Happy 4th Anniversary to us!

Matthew Clive Horn and I celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary today. As I don't have a scanner, you'll have to settle for pictures of pictures (I took photos today of our wedding pictures just for you bloggers so forgive the poor resolution).

I can hardly believe it's been four years all ready! I am married to the most gracious, humble, and kind husband in the entire world. Matt is my best friend and the man I admire most in the world.

Thank you esposon, for four wonderful years. It feels more like four weeks than four years. Here's to fifty more!

The Big Birthday Weekend

Well, it's Wednesday and the birthday festivities have concluded. My mom and grandmother traveled from Wisconsin to help celebrate and it was fantastic to have them around!

After a day or so, Chloe warmed up to both her grandmas and started giving them hugs and smiling for them. She also is walking ALL OVER THE PLACE! It's so funny to watch her get her balance and change directions in the midst of her tottering steps. We shared many a hearty laugh observing her walking and climbing antics.

Besides the birthday party, we went shopping, played Scattergories, got wet with Chloe in our town's interactive fountain, and just hung around enjoying Chloe. As you can imagine, we took loads of pictures. Check them out here in my photo album blog or click the photo below.

Happy 1st Birthday Chloe!

My family is still in town visiting but I wanted to quickly post a few photos for you of Chloe's first birthday party. We just had family and friends for a cookout and cake. No party theme or anything, just streamers, balloons, and a picture chronology of Chloe's growth through the months.

Chloe didn't react to her cake as I predicted. She didn't want anything to do with it! We think it's because the frosting was a strange consistency or because everyone was looking at her and pressuring her. After the kids went outside, Matt placed just a piece of cake on Chloe's tray and then she ate it like it was nothing special. :) No attacking or devouring - just her regular eating style.

Enjoy the photos, we'll post more later this week.

NO MORE BOTTLES!

Yesterday I bravely put away all of Chloe's bottles and gave her nothing but sippy cups all day. Surprisingly, she didn't put up a fuss even for her evening bottle. We bought some bright new sippy cups for her yesterday, maybe she was too busy exploring them to worry about her bottles?

Anyways, I am doing a 1/2 formula 1/2 whole milk recipe with her to get her tummy used to the cow's milk.

Freedom!

Transitions

Transitioooooons, transitions! (to be sung Fiddler of the Roof style)

With less than a week left before Chloe's momentous birthday, she's all ready transitioning to "big girl" status. Today she skipped her morning nap, which was largely due to a john deere backhoe digging across the street which she couldn't stop watching and talking to, and I'm forcing her to abandon bottles.

I've been giving Chloe a sippy cup since about 9 months so she's very familiar with the cup routine. But she doesn't seem to want to drink it when it contains formula. Today she's hardly drunk (or drank, my grammar expert isn't around to assist me) any liquids even though I've been following her around like a hound-dog with her cup. Tomorrow I can go to the grocery store and get some milk - maybe that will do the trick. Don't tell my doctor that I'm giving her cow's milk 6 days before her birthday! :) A gal pal of mine suggests putting a bit of Ovaltine in with the milk to help her transition. Any suggestions oh wise and experienced bloggers?

Please, pretty please

Chloe signed please today! Even though she continues to shock me with her awareness, this one really took me by surprise. In my noviceness as a mom, I started showing her the sign for please several months ago but got tired of it when she just stared at me blankly.

Tonight while Matt and I were eating supper and Chloe was cruising around us begging for crumbs (I do feed her, she had just eaten earlier than us tonight since Matt got home late) Matt pleaded, "Please?" to Chloe and did the sign. Chloe signed please like a pro!

Now it's our task to be consistent so we can keep this signing jazz up. The only other sign I know is thank you, so that will be next. Have you tried sign language with your children? If so, do you have any tips?

Blogging hiatus

Hello folks! Just wanted to let you all know that I have been and still am very busy doing online work for Concordia University. Because of this part-time work, I won't be posting much on Chloe Chronicles for the coming weeks.

Curious as to my work? Click the link to Concordia's Instructional Design Center and then click WebCT4 Interactive tutorials. Since Concordia just upgraded to WebCT6, I'm recording several new tutorials for them.

I'm very grateful for the work but there's a pressure crunch right now to get these done before the fall term begins. Pray that I get them all done on time!

