Dear Rebecca,
               Well, it's just me all by my lonesome tonight. Mama is in Lexington setting with Granny at St. Joseph's for the night and since I have to get up and go to work in the morning you are spending the night with Mamaw & Papaw. I'm sure you'll have big fun down there; You always do.
      Daddy really needs to get in better shape. You made Daddy dance with you to Elvis tunes the other night and my legs have been two big fat trunks of pain ever since. Daddy loves dancing and playing with you. We need to dance more often. It's very good exercise for your fat ole' Daddy. When we were dancing you stood on the couch and plopped down on it and I started to pick you up and toss you into the air and you fell back on the cushions. You simply adored that little game. It nearly killed your Dad though. I was so out of breath. You didn't want me to stop and being as how you are spoiled rotten I didn't. Mom came home and I told her about it and I mentioned the word 'plop' in describing what went on and you jumped up on the couch and laid down on your back and reached for me and said "Plop". You knew what I was talking about when I was talking to Mom. That's the name of your new game, plop.
      I am off next week as I'm sure I have mentioned. I am looking forward to going to Gymboree with you and Mama. She says you always have such big fun when you are there. I plan on taking the video camera. I hope that doesn't distract you. I have big plans to work on the yard while I'm off as well. Mama isn't going to get as much time off as she had originally hoped for because a fellow that she works with is taking his vacation the same week that I have to take mine. Your Mom isn't even going to get the whole day off the day we all go to Disney Princesses on Ice. Oh, have I mentioned that we are going to Disney Princesses on Ice. I don't remember mentioning it at all. Maybe I have but I don't remember it if I have. I just checked the blog archives and I didn't see any mention of it at all. Well, we are going to see the above mentioned show next Saturday morning. I hope you like it. You may be a little too young for it but maybe not. We'll see. You do love your princesses, especially 'Rella' as you call Cinderella. You have a Disney Princess night gown that you just love. You even want to wear it over whatever you are wearing at the time. Maybe you've seen picture of yourself wearing the pretty pink gown over a sweat suit.
      Update on Granny's condition; We found out that she does not have congestive heart failure. The crappy Woodford County hospital misdiagnosed her. Mamaw demanded that they give Granny an x-ray because she was in so much pain in her hip. They assumed that the crappy Woodford County hospital had already done an x-ray; they hadn't. It seems that when an 89 year old lady falls down that it would be standard procedure to have an x-ray done. St. Joe's told us that she had crushed her hip. Well, it turns out that that was also a misdiagnoses. She had fractured her pelvis and she also has an ulcer. Everybody in the family is having grave misgivings about just how knowledgeable the local medical community is. She's going to have to go to a rehabilitation hospital for awhile after she gets out of the regular hospital. The family will be moving Granny from her apartment into her new house that she will be sharing with Aunt Linda this Friday. At least with Granny being in rehab it will give everyone time to get her new house set up real nice for her before she moves in.
      Well, I am going to close out this post. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca.
                        Hello my sweet little baby bird. Right now (hopefully) you are taking a nap in your room. We went to the store this morning to get some milk and juice. You have a big time at the store driving in the buggies that have steering wheels and look like cars. You always like going to the store. You tell everyone "HI!" in your cheery little voice. Everyone always thinks you are so cute. Everyone is right. You are such a friendly little baby. You always flirt with my boss too. You think he is so funny for some reason.
      This morning Mommy was a little frustrated. Not really with you but just that I couldn't get anything done because you were right under my feet. After everything eventually got done and I sat down in the chair and you came over & were so very sweet to me I felt terrible. You climbed up in my lap and kissed and hugged me and gave me sugars all over my head. You are so sweet. Mommy's do get frustrated sometimes. Even though it's not their kid's fault, 99.2% of the time.
      You had a Lunchables just a minute ago and you thought that was big fun. A Lunchable is a package of meat, cheese, crackers & a treat. Kids get them for, well, lunch. You had big fun stacking the crackers with turkey and cheese. Then you would eat a piece and shout "YOOK!" which is LOOK! and I would look and tell you that you were Very Cool. You are so silly.
         Yesterday we went outside to play for about an hour because it was very warm. You insisted that I come over and touch the fence. You must have thought it felt funny or something. I came over and touched it and when I did I acted like it electrocuted me. I shook and said "zzzzz!" and you laughed and giggled at that so hard. You got to pet the lady's dog (the one that lives behind us). It's very cute. It's a little bitty schnauzer, I think. She named it Peanut. We don't see too much of the big dogs since they killed your baby puppy, Mimi. The woman behind us said that lady put a sign up for people not to touch, speak to, or feed the dogs. I thought that was weird. Anyway.
        After Daddy got home yesterday we had a supper of hot dogs and macaroni & cheese. You of course had to have "Chips!" -You love chips, and we eat the baked ones, because they are better for you. You had been hungry so you ate a whole hot dog and half another one and some chips. You are sort of particular like Mommy because you won't eat the end of a hot dog. I don't care about eating the end of a hot dog but I am particular about other things when it comes to eating. Mommy really hates beans. Sad but true. After supper we played with you a lot in the floor. We kept playing a game where we would bounce the ball over the top of you and we'd say "Monkey in the Middle!" and you would say "Minnle!" and laugh. We'd stop and you'd bring us the ball and lay down in the floor again. It was big fun for all. Daddy and I finished watching a show we'd been working on looking at since he got home after we put you to bed and then we watched Supernanny on TV. Dad & I aren't very good at watching TV without Tivo. We kept trying to pause it and run it through commercials. We've spoiled ourselves. Even you know that your Oobi comes from the sacred curvy black 'mote.
         Well little one, I am going to close out this blog because I want to lay on the couch and rest some. I am going to spend the night with Granny tonight and I reckon you are going to get to spend the night with Mamaw, because Daddy has to get up for work in the morning. Never forget that no matter how frustrated Mommy gets, you are the light of my life and I could not imagine my world without you. I love you more than anything on this earth. Mommy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                  You have just laid down for the night. I really don't understand what goes through your head at times. I was in the kitchen cleaning up and you were nowhere around. I finally finished up in the kitchen and decided it was time for your bed so I go in search of you. I find you lying in your bed with your sippy cup watching Oobi on your television. I turn off Oobi and you were still okay but when you figured out that this was bed time you started crying your eyes out. It was obvious that you were very tired but you just didn't want to sleep.
      I left work a little early yesterday because your Mom decided she wanted to go see Aunt Mary & Papaw Lawrence. We headed out but didn't even get out of Versailles before we decided that we really didn't want to go after all. It's a good thing we didn't go because later that evening we found out that Granny had fallen and was in bad shape at the hospital here in Versailles. The three of us went out there to see her. All of Granny's children were there, Louise, Donny, Mamaw, Mike and Linda; Aunt Lynn was also there. We were there too, of course. The doctor there said that she had a mild case of congestive heart failure and that she should be transported to St. Joe's in Lexington. Today when we the cardiologist saw her he said that it was not congestive heart failure but that she was bleeding in her stomach. We are going to get a third opinion and find out what actually is wrong with her. It's always so scary when Granny takes a tumble like that.
      You had some big fun this evening. Aunt Lynn & Uncle Rodney came by to visit, actually they came by to use my cable internet to plan a Walt Disney World Resort Vacation because their dial-up is super slow. Anyway they brought the whole brood and you had big fun playing with all of them. I sat in the office with Aunt Lynn & Uncle Rodney while you played with the kids. You call Allison by Sissy, you call Jon by his name and you call Jacob by Jon's name too. I have no idea why you do that.
      Potty training is going about as well as can be expected. I don't think that your mom & Dad are all that good at potty training. Your mom looked up some information on the internet and we were doing a few things wrong but we have rectified those issues. Maybe we are pushing you a little bit. According to what I have read on the internet and from what Aunt Lynn told me, most children aren't potty trained until they are two and a half or even older. Well, we will see how you do.
