Just another day at the fair

As promised, I am updating the blog sooner rather than later with pics and details from Courtney's first trip to the Alameda County Fair.

This is a major tradition for Casey and I. We've gone every summer for 13 years, since we first started dating and have commemorated every visit with a cheesy photo booth picture for every year except the last 3. Two summers ago I was 8 months pregnant and miserable. I didn't want that captured for posterity. Last summer, Court was just under a year and we couldn't get her in the booth. This year was just too crazy! We promise to resume the tradition next summer!

Anyways, a bunch of people wanted to come with us this year, to see the little one's reaction to everything. My parents and her godmother met us there and after about an hour of wrangling everyone together and another hour of feeding everyone, we were off!

Court was getting cranky, so my mom bought her some french fries. Well, she wouldn't eat them until my mom got a plate, some "dip-its" (ketchup) and we all sat down at a table. She is such a creature of habit. Anything out of her eating routine and she just freaks out! But, it was kinda cute and she really enjoyed those fries as you can see.




Then we went to see the barnyard animals. She's learned all the animals names and sounds from books, flashcards, and my constant quizzing, but she's never actually heard one make a sound live! When she heard the cow moo, she just cracked up! Then she said, "ok, let's go see the bock-bocks." (chickens). Or lets go see the sheep or goats. Now, these animals really stink, but we hung out for like an hour anyway because we were so delighted to see her enjoy herself.

Then, we were off to the exhibition halls. She of course wanted to walk around. I'm not even sure why we brought the stinkin' stroller. I'm a creature of habit also, and every year, I buy a big giant pickle and some beef jerky in the exhibition hall. I was about halfway through my pickle and I turned around to find my darling daughter taking it right out of my hand.



After 4 hours of eating junk, cavorting with smelly barnyard animals, and running after my precocious 2-year old, we went home. In the car, she kept saying she was tired and crying that she didn't want a bath. So, we wiped her down at home and she passed out!

I know that I've gone to the fair every year since I was a little girl, but I'm not quite sure I've seen it the way I saw it this time...To see things through the eyes of a toddler is truly magical.

Where or where has Courtney been?

Oh my gosh, it's been a long time since I've added an entry, and it's not for lack of interesting news. Things have been really hectic at work, then I go home and play with Court and pass out by 10 pm. There are so many things I want to do with my "free" time and somehow, blogging just keeps getting pushed down the list.

There's lots to tell, so I'll keep it brief.

1) It's been almost 4 weeks bottle free! One day she just told the babysitter "no more baba, k?" and that was it. She doesn't even ask for it. Now, I can't believe I obssessed over it so much. My mom told me Courtney was the type of child who would reach those kind of milestones on her own without much prodding from me but I didn't believe it. Gosh, I hate it when my mom is right. Does she have to ALWAYS be right. Now, I'm just waiting for her to potty train herself!

2) Dora the Explorer Rocks! Well, not really, but she's Courtney's current obssession. My parents aren't helping any either. She has a Dora bathing suit, Dora nightgown, Dora sleeping bag, Dora videos, Dora doll. "I want Dowa!" I have to say, I'm a little sick of Dora. Her voice is annoying. It sounds like she's shouting through the whole video. But apparently, she's supposed to be a good female role model for the pre-school circuit. And she makes my kid happy, so whatever.

3) No, Mommy do it! Her other current obssession is ME! Apparently, I'm the only one who can change her diaper the right way, pour her juice right, put her videos in, read her books and give her baths. I'd be flattered, but I'm too darned exhausted! I'm blessed to have a husband who wants to be an equal participant in caring for our child, but she just won't let him and it's bumming both of us out. I understand that this is a normal part of development at this age, but we're going to try and nip it in the bud. It's getting to be a bit much.

4) Too bossy for her own good. When Courtney says "jump", we all say "how high". It's ridiculous really. Before, we all marvelled at her ability to put together 6-word sentences to really question what she was saying. Now, it's not so cute when she says "daddy, get out of my chair".

5) Pronoun mixup. This is the age where they start to TRY to use pronouns. Court hasn't quite gotten the hang of it. "Mommy, leave my alone". "No, My do it". "This is mines and that is yous". It's really kind of cute, and I don't have the heart to correct her.

6) Tiny tot tumbling. Now that her swim lessons are over, we signed her up for "gymnastics" at the local community center. It's not really gymnastics. More like running around and jumping on things, but it's great. It makes me sad how much she craves interaction with other kids. She get SOOO excited when she sees the other children. But, those kids are demons. Am I really the only one in the community with a well-mannered toddler?

Anyways, that's it for now. I will add pics next time. I broke the digital camera with the tumble in the ocean that occurred during Court's first trip to the beach when a big wave knocked me into a rock. But we bought a new camera over the weekend and need to install the photo software.

Next time, I will talk about Court's first trip to the county fair, complete with a photo of her eating a 2-pound pickle!