Yard sale steals

Since Matt was off today, we ran some errands and then scavenged at a few yard sales. It was quite a treat for me to drive around to sales. Usually Chloe and I walk and walk and walk and walk and we don't get to choose whether or not the sale is worthwhile.

Well, today we found an AMAZING yard sale! An old teacher lady was moving out of her home and getting rid of some prime merchandise. We bought this retro blackboard for Chloe's room as well as some cool old stationery (the kind that folds up into an envelope), great children's books, antique tins, hand weights (which I've been wanting since I started my exercise resurgence) and other neat miscellaneous items.

One thing I've puzzled about Ohio is that folks out here don't say rummage sale. They say yard or garage sale. Weird, eh? Have you found any good rummaging deals lately?

New walking photos

We finally captured Chloe's steps on camera! There's only one good shot of her actual walking; the other is an after-walk shot. This girl is so fast Matt literally took almost 10 pictures before we got a keeper. Should I be worried that she's fast already? What am I in for!?!

Sleeping poses

Chloe is such a wiggle worm when she's sleeping and awake! Matt and I constantly chuckle as we sneak in to her room and discover her new sleeping position.

My favorite pose is when she sticks her bum up in the air . . . that's exactly how I used to sleep as a baby girl. Enjoy these photos; hope they don't make you too sleepy!

Another milestone bites the dust

Big news here in the Horn household . . .

CHLOE WALKED THIS MORNING!!!!!

Here's the shakedown. Chloe was standing near the windowsill looking outside as she regularly does. I was sitting on the floor nearby and I held out my arms to her (as I regularly try to coax her to walk to me) when she took 3-4 stumbling steps to me and then fell into my arms. I put her back near the window and tried to get her to walk a second time and she did!

I was so surprised that I didn't even have the camera ready so I missed the photographic moment. I'll try to recreate the first steps and capture it for you all. She looked so cute and excited as she walked to me!

So, her official walking date is July 24, 2006. That means she's hit her milestone at 11 1/4 months old. When did your child/children take their first steps?

Late recipe call for July!

I'm way behind on the recipe blog for July! I've been busy doing some part-time computer work lately and the recipe blog totally slipped my mind. Be sure to check out the fruity recipes from June:

Fruit Ices
Stars and Stripes Torte
Quick and Easy Strawberry Jam
Fruit Sauce for Pancakes/Waffles
Fabulous Four Fruit Crumble
Red, White and Blue Berry Cake
Rhubarb Pudding Cake
Rhubarb Crisp
Rhubarb Streusel Cake
Blueberry French Toast
Blueberry Coffee Cake
Basic Fruit Shake
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Apple Berry Salsa with Cinammon Chips

July's theme will be Fresh Summer Herbs. Send your recipe submissions to me via email at aliciahorn@hotmail.com.

Our new stray cat

If any of you know my husband outside the classroom then you know he's an animal lover. Cats are his favorite. His last cat, Rocky, had been with him since his NBBC days and it was heartbreaking when he parted with his orange tabby shortly before our marriage.

Last week when a stray black cat lingered on our porch for some attention, Matt was thrilled! And although I've always said (like Ben Stiller's character in Meet the Parents) I was more of a dog person than a cat person, this stray cat has wiggled into my heart. I love it that she rubs her body around my ankles to solicit some pets. She's a very affectionate animal. It's also fun to watch Chloe get excited about the cat and try, in her violent way, to pet her.

Tonight we bought food and plastic bowls, and named her so she is now officially ours. We've made the commitment to take care of her. We've dubbed her "Cleo" so she can match our C-named offspring theme.

Do you have any pets? If so, how did they steal your heart?

Slideshow

Hey blogger pals! I just discovered a new handy-dandy tool for my all-Chloe blog. Check out the cool slideshow at right just under my profile. Pretty neat, eh?

Preventive measures

Isn't Chloe a ham?!? Now that she's getting older, she is becoming more aware of the camera and its function.

I wanted to brag to you all about my darling husband's carpentry skills. In the last few weeks, Chloe has discovered the immense fun of climbing the stairs. Not so fun for me though! I only let her climb if I'm right behind her. I have horrible visions of her losing her balance on our skinny steep steps and falling backwards.