      You had another big day at Gymboree this past Thursday. Your Mom said there is a girl in there that is somewhat of a bully. This little bully girl took a ball away from one of the younger and smaller boys in the class. The little boy was fixing to tune up and cry and you saw all of this go on. Mom said that you walked right up to the bully girl and took the ball away from her and returned it to the smaller boy. You have always been such an empathetic child. Even though all the books say that you don't yet have the social skills to feel empathy at your age. I think that's a load of crock. I have seen what an empathetic little girl you are. As a matter of fact Mama still cons you into giving her hugs and kisses by pretending to cry. You see that Mom is upset and you rush to her with a hug or a kiss. You don't rush to her lately as you used to because I think you are catching on to her little game. You do give kisses a lot more than you used to though. And whenever you want to be picked up you con us into doing by opening your arms and saying "Hugs". How can any person with an ounce of heart turn down a hug from such a cute little toddler so you always get your hug and when we are bent over giving you a hug you lift up your feet off of the floor and you automatically get picked up. You little con artist. I reckon you got that from your dear ole' Mom.
      Well, speaking of your dear ole' Mom she will be getting home any minute now so I will close out this post in my usual way. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               You're playing with the light switch here in the computer room/office. You're working on off and on. You think it's a big deal being able to turn the light on and off. You are such a cutie. Mama is at work tonight. I just finished balancing our checkbook. Before the web one could only balance their checkbook once per month because you had to wait for your statement in the mail but now you can access your statement on the internet at any time and balance your checkbook as often as you like. I try to balance the checkbook twice a week. That way it doesn't get to a big job. Instead of thirty five transactions at the end of the month we have three or four to balance. Of course before we started using Quicken and the online statement we were lucky to balance our checkbook every three months. I know that sounds very irresponsible and it was. I am proud that we are finally on top of our finances and we know exactly where every dime goes.
      You are talking so much these days. You tried to say peanut butter yesterday. It didn't sound anything like peanut butter but you gave it a good try. You did more or less nail the word jelly though. You are going to have to learn to hand us stuff when we ask you to though. If we ask you to hand us something and you don't right away we speak to you in a stern voice and then you end up tossing whatever it was that you had in the air. That's going to have to stop.
      Mama said you used the potty three times today. When you go pee-pee in the potty you get bubbles and when you go poo-poo in the potty you get bubbles and a sticker. You have yet to get a sticker. You do love stickers. I don't know why toddlers love stickers so much.
      You are still having a wild time with the light switch. I am going to close out this latest blog and we are going to go in the living room and bask in the comforting blue glow of the boob tube. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
            Where to start? This has indeed been a long week for the both of us. I am sorry I have not had a chance to post a blog to you here lately. Mommy has done her best to tend to you while you've been sick. In doing so I let everything slide around the house here and I am just now whipping it back into shape. I don't like to live in a very dirty or messy house. It's rather odd because before you were born I just assume not have to get up and do anything. I guess it was maybe because I felt like my life had no purpose so for what purpose should I get up and do anything? Well, anyway, now you and Daddy are my soul purpose and I can honestly say everything I do is for the two of you. I love you both so very much.
      Monday night you were very sick and you were up and down all through the night. You couldn't sleep at all. You layed on the couch with your head up on two pillows and a blankey covering your diaper-clad body (I had taken your clothes off, you were running a pretty high fever, 101 I think) and whined "Help You" a few times. I felt terrible because I had no medicine to help you. We went to Kroger at 3 am and got some Vick's Vapor rub, A Vick's plug in to go in your room, some cold medicine, and some Vapor bath. We came home and got you into the tub. You splashed a bit in the tub but you really weren't up to it. I got you out and dried you up and rubbed you down in the Vick's. I layed you on the couch while I got your plug in ready for your room. I plugged it in and put you down in nothing but your onesie and socks. You finally went to sleep. While I was at Kroger I left a note for my boss that I would not be in the next day. Neither one of us had it in us to do any hard labor. Not that my job is hard. It's just that I knew I would be exhausted. Even after you went to sleep at almost five in the morning, you only slept until about nine. Then you were up again. I just felt so terrible that there wasn't much more I could do for you. I gave you cold medicine and kept you cool and dry and wiped your little runny nose on my shirt tail for the next few days. It's been a week today and you are getting much better. You are still a little snotty but we are getting it under control. That's what shirt tails are for.
      I did indeed get off at 7:30 last night. I brought you home a half-deflated Kroger balloon and a little rabbit that I spent a buck fifty on. He's a bendy rabbit. I tied the balloon to the rabbit's ears and you had big fun making the rabbit and balloon "Hop". Periodically the balloon would hit me and I would act like it knocked me out and you would laugh your little head off. You thought that was really funny. We did that for about a half an hour before Daddy and I put you to bed. You went to bed really easily last night and Daddy and I stayed up and watched a TV show together and then we made our way towards the bed as well. You have such a good Daddy. He takes good care of you while I am at work. I have absolutely no worries about you at all with him; I am so glad we don't have to use a baby sitter we don't really know or Day Care. We are lucky enough to have SIssy babysit for us when we need it. She is a good baby sitter. I think we will be letting her baby sit for you some in the first of April.
      As Daddy mentioned before, you and I went to church yesterday morning. You wore your little melon colored outfit that said "Pretty" on the front and "Hippy" on the back that Mamaw got for you. You looked incredibly adorable in it. You got several compliments. And you had a good time playing with the toys in the nursery. Instead of crying when you saw me, you didn't even want to leave. You are getting to be such a big girl.
      Like I said I have been working on getting the house back into shape today so you've been playing with your toys and from time to time watching your shows. I told Daddy the other day that I have no problem getting toys for you because you actually play with them. He agrees.
      Well little girl, I am going to sign off with you now. Remember I love you always, Monkey!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Finally and mercifully this 2005-2006 University of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball season has come to an end. Just a few moments ago the Cats were narrowly defeated by the number one seeded UConn Huskies in the second round of the NCAA tournament. They did better in their final game than I had expected of them. I was sorely disappointed in the entire season. It sure would have been nice to actually defeat Uconn who are ranked second in the nation. I can't wait for next year. It has to be better than this year.
      The women's team, on the other hand, is having their best season since sometime during the seventies. I watched them play their first round game yesterday on ESPN2. I had never seen them play. Maybe when you get old enough and if you show any interest in sports we will go watch the women's team together; Then again if you have no interest in sports that would be perfectly honky-dorey as well.
      It's just you and I this afternoon. Your Mom is at work right now. She gets off tonight at 7:30. As soon as I finish here we're gonna get you into the tub. It will be a little early but I would like to have all of that stuff done before your Mom gets home so we can all relax a little before we have to hit the proverbial hay. You are watching Jack's Big Music Show on the boob tube in the living room right now. You do love your Jack.
      You and your Mom went to church this morning while I stayed here and helped Papaw tear out a big ole ugly bush on the side of our new house. You are throwing a fit at this moment because you want to go find your Mommy. You brought me your Jacket and are getting terribly upset that I will not put it on you. You just threw your jacket down and grabbed it up again and proceeded to have one of your very rare hissy fits. I am ignoring your fit while not ignoring you. You keep handing me your jacket and I keep taking it and telling you that we are not going anywhere and handing it back to you. I finally put your jacket out of sight and you seemed to have calmed down a bit. You are probably tired and miss your Mommy. I just gave you a "I've been Krogering" sticker and you are now a happy camper. Your Mom wanted to quit her job early next month but I think she's going to work a little longer so we can afford to get you a playhouse and a dog for your birthday.
      Well, you are in the living room and you sound like you are upset again. I am going to close this out and start your bath. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
            It's been a few days since my last blog, I know. As you may have noticed neither your Mother or I post very much during the week and if we do it's usually a very short one. I have been so busy at work this week. We are working down on unit 18 and it's been running like crapola. You have been very sick the past few days. You have been a snotty headed little girl. You haven't been too fussy though. You've had trouble sleeping and you have had your fussy moments because you have been tired but that's to be expected.
