Six month pictures...at 7 months!

Finally made it in for pictures today! Got a lot of nice shots and it was difficult to narrow it down from 117 to 14 and then choose a package. She laughed, she pooped, she cried and then gave away only a few half-hearted smiles!

Memorial Day

It was a gray and rainy Memorial Day this year and so we didn't do anything particularly festive. We went for lunch and then checked out the garden center at the newest Menard's in our area. We all napped the afternoon away, Patrick and Jasper upstairs and Margaux and I in the livingroom with a 90210 marathon on SoapNet. Mike, Abby, Nick and Anna stopped by with the dogs on their way back to Madison and Kim will be spending the night with us tomorrow on her way back through.

Weekend At Heather's

Maggie, Heather & Margaux
Maggie & Margaux

Margaux & Max ("Bam-Bam")

Triple Trouble ;-)

Little Miss

Bex, Margaux and I made the roadtrip to Kingsley, MI to visit our friend Heather this weekend. Had a really nice time visiting with Heather & Ryan and their adorable kids, Maggie & Max. They are truly as nice as they are cute...kudos to H&R on that! We watched Twilight on Friday night (we'd all seen it at the theatre), toodled around Traverse City yesterday and enjoyed a nice fire complete with s'mores last night. The time flew by all too quickly and we headed back home this afternoon.

7 Months Old!

Not a lot of smiles left in her tonite after a long day in the car!

Still a friendly and funny little girl who loves to snuggle and be held. She rolls all over the place and has the power to sit up on her own but prefers to be supported! She loves dogs and other children. Her new thing this week is to fake cough for attention...it worked like a charm when out and about this weekend!

ATTN:Chicagoland Parents!

Just thought I would share an excellent link that was given to me by my friend Lori who heard about it from one of the midwives at work, Maja. A weekly updated resource of kid-oriented events in the city & burbs + some great shopping/boutique info!

http://www.windycitytot.blogspot.com/

Mutt Show

Daddy, MVP & Jasper at The Great American Mutt Show in Berwyn, IL this past weekend. (Mommy had to work.)

First Mother's Day

It was my first Mother's Day and it was wonderful! I slept in a little bit and awoke to nice cards and beautiful flowers from my little family. We recently purchased a membership to Brookfield Zoo and so we headed there for the day. I have always been skeptical about zoos but this one is really pretty neat...and large! The sunshine and Mother's Day brought out a lot of people but we still had a great time. While we enjoyed seeing the exotic animals, we had the most fun with Margaux in the petting zoo area...she loves goats! The little baby goats were adorable and one of them even sucked on my finger! This evening Patrick made a delicious dinner on the grill. Thanks to my sister Sue for the nice card, to Addy & Ryan for the Hibiscus plant and to everyone for the nice messages via e-mail, text and Facebook...I felt really special.

Rest In Peace, Sweet Buddy

A healthy Buddy soaking up the late afternoon sunshine in northern Michigan, summer 2006. This is how I will remember him.

Margaux's baptism party, April 19, 2009.


Tonite is the first night in a long time that our Buddy is not pacing and whimpering in discomfort, though I keep listening for him anyway. Tonite the famous pep is back in his step and he runs in beautiful pastures along side Scout, his beloved "Sissy". No more falling, no more pain.

Buddy's body has been failing him for quite some time now and this morning he could not stand on his own or walk more than a few steps without falling down. His life had become not much more than lying down or falling down and not being able to get back up without assistance. He had also lost control of his bowels and sometimes his bladder because of how weakened and emaciated his hind quarters had become. We had of course hoped that he would just pass away peacefully in his sleep like our Scout did before him, but it wasn't happening. We'd known all week what the right thing to do was, but it was just so tormenting and each day we didn't feel that we could follow through with it. We woke up this morning and knew that we had to do it because we owed it to him. We had originally planned for all of us to be there when it was time, but changed our minds this morning. It was just too hard for me. I sat with him on the kitchen floor and said my goodbyes while feeding him string cheese and sausage. Patrick took him on his final journey, just the two of them. It was actually fitting because the two of them always shared a special bond from the second they met back in the summer of 1999 when I found Buddy. I know he loved me, but he never looked at me the way he looked at his Papa. He was relaxed in his final moments with his favorite person holding him and reassuring him. Despite our great sadness at this time, we feel so lucky to have been blessed with our little Buddy, the most loving and faithful friend a family could ever ask for. We will forever miss him.


Buddy Gene Prater, specific age unknown, died May 9, 2009 after a long battle with degenerative ailments. Buddy came to live with the Prater family in August of 1999 when he was found standing in front of their apartment in Chicago, Illinois. Buddy came to the family already housebroken and with a winning personality. He loved to run and play and lick everyone and also enjoyed humping things whenever he could. Buddy was an excellent traveller and enjoyed many trips to see family in Michigan. Buddy is survived by his "mama & papa", his brother Jasper and sister Margaux. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Scout. Buddy's cremation arrangements are being handled by St. Francis Pet Funeral Services in Wood Dale, IL. The family suggests that donations be made to your favorite animal charity and that you save a pet's life through adoption if you can.

Two Little Teeth

Aqua Baby

All suited up and ready to go!

Loving her floatie from Aunt Ruth & Uncle Doug.

Hanging with Daddy in the pool.

Saturday morning we got up early and took Margaux down to the pool for another new experience and she loved it! We are looking forward to beach fun this summer! We spent the remainder of the day doing a spot of shopping and then visiting with family. Abby came back to town to attend prom at St. Francis and so it was fun to help her do her nails and see her get her hair done by Julia, the hair extraordinaire. Margaux also got to finally meet Uncle Pete & Aunt Julia. We were really sad to have to turn around and head back to Chicago so soon but I had to work today.

40 Candles For Kimmy!

The Birthday Queen.

Clever play on her last name!

Abby & Margaux, oldest cousin holding youngest cousin.

Mommy & MVP headed back to the hotel.

Just chilling!

Patrick's sister Kim turns 40 this year (May 23rd) and she always told her husband Mike that he could never surprise her. The family had plans to head back to their place in Traverse City, MI this past weekend and so Mike figured it was the perfect opportunity to throw her a surprise party with family and their friends that they miss so much. It worked! She was surprised and moved to happy tears. Mike hosted a very nice party at Cafe Habana and a fun time was had by all...the wine was free-flowing to the point that I was too tipsy to be a good photographer! Thanks Mike and Happy Birthday Kim!!!