We had bought a gate for the stairs but it doesn't fit due to the molding at the bottom of the wall. So, Matt whipped up this handy-dandy gate for us. It swings on hinges and has a childproof (hopefully it's also Chloe-proof!) latch to prevent Chloe from opening it.

Let's hope this works! What crazy things have you done in attempts to baby-proof?

Date Night!

Matt and I had a much needed date night last night thanks to my neighbor gal-pal, Melinda being willing to babysit. We went out for dinner (taking Chloe with us) and then we came home and got Chloe ready for bed. By the time Melinda arrived, Chloe only had 1/2 hour of awake time left. Chloe LOVES Melinda so she didn't even wimper when we walked out the door. Melinda knows what's up with babies; she has 6 of her own so she's a way more experienced mom than me. And it was kind of a break for Melinda to babysit. Once Chloe went to bed, she watched a movie in peace and quiet. Her house is rarely that quiet! THANKS MELINDA!

After leaving Chloe at home, Matt and I headed out to see the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel: Dead Man's Chest. It was a very entertaining and action-packed movie! Matt and I both enjoy Johnny Depp's acting so it was great fun to watch him in his role as Captain Jack Sparrow. He always provides lots of comedic pauses and one-liners that keep us laughing. I would recommend though that you watch the first Pirates movie before seeing the sequel. There are many returning characters and you need to know some of the first Pirates plot for the ending of the second movie to make sense. It's a good movie-theater flick but don't expect much realism.

Have you seen any good movies lately?

My spelling downfall

I sure wish I hadn't posted about the spelling bee yesterday - now I've done gone and lost and disappointed my blogging cheerleaders!

Here's the story, as is my usual modus operandi in spelling bees I studied difficult words (I had onomatopoeia down cold) and got tripped up on a easy one. When I went to the state spelling bee in 8th grade, my nemesis word was the easy-peasy "mallet". Last night at the library spelling bee my downfall occurred on the word "hippopotamus". Matt had to work last night so I had to take Chloe with me to the bee which was more than a little distracting during my hippopotamus meltdown. I had taken her out of the stroller and was holding her to spell. She had decided to arch her back and hang around upside down while I bungled hippopotamus (I spelled it hippopotamaus). Needless to say, I was distracted and Chloe was the belle of the bee. Everyone loved her cute fat cheeks and antics.

I really should have won that dang spelling bee. I knew all the words after I was eliminated. Ah well, better luck next summer! The library is making the adult spelling bee an annual summer event.

What words usually trip you up, spelling-wise?

Question: How do you spell nerd? Answer: A-l-i-c-i-a

I know that lately it's kind of kitschy and cool to be considered a nerd. Let me assure you that I am not a nerd so I can be cool. In fact, my sister would strongly avow that I am not cool at all. I am a true nerd. A nerd through and through. Here's my proof:

* While I wash dishes I listen to an audio lecture series about the crusades
* My favorite school subject was (and still is) math
* I know all sorts of strange, useless facts about obscure topics like entymology and etymology
* My favorite board game is scrabble

That's all I can think of off the top of my nerdy head. The current reason why I'm convinced I'm a nerd is that I'm involved in an adult spelling bee held at our library this evening. Yes, I'm going to spell in an attempt to win a gift certificate and reclaim my 8th grade city of West Bend championship status. Are you laughing out loud yet? Me, a 28 year old mother and wife will be spelling words like cinnamon, millennium, and bellwether in an actual spelling bee.

Know what is even worse? I made my own spelling word list to study from. I looked at several websites listing the most commony misspelled words (misspell being one of them) and compiled my own list, alphabetized it and printed it in nice neat columns. Here are a few words from my list; see how well you can spell!

accommodate
anoint (I ALWAYS thought this word had 2 ns!)
camouflage
chauvinism
desiccate
embarrassment
fahrenheit
imitate
irascible
liaison
maintenance (since 5th grade I still get tripped up on this word)
misogyny
onomatopoeia (eek! that's a crazy one)
parallel
privilege
puerile
recommend
sacrilegious
separate
tableau
ukulele

Check back tomorrow; I'll be sure to post about how the spelling went! (I can tell you all are biting your nails with anticipation.)

