National Forest. Here is a picture of Mary and daddy on the hike:

Aunt Angie Visits From Iraq!!!

Mary had a very special visitor this past weekend. Her Aunt Angie got to visit her while she was home on her R&R from Iraq. Angie and Jason were in Washington DC on some business, and since we are only 2 hours down the road they drove down to visit for a few days. Mary took to Angie very quickly. It was a great visit and great to see them.

Mary loves to help out with the cooking in the kitchen!!

Mary having a conversation with her Aunt Angie as Uncle Jason watches in the background.

We are also working very hard to get Mary fitted for a stander. Mary loves to be in the stander and loves to chase mom and dad up and down the halls!! You can really see how tall she is getting when she is standing!

Swimming Fun!!!

Hi All, sorry we have been SO bad about updating Mary's Blog! Ryan started his first week of school this week, so he has been busy "studying" every night. We all (Ryan, Kate, Mary and Jackson) managed to make it to the pool in our neighborhood one afternoon this week. Mary LOVES the water and had a great time. Here are some pictures:

Mary paddling with her arms and legs.

Mom holding Mary in the water.

Mary enjoying herself on the lawn chairs after a nice swim!!!

We'll post more next week!!!