      We've started potty training again. I hope you are more receptive to it now that you are a little bit older. I think we started you a little too early last time.
      Well, I'll post again this weekend and I'm sure that one will be longer and more in depth. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               Hello my little sweetie bird. You and Daddy spent the entire evening together while I was at work tonight. I don't have to work tomorrow which is the reason I am up so late tonight. I came home and watched a show with Daddy and then I came in here to post this blog. Daddy went to bed already. We are going to try to go to church tomorrow morning. That all depends on how late you sleep. Poor Momma is sleep deprived. No wonder Momma is always so Jumpy! Anyway, I wanted to tell you about this past Thursday when you and I spent a fabulous day together.
         We got up early Thursday morning and made our way to Gymboree. No speeding tickets this time, however. That is a good thing. We got there and you set right to playing. You love Gymboree more than chocolate ice cream. They have all kinds of fabulous slides and climbers and balls and barrels that we roll you in. You even get to ride a big rocking horse. And of course you love the other kids. This past Thursday you introduced yourself to a little girl named Shelton. You looked at her and held your hand to your chest and said "Becca!" I think your name is now Becca, you picked it and no one else. Poor Daddy hates that. After you introduced yourself, Shelton blew you a kiss. You all played together for a few minutes before you both got interested in your own things. You ran into the room and said "Friends!" when we got there. I thought that was so cute. Whenever it is time to go though, and the teacher pulls out Gymbo, you try to find a place to hide. You don't want to leave. You'd stay at Gymboree forever if I let you. The last time we were there the teacher hid Big Gymbo and Little Gymbo and told you guys to find them. You passed right by Little Gymbo, pointed at him, then took off flying trying to find a place to hide.
      After Gymboree we were supposed to meet Daddy for lunch and I told you on the way down the Elevator that we were going to eat with him. He called us in the car though and told us he was almost half way through his early Lunch and not to come. I took you to McDonald's after that and you kept asking for your Dear Old Dad. I know he mentioned that to you; I think it is sweet. You really wanted to see your Daddy. After lunch and picking up my pay check and depositing it, I put you down for a nap here at the house because you were completely exhausted. So was I, but I couldn't seem to get to sleep. I knew that I would have to be up in just over an hour. You, however, slept fabulously. I had to get you up from your nap to get you dressed to go back out to go to the Pediatric Dentist over in Hamburg. Your Pediatric Dentist's name is Rodney Jackson. He is a big black man. He is nice and you seem to like him unless he is trying to look at your teeth. Hamburg is really far over on the other end of Lexington and I was really concerned about making it to work on time after your appointment so I called and asked Jon to trade Thursday for Friday with me. Honestly I didn't want to have to rush back and in the process hurt myself. Mostly, however, I wanted to continue to spend the day with you. In the dentists office you had a poop and I had to change your diaper. For some reason you always poop at that office. There and CiCis. I took you into the bathroom and you reached out and touched the wall and told me it was a house. I informed you that it was an office and told you to say office. You said "Offith!" Which was really cute. I got you all cleaned up and you thoroughly enjoyed playing with the toys in the dentist office. Then it was your turn and we went back to see the Hygenist. She put some cleaner on a brush and called it a tooth tickler. She let you feel it on your hand first. You smiled at that. You did not smile, however, when she put it in your mouth and began to clean your teeth. You screamed like a Banshee. You had no idea what was going on. I think it scared you a little bit. You kept yelling for a toy because I had told you that you would get one if you did well at the dentist office. You did really well all things considered. After all, you are only a baby. And they know that. You hugged me up and snuggled deep into me when I let you up from getting your teeth cleaned. Then Mr. Jackson had me lay you back down so he could count them. You didn't like that at first but he started to count them using the ABC's and that seemed to calm you down. You did indeed get your toy afterward which was a pink bracelet and you also got to pick out a sticker. You got Dora and Boots of course. If they had any Oobi though, I am willing to bet you would take him in a heartbeat. I am planning on getting you an Oobi cake for Easter. I hope you like it. I thought I might just get Oobi with Bunny Ears but I found a picture of Oobi, Kako, Uma and Grandpoo and I think I will get that put on there and make Grandpoo the one with the silly bunny ears. Anyway, back to Thursday.
      After the dentist we met up with Daddy over where we were and discussed eating somewhere. I suggested Chick-Fil-A and your Dad really did not want to eat there. I did however because we had a coupon from the dentist so you could get a free kid's meal. In addition to that I like Chick-Fil-A. Plus they have a toddler area where you can play. You really had a big time in there, I tell you. We all had a good time even though Daddy complained all the way through dinner. And I was a little upset because like an idiot I lost your coupon. By the way, I am kidding about Daddy complaining through dinner.
      In the toddler area at Chick-Fil-A some little girl was trying to tickle you to no end. She wasn't getting her desired response. There were tons of squealing little girls in there and you squealed just as hard and loud as any of them. They all were going up the big kid slide and you wanted to follow right behind them. It frustrated you a little because you couldn't, but you still had a grand time. Some of them pretended to squat and hide and then so did you. That tickled your Dear Old Dad.
        After Chick-Fil-A we came home and watched you play in the living room floor. I played a lot with you and so did Daddy. You were really tired so I gave you a bath around seven o'clock and you watched one of your shows. By then it was nearly eight and I know you were exhausted because so was I. You hadn't had a chance to finish your nap and I hadn't even had a chance to take one. I got you in bed and Daddy and I sat up only a few minutes after. Then we took ourselves to slumber town. It was a fabulous day with a fabulous girl.
         Today before work was just as fun. You were packing shoes over into the middle of the living room and I told you to go and get your shoes. You promptly yelled "Shoes! Shoes! C'Mere Shoes!" And I got so tickled at you. I said "Well, where are your shoes?" That's when you walked over to the basket we keep all the shoes in and blurted out, while waving, "HI SHOES!" You are so FUN-DY. Fundy is the word you use for funny. You are just the sweetest silliest girl I know.
         Well little girl, that's all I have for tonight. I am going to let Daddy tell you about the peanut butter incident since he was here and I wasn't. I love you, Baby Bird!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Good morning to you, little Rebecca. Mama told me to be in bed by four this morning but our bank website came back with some funky numbers when I tried to balance the checkbook. I last balanced it a few days ago and according to what they said we had lost $75.01 in the three or four days since I last updated our balances. I have been up ever since trying to find that $75. Apparently there was some kind of screw up on their end because after I downloaded my numbers for the twelfth time I got the numbers I expected. I knew we couldn't have screwed up that bad. I was a little worried though. That kind of money can make a big difference in a poor man's bottom line. Anyway, I also screwed up my backup disc somehow so I had to set up a new one. I had planned on balancing the checkbook which usually takes three or four minutes, writing you a nice long blog and looking at some television.
      After I got home from work today and your Mom left for her job, you & I went out in the backyard and played on your swing set. You had a whole lot of fun out there. Mamaw came to see us before she went over to Granny's. We decided to head on over there with her and hang out there. Aunt Linda was there with Leah and Lucas's new puppy named Sasha. I really didn't care much for the puppy because she was a pitbull. I loathe pitbulls. They are stupid, ugly and vicious animals but you seemed to take a shine to her and since she was only six weeks old I let you play with her. Oh, you had a big ole time with that future plague on society.
      You went to the dentist this past week but I'm gonna let your Mom tell you all about that because she was there with you and I was at work.
