Finally a new post!

Happy Fall!

Sorry it's been nearly 9 weeks since I posted an update. So much for staying current!
It's been so long, here's a reminder:  for security/privacy, from oldest to youngest I call them Kitty, Fatima & Dollbaby in the blog.

Kitty's in 11th grade now.  This semester, she has Honors Pre-Calculus, AP English III, Theatre II, and Honors Spanish III. She says Junior year is a killer! We're very proud of her for earning an award for having all A's last semester! She's been incredibly busy with theatre. She ran lights for a local community theatre production of Annie, working 100+ volunteer hours. Just as Annie was winding down, she started production of Jungle Book at school. She's the Technical Director in charge of designing and creating sets and costumes! Her ideas are really cool and I'm eager to see them transformed from paper to reality. She attended a day-long theatre seminar with a group from her school held at the college she hopes to attend. Then, a few days later, we went to a "first look" night for that college. Admissions staff, faculty, students and alumni came to our city to give a presentation. This weekend she attended her school's homecoming game and dance. And, today, she's at the local Renaissance festival. All typical of her busy, busy life!

Fatima's in 5th Grade.  She's doing great with her sewing lessons. She made a dress & matching purse that she wore to her cousin's wedding. (You can see them in our family photo below.) She also made an apron for me and is now working on a shirt. We went to see Toy Story 3 -- a fun movie! She also saw Alpha & Omega with my Mom. She's in the school chorus this year and was selected as a roving reporter for the school TV broadcasts. Yesterday was our community garage sale day. She and a friend set one up in our driveway. But, she spent more at other sales than she made at her own!

Our final stay-cation this summer was a trip for the entire family to the nearest zoo - about 90 minutes away. We had a great day. Since Dollbaby's "ugly time" kicks in after about 2 hours in the car, she was pretty good.

The trip to Atlanta for our niece's wedding was a different story. Just as at Easter, she was miserable (and therefore so was I) the second half of the trip. The visit itself was wonderful. It was the first time Dave's family had all been together since his father's funeral 11 years ago. It was great to see everyone. The wedding was lovely and the family gatherings, rehearsal dinner and reception were tons of fun! As a bonus, our nephew's daughter was born just a few days before the wedding, so we got to see and hold her :-)

Fatima, me, Dollbaby, Dave & Kitty after the Nuptial Mass.

We've had the pleasure of visitors twice. Our niece and her family came for a weekend. Dollbaby and her second cousin got to spend lots of time together :-) And, we all had a great visit -- wish they lived closer instead of having the Atlantic Ocean between us!

Dollbaby & Lilia

My Mom came for a week. We relaxed, read, played games, made doughnuts from scratch, went for walks, and visited a local botanical garden. It was wonderful that my sister Anne stayed with my Dad that week so Mom could get away.

Fatima & Grandma making homemade doughnuts!

Their Monopoly game lasted 3 days!

Grandma & our Dollbaby

My mom and her Dollbaby
(that's what she called me until I was 3yo).

Dave's been working on various house projects, as usual. The boat was finally repaired a few weeks ago. He & Fatima have gone out together twice.

Life for me is still pretty low-key. Dollbaby and I stay home except for walks and occasional errands. While nursing, sometimes during her naps, and some evenings, I enjoy watching various dvd series. I finished JAG, as well as seasons 1of Shark, NCIS LA and The Good Wife and seasons 1-3 of The Closer. Thanks to everyone for asking how my health is. I'm still improving from the Guillian-Barre Syndrome. Regaining strength and endurance is a long, slow process. I cringe every time I hear promos for the flu shot! The only activity I'm involved in this year is teaching 2nd grade Faith Formation (catechism) on Sunday afternoons. My class is a great size this year (only 14 students). They participate and are a lot of fun, which makes it a joy to teach. August & September are the months for Fall Consignment sales. The girls and I love to go treasure hunting! My best deals this season were for Dollbaby -- a $4 upholstered chair and a $5 stroller, plus clothes and toys.

Here she is in the chair, playing with a toy ~
found both at a consignment sale :-)

Everyone helping Dollbaby play with her new
walking toy (another great consignment sale find).

Dollbaby is getting more like a toddler and less like a baby, which is bittersweet. She's so fun and is developing her own personality. Yet, it's sad to see babyhood go.