False alarm

Turns out our digital camera miraculously healed itself! I turned it on today and it's working like a charm. Guess it just need some time to rest. Here are some of the latest shots of our soon-to-be-11-month old girl.
























Hey mom, look at how crooked I can walk!






This is how I keep Chloe busy while I'm in the kitchen. She doesn't do much mixing - just lots of banging.
















Chloe looking for fleas in Matt's hair.














Chloe using her newly borrowed walker. It plays music too so Chloe often stops in her walking journey for dance breaks.

A plug for lunar pages

Most of you are probably unaware of my amateur web-designing attempts. I am currently doing a site for Matt and his cronies who are starting an online scholarly journal (I'll give you more info on the journal as it develops). For any of you out there looking for a cheap, reliable, and user-friendly web hosting company I've got just the one for you - lunar pages.

We have the basic plan as advertised on the flashing banner below which includes free domain name. If any of you have done websites in the recent-past you know that previously web hosting companies charged for your domain name and for space each month. It's astounding how cheap it is to get your own website up and running these days!

I also like lunar pages because their customer support is unbeatable. They have always responded to my queries promptly (and believe me, I have lots of queries dearies) and they don't treat me like a dummy-head.

Hope this little advertisement is helpful to some of you fellow computer amateurs out there!

Who taught her to kiss like that?

Don't worry, my provocative title is only referring to Chloe. Lately we've been trying to teach her to give kisses. I sit her on my lap or hold her in my arms and say "Kisses? Kisses?" pleadingly in a voice that would annoy my sister to no end. (She's not a big fan of baby talk.)

Apparently Chloe's learning. Tonight Matt and I sat on the couch with Chloe determined to work on her kissing technique. Usually she just leans in and bonks her head on yours - no real kissing involved. And the unlucky recipient ends up with an aching head (have you seen the size of our daughter's noggin?)

So, this evening after much coercion Chloe leaned forward, opened her mouth and planted her wet drooly lips right smack dab on mine! I've become calloused to lots of leaking baby fluids, but this was kind of gross. It was still cute though. I thought maybe her open-mouthed-beso was a fluke, but she gave me a few more wet ones in succession. I probably encouraged her by my uncontrollable laughter. She just looked so adorably funny as she opened her mouth and prepared for her kiss that I laughed 'til I cried!

What's your story of your kiddo's kisses?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Well, we've experienced a death in the family. Our faithful digital camera has decided to call it quits. Guess I was working him (I'm referring to our camera) too hard. I'm sure I've taken hundreds, if not thousands, of shots of Chloe using our trusty camera. Maybe Chloe's cuteness was more than he could bear. In any event, we'll be scrounging our pennies to purchase a new camera. Until then, Chloe Chronicles will be Chloe-photo-less. I apologize in advance for sparing you her cuteness. Hope your camera is working fine and that our camera's disease isn't contagious.

My thumb isn't very green

I had such high hopes for my garden. Unfortunately, the only thing that I've harvested so far are these few little pea pods. I had also planted spinach, eggplant, zucchini, and squash into our hard rocky soil. Being the cheap skates that we are, we didn't invest in any special soil, compost, or insecticides. So, the spinach leaves have all been ravaged by insects and the zucchini is still trying to grow. The pea pods tasted delicious . . . let's hope they will yield a few more pods for us this summer.















Our other gardening feat has been to plant climbing roses around the perimeter of our sad grass-less backyard. The 6 rose bushes are planted right next to our wire fence and we have visions of them spreading and weaving points of color to brighten up our icky backyard. These roses are the first we've cut - aren't they gorgeous?

What gardening have you done this summer? Any tips to make my thumb a bit greener?

Some new blogs and pictures of Chloe

Boy, do I love blogging! Seems like all the time I'm coming across old college pals. Check out these nbbcer blogs:
Schuylers
Layers of Fun
Little Rivers
Christian Joe
Sequacity
Paucis Verbis















One of Chloe's many unique sleeping positions.






















Here is my drooly girl causing much destruction in the living room.






















Isn't this the cutest outfit ever? Now that Chloe is proficient at standing and cruising, the windows and screen door are exciting locales.
















This is why I don't get many pictures anymore! Chloe is getting really quick at grabbing the camera.