      You did do one thing this past week that melted my heart. You have started giving us more & more kisses and we get a bedtime kiss after we lay you down every night. The other night Mama kissed you good night and you thought that I wasn't going to try to get mine so you looked up at me and said "Daddy kisses". Well, needless to say, I stepped up for my kisses. That made me feel so good. Another thing that made me feel good this week but also a little sad. I was supposed to have lunch with you and Mama Thursday before your dentist appointment and after gymboree and Mom told you that you were all going to have lunch. I had to take an early lunch that day so I didn't get to eat with the two of you. You asked about me all day long, according to Mama. Y'all went to McDonald's and you asked, "Daddy eat?"
      Mama had to tell you that I wasn't going to eat with you all. You asked about me at Kroger and some other places that you stopped that day. Eventually when your Mom was putting her check in the bank you asked her if "Daddy home?"
      Once again she had to inform you of some bad news. I was still at work. You started to cry and whine at that. It makes me feel good that your were so excited to see me but I wish we had gotten to eat lunch together. I love seeing you and Mommy in the middle of my hard work day. It always recharges me and makes me happy.
      Well, I'm gonna let you go for now. I know Mama has been wanting to post a blog for the last few days because she had so much fun with you Thursday and she wants to tell you all about it. I'm sure she will get to it this weekend. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
            Mommy is up a little late tonight because she decided to paint her fingernails & toenails and now they aren't dry. So that means I can't go to bed just yet. I don't think my fingernails are all the way dry so this will just be a short little note to let you know how cute & sweet and smart and pretty you are.
      You are just precious. All week long you have been saying "Ball and Sissy, Jon!" Which I am assuming means that you want to play ball with Sissy & Jon. And just tonight when we put you down for bed I got a kiss and when Daddy went to leave you said "Daddy kisses!" You made your poor old man's heart melt at that one, little girl. You already have him wrapped around your finger.
         Well little one, that's it for me, because I think I just smudged a wet nail. I have to go fix it. I love you, baby bird!

Dear Rebecca,
                  We spent most of yesterday at Granny's apartment, you and I. We both had a rather pleasurable time. I took your Oobi\Jack DVD with us and you enjoyed visiting with Granny, Mamaw and Aunt Lynn but as always you especially enjoyed seeing Papaw. Aunt Lynn went out and got us salads from McDonalds and an ice cream for you. Later that evening we all had more salad and super supreme pizza from Pizza Hut.
      Granny fractured her pelvis a few weeks back I'm sure I mentioned in an earlier post. I had to help Aunt Lynn and Mamaw get her into and out of the tub for her shower. You watched all of this with a great deal of concern on your precious little face. It really was a physically painful event for poor old Granny and you didn't like that at all. Later that night I tried to put you into her tub for your bath but you threw an ever loving fit. You didn't want anything to do with such an evil tub that would hurt Granny in such a way. I gave you the shortest bath in your life and got you out, pronto. I would never have put you in that tub if I had known that you were going to have such a negative reaction to it. After Granny got out of the tub and back into her bed you kept wandering into her room and chatting her up in an attempt to cheer her up. I'm sure you did. You are such a ray of sunshine that how could your countenance not cheer someone up?
      Granny played her Harmonica for you later that evening. She kept complaining that the harmonica was so old that it had lost a note. I remember playing with that harmonica when I was just a wee lad. You loved the music Granny was playing for you. You danced up a jig to the good old gospel tunes that Granny was playing and we all laughed and clapped along with you. I remember my great grandfather, Alonzo Bowman playing his harmonica for me when I was little. Only I remember a tune about a monkey and a train. I have no idea why I am remembering a monkey and a train in connection with my own Papaw's songs. I could be remembering it all wrong. Mamaw is afraid that you will not remember Granny. I do pray that you do remember her and know the love she has for you. Granny has always been such an important part of my life. I grew up next door to Granny and Bambi Dee so they are almost as close as my own parents. I feel towards her much the way you feel towards Mamaw & Papaw.
      You've taken to doing a very cute thing lately but for some reason I don't think either your Mother or I have mentioned it. Whenever your Mom wants to know if you need help she will ask if she can "Help you".
      Now whenever you want help from one of us you will not say "Help me", you say instead "Help you".
      We both think that is so cute. Of course you are the cutest little girl around. I was bragging on how smart you are today when Aunt Lynn told me that it was not smart to brag on my child so much because you would always do something to make me look like a fool after I have talked you up so much. I know that I see you through a parental perfection prism and that you are not perfect. You do have quite the temper and you can be bossy and impatient. All traits inherited from your Mother. You will be a very successful lady when you grow up though, I have no doubt. There will be problems when you get into your teen years and I'm glad that they are many years away at this point but I'm just enjoying these carefree years when you can do nothing wrong; or almost nothing. You punched your Mom hard in the nose this morning and hurt her feelings so bad that she actually cried. That was not a very nice thing for you to do and we had a talk about it.
      Well, that's it for today. I'll close out this post as I always do. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                  I'm up way too late. It's actually Saturday morning but because I haven't been to bed yet it still feels like Friday night.
I didn't go in to work yesterday. I am having issues that would make the lack of timely and immediate bathroom breaks a very big issue, if you know what I mean. I took you and your mom to Lexington today for your dentists appointment. We were a little early; a week early in fact. It's not until next week.
      We went to eat at an Italian place called Johnny Corino's. We all liked it well enough. I got the lunch special of unlimited soup, salad and bread. I filled up on bread so I didn't get but one bowl of salad and one bowl of Italian chili. Your Mother had chicken fettuccine and you had regular fettuccine. After we ate we went to check out a portrait studio called Portrait Innovations. I think we are going to take you there for your next set of professional photos.
      We then went next door to Coldstone Creamery and had some very expensive ice cream. I wanted to get some sprinkles on your ice cream but your Mom told me that the leading cause of choking in toddlers was sprinkles. I have no idea where she pulled that little factoid from. It was very tasty but not tasty enough for what we paid. We were the only people in there most of the time so we let you wander about. You had big fun in there.
      After that we went to Babies "R" Us and purchased a cute little dress for this summer, a pair of shorts, a cute little white top and an Easter dress. We also purchased some baby proofing items. We spent more than I wanted to while we were there but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. You had a majorly nasty stinky diaper that we discovered at the ice cream place but I told your Mom to wait until we got to Babies "R" Us because they have a real nice changing room as you would expect. After you had your diaper changed I set you down on the floor and you took off running all about the store. I followed right behind you and we both had some big fun.
      We had planned on going to Garden Ridge to browse but we were all getting a little tired and we still had some groceries to get. We went to Wal-Mart and bought a whole bunch of groceries. You got real fussy while we were there but all in all you were a good girl today. On the way to Wal-Mart you heard a dog barking and informed us that "Papoo got dog".
      That was so cute. You are such a smart little thing. Your Mama tells me that you are the smartest child at Gymboree. Anyway, we finally arrived back home and I bathed you while Mom unloaded the groceries. Everything was going along quite nicely until I laid you down to dry you off and get you ready for bed. You hollered for your Mama. SO I called her in and she finished you up. You tried to fight us when we laid you in your bed for the night but we finally won that battle. Mama said you were just too stimulated to relax.
      We got your twenty month picture yesterday, oh by the way you were twenty months old yesterday. I can't believe I got the perfect shot on the very first picture. Your mom put your hair up in real pig tails today and they were just the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life and they stayed up all day too. Your Mom says that she thinks they are less uncomfortable for you when you get them put in than a pony tail. I like the pig tails better anyway.
      I have been working on your blog all night. I put up your twenty month picture, chose pictures for your twenty month photo array, added the twenty month picture to your second year photo array, chose and published some 19 month pictures to your online photo album and did some major work on the lay out of your online photo album. I have been a busy little camper this early early morning.