Here are some of her feats since my last posting:
* 28.5" (~ 39th percentile) and 16.6# (< 3rd percentile)

* Climbs the stairs

* Her 2 top front teeth came in

* Plays ball (we roll it to her, she hands it to us)

* Has tried lots of different foods (her favorite is apples & blueberries -- she'll eat anything else if we add that to it!)

* Ate first table food (mashed roast & potatoes)

* Walks!

* Saw a dermatologist who confirmed the marks on her leg are birthmarks and will eventually fade

* First visit to a zoo!

* First non-family babysitter. (They both did fine.)

* Met her 8mo & 4 day old second cousins :-) :-)

* Attended her first wedding (she and I were in the narthex for most of it - I was so glad it was glassed in so I could still see!)

* Says Mama, Dada, and Hi - and means it!

* Started putting things in her mouth (after playing with her younger cousin who did it!)

* Waves bye-bye

* Trills (rolling r sound) - she does this when she's playing, but the funniest is when she does it fast and loud when she's angry!

* First big scare - fell down the stairs :-( -- someone had left the gate open :-( Blessedly, she was fine, just scared.

* First pair of jeans -- she couldn't move! ~ had to change her back to regular pants :-)

* Raises her hands high when we say, "How big is Dollbaby? This big!"

Likes:
* Taking all the books off the shelves
* Playing in Kitty's old garden toy
* Snuggling just before bed (but I have to hold her while standing -- no sitting!)

* Taking the top off her toy table and climbing inside

* Eating her socks!

Dislikes:
* Room temperature food (likes it cold - right from the fridge!)
* Loud noises - especially the scarry, scarry vacuum (also the popcorn popper, hair dryer, game buzzer, ...)

So Sweet:
* Wakes up happy & playful in the morning (even if it is 5-6am)
* Squeals in delight when Dave, Kitty and Fatima each come home after school / work

Some bonus photos of our little bundle of joy:

And, two videos of Dollbaby...

Early Walking

Advanced Walking...

Hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into our family!

Lots of Firsts

I can't believe it's been over six weeks since I last posted!

Kitty finished her Drivers' Ed. classroom and behind-the-wheel sessions. We haven't yet had a chance to go to the DMV to get her permit - or even to the school to pick up the certificate. That's on our to-do list for the next week or so. Then, she starts driving with us - yikes! She's been working on her online science class. She had a great time with the two-week community theatre intensive in July. She worked tech, helping to build the set and ran the lights for the show! The program billed her as "Master Electrician" - pretty cool sounding.
They asked her back for as many productions as she can fit into her schedule. She has already started working tech for their next show.
The second week of the theatre intensive was very intense for her, as that was also our VBS week. She worked VBS from 8am-12:30pm and theatre from 1pm-10pm! For VBS, she headed up the decorations, was the assistant skit director, and worked in the nursery. This past week she had an incredible experience at the Wisconsin Teens for Life Camp, returning last night very pumped up and full of zeal!

Fatima has been having a pretty low-key summer. She's enjoying playing with Dollbaby, Webkinz and friends. Her sewing lessons continue. She has now completed two dresses, one of which she hopes to wear to her cousin's wedding next month. She had her last VBS as a participant - next year she graduates to a volunteer. After VBS, we celebrated with a very cute movie - Despicable Me. She and Dave are in Atlanta this weekend. They also went there for the 4th of July weekend. She always loves to visit the cousins! This past week was a special treat - one the cousins spent the week with us! They had such a great time together, we pretty much only saw them for meals and the pool.  Here they are in matching outfits they chose:

Fatima, Dollbaby and I have been having some "stay-cation adventures" this summer. So far, we've gone to an art museum, natural history museum, and science museum. Dollbaby has been a great trooper and it's been lots of fun to see how much Fatima enjoys the outings.

                                       Art Museum - Queen Charlotte Painting

                                  Natural History Museum - T. Rex Model

                                  Having fun at the Natural History Museum!

