10 months!

8/24/09: 10 months old

How quickly another month has gone by! She is becoming more and more verbal and finds many things belly-laughing HILARIOUS and constantly flashes us her 8 little pearly whites! She's so cool.

Let Me Hold You Longer

Long ago you came to me,

a miracle of firsts:

First smiles and teeth and baby steps,

a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away

and leave to me your past,

And I will be left thinking of

a lifetime of your lasts...

There was a book sale in the cafeteria at work yesterday and my friend Glenda and I were browsing. We came across this book called Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury and Glenda's face lit up. She plans to slip it in with her son's belongings when he leaves for college next year. So I picked it up and began to skim it and sure enough, I was blinking back the tears! It's true that we tend to get very caught up in our children's firsts but not so much their lasts...those just tend to slip by. This book is beautifully illustrated and chronicles the growing up of a mom's little boy into manhood. It's true that I have been completely enthralled with MVP's firsts and after reading this book I can better understand why the current transition from co-sleeping to her crib has been kind of tough for me...it's the end of a little era! MVP is not quite crawling yet and I hold her pretty much all the time. And you know what? I don't give a hoot! She will crawl soon, and then walk for the rest of her life. I am going to cherish these dwindling days of her itty-bitty babyhood. This seems silly, I know. Unless you're a mommy. Anyway, after lunch was over Glenda came up and handed me the book. Thank you Glenda!

A Nice Little Weekend

Lifted from Bex's blog...dining in Little Italy.

Heather & Bex

~Conversation~wine & cheese~laughter~chocolate fondue~memories~secrets~shopping~lunching~Francesca's~more vino~Mario's Italian Ice~The Village Tap~retro singalong~Grandma Sally's~more Target!~

Cooling Off

Getting a mouthful of teeth...the two top front teeth have just broken though!

Splashing first!

Whatchu lookin' at Mama???

And she's IN...and likes it!

So we are at August 10th and it feels like summer has just arrived this past weekend in all of it's hot & humid glory! Our central air is kind of touchy but since the summer has been uncommonly cool, we decided to limp through another year before investing in a new system. Of course today it decided it needed a rest and it got quite stuffy so I pulled out the little pool and we enjoyed a nice day outside playing. MVP had a blast splashing and she even got in the pool this time and really enjoyed it! We have been sick in our house the past few weeks and Patrick was the last to get the bug, hopefully he'll be all better soon. Thankfully, the air is back on providing us with comfort this evening. Happy Birthday to my mom yesterday!!! :-)

9 months old!

7/24/09

Nine months old today! She's growing so fast that it makes me afraid to blink my eyes. She has two more teeth now for a total of six. She is super smart and loves to play and laugh and be involved in everything...aka "nosey"! I think that she will be crawling soon. She is definitely the little boss lady of the house and is quickly realizing it. Jasper is her pal, they are so cute together. Lots of belly laughs and babble...a continued blessing.

Weekend Up North

MVP by the good ol' Mackinac Bridge.

PHS Class of '89...20 years later.

Our niece, Anna...pitcher extraordinaire!

What a wonderful "up north weekend" we have had! We headed to northern Michigan on Friday to attend my 20 year high school reunion at Aloha State Park on Saturday. I never understood why "grown-ups" would yammer on about how time flies. But guess what? It's true! Unreal that it has been 20 years since high school. I couldn't get out of my hometown fast enough when I was 19 years old and now I wish I could get back to visit more often. It was so wonderful to see my classmates that were able to make it this weekend and those who were not present really missed out! It was a lot of fun to see everyone's children running around...small versions of ourselves. A big huge thanks to Tim Hansen and Tracy (O'Neal) Bouren for planning the whole thing! On Sunday we just kind of relaxed with my family and took Margaux to Mackinaw City to snap a few pics by the bridge and have pasties for dinner...love that Mackinaw Pastie & Cookie Company!!! Today we were headed back to Chicago but took a detour to Traverse City to spend the night with Kim & family. We went to Anna's softball game and watched them win! Good job Anna!!!

4th of July & Old Friends

MHS 86-ers: Becky, Patrick & Kelli with Seamus, Margaux & James

She was a very serious little parade watcher!

All decked out in her festive wear!

Miss Audrey hanging out curbside!

Auntie Bex & MVP waiting for the fireworks to begin.

July 4th already and it hasn't truly felt like summer yet...crazy weather this season! I always get very nostalgic for the 4th of July memories of my youth...being in Mackinaw City watching the fireworks by the water while eating carmelcorn and a pastie and seeing tons of people I know. The later years were spent with my Arnold Line crew and summer friends tipping back a few beers and watching from the end of the State Dock. *sigh* Good times! Anyway, this year was of course MVP's first 4th and this made things fun for us. We awoke to yet another gray and drizzly day, but we still headed out to the Glen Ellyn 4th of July parade to meet up with Kelli and Becky. Becky was here from NYC and we got to meet her super-cute little boy, Seamus, who happens to be a big fan of parades! It's always nice to see Kelli & Hugh and their adorable James & Audrey as well. We headed home for a nice nap after the parade and then met up with Bex & Dale in Oak Park for the village fireworks. It was a pretty sweet little display and Dale took many pictures that I am sure turned out fabulous! We took Jasper with us because we wanted to include him in the festivities, he did PRETTY well, but I think that being so close to where the fireworks were being shot off was a bit too much stimulation for him. Hope you all had a fun holiday!