      Well, that's about all I have for you this evening. I'll let you go for now. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                  This is just a quick little not to let you know that you and I have had yet another wonderful day together today. You are the most precious little thing I have ever seen. We got to Gymboree early today - way before the teacher, and you pressed your nose up against the glass to get in. You hollered and wailed wanting to go in there and play with all those pretty play things. There was another Mom and child waiting and we were trying to talk to each other but you kept making it known that you wanted IN. The child's name was Ari. Ari kept looking at you like you had lost your mind. He was two months younger than you, though. One day when he remembers what all is in that room he will react the same way you did. I bet anything.
      We went to CiCi's pizza for lunch after our visit to Gymboree. I always have to wrestle you out of Gymboree. They bring out Gymbo (that's the Gymboree clown mascot) and sing a good-bye song and you take off flying looking for somewhere to hide. You're so cute. You are good at the activities, too. Most of the time you are doing to activity or game before the teacher has even finished explaining it and then you run off to play somewhere else. We really enjoyed our visit to CiCi's and our visit to Gymboree. I love hanging out with you. You're Mommy's very best buddy. I love you, Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                           Hello my little sweetie bird. You and I had a big day out today. You were very fussy this morning and it was really nice outside so I decided to take you to the park. We went down to Big Springsinitially initially but it was really muddy and very stinky down there for some reason today. The bank sign read 64 degrees and so I was determined for you to get to play outside some today. I don't know Lexington nearly as well as your father or anyone else in this family because I haven't been driving nearly as long as they have. I had no idea how to get to a decent park for you to play in except for Shilitoh park and I really wanted to avoid that busy section of Nichlosville Road and Renyolds Road. I was considering taking you to McDonald's Playland on Versailles road but that's an indoor area and I was a little disheartened at that idea. I really wanted you to get to play outside and get some fresh air today. Then I remembered that when you were very little (before you could walk really well) we went to the Nichlosville McDonald's and there was a Toddler area and you got to slide down the slide a couple of times with my assistance and thought that it was great big fun. I decided to take you there to get some "Fies" and let you play 'til your heart's content. You ate really well which you haven't been doing for the last few days and then you played and played all by yourself at that playland until some little red headed hyperactive little girl showed up punching things and smacking things and hollering and acting crazy. You looked at me a little worried but you still smiled and were friendly with her. It started to get busy and the older kids were being playful like they are and we both were a little scared you might get trampled on. We decided to go and change your diaper on the very tiny changing table they have in the women's restroom. That's the only thing I didn't like about that McDonald's . Everything else was very nice. They even had super nice booths for people to sit in and a non-smoking area. You can't smoke in establishments in Lexington any more but you can in the surrounding counties. We decided after the tasty meal we had at Mickey D's that we would go and have dessert over at Sonic. We had a sweetheart brownie blast. It was really, really good. It had pieces of real fudge brownies and vanilla ice cream with cherry syrup. You ate most of the ice cream while I picked out the pieces of the brownies. We sat in the back of the car and shared it and it was delicious.
      We then decided to go over to Wal-Mart and take a stroll through the toy ailse. We did so and you pointed out every baby and every baby accessory there. You also pointed out all of the balls. I think balls and babies are your two favorite toys You are coloring a picture in here right now and we asked you what you were drawing and you told us that it was a tree. You are so cute and sweet and smart and pretty. You picked out a baby that had a purple outfit on and you hugged it up and cuddled it so sweet that I couldn't say no. The baby was as big as you are and I couldn't let you have such a big baby without something to feed her so of my own accord I bought you two 'magic' baby bottles with disappearing milk and one with disappearing juice. It really doesn't disappear it just flows into the tippy top of it. We don't have to tell you that though. You keep right on thinking it's magic.
      After we went to Wal-Mart and bought you some more toys you don't really need we set off on our way back home. You slept a very long time all the way back to Versailles the long way and I hated to wake you up so I kept on driving down Bluegrass Parkway. We wound up in Lawrenceburg somehow so we decided to go and see Alicia. We stayed there for almost an hour and a half and you played really well with Brady. He helped you color in a coloring book he had. You guys watched a Jimmy Neutron movie and you really had fun. Alicia and I sat in the living room and talked and watched her youngest baby, Bryson, who is almost six months, play on the floor. Daddy called and and said he was locked out but Papaw came back to let him in. We changed your diaper and decided to be on our way to meet Daddy at home. We stopped at Dairy Mart to get Daddy a couple of cans of dip and when I had you in the store one of the Mexican gentleman told you "Hola" and you obliged by saying "Hola" back. You know "Hola" means Hello because Rosita and Dora have taught you that. You really do pick up on things very easily. Daddy just a moment ago said he was worried about you not knowing your colors. I told him to can it because you were only twenty months old. You told Daddy that a purple crayon was blue and we both agreed that was close enough. Then you showed off by picking up a blue crayon and informing us that it was indeed, blue. We just now put you down for the night. I know you didn't really want to go but you didn't fuss too much. After our big day out, I know you are tired.
      After we got some dip and a few pieces of chicken for Daddy and you and I a Corn Dog for supper at Dairy Mart, we came home and you played with your toys and watched your Elmo movie in your room. Your Oobi movie is in the car. You really do love your Oobi. I have no idea why really I don't because it is just hand with some eyes stuck on it. However, it is indeed very entertaining and I have to admit those puppeteers are very talented. We ate our dinner outside and Daddy hung our wind chime after. You really do love to go "Side" as you call it.
      You've broken in your brand new booster seat. Daddy even has pictures of you eating ice cream in it. I think you really like it. I think it makes you feel like a big girl to sit in it. You are my big girl. You are also my baby. I know that sounds strange, but it is true. You are my big girl baby. Well, my big girl baby, I am going to let you go for now. I love you, my big girl baby bird! I had so much fun with you today... as I do every day!

Dear Rebecca,
            Hello there little girl, how are you doing today? I can tell you how you are doing today. Today you are very sleepy. Right now you are in your room taking a nap. You spent the night with Mamaw & Papaw last night. Or, Papoo, as you like to call him. Daddy and I had our Valentine's day date of going out to Golden Corral and Wal-Mart to buy you a booster seat and a step stool so you can reach the sink to brush your teeth. You are getting to be such a big girl now. Like I said before these are bittersweet milestones because I see just how fast you are growing up and I feel like it's just too quick. I told Daddy after they closed the Photo Lab at Kroger I just might not go back to work. I want to be here for you and Daddy while I can. There is plenty of time to go back to work when you go to school.
         From what Mamaw said you had a real good time down there yesterday. You got to go see Granny in the hospital and then you all went out to eat at Fazoli's then you went back down to Mamaw's to spend the night. She said you ran and played and cuddled with Papaw a lot. You really do love your Papaw. Daddy and I came back to the house and watched two movies and really had a good time. We watched Half Light with Demi Moore which is a little bit scary and Wallace and Gromiit. which was really funny. Then I went to bed and Daddy stayed up later than me to watch another movie and I suppose to play on the computer. I woke up this morning around nine o'clock and took a shower & got dressed and then went to get you from Mamaw's house. Mamaw was getting a perm put in her hair and you said that she was stinky. Mamaw thought that was funny. You were really tired and a little fussy but when Papaw came outside and put in your DVD player in the car you got to play with Ruffy and you liked that a lot. We got ready to leave and Mommy went to turn around in the driveway and as soon as she did Ruffy darted in front of her, making Mommy swerve and hit Mamaw's rock wall. I knocked over several of the rocks on it and I smashed my finger between two of them trying to stack them back up. I was really upset about hitting their wall but Mamaw and Papaw are so nice they told me not to worry about it. Mommy's finger still hurts quite a bit but I will get over it I reckon. Papaw checked my car and made sure it wasn't damaged & it wasn't. I am thankful for that. I just hope I didn't hurt their fence too badly.