            One of the new aquarium exhibits at the science museum

                      Hands on building fun at the science museum :-)

Dave seems to be fully recovered from his injured ribs. However, he still hasn't been able to ski much as the boat has had its own "injuries." Currently, it's in the shop for something extensive. I only remember the painful bottom line, not the reason. Hopefully, he'll get some good ski days in before the season ends. He's also done a few home projects. Mostly, he's having to work a lot lately :-( He did take a week of vacation, solo. Our original idea months ago was for all of us to travel north this summer. But, we nixed that idea after the unpleasant car ride to/from Atlanta with Dollbaby at Easter. Dave ended up having a great time. He went to Indianapolis and visited his aunts, brother, sister and friends, including a group of friends from high school. He also traveled to northern Kentucky to visit and ski with a friend - the same one with whom he went to Florida a few months ago (when he got injured). And, he spent a day in Dayton at the Air Force Museum.

My VBS program was well received. It was a fun week and was exciting and humbling to see the Holy Spirit at work through me. A few Directors at other parishes are reviewing it for feedback. I have a vision to publish it...we'll see where God leads. Dollbaby was great during VBS! Each day when we arrived (early), Fatima took care of her. Then, after the Opening Assembly, Kitty took her to the nursery and helped. I fed her during our daily prayer time in the sanctuary. Then, she'd fall asleep and I'd lay her in her port-a-crib in a big storage closet near my table. She would sleep until time to go home! 

My Dad, who has Alzheimer's, has had some setbacks the past few months. Dollbaby and I went home for a weekend visit in early July. He was blessed with good days while we were there and we had a great visit with my parents, sisters, sister-in-law, and nieces and nephews. 

                                     Grandpa, Dollbaby, Grandma

Dollbaby was, of course, the big hit. She was a little shy with everyone, but very taken with their dogs! While in Ohio, my sister and her kids introduced me to the game Banana Grams. I loved it, which is funny, because it requires some "jumble" skills, which I usually lack. But, I find it much easier and more enjoyable than Scrabble. I bought our own set when I returned. Fatima and Kitty have indulged me. When Fatima discovered that there are Apple and Pear Grams, she wants to try those, too. 

Since VBS ended, I've been able to kick back and relax for the first time in months. I read a great book, "No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy" by Fr. Donald Calloway. It's an absorbing, very well-written story of his conversion from a rebellious teen/druggie/Dead Head/atheist to a priest! I highly recommend it. I've also been watching the JAG dvds my Aunt lent me. I'm now into Season 8. I remembered several episodes in the early seasons, but the past few seasons were full of ones I'd never seen. The first few of Season 8 I remember, but I think this is the season when NCIS spun off, which I never saw, so I expect I'll soon reach the point where they're all new again (to me). Dollbaby and I went to a going away party for a friend of mine from my newcomers group who moved to Atlanta. Interestingly, Dollbaby wouldn't let my lady friends hold her, but went to their husbands without a problem!

Dollbaby is now 9 months old! She's a petite, lean little thing: 27" (25th-50th percentile) and 14# 13oz (less than 5th percentile). She has had many firsts over the past six weeks! Here are some key ones:
FIRST
* teeth (2 bottom front)
* clapped
* cruised
* big bathtub (with Mama)
* injury - fell on a toy and got a big "goose egg" and bruise :-(
* plane ride - to/from Ohio
* saw Grandpa, Uncles, Aunt Teri, and Ohio cousins
* VBS and first nursery (with Kitty)
* museums - art, natural history and science
* solid foods (rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, peas so far)
* climbed up stairs
* said "Mama" and meant it!
* library story time (won't do that again -- picture 30 babies and their parents and all the parents talking the whole time -- can you say CHAOS!)

Adding solids has had the opposite affect on her sleeping habits than conventional wisdom says -- she has regressed to waking up to nurse 2-3 times a night now. I'm hoping this is a VERY short-lived phase!

Here's Dollbaby's first clapping, which we just happened to capture on video!


 
And, a few fun pictures of Dollbaby...

                                    She loves to tear napkins and tissues!

      Climbing under the table Grandpa's Grandpa bought for his bride.

                                              Silly face :-)

    She always grabs the spoon, so I just give her an extra one to hold.

                                  She does NOT like the bib!

                                 Along for a ride while Fatima cleans :-)


I'm going to try to resume blogging more frequently and consistently. I'd love to hear from you, too!

First Portraits

Hello again!

