Happy 7

First day of first grade. Photo of Grace with Spencer taken by my sis-in-law.

Happy birthday to the always GORgeous Grace.
Buby + Bleu's cousin. My first niece. God daughter.
Smarty pants. Silly goose. We heart YOU.

Two Months

What a blessing. With two in tow, I feel like the days go by faster than ever. Yet it seems our bebe Bleu has been with us all along. At two months she...

• Clasps her hands for comfort
• Sleeps deep when she sleeps
• And is very alert when she's awake
• Likes to coo in the evening
• Almost always smiles back
• Likes the sound of her own name
• Wears 3-6 month onesies
• And has a box full of favorite hats
• Doesn't mind being passed around
• Rarely ever cries {but can be fussy at dinner time}
• Has freaky strong legs and tries to push up
• Sleeps on her back with her arms over her head
• Nurses on demand every couple of hours
• Loves her big brother best of all
• Still has a bruise from the day she was born
• Still has a bald spot from the day she was born
• Doesn't seem sensitive to anything I eat
• Has the coolest espresso bean eyes
• Likes her belly rubbed before a B.M.
• Enjoys tummy time and the baby carrier

Bleu's official two-month ped. visit and first round of shots {yikers!} is next Thursday, so we'll give stats then.

Dragonfly

Never before. And then twice in one day. My Sweets caught a dragonfly on his finger after pond fishing with Buby. Let's just say Buby was quite impressed.

Nursery

Baby girl's bedroom. I love how the light shines in.

A Day at the Park

Marshmallow

Buby's very first, roasted or otherwise. We were at a BBQ recently where he shared this all important milestone with galpals Grace + Lillian.

Big Yawn

I try not to take offense. She yawns in my face a lot.

Super Beasts

Buby graduated at The Little Gym yesterday. The tumbling tots in his class are lovingly referrred to as Super Beasts. Buby started at the gym so many semesters ago, and I've always said it is the best 45 minutes of our week. Not because Buby always listens in class {ha!} or does what Miss Denise asks, but he is guaranteed to be a giggling mad man running from beam to bar to spring board and back. He wears himself out, and it's so much fun to watch. We'll be taking the summer off and still have to figure out if we can squeeze it in this Fall with preschool, etc.

For the final class families were invited and encouraged to bring cameras. You know my lens is permanently in my back pocket, and I was more than happy to whip it out. But I don't think Buby stood in place for more than 3 seconds the whole class. He was too busy showing off for Mommy + Daddy.




I'm shocked we were able to capture a group shot.




Catching bubbles at the end of class.

It's all a blur now.

Oh the things you can do with a parachute.

Road Trip

From our weekend Jeep journey. C'est tres jolie, non?


We're leaving now. Be back in about a week. Or so. Can't wait to see Buby + Bleu's grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends back home. I packed the laptop and filled my 'drafts' with about a thousand sweet things, so I'll probs still post nightly. Have a fantabulous week of your own!!




My friend Allison is into historic Barns. I found this one on Sunday.

Being Mom

It's my favorite thing to do.

Boys Will Be

Buby's friend Cooper spent the morning with us. It was a happy, energetic morning. I don't think I realized until now just how different boys are with each other compared to boys and girls or girls with other girls the same age. These two have known each other all their lives. Buby is a September babe... Cooper came that April. While I sat off to the side feeding Nola I watched them share, giggle, storytell, reason, and negotiate. And push each other around a bit, too. So entertaining. Then I got down on all fours and roared like a lion with Buby on my back, Cooper on his. Before lunch we shot hoops, played guitar and ran around the ottoman laughing and screaming "Gonna getcha!" We were all sweat and smiles. Then out to the backyard for some swinging and sliding.

I quickly learned to move the newby out of the line of fire when playing ref to two growing boys who had no interest in circle time, Little People or books today. It was more like Wrestlemania here. Buby was bitten for the first time. Twice, actually, right in front of my eyes. All because Coop wanted the drums that Buby was holding and Buby wouldn't release them. I know this is common toddler angst. I grabbed the boo boo buddy and wiped away my baby's tears. I thought, "Oh no, that's it for Buby. He's going to talk about this all summer now." He dwells like that. But not two minutes later he walked up to his rival, put his hand on his upper back and said "I love you, Cooper." All is good again. Kids.

A mini break to catch our breath.

Belly swinging. It's the only way.

Magnolia

What is it about cupcakes? Itty bitty. Oh so pretty. Playful. Elegant. No two are the same. A stand-alone sweet designed to make us feel special. Appreciated. Loved. Young again. And one is all you need. I think NYC's Magnolia does it best, though My Sweets craves the red velvet right here in the village. How convenient for him. Some of his colleagues were up to the house yesterday for an off-site visit/planning session. A very very very nice boy named David surprised with a box from Magnolia. Ahhh. I spent the better part of last night chipping away at a chocolate buttermilk. 1 down, 5 to go. If you ever make it to Bleeker Street, keep in mind that this scrumptious dessert is meant to be devoured at first sight. There are no preservatives. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me tonight. Thank you, David!

Lovelies

Buby & Bleu, 6.19.08

Happy Birthday

image: google

To my sister-in-law Melissa.