        You haven't been eating much lately and when we got in the car you saw a McDonald's cup and you said "fries". I thought that meant you wanted fries but I stopped to get you some and you didn't eat hardly any of them. I left them on the table in case you want them later. I changed your diaper and put you down for a nap because you were so very sleepy when you got home. You went right into your bed without a fuss or a fight so I knew that meant you were tired. Mommy is tired too. Daddy is still sleeping. I am going to get him up shortly though because we are all going to go see Granny a little bit later on today. Daddy hasn't been to see her and he really does need to go. I want to go see Granny & I am sure you and Daddy do, too. I don't like when Granny is not feeling well. No one does. Especially Granny, I bet. By the way.. You have been calling Granny "Nanya" but today I think I heard you make out "Ganny". Your vocabulary is growing so rapidly. You can say almost anything you want to say. You repeat everything and what really impresses me, is that you remember what it means. You are so smart.
      Well, little one, Mommy is going to let you go for now. I love you, my baby bird!

Dear Rebecca,
                  You've been feeling much better this week. I've got some weird kind of something. I have lost my voice but am not sick at all. I can hardly talk and I can't raise my voice at all, not that I ever raise my voice. Granny fell Saturday night earlier in the week and cracked her pelvis bone. We were all real worried about her. You and I really should have gone to see her tonight but by the time you had your lunch and we had settled down it was kinda late.
      Nothing much out of the ordinary happened so far this week. I got up every morning and went to work and then came home and Kristie left for work and we spent the evening together. Wednesday your Mom was off from work so we ended up watching a movie called Flightplan starring Jodie Foster. We both really liked the movie. We also watched The Corpse Bride and The Fog over the weekend. That was a major accomplishment for us since you came along. You make it kind of difficult to watch movies. Not that we mind because you are so much more interesting than any old movie.
      You and your Mother headed out to Kroger this morning to pick up her check. She got stopped along the speed trap known as Montgomery Ave. and got her very first speeding ticket. She was extremely upset and almost decided not to take you to gymboree but she decided that that wasn't fair to you so you both went and she later told me that seeing you have so much fun at gymboree made her feel so much better. I suppose everyone gets a ticket at one time or another. When I was much younger I got probably three speeding tickets and two for running stop signs; of course I haven't gotten one in the past fifteen years or so. I never was a real fast or reckless driver either. I guess I just had a bad run of luck there in my early twenties as far as moving violations go.
      I was supposed to be gone with your Mom tonight to the Gretchen Wilson concert but as I mentioned before I have missed too much work and couldn't afford to burn another day so right now your Mom and your Aunt Mar"d"y, as you call her are enjoying the concert. I'm glad they got to go together. They don't get to see each other as much as they would like because as you know, Aunt Mary lives in Hazzard where they both grew up and your Mama lives here in Versailles with us. It's better than a two hour drive between here and Hazzard so it's real special when Aunt Mary and your Mom get to spend quality time together.
      Earlier today Aunt Mary was taking a bath in your tub and you demanded that she have some bubbles blown in the air for her bath just like you get for your bath. You do love Aunt Mary and of course she loves the dickens out of you as well. I was afraid that you wouldn't be too close to Aunt Mary because we do get to see her so seldom but I suppose those fears were unfounded.
      Your Mom had a scare when she got to the concert tonight. She paid for parking and pulled into the Rupp Arena parking lot and went to get her tickets but couldn't find her driver's license, my driver's license, my debit card, the order number for the tickets that she was supposed to pick up at the box office and ninety dollars in cash. She had all of this in her cell phone case. She didn't have her cell phone in her cell phone case but she had everything else in there. She called me in a frantic state. She was beside herself. Come to find out she put the case in the ash tray of the Taurus and closed it up and forgot it was in there. Sometimes your Mom can be just a wee bit rattle brained but that's why we love her so much.
      Well, that's about all I have to say tonight. I am going to go watch a little bit of television, take a shower and hit the proverbial hay. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                  You haven't been feeling too spiffy the last few days. As a matter of fact this week hasn't been the healthiest for any of us. I came down with a relatively minor case of cellulitis, I still ended up missing a day of work because of it, your Mom had some major work done to her teeth Wednesday and you have some sort of viral bug.
      The last time anyone posted was last Friday and I don't remember anything from last weekend to tell you about. I suppose nothing worth posting happened if I can't even remember it. I don't remember Monday either. I remember Tuesday because it's the day I got the cellulitis and it was Valentines Day. When I came home you and I went down to Mamaw & Papaw's for a Valentines Day dinner. You had a lot of fun playing with your cousins. I didn't feel too great at first but eventually my fever broke and I had a pretty good time as well. We all had baked spaghetti for supper, all of us except you. You were hungry too early to join us for baked spaghetti so you had some unbaked spaghetti with mozzarella cheese and salad. You had a fun little bath in the sink in Mamaw & Papaw's basement and then I brought you home and tossed you into bed; actually I didn't toss you there at all. I lovingly placed you gently into your bed. Ain't I a good daddy?
      The fever came back later that night and I couldn't sleep. I ended up not going to work Wednesday. I had an appointment with the doctor later that morning and got my antibiotics. Your Mother & I then took you down to Mamaw & Papaw's again so Mamaw could watch you while I took your Mom to the dentist. She had three teeth pulled that had been damaged in the accident she was in a year before you were born. I believe that takes care of all of her damaged teeth. Now she's going to get her some false choppers. The dentist was terrible for your Mother. It took him two and a half hours to get the teeth out. Even the doctor said it was a grueling extraction. Maybe Kristie will tell you more about it when she posts again or maybe she's just rather forget that experience all together. Your Mom was out of it in the Explorer when we got back to Versailles so I decided to drive to Frankfort to the FedEx office and pick up our new cell phones because we had missed the delivery when we took you down to Mamaw's. We got home and your Mom went straight to bed at six in the evening. I worked a little on getting the phones activated then you returned with Mamaw just in time for your bath. You played some in the floor and scattered all of my phone papers around and then I put you to bed. It was eleven thirty by the time I got the phones fully activated. They had sent them out with the wrong prefix numbers so I had to talk to three different people at Verizon Wireless to get it fixed. Finally the phones all worked and I went to bed and straight to sleep.
      Thursday is when you started getting fussy. You screamed your head off for your Mother because she was at work. I put you in the tub and you had fun in there for awhile and then we played on the floor in your bedroom with your Leap Frog Touch Pad, then we danced some in the living room, then we colored some in the floor of the office, then you played on Mommy & Daddy's big bed and finally you went to sleep. We had a fun day together even if you were fussy.
      Today I had a follow-up appointment with the doctor and you also had an appointment with the doctor. Mamaw took you to your appointment because your Mom was afraid she wouldn't be back from the doctor in time to go to work. That was a good call because Mamaw didn't get back until after your mom had left for work. Your mom somehow managed to get her drive belt to slip off on her car again. I don't know how she did it because I showed her exactly what she needed to do. Your Mother just needs to leave the hood of her car closed because nothing good ever happens when she raises it. Papaw ended up taking your Mom to work. Mamaw & Papaw ate supper with us. We had soup beans and they were yummy; for desert we had strawberry shortcake and mixed berry shortcake and that was also very yummy. I took the truck to your Mother at Kroger and Mamaw drove me back home from there. You stayed at the house and watched Oobi with Papaw.
      After Mamaw & Papaw left we picked up the house just a little and.....for the life of me I can not remember what we did until we started your bath. Anyway, after your bath you figured out the light switch in the hall and revelled in turning the hall light on & off. You didn't want to go to sleep and you tried to climb out of your bed two or three times but I just took you and put you back in until finally you took your drink and calmed down. You learned earlier today how to climb out of your toddler bed. Your Mother says that you kept climbing out of it when you were supposed to be taking a nap so you were one tired little Wiggy Tail.