Sorry it's been a month since I last posted anything.  Dollbaby is now 8 months old.  I just can't believe how fast this year is going.  I wish we could just stop time or bottle it up to enjoy longer or again later.  In the last post, she had just started crawling.  The week after that, she started pulling up.  Today, she took three steps while we held her hands.  She definitely wants to be on the move!  Her bottom front two teeth are coming in, so she has been rather fussy, especially at night.  But, at least Baby Orajel and nursing calm her.

Fatima and Kitty finished school a few weeks ago.  Kitty is taking driver's ed four hours a day for two weeks, then at some point they'll call her to start the behind-the-wheel portion.  Fatima participated in VBS last week at one of the parishes we're active in.  It was the first time I didn't volunteer.  I was blessed by friends who took both girls to/from these activities.

I'm working hard on the VBS for our other parish.  I'm writing the curriculum and co-directing.  This week, I finished and handed off all the core parts (stations and assemblies).  Fatima and I planned to celebrate the finished curriculum by playing games, watching a movie, and eating out.  Unfortunately, the plan was delayed by a keys-locked-in-the-running-car incident (during which I received the added blessing of a bee sting).  We still ate out, but I ended up taking a nap once we got home.  Fatima even got Dollbaby when she woke up and occupied her for two hours while I slept!  We played a game later, but still haven't really "celebrated." 

Fatima learned how to play Monopoly the last week of school.  So, we've played it a few times.  She has quite the strategy already.  Hotels.  Boardwalk.  Park Place.  Need I say more?  She thoroughly trounced me!  Tonight, her choice was Scrabble.  I have NEVER been good at that whole jumble concept.  Now, Sorry...that's more my speed.  I still love that game!  Fortunately, the girls humor me.  We also enjoy Scattegories (I usually win that one), love Rummikub (thanks Patty for introducing us to that one), and our newest favorite since we got it two Christmases ago...Last Word.  That is one fun game!!

Dave is improving.  He has been skiing a few times recently and is happy to be out on the water again.  Fatima is always cautioning him about getting hurt again.  Bet he loves that.

With those little teeth buds showing up this week, I finally took Dollbaby for her first portrait.  The photographer took about 60 photos.  It was SO hard to choose and say no to any of the photos.  After arriving back home, I discovered that all of the photos were on the CD!  Yea!  Here are the pictures I chose for the print package:

I'm going to try to get back into posting weekly.  I'd sure love to hear from you...whoever is reading this...!

And the Chase is On!

Happy Pentecost!

That greeting was a few days early when I started this draft, now it's a day late, but just as heart-felt! We forgot to wear red to Mass yesterday. But, Fatima and I changed into red after we got home. I just realized we forgot to make our traditional cake - red velvet with white icing and red flames decorating the top. I'm surprised Fatima didn't remind me.

Big Dollbaby news this week...she's crawling!! She began the week on Sunday with a very cute bear walk / crawl / army crawl combo. On Monday, she moved both knees, then her hands, then both knees. On Tuesday, she was crawling! As the headline says, "and, the chase is on!" It was a rather exhausting day of catching her - especially as she often headed straight for the stairs. On Wednesday, Dave installed the baby gate at the top of the stairs. So, now she's safe and we're getting used to opening and closing the gate every time we go up or down the stairs. 

 Here are a few short takes of her progression...and our cheering her on :-)

She also began combining consonants and vowels ... ga, da, de, ge, and my favorite (drum roll) ...mama, which I choose to believe she knows means me!

She had her seven month check-up Thursday. She's 14# 7oz and 26", which is 50th percentile for height and 10th for weight. So, her growth velocity has slowed and it looks like she'll join our family at the lower end of the growth charts. I know it's impossible at her age, but she seemed to remember the doctor's office, as she started crying as soon as I laid her on the examining table. Fortunately, our doctor is great and did the whole exam with her sitting on my lap. She received three shots and an oral vaccine :-(  I couldn't implement Peggy or Kathy's suggestions from last time, as they weren't keen on my nursing her during the shots and the doctor told me just beforehand that our baby Tylenol had been recalled. But, she did okay and calmed quickly. At home later, she pulled off the band-aids and played with them!

I took out a few new toys for her this week that a friend had given me. She especially loved the little shapes that can be dropped in a bucket. She doesn't do that yet, but she really likes holding them. They're the perfect size. Fatima liked the new toys, too, commenting that Dollbaby gets all the cool stuff. Go figure.