Recipe call for June

I need some recipes fellow bloggers! June's theme for the recipe blog is Fruity Fare. Check out the delicious recipes I've received so far by clicking the links below. If you have a favorite summer fruit recipe, email it to me pronto at aliciahorn@hotmail.com. With fruits so cheap and fresh this summer, let's enjoy!

Blueberry Coffee Cake
Blueberry French Toast
Rhubarb Streusel Cake
Rhubarb Crisp
Rhubarb Pudding Cake
Red, White, and Blue Berry Cake
Fabulous Four Fruit Crumble
Fruit Sauce for Pancakes and Waffles

We're baaaaaaaack

Chloe and I had an eventful and wonderful visit to Wisconsin last week. My beautiful mom turned 50, and to celebrate my sister and I organized an elegant birthday lunch at a restaurant on Lake Michigan. We invited all sorts of friends and family, put together a memory scrapbook for her, and showered her with love.

Chloe got to re-meet my sister during this trip. Despite Shauna constantly commenting on how huge Chloe is, they bonded. Chloe also ate her first pickle and started cruising around furniture while visiting my familly. Walking is just around the corner!

Below is a photo of me and Chloe all dolled up for my mom's birthday lunch. For more pictures of our trip, click here.

Going on yet another voyage

As of tomorrow afternoon, Chloe and I will be airborn on our way to our favorite state - Wisconsin. My dear mom is turning 50 and our immediate family will be in town to help celebrate. My sister surprised my mom and flew in from New Zealand some days ago and with our arrival, the family will be mostly complete (the hubbies can't join us). Pray for me and the Chlo-meister as we brave the friendly skies alone tomorrow. Thanks to Shannon for the tips on flying with a wee one.

So, once again, there will be a blogging absence on Chloe Chronicles. Stay tuned!

Happy Father's Day to my dear Matt!

In honor of papa's day, this post is dedicated to my dear, sweet, patient, loving, gracious husband. He is graciousness personified. He almost always esteems others as better than himself. To those who he could righteously hold a grudge, he does not. He looks at tribulations as opportunities to cling to God's grace and to see his own weaknesses. Boy is he a contrast to me in that respect! I'm ready to chew someone's head off when things don't go my way. Thank you, Matt for modeling humility and maturity to me.

Matt is also a guy just brimming with love for his family. I LOVE how dedicated he is to us. He is a rare treasure as a husband and father in strong contrast to today's culture and values.

I could go on and on and on with all the things I love about my hubby, but I won't bore you. We have so many lovely memories together in our almost 4 years of marriage.

So, Happy Father's Day Matthew Clive Horn. We love you and we're thankful for you!















Matt and Chloe (she was having a bad day) share some reading time.















Matt studying and playing chess (against himself) in our old Milwaukee apartment.
















Lighting sparklers on our Milwaukee apartment's balcony during Shauna's wedding week.

To mobile, or not to mobile? That is the question.

We have an adorable animal mobile on Chloe's crib (not the one pictured at left). She has enjoyed it to varying extents since she was about 2 months old. Now that she is a champion pulling-herself-upper, she thrives on standing in her crib and making her way over to the colorful mobile. She hasn't yet succeeded in pulling the mobile down, but I'm getting a little worried. She is by far tall enough to reach it when standing and I'm wondering now how safe it is to keep the mobile hanging on her crib. It has a safety warning which recommends taking it down when your baby is older than 5 months.

Which brings me to my questions for you experienced moms out there: Have any of you followed that warning advice with your mobiles? Have you ever had any trouble with your baby pulling the mobile down and hurting herself?

Vacation III: Visiting the Grandmas

Most of our time away from home was spent at my mom's house in Thiensville, Wisconsin. We bunked with my mom in her two bedroom condo. Ususally, my mom would head to work and we'd fritter the day away walking, visiting, and lunching with friends. Sometimes we'd drive in to work with my mom, hijack her car for the day and visit with pals in the Milwaukee area. We were also able to spend some time with my grandma, Chloe's great grandma, who we affectionately call grandma squared (since she's grandma twice over).

One of the coolest things about our visit was that Chloe started crawling! It was just a few jilted moves at first but she improves at her crawling skills every day. She also pulled herself up to standing for the first time at my mom's house (literally on my mom). It was awesome to have my mom there to experience those firsts!