      Tomorrow we are all going to Lexington to purchase a new tensioner pulley and drive belt for your Mother's car. Oh I remember what we did last Sunday. You & I went down to Mamaw & Papaw's to work on your Mom's car. Your Papaw, the super smart man that he is, pinpointed the problem, tensioner pulley. He worked on it a little and we thought we had it licked but I suppose the pulley is just so bad that no half measures are going to work. It has to be replaced. What is really amazing about your Papaw figuring out the problem is that it was making an awful high pitched whining sound and he couldn't even hear it. He's deaf to certain tones. How can a fellow trouble shoot a problem when he has no first hand knowledge of said problem? Your Papaw is truly an amazing person but I think you knew that from the day you were born because you were so fascinated with him above and beyond anybody else even your Mom.
      I have missed too much work this year so I decided to ask your Mom if it would be alright if she asked Aunt Mary to go to the Gretchen Wilson concert with her instead of me. I was afraid that might hurt her feelings because that was supposed to be our Valentines night out. She not only didn't get her feelings hurt but had told me that she had always wanted to ask me if she could take her sister instead of me because she didn't want to hurt my feelings. It kind of reminds one of O'Henry's The Gift. Your Aunt Mary accepted the invitation and is very excited about seeing the show. Your Mom doesn't get to spend enough time with her sister and I'm sure that both of them will have a fantastic time. I'm glad it worked out this way. This way I can get in bed early Thursday night and go to work Friday.
      Well, that's how the past week was from my perspective. Maybe your mom will get a chance to post this weekend sometime. I hope she does and I hope she feels like it. She's starting to develop a dry socket in one of the places the dentist worked on. I hope she doesn't get one. I think your Mother is home so I will let you go for now. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               Hello my little sweetie bird. Right now you are sleeping in your big girl day bed. Mommy is so proud of how big and smart you are growing up to be. This is a milestone that is bittersweet for me; I realize that you really aren't a baby anymore. I don't care though.. You will ALWAYS be my baby.
      Mommy isn't feeling so hot right now. I have a bad toothache. We took a trip to the dentist yesterday afternoon while Aunt Mary and Papaw Lawrence were visiting. They watched you while we went. I know that Aunt Mary was very tickled with that. She fed you your supper and gave you a bath and everything else. I know she enjoyed spending time with you. She doesn't get to see as often as she would like, I know. The dentist said they are going to have to cut out three of Mommy's teeth. The gave me a sedative to knock me out while they do it; I am awfully scared of what it entails. I have had lots of teeth pulled and a couple of them cut out while I was wide awake and with local anesthesia but these are going to be difficult because they are way in the back and on the bottom. At least I will be asleep for it. I am thankful for that. Mamaw is going to come and pick us up and then she is going to look after you while I am out of my head crazy. We are very lucky that you have such a good Mamaw.
      I took you to Gymboree yesterday morning. You do love going to Gymboree. You are getting more and more involved in the group activities with the teacher the more that we go. You still love playing with the balls, however. This time a little boy, I think his name was Lukas, took your ball and you would have none of it. You marched right up to him and took back your ball. Lukas ran off crying like a little sissy and you felt terrible so you went up and gave him a hug and said "Awwww" and gave him another ball. You really do not have a mean bone in your body. You and another little boy named Davis have a crush on each other. He likes to run and hide from you and when you find him you both hug and laugh. You all are both so very sweet. You also like to play with a little girl named Arden; She is almost two but she is smaller than you. She is as cute as a button but I have to say, hands down, that you are the cutest, sweetest, smartest, prettiest, most adorable baby there. I know, you think I am partial. But it is true! I catch other parents just watching you play, because you are so cute. Maybe it's my imagination, but my mule really is the blackest! At least I think so.
      After we got home from Gymboree we ate lunch with Daddy and then Mary and Papaw showed up. Like I said, they watched you while we went to the dentist over in Hamburg. I had to come home and go right to work so I came in to give you a hug and you snuggled in to "Mardy" as you call her and wanted no part of me. I don't blame you; We don't get to see her enough. You get to see me everyday. Mary and Papaw came to my work after they left the house & Mary brought me some candy and Papaw Lawrence gave me ten dollars. They are good to your dear old Mom; I know we pick on them but they are good hearted and sweet people. Mary tried to cook supper for your Daddy and burned what she thought was chicken, but was actually pork chops, to charcoal. She overcooked the macaroni which we tried to reheat today and it was in fact, no good. She added no seasoning or bacon grease to the baked beans so they weren't much to munch on either. But bless her little heart, she tried. And I love her for that.
      We've had an excellent day together today. I was off today. I have pain medicine for my teeth so I haven't been quite as moody and we played some this morning. We watched Oobi and then Jack and then we played a "Kissing Game" in Daddy's chair. You would press your lips to mine and see how many times you could smack your lips together in a row. It was so cute. Afterward I told you that you were the best smoocher in the world and you kissed me on the nose. I thought that was silly and sweet. I fed you your lunch of hamburger "Pizzy" as you like to call it with some dried corn and a cup of applesauce. You ate really good. Then I cleaned you up and got you in a fresh diaper with a fresh cup of Kool-Aid and put you down for your nap. It was my first attempt at getting you to take a nap in your big girl bed. You actually did really well; you didn't even try to get up once. You were very tired. Eventually you will figure it out and I think naps might be a thing of the past, unless you fall flat out on the floor and run off to dream land on your own.
      After you woke up from your nap you ran around the house like a wired toddler and played with this toy and that. You had a princess snack and then asked for an apple, which you didn't eat. You watched an episode of Oobi in your room on the DVD that Daddy made for you then came to lay in my lap and watch "Phil". You see him come on and you will should his name. I know you don't like him because he cuts in on your Oobi/Jack/Sesame Street/Dora time but you are just so proud of yourself that you know it so you feel you have to shout it - "PHIL!". I am speaking of, Doctor Phil of course. You layed in my lap and watched about a half an hour of it before I got up to get started on preparing our dinner. I made Daddy a mixed berry cobbler out of some frozen mixed berries we bought at Sams Club and Splenda. He really liked it. I cut down on the Splenda because I thought it might have been too sweet but Daddy said to use the whole amount next time. Daddy put down his grass seed and fertilizer because it is supposed to snow tonight and we are hoping for our yard to look very pretty this summer. We need some more grass. You stayed inside and played while I finished up making a dinner of Hot dogs and reheated beans and Mac & Cheese. The hot dogs were good and you ate every bit of yours and a little of the macaroni and a few chips. You are a good eater when you are hungry. You don't eat much when you are not hungry and that is a good thing.
      After supper Daddy gave you a bath while I cleaned up the kitchen and got your stuff together for afterward. Daddy got you dressed while I folded clothes and after that we watched a couple of episodes of Forensic Files and you played in your room some and them came in the living room to play for a bit. Instead of playing, however, you would mostly point to every tiny little thing on the screen and say "ZAT?" - Which is your way of saying, "What's That?". We'd answer you and not even a second later they'd show something else and you'd ask "ZAT?" From bicycles to bones, you wanted to know what everything was.
     It got close to your bed time and we took you back in your room and had you help us put away your toys for the evening. You had a little bit of trouble staying focused because you wanted to play with every one you picked up, but eventually you got it done. You really helped a lot, too. Then Daddy changed your diaper while I fixed your milk and you ran off from him and tried to hide because you knew what it was time for. I grabbed you up before you could make your escape and we put you to bed. You didn't fuss at all. You're a pretty good little girl.
      I forgot to mention earlier that you woke up late in the night, or should I say early in the morning, at around three thirty this morning. It was positively freezing in here and you were soaking wet. I got you up and cleaned you up and changed you into a clean nighty and got you a fresh drink. You shivered the whole time, bless your heart. It really was cold so I took you to bed with us and you slept between us where it was nice and warm for the rest of the night. This morning Daddy woke me up and said that the pilot light had went out again. He went down under the house and got it lit back before he went to work. If he hand't done that you and I would have been camping out at your Great Granny's house today. Yes indeed we would have. The next day I have off that we don't have anything to do I believe I will take you over there for a couple of hours. She sure does love seeing you. We love seeing her, too.