One more new Dollbaby thing...we discovered that she is fascinated with Bluegrass music! We played it as much as Dave could stand that day :-)

Fatima was extremely excited after starting sewing lessons last week. She asked to go every day! After a little lesson on economics, she disappointingly realized that wouldn't happen. She had three days of state end-of-year tests. They try to make it fun now, with longer recesses, special treats, and a movie at the end. She enjoyed her favorite Friday activity - a sleepover, topped off with her favorite after sleepover thing -- playing all day. She also went with her friend to the quarter-finals girls' soccer game at the local high school, but left after getting drenched in the rain. That night, she and Dave went to the semi-annual outdoor concert in our neighborhood, which coincides with the three-year anniversary of our move here. On Sunday, they tried to go paddle-boating, but discovered the park either doesn't have them anymore or the season hasn't started yet.

Kitty received two awards at the year-end ceremony at her school. She earned a perfect score on the state 10th grade writing test! And, she was named Most Valuable Thespian! She got medals and certificates for both. She wants to frame the MVT. We're inching closer to the 16th birthday milestone next month... She enrolled in driver's ed and started filling out job applications. Kind of funny to have those juxtaposed with Dollbaby's learning to crawl!

I guess our week reinforced Fatima's statement that our lives are boring (to her). Not much new with Dave this week. He's still waiting to heal enough to go skiing again. I'm still working on VBS, hanging out with Dollbaby, and watching NCIS while nursing her. I'm going to be in withdrawal soon, as I'm almost finished with Season 6, the last one available. I think the current season is #8. So, I'll be wanting to know what happens next, but have to wait until they release seasons 7 & 8 to find out :-(  I'll just have to be left hanging and move on to the nine seasons of JAG my aunt sent! I also saw that the first seasons of NCIS LA and The Good Wife are due out soon...

Have a happy week!  

and leave a comment!  please :-)

Nature Days

Happy 6th Week of Easter and a Blessed Feast of the Ascension!

It's been another fairly low-key week. Fatima asked at dinner this week what I did that day. My answer: played with Dollbaby, worked on VBS, and watched NCIS while nursing. (FYI: I started Season 5 today.) Her response: That's what you do everyday. Then, she asked Dave what he did. His answer: work. Her response to us: You're lives are so boring, how can you stand it? This from a child who goes to school everyday, eats the same breakfast, lunch and dinner nearly everyday, and watches the same movies a zillion times!

One exciting thing this week: I found Dollbaby's baby calendar (on which I write all the cute things she does). It had been lost for two months. Dave says I get to keep the $2 I told the girls I'd pay if they found it :-) Evidently, I left it on top of the printer and it fell behind the desk. Fortunately, I've been writing things down on another paper, so now I just have to transfer them onto the calendar.

Dave's still having a lot of pain from the bruised/cracked ribs. He had to decline an invitation to the first of the weekly Thursday boating/skiing outings with friends from work. He thinks it'll be at least June before he can get back on the water. This weekend, he's been doing some house projects including repairing the irrigation system and doing some landscaping work.

I finally got a full night of sleep once this week. Dollbaby and I both slept from 10:30pm-6:30am! The other nights were interrupted by the 3am feeding to which she has reverted the past 4-6 weeks. She, of course, falls right back to sleep, while I am left awake for the day. Unfortunately, she has not been balancing it out by going to bed early. Instead, she's been staying up later, until 10-11pm. So, I've been pretty sleep-deprived.

Fatima enjoyed her after-school art class this week, as usual. On Monday, we had a meet and greet with a neighbor who is going to teach her how to sew. She's very excited to begin the lessons this coming week. After spotting three rabbits in our yard, she has spent the last few days on "bunny expedition," as she calls it. I found about 100 pictures of them on the camera.



Kitty's social calendar has filled up since the play ended - with a lot of theatre :-) In eight days, she has seen Les Miserable (community theatre), Sleeping Beauty (a high school ballet), Grease (high school), Smoke on the Mountain (community theatre), and How to Train Your Dragon (movie). She also applied for and received a spot on the technical crew for a summer community theatre production of Sweeney Todd. She's very excited. It's ironic that she'll be working on a production of the show when I won't let her see the movie! Since it's the "student version," I'm hoping it's not as graphic and gross as I've heard the Johnny Depp one is. She made her final course selection for next year. It turned out that most of the courses on her short list for the last spot in her schedule aren't offered at her school. So, the winner was Musical Theatre. If too few students sign up or she gets closed out of one of her first round picks, she'll be assigned one of her alternates (band, acting or forensic science).

