We inna waaaater!

For a little while after dinner tonight, we got out the pool. The neighborhood kids came and squirted water at Jack and Abigail with their guns, and everyone was delighted. Sometimes Jack thinks he's eight years old, along with the rest of 'em. Gail was just happy she had someone to wave to.

Midwest whirlwind tour

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I did get some pictures uploaded to Picasa from our recent travels around the Midwest (see albums on the left). We did have a bunch packed unto one week and figured that every day from June 17-25, we spent in the car for some lengthy period of time, but we all had a lot of fun visiting with friends and family, and the kids were pretty good sports (considering their noticeable lack of sleep).

After our quick stop in Grand Rapids, MI, we drove 10 hours to Grandma and Grandpa Ryan's house in Wisconsin. Saturday and Sunday were spent in Iowa, attending a wedding, celebrating Grandma Ryan's birthday and Father's day, going to a family reunion, among other things. On Monday, we went to Noah's Ark with Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Willie, some of Mike's cousins and a longtime friend, Nathan, who was visiting from Florida.

The rest of our visit was spent relaxing, visiting with more friends and family and being entertained by Jack and Abigail.

Small world kitchen table

We've been searching for a new kitchen table for a while now, and I finally found one that fits our budget that I loved on Craig's List. I went to look at it tonight, and the woman who answered the door looked so familiar, but I couldn't put a finger on where I knew her from. So I told her she looked familiar, hoping she would return my recognition. She obviously didn't right away, but offered, "I work at The Midwife Center."
"That's it. You delivered my daughter." She was the nurse that assisted the midwife (Kathy) in catching Abigail, and I was just looking at pictures that she was in right before Abigail's birthday. Once I filled her in on some more details, she remembered we were in the Desert room and said she could never forget that day (06-07-08), when all three of the birthing rooms at the Midwife Center were full-- how hectic it was.


She's on the left here.

We talked for a while, and she ended up giving me $50 off her original asking price of $250, which I already thought very reasonable. It also has a big leaf to extend it 18 inches.

Anyway, kind of neat, huh?

One crib down(?), n to go.

I said I would report on the big-boy bed.
We went in a couple of times last night after he went to bed to check on him-- the first couple of times, he was still awake and smiled hugely, pleased with his new freedom.
Fortunately, it took me three hours to fall asleep last night, and I was awake to hear the quietish thump around 1:45 this morning and the one tiny whimper that followed. When I went into his room, he was already back asleep, lying face down, arms and legs sprawled, in the middle of his floor. I picked his limp body up and put him into his crib. Today at nap time, he cried when we asked if he wanted to sleep in his crib. The big-boy bed it is. Mike and I took his box spring off today to take some of the height off, though it wasn't high before.

This is the end

The noise my computer is making is that of a screech owl in distress, and I can hear it when I am on the first floor (it's in our second-floor bedroom). Mike has told me that this is likely the end of its life. He is trying to find another computer to take its place in his stash of old desktops and such in his office, but until then, I can't do a lot without it freezing up- and no pictures. And no, we didn't only take three pictures while visiting the Wards (as our album on the left might currently suggest), but that's how many it let me upload (fifteen minutes a picture-- enjoy them!).

Five on Friday

1. Our buddy, Amalia turned three today. I remember holding her tiny newborn self at the Wilsons' wedding. We hadn't told many people then that we were expecting Jack, but little did we know what a great friendship those two would share, 500 miles apart. Mali is Jack's constant at prayer time every night, and he often "calls" her during the day to talk about parties or Abigail or bulldozers, or whatever else he has on his mind. Happy birthday, Mali!

2. We got back from our whirlwind tour of the Midwest (close to 4 am) on Thursday morning. I have pictures in multiple places now, but I will update our albums soon-- when I'm not so tired.

3. A highlight from our trip was visiting Noah's Ark, the world's largest water park, in the Wisconsin Dells. Jack keeps talking about all the water. Mike and I actually ventured two of the big slide rides with the kids. The first- pitch. black. Perhaps a mistake, but the kids were fine afterwards, if a bit shaken.

4. Ever heard of a Juan canary melon? We had our first taste of it at Mike's parents-- kind of a mix between a pear and a honeydew and bright yellow on the outside. They got it at Sam's Club, so it must not be that exotic, but I'd never heard of it before and thought it interesting.

5. Inspired by Amalia and Brinnly (not even one and sleeping in a big girl bed!), Jack is trying out the twin bed in his room tonight. We'll report back later on how it goes.

Visit with the Wards

Once again, they picked up right where they left off playing almost six months ago.

Heading out for some ice cream.

Caught. He tried again later to slip his hand around her, and she casually pushed it away.


Sweet requirement fixed, returning home, both strollers empty.