      Well, little one, I do believe this post has come to an end. I am glad it is sort of long. I know I don't always write good long posts but when I have the time I like to do so. And always remember, Mommy loves her little BABY.

Dear Rebecca,
               Momma says you climbed out of your crib last night and fell to the floor with a thud. We had to go to Wal-Mart tonight and get you a toddler bed rail. Mom wanted to buy you a whole new toddler bed but your crib turns into a daybed but she was afraid you would tip it over. I wasn't so sure that you had been endowed with super strength enough to tip over your huge bed so I encouraged her to consider the bed rail. After she saw that the rail was half the price of the bed she also thought the rail was the best idea.
      I got off work just a little early today and went to Sam's Club to buy you some more diapers. They have the best store brand diapers. I purchased two big boxes of diapers while I was there; 272 of them. That ought to last us a week or so. I'm just kidding about that. They'll probably last us a month and a half. Your Mom called and said we had to go to Wal-mart tonight. We decided to meet at the Wal-Mart on the north side of town. When I arrived you two were already there. You saw your dear ole' Daddy from a distance and your mouth flew open. It made me happy to see the joy on your face when you saw me. I got closer, maybe twenty yards or so away and I held out my arms to you and your Mom let go of your hand and you rushed up to me with your arms outstretched and gave me a big hug. I nearly melted right then and there.
      We had supper at the Subway in the Wal-Mart there on the north side. It was absolutely terrible. The silly young girl, who looked like the rough type, couldn't figure out how to price a salad for you so we bought you some meatballs and a few veggies. Your mom & I had a cheese steak sub. The service was absolutely horrid and the girl gave your Mom an evil look. Oh, I was angry. I didn't enjoy lunch at all. The only thing that made it bearable was the fact that I was with my two favorite girls in the world.
      We then looked for the toddler bed which they did not have so we purchased a corkboard for the office and decided that I would take you home and Mama would go to the Wal-Mart on Nicholasville Road and look for your bed. I could tell she wasn't too keen on driving across Lexington at that time of day so I drove all of us and we left the car locked up in the parking lot the on the north side. We found your bed and as I said we decided instead to purchase the rail instead. We probably could have gotten the rail on the north side. You also picked out some bedding stuff for yourself. If I had been picking out your bedding I don't think I would have picked the stuff that you did. It was pink leopard print. You liked it because it looks a little like the jacket that Mamaw & Papaw bought for you. You grabbed the blanket and said "Jaget", which is what you call your jacket. It had some princess stuff to match so we bought you a pillow and a mirror to match your blanket and we bought a clock that said Princess on it when you looked at it one way and Diva when you looked at it another way. It was all so very tacky but you are getting old enough to pick out things that you like for yourself and I suppose that we must let you decorate your room as you see fit since it is your room.
      We then had to drive back across town to get your Mama's car. You & I followed her home and watched her drive. She did a fine job. I am so proud of the fine driver that your Mom has become. I turned your crib into a daybed when we got home as your Mama gave you a bath. You didn't know what to think about your new daybed. You went right to sleep in it though.
      As your Mom said you went to the pediatrician yesterday. You are a perfectly healthy little girl. I am amazed every day at the new words you are picking up. You say so many new things every day. I especially like your word for banana, banda. You can say Oobi as plane as day. You do love your Oobi. Your Mom loves your word for flower, flafu. You have been saying that one for a long time now. She says she is going to hate it when you start saying it right because flafu is so cute.
      The other day we both got our feelings hurt so bad. We were playing as you were sat in my lap when you bit me hard. I told you not to bite in a stern voice and your lip poked out and your eyes filled with tears and you hugged my neck and gave me a kiss. I so hated to make you feel like that but I know that we must teach you how to act so that you do not turn into a little monster toddler. Your mom & I both are probably a little too lenient with you but you are always so cute and a good girl 97% of the time.
      Well, I'm gonna call it a day now. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Hello my little sweety bird. Right now you are sleeping quietly in your room. You were lots of fun tonight, hollering at Papoo on the phone and making him Moo like a cow. You really love your Papoo. I guess you call him Papoo because you have heard Oobi and Uma and Kako say Grandpoo and Papoo. Oobi is your favorite show.
      You had a doctor's appointment today. I had forgotten all about it when they called and told me that you had your eighteen month checkup today. Daddy wonders why it was a month late. It's because we were late making an appointment and it's the only one they had. So, technically this is a nineteen month checkup-but really, it was for your eighteen month mark.
      The doctor said that you are developing wonderfully. That you are in perfect proportion with yourself. You are in the 95% for height, 70% for weight, and 90% for having a big head. Wow. I am so proud of you. When I get the papers out of the car I will let you know exactly how much you weigh and exactly how tall you are. Right now it is cold and my hair is wet.
      When we went into the doctor's office, and back into the exam room, you immediately started to cry. You cried and cried because I do believe you knew what was up. You were getting a shot. Shots are important little girl; they help you stay healthy & strong. You were upset. You did not want a shot at all. You cried and cried while the nurse measured your head and your height. You finally calmed down a little when you got in the floor and started to read a Rollie Pollie Ollie Book. You like him; you have some of his books here. He was looking for his dog spot.. in all the places he was not... And you kept opening the flap and saying "Not!". You are so smart. You read your book a while and I blew on your belly a bit and you laughed big at that and then the doctor came in. You didn't want him near you at ALL. He was trying to examine you and you thought he was coming out you with that dreaded shot. You cried and fussed while he looked at your legs, your belly, tried to examine your ears with his light. He did one side and I put you on the other knee so he could do another and you shouted "HELP! HELP!" I thought the doctor was going to laugh is behind off right there. He thought that was hilarious. He said you were smart and very pretty. You showed him your belly button and pointed to a button on the wall that was for an airphone and called it a button, too. He thought you were smart and pretty indeed. Of course I already knew both of those things. When he was finally finished you layed in my arms like a little infant and drank your milk. I believe you were wore out from the dread.
      The nurse finally made her way into the room with your shot and she gave it to you while you held on to my neck. You barely cried at all over the shot. It was a Hepatitis A vaccination. You were supposed to get DTAP but you lucked out because they had given it to you last time. So only one shot for you today. You will get another Hep Vac when you are two and then none until you are four. So you will have a two year hiatus. I am thankful for that; I hate watching you get shots. I think it hurts me more than it hurts you.
      After the doctor we went to McDonalds and got a couple cheeseburgers and you some "FiES" that turned out to be free because their credit card machine was down. That was nice of that manager to do so. We were in a hurry to so we couldn't have gone any where else. We ate our dinner with Daddy and you were as always, the star of the show. Everyone thinks you are just so cute. Everyone is right. One lady at our table said that you needed to be in TV commercials. I told her you wouldn't listen to the director - every time he told you to do something you'd just run the other way. Hee Hee. It's funny, 'cause it's true.
      After we got home we layed down for a nap and you cried for what seemed like two hours. I got you up once and brought you to the bed with me but all you really wanted to do was play. I put you back down after a little while and you fussed some more, but I finally fell asleep around one thirty. I am assuming you did, too. I didn't hear you over the monitor anymore until around ten after three. I think I may start waiting a little later to put you down for your naps. I went and got you up and we watched Oobi and then you went to your room to play until Daddy got home. We had a supper of frozen pizza and corn with a fig newton or two for dessert. You played in your room and on top of Momma and in the living room floor while Daddy and I watched a TV show. I gave you a bath and Daddy worked on the checkbook and you splashed around in the tub. I got you out and got you dressed and took you in to watch Oobi while Daddy finished up in the office and I packed his lunch, set up his coffee and picked up the house. You went down for bed without much of a fuss and Daddy watched a TV show he likes and I took a bath. Then Daddy went to bed and here I am, up too late once again writing to you. I am going to bed soon, though. We have lots to do on the house tomorrow. I love you, little girl!