Dave lowered Dollbaby's mattress Monday night, just in time for her latest feat. On Tuesday, she moved from prone to sitting by herself for the first time. Now, she's a pro, although she still tumbles over frequently. It's actually pretty cute - as long as there's no furniture or other hard object on her way down. And, when she does bump something, we're teaching her Aunt Kathy's "shake it off" from the get-go!!

Dave's been taking Dollbaby for walks frequently. I haven't gone much because my allergies flare up so badly when I'm outside too long. Anyway, she loves it. However, the one time I tried to set her down in the grass, she got very upset. Dave said it must feel to her like hay would feel to us. Today, I took her outside with a blanket. It was so fun to watch her discover grass.




It was also fun to watch her watch the birds.



She had a great time until she fell over into the grass. She didn't like that at all.

I do wonder if anyone is reading this blog or if I'm just talking to myself! Please leave a comment, even just to say "I was here!" :-) ...it's really easy to comment, see the "how-to" in the "about me" section on the right sidebar.

Have a great week!

A Quiet Week

Happy 5th Week of Easter!

We've had a pretty quiet, slow week. Sunday was very relaxing. I took a nap while Dollbaby slept. Fatima had taken care of Dollbaby when she woke up! Dave had cleaned and done three loads of laundry! After my nap, Kitty, her friend, Fatima, and I played some games. That night, we went out to eat. I think that will be my Mother's Day! Actually, I'm at least getting my favorite chocolate cake this Sunday! :-)

During the week, I worked on my VBS project and hung out with Dollbaby.

Dave is still hurting, but improving. Now, he's vacillating between being in pain or taking the pain killers and being nauseous. Thanks to all who have asked about and prayed for him.

No major new feats for Dollbaby this week. But, she sure is so cute and sweet. She continues the super cute baby push-ups, moving her feet, but not going anywhere. Once she figures out she has to move her hands, too, she'll be off. For now, she rolls EVERYWHERE! She likes to roll under our bedskirt and behind the curtains in our bedroom. One day, it was just so cute, I had to run for the camera. After taking the photo of her feet sticking out, I moved to try to get her face and found her giving me a very mischievous little grin! She's just such fun :-)





Fatima's enjoying her weekly art class and playing with friends. She had been saving her money to purchase a second Our Generation horse. It's a Target-brand "American Girl"-type horse. I made her wait, as I did for the first one she bought, because it costs an outrageous $36 and I wanted her to be absolutely sure she wanted to spend that much money on a toy. Well, after several weeks and no luck with Amazon marketplace, Ebay or Craigslist, she stuck to her decision and we went to get it only to find the one she really wanted wasn't available locally. Since shipping was an extra $11, after five more days, she opted to get her next favorite. Every day since the big purchase she's been playing with the two horses virtually non-stop.

Now that the play is over, Kitty's a regular part of the family again. We see her (usually) after school, for dinner, and even some on the weekends! It's nice to have her around again. This week, she's been working on her schedule for next year. She's taking a virtual science course this summer to make room for a second theatre course. So, it looks like AP English; Honors Pre-Calculus, US History, Spanish III; Technical Theatre and Theatre II. She has one more to choose. This morning, she had it narrowed down to four. This afternoon, she said maybe a fifth one. And, the form was supposed to be in today! She found out this week that she qualifies academically for the National Honor Society! Unfortunately, her school sets additional requirements (service, leadership, citizenship) than other schools, so she may not be inducted. But, kudos for qualifying, especially since her school sets the GPA higher, too.

Answers to last week's Quiz: Fatima, Dollbaby, Kitty (check out last week's post if you didn't see this one.)

GBS update: nothing new this week.

Th-th-that's all folks!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there :-)

Getting ready to move...not us - Dollbaby!

Happy 4th Week of Easter!

