A word about the ads

So a few of you have noticed that I put ads on our blog recently. This is is hope of sending Mia to college. This is how they work:

• Bloggers put ads on their blogs.
• Visitors click on the ads.
• Advertisers pay the blogger per click.

I decided to add ads to our blog as a way to make extra money for Mia's college fund, which we are opening for her birthday. So far we have $3! So, anyway, I wanted to share this info so that you guys know there's a good reason for selling out. Please click if you have a second. It will help send Mia to college. :)

Safety first

Mia loves doing gymnastics with daddy.

I used to love doing gymnastics with my daddy too. Then I broke my arm. Just sayin'.

A heart of gold

We got some great news today: Mia has a wonderful heart.

Of course, we already knew this. She's such a sweet, loving baby, so there was never any doubt. But her pediatrician detected a heart murmur when she was just a few months old, and he sent her to a cardiologist to get it checked out. A nurse dotted her chest with stickers and clipped EKG cords on. Mia sat on my lap, still, watching all that was going on. I cried. The nurse distracted her while the EKG recorded her heartbeat. The nurse left, and Mia and I played on the floor while we waited for the doctor. She practiced opening and closing one of the drawers. I tried to take her picture, but then she smashed her little fingertips. She was not happy.

He came in with good news. She has a completely "innocent murmur." She doesn't need medicine or play restrictions. It won't stunt her growth or affect her when she gets old. Her heart just makes a little bit different sound than everyone else's. Maybe that's because her heart is so special.

My long-lost friend

Tonight I had one of the coolest experiences ever: I got to see my best childhood friend for the first time in 15 years. Fifteen years! That's a high school sophomore, people! I might have cried. Several times.

Nikki Lindsey moved away after seventh grade, and I was just heartbroken. We rode the bus together every day and we always friends. My favorite memory of her was during Christmas time in fifth grade. We were riding the bus, and she wore a pink sweater and tiny red ornament earrings. I told her that pink and red didn't match because I didn't want her to be embarrassed at school by this fashion faux pas. She looked at me blankly and said, "I don't care." In that moment she became my hero. She never cared what other people thought. She was irrepressibly herself, which just happened to be one fantastic person. She was outgoing and brave - two things I always wanted to be.

We took her to Iguana, which is the best place to be in Oklahoma City on a Tuesday night. We had tacos and talked about our lives. She's a super-fancy meteorologist for a wind energy company in Boston. WOW! She's always been so, so smart. I know we're the same age, but I just felt so proud of her. Leigh eventually joined us, and brought Mia along. Nikki made Mia laugh with the same funny faces that made me laugh on the bus.

I am so, so grateful to have seen her. Leigh and I have decided we are going to see her in Boston. Because 15 years apart was far too long.

Nikki and Mia both loved this rattle.

Nikki gives Mia some smooches!

So fantastic!

Labor Day: General cuteness

The last of the Labor Day photos.

Her new BFF

So when we were in Arkansas for Labor Day, our good family friend Bobbi Burchard gave Mia this adorable little lamb. Mia really hasn't had a lovey just yet, but she absolutely loves this lamb. She particularly loves to fling it over her shoulder and carry it like a purse. The other night I found her asleep on top of it, which would be about as comfortable as sleeping on a basketball. We'll have to think up a good name for this guy.

Helping her lamb play with her new music table.



Making a catwalk face with her lamb purse.



Inciting a riot with her lamb.



Out of control!

Look at this baby's hair!

Labor Day: Fun outside

Tiptoes to splash in the fountain.

Where's my cup?



There it is!



I love my cup!

Love it!

Pet my toes, Grandma!

Now hand me off to Uncle Russ!

Uncle Russ and I do not approve.

Visiting PawPaw Bob.

We have the same haircut.

Laugh it up, Uncle Russ, but this is serious.

Aunt Debbie just passed me a cookie.

Aunt Debbie is the best.

Labor Day: Uncertainty about squash

What is this mess you are feeding me?

Tastes healthy. I am suspicious.

I will swirl it around and around and around and ...

Squash is delicious!

Hooray!

Labor Day: Grandma love

I'm going to post a couple different things about our Labor Day weekend in Mountain Home, so just get ready ...

I think my mom might be the president of the Mia Jacobs Fan Club. Well, at least co-president along with the other grandparents. This weekend she spent most of her time doting on Mia, who played coy for a while before giving in to the grandma love. They chatted, played, cuddled and spent lots of time admiring one another.

My mom explains to Mia why the Chicago Cubs aren't that great this year. And every year.

Mia gets hugs because of her Packers shirt.

My mom claps Mia's feet together, which Mia always finds funny.

And now she's over the whole feet clapping thing.

Mia falls asleep eating in my mom's arms.

Mia takes up her post in my mom's lap.