"Here you go Joby"

As hoped, I received a disk in the mail (yes, the US postal service) this Wednesday with a series of cute videos. Here is Maureen feeding ice cream to her uncle Joe, or Joby as he is know in some familial circles. Thanks for the vid Chrissy!
Baby Dood is getting bigger and bigger and mama bear is getting more uncomfortable and anxious. She is big-time nesting now, preparing for the little guy. We have a full day of chores in store for us on Saturday, and we hope to enjoy the day together on Father's Day Sunday. With this preparation, I am getting pretty jazzed too.
I really think Maureen is putting the pieces together about a baby coming to live with us. The more she realizes, the more she wants to avoid the whole conversation. We're trying to talk with her and prepare her accordingly. We ask if she is going to help take care of the baby and give him hugs and kisses. She agrees quickly, and changes the subject quickly. I'm sure she'll need time and support through this whole process.
Have a great weekend. Be good people, and don't drive like my brother.

Papa Joe's Bday

You are never ready for your propane tank to go out on you. For yesterday's birthday party for my dad, the plan was for a BLT dinner for nine adults and two kiddos. To avoid the mess and smell, I was going to fry the bacon on my two-burner skillet outside. Well, if you are paying attention, you'll know where this is going. After frying up about thirty pieces of bacon in the kitchen the whole house smoked up and the place smelled like a Sunday Morning Cracker Barrel. But soon the guests arrived, the smoke quickly dissipated and we had a really nice party. My sister Chrissy took some fun videos that I hope to post soon.

As for my last post about the baby boy, no need for concern. I am very excited!

More on the Dood

I've been calling Baby Boy Dood lately, short for Maureen's idea of a name: Doodoo. It is becoming more and more of a reality that The Dood will be here soon. Am I ready? Good question.
Was I ready when Maureen was born? Definitely not. We both kind of adjusted to her. I think I'm in the same boat when it comes to Dood. I think we can handle the new baby part, it's the two kid dynamic that makes me uncertain. I'm sure we will just make it work.
It's weird though. Before Maureen was born, I had a sense of who she was. I guess, with the first child, you get so wrapped up in anticipation that you have this bond already in place. This new baby seems to be growing behind the scenes. At one point, I told Kristin that I sometimes forget she is pregnant. That went over well!
I know that I will love this new baby boy more than words describe. Watch this blog as I attempt to profess that love many times over.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS WEEKEND: Papa Joe's birthday party (here) on Sunday.

Happy Anniversary part 2

It was a happy anniversary indeed.

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 3rd anniversary! We are celebrating by showing our support for a free Tibet.

Namaste, y'all!

Growing pains

We went to Maureen's Aunt Kathy's birthday party yesterday, and there were quite a few kids there, closer to her kids' ages. Maureen is at a point where she wants to play with other kids, but still needs adult supervision most of the time and can't run as free like the older ones. A and G are great with Mo, but she just can't compete when there's running and throwing and fashion shows and giggling about tooties involved. So poor Mo is stuck with Mom or Dad looming over her. We may be a bit overprotective and could possibly give her a little more rope, but, until she can easily master stairs (a StairMaster?) and become sure-footed, we're not likely to leave her side.
Maureen certainly LOVES* her cousins A and G, talks about them constantly, and longs for any face time possible with them. She gets giddy at the mention of them. We are happy that she will be seeing her cousins often over the summer and hope that they will be very close throughout their lives. I realize though, that A and G are growing as fast as Mo is, and there will always be an age gap. But fear not because Baby Doodoo** is on the way. I hope that Mo is as loving and nurturing for Dood as A is for G.

*Mo also loves her cousin Claire, who is closer in age to her. We look forward to seeing the two of them become close friends as they grow together. And even though cousin APD lives miles away, he is a special entry in her nightly "Godbless-ings".
**DooDoo is Maureen's name for the new baby. I probably should not start with the nicknames (especially nicknames that relate to fecal matter) until he is officially with us.

New hit single

Oh, I just noticed I got the date wrong. Oh well.

Happy B-day GPP

Yesterday was Grandpa Paul's birthday, and Memorial Day (yes, he is a Vet). We spent the day at the track and had some bar-b-que (not bean soup) at our house for dinner.

Movie of the week

Karaoke with the Mojo

We went to a pizza joint with GMK, Kathy, Scott, and A&G tonight where they had family karaoke. A' sang Sweet Caroline with Kristin - a beautiful duet indeed! Maureen and A sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Not a dry eye in the joint!

The addictions of a 19 month-old

We received two Lovey security blankets as presents for Maureen's birth - one yellow duck lovey and one pink lamb lovey. We discussed using something like a security blanket as a comfort tool for Maureen so we immediately started putting Mo to bed with one of the two lovies and she took to it. Soon, she couldn't go anywhere without a lovey.
Once Maureen started to learn her colors, she began to differentiate between the two lovies. Each one developed its own personality and they were no longer interchangeable. She now cannot go anywhere without two lovies, which makes things more difficult for us. When, at one time we had a back-up lovey in the event that one went missing, we now have a situation where every lovey matters. I have become overly obsessive about keeping tabs on the lovies when we go out in public. So much so that I'm afraid my obsessive/compulsive behavior may have rubbed off on little Mo. And don't get me started on pacey.

Great people

I just received this wonderful shot of my mom's siblings and thought it was post-worthy. They are (from left to right) Cathy, Martha, Libby and John.

The Zoo

We went to the zoo this past weekend. I'll write more later.

Best of Mojo Show

Family photo

Update

We have less than a month and a half until baby boy arrives. Yes, he's still nameless.

Mother's Day 2008

Mother's Day this year was a good one (I hope!) It was a rainy cold day yesterday so we spent the day together in the house. The night before was a true test of motherhood (and parenthood in general) as little Mo could not sleep. The side-ways sleeping, rib-kicking monster wound up in our bed and managed to fall asleep around 7am. I think the sleep gods are using Mo as their instrument in preparing us for the arrival of Baby Boy (still no name) in less than seven weeks.

We spent the day playing, dancing to Down by the Bay (this song is part of our everyday life), eating, and napping - with a few chores thrown in for good measure. We picked up GGM Betty and went to GMK's house for further Mother's Day festivities. Kathy was there with her family, and we were able to Skype Carrie and Gabe in Seattle for a nice video conference.

I think I mentioned last year that I wish my Mother was still with us so she could enjoy her grandchildren. That thought was with me all day yesterday - she would have made a wonderful grandparent! I mostly feel lucky to have found my perfect mate, and a loving mother to my children. I love you Kristin!

SIDE NOTE: tonight we are going out on a date. Mo's Aunt Erin is babysitting while Kristin and I are going to see a concert by the Swell Season. Should be a fun night!

Cinco de Mayo

We forgot to celebrate Cinco de Mayo yesterday; no pinatas, no tacos, no sombreros. We did, however take a nice walk down our street yesterday as a family. It's the little things in life that matter.

Last night we lost one of my Aunts to cancer. Aunt Helen was my mother's sister in-law and a very funny, nice and caring person. She leaves behind a large and loving family. We are going to miss her very much!

Well, I need to go up and get Maureen - I hear her waking and singing the ABC song in her crib - she must be in a good mood! Have a great day.

Zoo Pics

Here are some pics from last Friday's trip to the zoo.

The Doll House

Derby afternoon at Grandpa Joe's house.