I'm awake in these wee early hours paying for the wonderful hour long walk Dave, Dollbaby and I took last night. When I suggested a walk, Dave asked if I my allergies wouldn't flare up. But, it was such a beautiful day, I said I just really wanted to go and hopefully it would be okay. Famous last words! It really was so nice out and my strength was so much better than it's been, we just kept walking and walking. It felt great. However, I awoke a few hours ago with my throat swollen and scratchy, my ears all plugged up, and my nose running. Yuck! I wish I could enjoy the outdoors without being attacked by pollen! Ah well, live and learn...and make the proverbial lemonade... I'll post the blog and then work on my VBS project. Hopefully, it'll calm down enough to get back to sleep before (real) morning.

Dave's boating & waterskiing trip last weekend didn't turn out quite as he planned. He took a bad fall while wakeboarding and spent about eight hours in the ER in Tampa. We had a few scary hours when it seemed that his injury might be worse than it turned out to be, but he was blessed and returned home moving slowly and relieved (literally) by Percocet, but not seriously hurt. According to the doctor, his bruised ribs and lung contusion just need time to heal. He's hoping for a speedy recovery so he can get back on the water asap. If he were a marine, I would say Hoo-Rah! (How much NCIS have I watched this week?!)

Dollbaby is six months old! I can't believe how fast it's going. As if to emphasize the flight of time for me, this week she's been showing her growing strength by laying on her belly and using her hands to turn herself, rolling everywhere, getting on her hands and knees

 

and doing "baby push-ups."

She really looks ready to start crawling. Or, maybe she'll go straight to bear-walking!

I had to remove the bassinet from the port-a-crib and lower the mattress. It was sad to see it without the bassinet - a sign that she's not a little tiny baby anymore. :-( The mattress on the bed is sure to follow soon. (Although it will have to wait for Daddy to recover enough to change the setting!)

A Quiz...

Several people have asked how Dollbaby compares to Fatima and Kitty at this age. Sooooo, see for yourself. Can you tell who is who?! I'll give the answer next week. (I made them black & white to try to make it more of a test, but I think it's still pretty obvious...)

By the way, I discovered two super cool things on the web this week!

1 - www.picnik.com (thanks, Emily) this site lets you modify pictures in all sorts of ways - all for free

2 - www.gimp.org (thanks, Google) this site has a downloadable software that works like Photoshop - for free (instead of $1000)!!

GBS update: MAJOR milestones!!!! I was able to lift Dollbaby in the carseat, place her in the car, and remove her from the car!!! It's not yet easy, but I can do it! I was also able to undo the buckle that attaches the carseat to its stroller frame three times in the past few days! I couldn't do that at all even just earlier in the week. Once that function returns completely, I'll be able to go where ever I want to without help!

Prayer Request: A good friend of mine coordinates Rachel's Vineyard retreats in her diocese (for post-abortion healing). I'm on the list of people to whom she sends a list of first names of retreatants to pray for. On a recent show on EWTN, Fr. Pavone (National Director of Priests for Life) challenged everyone to not just pray for those who have had abortions, but to "boldly announce God's mercy" and his desire to show His mercy to these souls. So, in the spirit of boldly announcing God's mercy, I'd like to ask for you to join me in praying for healing and reconciliation for those who will attend the retreat this month: Carmen, Mary, Katy, Ann, Robert, Judy, Chuck, Tracy, Rick, Debbie, Mike, Meg, and Jerry. Please also pray for the retreat leaders. Thank you!

And now, a few more photos from our week...

                        Fatima imitates Dollbaby's favorite thumb-sucking pose.

                                          Happy Dollbaby!

                                         Dollbaby in her Easter dress :-)

(This is the dress I meant for her to wear on Easter, but discovered it was too foofy for the car seat.)

Did you expect an answer to the question in the first paragraph?... Just about every time I've nursed Dollbaby this week, I've turned on NCIS...thanks again, Aunt Mary :-) It's a little hard to follow sometimes in 15-20 minute increments a few hours apart, but fortunately I can rewind the DVD until I remember what was going on! I'm almost through Season 1.

I've already learned my something new for today. It didn't look right when I typed "perverbial" up above, so I looked it up and discovered "proverbial" means resembling or becoming a proverb. Now, I will always remember how to spell it - and pronounce it - correctly!

Thanks to all who have emailed or commented. I enjoy hearing back from you! :-)