Consequence of Sitting

Unfortunately, THIS:

Was closely followed by THIS:
and a lot of tears...mostly Mallory's.
Casey eased my worry by reminding me it wouldn't be her last bruise.

Cousins

Stuffed Fun

What could be more fun when Mom is changing the crib sheet?

Babysitting is such a SNOOZE

Kevin and Jill dropped Ember off last night so they could go have some drinks with a few friends.

So much for entertainment.

We watched her sleep for 5 hours.

GOOD GIRL!

Bath Tub Diva

All in a day's work...

I took Mallory to have her 6 month pictures taken today and she sat through them as though she'd been doing it forever.

I truly underestimated the difference 24 hours could make.

As I share these pictures, I'm hearing my sister-in-law's friendly reminder in my head...the sitting milestone is (too) closely followed by the "hey-where-did-she-go?" milestone.

It won't be long now...

We're getting closer to sitting!

Did she remain sitting between pictures??

I can neither confirm nor deny that.

Buckeye, the Hunter

windy day + leaves = hours of fun for a terrier

He's very determined. His accuracy is unmatched. He actually EATS the leaves. Are they a threat? Do they taste good?

Don't get me wrong, if he were human, we'd probably have him committed. It's ridiculous to watch, but entertaining nonetheless.

Happy Birthday, Claddagh!

A year ago today Casey and I were on a breeder's waiting list to receive an American Mastiff puppy. We figured we'd be lucky if we got a puppy before the year was out because the expected wait time was 8-10 months. Then we got the email, "Hi, we have a fawn colored female for you, please let us know if you're still interested."

Oh. Hmm. How's that for timing? We added our name BEFORE we got Buckeye and BEFORE we found out I was pregnant, so now what?

We figured it was now (then) or never. The rest is history.

Claddagh's parents:

Mom, Kaccie (on hind legs)

Dad, Ralphie

On the long ride home from Ohio (end of May)
Crazy to think she was ever as small as Buckeye

(taken in July)

Tonight!

Happy Birthday, Claddagh!

Fun with Ember

Give me that pacifier!

What's the matter? Are you okay?

Pinned ya again!

Ah, Nintendo...

Hmm, what was that code?? I know it was a specific combination of buttons... OH! I think I've got it:

left, left, right, right, up, down, up, down, b, a, b, a, select, start

Hey Dad! I just got 99 lives in Contra!!

Kids these days...learning so young.

Mammoth Bone

When you have a dog the size of the average adult human, somehow naturally smoked COW FEMURS are acceptable and recommended for chewing.

Does anyone else find that even a LITTLE creepy or weird??

Car Seat Sleeper

There's something about a baby sleeping in a car seat that makes me smile.

To Grandpa's House We Go

Jill and I took Ember and Mallory to see Grandpa and Auntie Karen yesterday.

It's really hard to watch Mallory struggle through a cold and at the same time I can't help but giggle at this picture. She has what I'd like to call the "cold medicine stare" only she's not on any.

(Can you see the SNOT bubble?)

(kind of looks like she's saying, "Speak up! What did you say?")

And, of course, it wouldn't be a trip to Grandpa and Auntie Karen's if we didn't go home with some freshly baked cookies.

Propped Mattress

Our doctor suggested propping up one end of Mallory's mattress in an effort to help her sleep through her cold.

Something tells me this isn't as effective if the baby ends up perpendicular to the mattress.

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

How could you not want to kiss this face??

A runny nose and enough drool to sink a ship.

Mallory says:

Being sick is NOT fun Mommy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

No corned beef and cabbage for me, thanks!

I have all the cute, little, green M&M I could ask for!

you're so cute I could eat you...

6 Month Well Visit

Mallory had her 6 month checkup on Friday
(14.4lbs, 25.5 inches on January 12th)

16lbs
26.5 in long
(hello, 95th percentile...)

...and, her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades!

(though she doesn't exactly look happy about it!)

Ember's Baptism

My niece, Ember was baptised today...the proof is in the pictures!



Nice necklace, Grandma... (that pendant was mysteriously missing at the end of the day...what did you do with it, Mallory?)
The proud parents with their newly baptized babe.

(left to right) Jill's brother, Chris, Jill & Ember, Kevin, Jill's brother, Eric and his wife, Sami

See "Mallory's Baptism" for names...Are you surprised? My eyes are closed...look closely, apparently I inherited the trait from my grandpa.

Godparents!

Cute cousins! Mallory put her arm around Ember - cute, cute! (p.s. Mallory's not sitting...Jill is holding her up. She is CLOSE though!)

Lunch...

...10 minutes later.

"Hey look, a baby!"