We had a wonderful, though short, visit with our misplaced Ward family on Thursday/Friday on our way to Wisconsin. All of the kids were excited to see each other and were thoroughly worn out at the end of the day (as the parents could tell by the kids' over-tired attempts to go to sleep). It was nice to once again swap parenting stories with our friends and reminded us just how much we miss the half-hour drive across town for a visit once or twice a week. We'll especially miss being near to them upon the arrival of Ward baby #3 next month.

Grown-up Jack

Two nights ago:
Mike to Jack-- "What do you want to be when you grow up? A fireman?"
"No."
"A policeman."
"No."
An astronaut?"
"No."
"What do you want to be?"
"Jack."


Last night:

The same round of questions, but the final answer was "A bullsoder." (bulldozer)

Maggie Mo 122

I got together with my apartment-mates from college last night. We always get hysterical, which is nice, once in a while. Mike was sweet (as always) and watched the kids so us girls (and charming little Ethan) could lay down a blanket in Dormont Park and reminisce for a while.

Abigail loved Ethan. She just wanted to climb in his car seat with him and kept waving to him, saying, "Hi, hi, hi, hi." He was sweet.

I found out that Juliet, who had started training for the Pittsburgh marathon, did in fact register in time before they cut it off, and so we were running at the same time in different cities, and- it being me and Juliet- we got the same exact time- within seconds. Weird.

butterfly purse

Finished this a couple of weeks ago. Besides a little color at the rim of a hat, this was the first time I used multiple colors. Just a little girl's purse from Debbie Bliss' Cotton Knits for All Seasons- with more than 200 little glass beads. There are some gorgeous things in this book-- a lot of pretty cables I'm excited to try.

together again

I think the last time I had them sit down for a picture together was right before Christmas, so while they were looking sort of nice before Mass, I plopped them on the chair for an impromptu picture or four. Nevertheless, I didn't get anything like I was hoping for-- they're too far apart and less than happy-- we'll have to attempt this again when Mike's in the room to help make silly noises. I bribed Jack with candy and got a less than enthusiastic smile, but the thought of hauling them into some photo studio and expecting them to cooperate makes me twinge.

On Gifts

I thought this was a wonderful analogy on gift-giving (by God) by Suzanne at Blessed Among Men.

Disclaimer: I had both wedding and baby registries and see nothing wrong with getting what you really want and need, though thoughtful self-picked or made gifts are always the most special.

Strawberry Festival

I wish I'd gotten a picture of Abigail's face, which held a look of extreme apprehension the entire time we were over by the animals.

Jack was ready to hop in the pin with them, though. And he did.






The enthusiasm with which he waved and said "Hi! Hi! Hi!" as he watched the other kids riding the train made me soften and shell out the $2.50 for a ride on The Rainbow Express (most of the other activities were free). He was one delighted little boy.

We're members of the Catholic Moms Meetup Group of Pittsburgh (a free online group) and have had several play dates already with some of the other moms and children, though this was probably the most fun for the kids. Trax Farms (where we got our Christmas tree this past year) holds an annual Strawberry Festival with all kinds of kids' activities.


On the pirate ship playground


Jack and Owen

Abbie and Lucy

It was about lunchtime when we left, so we got a belgium waffle covered with fresh strawberries and ice cream and a big bowl of strawberries, which the kids did an amazing job of polishing off.

more Maryland

A notable effort by Pop to keep Abbie from shooting up the steps.


I might be convinced to buy stair gates for my parents the next time we visit. The child wouldn't stop climbing.


I think this was the afternoon that Jack took more than two hours to finally sleep during nap time. I went up to get Abigail, who was awake after a shorter nap to find both kids peeking up at me from Abigail's pack 'n' play. He had crawled out of his crib and in with Gail and woke her.




We got to see Cindy and Lee. Jack was excited and running around in circles.



Buddies.

Proud wife

I'm ashamed. I don't understand the majority (or the minority) of what my husband does, but this was pretty cool (the mention of him is on the second page). He's heading up something (I'm sorry I can't come up with a better word, honey) called Tashi at Intel, and it seems like I'm not the only one impressed by it (though I am impressed in a different way than his peers and the rest of the technilogical field-- mostly because I don't understand).

I love you, Michael. We can't wait to see you tomorrow!

turtle love

After visiting Gigi this morning, we went to Baker Park in Frederick to let the kids play. On the way back, Mr, Turtle was crossing the road, so we stopped and gave him a ride to our old neighborhood and walked around the lake. It was a bit surreal driving back that way-- I hadn't been there since Jack was three months.

I have no idea why the turtle wouldn't come out of his shell (?????). Jack only tossed him on the ground once, where he went rolling. Whoops.

Still in his shell? Again, I wonder why.

This was after I stripped Jack down to his diaper after he fell in the lake-- or more of a muddy bramble of growth on the lake's edge. I had turned for a second to see if Mr. Turtle had emerged from his house, and I heard a snap. Poor Jack was on his back in mud. I know, I know. I deserve Best Mom of the Year Award.