No AC - day four

We are waiting on our second quote to fix our AC system now and we are certainly uncomfortable, but it is not unbearable by any means, yet. The weather has been strangely mild for July so far, and through our AC deficiency, but I hear it's supposed to be in the nineties today and that may be the start of more discomfort. We'll keep you updated. My personal goal is to be up and running by the weekend. Here are more cute pictures of the kids!

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Summer of 09

Hello - it's been a while. I believe I've somehow lost my ability to write complete sentences, or express complete thoughts. My blog has been reduced to a few photo posts a month. If Rowan is reading this ten years from now, please know that I love you as much as I do Maureen. The second child always gets the shaft when it comes to photos, home movies and journals.
This has been one interesting summer for sure. We splurged this year and got our yard (everything) landscaped -- it looks nice, but it was expensive. And now I have to water everything constantly to keep from killing our investment. And, as luck should have it, our air conditioner went out. Because it is an old unit, we need to replace it. And because our furnace is so old, it can't accommodate a new AC, so we need to replace that as well. It's turning out to be a very expensive summer.
The kids are great, though they can be trying at times (surprise, surprise.) Maureen is a trip for sure. I don't think she's worn a pair of shorts all summer; everything has to be a dress. Totally immersed in princess-ness, she is always decked out in pink, and wants to watch Sleeping Beauty constantly. She has a special CD with twelve princess songs that she wants to play non-stop - those songs are ingrained in my head for ever, I'm afraid. Her latest thing is for you to retell her princess stories and she'll act out parts as the main princess. And she gets really pissed if you deviate from the actual story. If there's anything that I learned from Dora the Explorer, it's that kids need repetition in their lives.
Rowan is still on the verge of walking. He's been creeping for a good couple of months, and seems sure footed enough to stand and stay stable. It's only a matter of time now. He's still obsessed with playing with balls (the athletic type, not his own - though I'm sure that's to come too.) He is eating less of the baby food and more people food (which will help us save money!) He has stopped breast feeding and on to milk -- he will drink real milk and formula. I want to start pushing him into drinking all milk because that formula is super expensive (you see a theme here, eh?)
I just heard a peep over the monitor - I think it's time to start the day.

Zoo - July 18

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Vacation shots from Emerald Isle 09

Mojo's 1st 3D movie, Up

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Rowan's Birthday Party Movie

Flock of Seagulls Morning

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A poem by Maureen

Did I ever tell you how smart my little girl is? I recited this little rhyme three times, and noticed she was really listening to me. Then she recited it with me two times. Then she had it. This video was shot soon after. Mind you, it's no Preamble to the Constitution, but it just blows me away how quick she is.

Oh, and here's another cute photo of Rowan. We are gearing up for his first birthday party this Friday (actual birtday is the 25th). My, how time flies!!

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First steps in taking steps

Caught on film yesterday, June 11. Exactly two weeks before his first birthday. He may beat the one year walking deadline yet. Though there's no penalty for missing the deadline.

Four years

Kristin and I celebrated our fourth anniversary last Thursday. We were supposed to go out to dinner, but due to a sick Mojo, we celebrated at home. Part of the festivities was popping in the video my sister Chrissy shot at our wedding. We haven't seen in at least a year - maybe more. The thing that struck me throughout the video was how much change has happened since 2005. We made several comments about guests who are no longer with us now, but looked perfectly healthy back then. We also made several comments to Maureen about which of her friends or cousins were either "still in their mommy's belly" or not yet born. Some of our good coupled friends are now singled. It's a different day for sure.
But, this was the start of it all for us. The start of building what we have today - two wonderfully unique children, a nice house in a great neighborhood, a love that is still going strong. Some bumpy patches along the way, but nothing that can't be easily worked through.
Four years doesn't sound like a long time, especially as I make through my forty-first year - but it really makes you think when you look around to see the product our love, hard work and dedication.

Photo recap

Here are some photos from a few weeks ago that I discovered on our camera:

Pretty girl 2

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Pretty girl

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Evening at the park

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Happy B-Day Papa Paul

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Happy Friday

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May Day

Yet another nice family weekend. Mojo's friend Poppy came over Friday night with her parents, who are always equipped with good wine. We ordered and enjoyed take-out from Cafe Lou Lou's while the girls played, and watched TV, and argued over the same toy that Mojo hasn't touched in months. Saturday brought an exciting Preakness that we watched at the Board's home, and we had Ethiopian food afterward. I think the food brought mixed reviews from the Ethiopian first-timers at best.
Sunday afternoon was spent at the Huber Family Restaurant with my family; family style country food with all the "fixins". The kids got to play in the elaborate, farm-themed playground afterwards (see photos below). Prior to going to Huber's, Mojo spent part of the morning at Cousin Claire's house, and her Aunt Mickey and Uncle John drover her out to the restaurant; where she had her own personal viewing of Mulan. Driving in the car will never be the same for her again.
Kid Report:
Rowan - is pulling himself up to standing position (with support). Everything is "ball" - and he says it at least 150 times a day. When upset, give him a ball and he will be satisfied. He also started eating Cheerios yesterday, and can't seem to get enough. Though he falls asleep (unwillingly) in his own bed, he manages to make it into ours by midnight, and wakes up at 3am, and then again at 5am. We need to break him of this soon.
Maureen - never ceases to amaze me. Her vocabulary is excellent - she devours books. She continues to test her boundaries with us and is very outspoken. She can be sweet one moment, and thoroughly rotten the next; but always cute as a button. We've noticed she is trying to do more and more on her own, independently, instead of relying on us. She can still whine with the best of them.
I know early on in this blog I had problems understanding how I could love a second child as much as the first. Now I know. It's the person you love, not the number.
Our weeks continue to be crazy, but there is some respite on the horizon with Memorial Day being a week away.