More Afton

Afton is also getting to be aware of the limits we set for her.  She will reach out to touch something, then look back at us as if to say "is this ok?", or even "maybe they aren't looking...".  She has also figured out a definite "yes" nod, and uses it appropriately.  "Do you want a banana, Afton?" - big "YES" nod.   The other day, this got her into trouble.  At the doctor's office, she was toddling around and when she got to the door, she looked back to see if I was going to object to that.  I did, and when she took a step out anyway, she got a small swat for it.  That didn't bother her too much, and later she tried it again.  This time, when she looked back at the door, I said "No, Afton", again, and she gave me a long, calculating look, and very deliberately nodded "YES", and proceeded to dash as fast as she could down the hall!  I gave her another, harder swat, and she stayed put after that, but I had a hard time not laughing in the poor girl's face!  Wow, that defiance starts early!! 

Bricks Gone!

Well, they have removed the brick in preparation for the addition!  We swung by verrryyy briefly today to see the progress - I was afraid that if we stayed too long, I'd end up with a passel of sandy, muddy kids - and a yard full of construction mess.  But it was exciting to see the piles of concrete blocks and sand!  I THINK that they put some concrete down in the trench, too.  (see top picture)

Afton's Birthday

Sweet little Afton turned a whole year old on Saturday.  It's hard to believe she is so big!  It was a pretty low-key day, just dinner out at Logan's, then cake and presents at home afterward.  Her sweet smile lights up our life, though.  She has been walking for about 2 1/2 months now, and goes all over the place.  She is good at entertaining herself, but lights up when one of the bigger kids stops and plays with her.  She watches everything they do, and thinks she is big stuff when she pulls off something like them!  She especially enjoys turning the TV on and off, and opening the DVD player and game cube...   Music in any form is just about her favorite thing in the world, and always produces a HUGE grin, and swaying back and forth.   Afton is our little diva, and has a trick of throwing back her head and crinkling her eyes nearly shut with a grin or a hugely dramatic cry.  She's a little thing (compared to our others, anyway), not quite hitting 20 lbs. at one year.  She has 2 bottom teeth all the way in, and 2 more coming up top.  The bottom ones, though, have one missing between them, and that makes her smile so cute and crooked.  Ultimately she's my little Mama's girl, and loves curling up on my lap for a snuggle.  

We love you, Afton!

   

Day Two - Digging the Footings for the Foundation

Here Gabriel shows you just how big the dirt pile is in our front yard!












Here we are standing in Grandaddy and Nana's bedroom....or what will eventually be their bedroom.

All Right, All Right, We Have A Blog!

Are you happy now?  :)  

As instructed, here is a new blog so interested parties can watch our house being renovated.  And maybe more, but I'm not promising anything.

Anyway, today we went and watched a BULLDOZER - at OUR HOUSE!   The kids were sooo excited to see one up close!  There was a hole in the wall to get the big machines in, most of the fence on that side had been taken down, and some trees had gotten the cut.  And there was a HUGE pile of dirt in the front yard!    So it has officially begun ...  Yeah!