Did I mention we did a lot of visiting? :) For a social bug like me, it was great fun to share Chloe with our loved ones. It did get a bit wearing though. Chloe was a trooper; she is the most flexible and adaptable baby I have ever seen. Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of most of the friends we visited (I was usually too busy handling Chloe and all her gear). For those of you that know these folks, we fellowshipped with the Hindmans, the Schuylers, the Horns (Sam's clan), and the Griffiths.

















My mom gave us a much needed date night and babysat Chloe. She's the only babysitter I trust! She took Chloe to the park for a picnic. Looks like they had a grand ole time.

















Me and my expressionless baby girl. Don't worry Chloe, I've got expressions enough for both of us.
















Chloe really liked baby Jeremiah Lepien. I think she might have a crush on him.

Recipes for June

Due to our lengthy vacation I'm a bit behind with this month's theme for the recipe blog. Since many fruits are ripening and becoming reasonably priced at farmer's markets, let's do a fruity theme for June. Therefore, Fruity Fare is the theme for June (like my alliteration?). Please send all fruity recipes to me at aliciahorn@hotmail.com.

We didn't have too many contributions for last month's theme of Healthy Snacks & Appetizers. Check out the recipes submitted for May:

Basic Fruit Shake (with lots of yummy variations!)
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Apple Berry Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

I look forward to trying out your yummy fruity recipes!

Vacation II: A brief time in Chicago

The second-to-last leg of our vacation was to spend a few days with Matt in his apartment in Chicago. His summer employer, the Institute for Reading Development, had put him up in an apartment along with other trainees for the duration of his 3 week training in Chicago. His apartment complex was the hugest most gigantic I'd ever seen! It looked more like a big hotel than an apartment building. The apt. complex included indoor and outdoor pool, a computer lab, and its own restaurant and convenience store. Sheesh!

Our first day in Chicago, my mom drove Chloe and I down and then we all spent the day together walking around downtown. Chloe took her first subway ride - which she LOVED. She made friends with everyone by staring at them. We did some shopping (more like looking) at the Watertower Place and ate sundaes at Ed Debevic's. Oh, and we got lost more than once. It was quite a relief to finally find Matt's building and then to have a relaxing supper at nearby Maggiano's.

















Chloe and my mom playing in the Marshall Field's bathroom. What lengths my mom will go to to capture a Chloe smile on camera!

















Chloe and Matt reunited. She loves beating his head like a drum and trying to get his teeth!

Vacation I: Time with the family

I'll work backwards chronologically in blogging our recent vacation. The last week of the trip we spent with Matt's brother Ben and family in Michigan. Ben & Diane have three delightful offspring: Zachary, Ahna, and Grace Miranda. Grace is just 6 months older than Chloe and as they grow it's entertaining to see them interact with each other. Especially when Chloe attacks and steals cookies from Grace's fingers.

We had a wonderful time with the Ben Horn clan (as always). We went swimming, shopping, played games, and enjoyed the children. Zach, Ahna, and Paige (Diane's niece - our adopted niece) are homeschooled. During this visit they wowed me with memorized poems and piano songs.

Here are a few photos from our time together. We miss you guys already!

















This was the closest we could get to a picture of the cousins on Sunday before church. Why is it so difficult to get babies to sit still for a photo shoot? They must realize they're being filmed.
















Grace is a little bit of a mama's girl (that's the understatement of the year). She doesn't really look like Chloe at all since she takes after Diane in appearance. She's got brilliant blue eyes and adorable dark brown hair that curls at the ends. Isn't she a cutie pie?






















Diane and Grace. Thank you Diane for letting me take your picture! I think this might only be the second photo I have of you in the almost 4.5 years I've known you!

Long time no blog

Hello long lost blogging friends! We are finally back home in Ohio after a 3.4 week absence. We have had a wonderful time visiting loved ones but now we're happy to be reunited as a family. We still have several bags to unpack and I have more than several weeds to pull.

I've missed keeping up with your blogs! I will post a few tidbits about our many visits but not much. To quote a line from the Princess Bride, "Lemme esplain, no . . . there is too much. Lemme sum up."

Hope you all have been well and happy thanks to the grace of our Lord!