Baby Peter

Yesterday we met my two week old nephew, Peter Augustine. He is adorable! Rebecca was rather taken with him. Now "big sister" VeronicaBig brother Joseph & sister Clare were his godparents

Peter with his joyful parents & Uncle Fr. Jon

Melissa & Rich, you have a beautiful family! Thanks for hosting us!

Fun with Cousins

We were so happy to play with our cousins Julia & Lucy this week!
Thank you, Aunt Denise, for stopping on your way home to spend time with us.
It's always nice to hang out with my sibs.

My goddaughter Julia

Auntie

To my little sis...

Thank you for being such a good friend to me over the years. I'm so blest to have grown up with you & see how we've both changed. (I have to admit, I NEVER thought I would see you ENJOYING housework! ;P )You are such an amazing sister, auntie, wife, & mama. Your continual concern for others, attention to detail, & thirst for fun inspire me.
I love you & God bless you always!
Happy Birthday, Cara!

Puzzling

While Andrew was at preschool the other day, Rebecca decided that she wanted to put together every puzzle that we owned! With just a little assistance on the pirate one, she did all 8 on her own. Impressive determination.

Hungry?

Really, please help yourself.

50 days to celebrate!

Resurrection Rolls:

crescents, butter, cinnamon, sugar, marshmallows = yum

Exploring the bug world with the help of presents from the Easter Bunny
Dancing in the lawn

Post-picnic fun at the park

Andrew got out the bubbles just for his own fun & ended up drawing quite the crowd of crazy boys to chase, pop, & catch them

Who knew chipmunks could wear a saddle? Homemade strawberry playdough:

castles, pies, & snakes galore

Progress

In a little over one week without training wheels, Andrew has progressed to this:

I'm impressed! He is determined to figure it out so he can ride it to "Coffee" on Thursday. Anything to show the big boys that he's big, too. ; )

Really?

Andrew changing Teresa's diaper! With just a little assistance, he's pretty much got it down.

***

So I think I mentioned that I cut off my hair... well some of it. I've been attempting to curl it so it looks a little tamer than my natural *boing*.

Just now Andrew & I were outside playing baseball. We were both in a really goofy mood & at one point I was twisting my curls all into a ball on top of my head. He started laughing hysterically & then said,

"Mom! You look like Kenny Loggins!"

Aren't you impressed how cultured he is? :P

(Danger Zone was his favorite song for about two years of his life.)

Miss T

Happy 1/2 birthday to our little Teresa!At your check-up you weighed in at 15.1 pounds

& measured 28 1/2 inches.

Long & lean

***

You've tried peas, squash, green beans, sweet potatoes, rice cereal, pears, & bananas... not to mention bites of ice cream TWICE from your Daddy. (Does he have another deal going with you that I don't know about?)
***

You still mainly say just "dada" (especially after you've dirtied your diaper! ha!) but will occasionally throw in a "mama", "gaga", or "baba". Those are all cute, unlike your new ear-piercing shriek that you let out when we try to change you before nursing at night. Geesh! The one thing that calms you down almost instantly is when I pray the Hail Mary aloud. You just stop & listen & watch my lips move. Not much disguising that blessing!

You can roll but don't care to do it very often. You can stay sitting up but usually get too interested in something in front of you & slump over to play with it. Your two bottom teeth are in with the top two on the way. You grab everything in sight including my hair... so I cut off 5 inches of it. ; ) You've moved on to my necklace.

***

You sleep in the big crib in the same room as Andrew & Rebecca. It's going amazingly well! I usually put you down around 8:oo pm, feed you around 4:30 am, then you're up with the big kids at 6:30. Naps are still unpredictable.

***

You're smile is adorable. You're very ticklish, giggle when you are lifted up in the air, & belly laugh at your crazy siblings' antics. I wish I could bottle your laugh... it's so jolly!

We love you so much.

What a gift God has given us in you!

Jesus, I trust in You

For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion,

have mercy on us & on the whole world!

Alleluia! He is risen!

Easter morning table:

Sacrifice jar no longer full of rocks! Jelly beans are a much tastier reward. Toys that the kids gave up for Lent as gifts for Jesus... paper flying! New sidewalk chalk for the big kids & a caterpillar for Teresa from us. Empty Easter baskets to fill in a hunt downstairs!

Gotta love bubble wands

All dressed up for Mass

After Mass we enjoyed a tasty, quiet, happy Easter/birthday brunch at Ruby Tuesday. When we got home Grandpa & Grandma came over for a little fun. Then Cara graciously let us invade her home for more yummy food, joyous company, & playtime.

Look at those curls!

Aren't you a smidge big for that?

Tasty toe lint...

"Baby Jonathan is FUNNY, Mom!"

Mom & Dad Fr. Jon & Taylor

The Birthday Boy

Cara & Jonathan

Yes, I was practically hiding under the table to get this shot of Teresa with Grandpa. =]

Happy Easter!

May the joy of Christ's resurrection fill your spirit everyday.