Old Photo Friday

Tom + Mike headed to church in 1981.

Hello, Dentist

6.17.08


I don't think it hurt that she was real cute. Complemented Buby's eyes. And had cartoons playing front + center. Baby felt instantly at ease with his new pediatric dentist. And so did we. [big sigh] I always fretted the dentist as a kid. Okay, a part of me still does. So it's very important to us that Buby's first experiences all be positive.

We've always been diligent about oral care but could never get a consensus on when to start scheduling cleanings. Some references suggest as soon as the first tooth appears, some say 1 year, others 2, even more recommend 3. Many dentists I called aren't set up to see kids. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association can't agree on a starting age... though they both stress the importance of those twice annual cleanings. I wrote a toddler book this spring, asked a few experts about this and realized {like all things}, it depends on the child.

Buby's first trip to the dentist was six months ago. That was to my dentist. In and out in five minutes. He basically just confirmed all of Buby's teeth were in. Duh. No brushing. No flossing. No little mirror in the mouth. He told us that since Buby wasn't doing a bottle, binky, thumb, candy, or any real juice at the time, we were good to go. But we wanted a real exam this time around. A friend suggested this chick who we saw Tuesday. She was sweet and thorough and amazed at Buby's willingness to lay back on Daddy while she gently poked around. Bonus: We expected to pay out of pocket since most pediatric dentists don't accept insurance. Ours paid 100%. And Buby walked away with a sticker, a toy from the prize box, and a new friend who he'll see again in six months.

Free Stuff

My friend Erika is hosting a giveaway this week. Head on over to The Lily Pad for your chance to win some super cute personalized gift items from Olive Kids.

Same Time, Same Place

Around 4pm Tuesday I was standing in the kitchen talking mac salad + devilled eggs with my mom when I heard Buby yell from the next room, "Get off the phone, Mom. Now." I looked over, and he was on Daddy's lap laughing hysterically. With a "Please" I hung up immediately. We threw our fishing gear in the back of the Jeep and took off. Just like the night before. But this time it didn't storm and we were able to wrap the evening at a local ice cream parlor, where Buby devoured a scoop of fresh raspberry sorbet. We asked him what he wanted and he replied, "Pink ice cream." Delicioso. Anyway, the boys are still reveling in the fact that they caught 3 fish in less than an hour. So I'm sure they'll be back tomorrow. I'm even more sure that I won't. I prefer rivers to ponds. The bugs at this place were relentless and so in your face. The babes can't even wear all-natural repellent until she's 6 months. Plus, the terrain is too bumpy for Bleu's stroller and we simply couldn't avoid the goose poop ground cover. Oh no, I sound like such a girl. Don't tell my Buby.

Catch + release.

Buby trying to lunge over the goose poop.

Always looking out for baby sister.

Getting silly on the ride home.

The Fish Before the Storm

My Sweets + I took Buby fishing before dinner on Monday. The boys caught a fish. And released a fish. With all that excitement and the reminder that anything is possible, Buby forgot about his rocks and started casting again. He so wanted to catch his own.






Oops, he caught Daddy's shirt instead. We looked up and the sky was black. Hurricane winds were moving in fast and I couldn't get the hook out. So we left it in, grabbed our gear and all sprinted toward the topless Jeep hoping to beat the storm home. I have to admit it was exciting. Buby, Bleu + I starred up into the sky the entire way home. Tree branches fell all around us. Thunder rumbled. The clouds were so menacing. Dark + stormy nights, I think I love you.

My hand was shaking at 55 mph, so the shot is blurry. But I didn't want to forget Buby's face in this moment. Our kid is very serious about weather.

Summer Nights

Poolside with Buby & Bleu. My Sweets is in the water, bien sure, while Bleu and I veggie out on the lounger. The blue noodle is the Bub's favorite summer accessory for the second year in a row. $1.99 at Toys R Us. He uses two or three at a time and yells the darnedest things, such as "Look, Mom, I'm climbing a rope. Woh!" or "Yee Haw. Look at me, I'm riding a BEEEG horsey!" Buby has no trouble getting in the pool. He's like his Daddy in that way. Getting out... that's another story. We're working on it. When he doesn't listen around water, we take away pool privileges for the following day.

6.13.08

L+B's Zootopia

Lauren + Billy happy to push the double stroller for me.


Photos from the kids' trip to the zoo last week with Aunt Lauren + Uncle Billy. Actually, it is less zoo and more wildlife refuge, so don't expect much in the way of elephants, tigers or giraffes. But the trails are invigorating, there are 3 cutie patootie brown bears worth the trip alone, and it's surrounded by some pretty spectac mountain scenery complete with a lake for fishing + boating, room to picnic, hiking trails, a playground, and a historic merry-go-round {which we are sad to report is only open on weekends}. I packed turkey + provolone sandwiches, peaches, and water. We ate, did the zoo, watched the boys fish while I nursed Bleu on a bench and talked all things baby with my future sis-in-law {she is the coolest!}, and then climbed rocks {a passion Buby + I share} while waiting for My Sweets to meet up with us on his motorcycle. It was a relaxing good time.