Here, there, everywhere

It has been a while since I have posted but no where near the 2+ weeks that my friends have taken between their posts. (you know who you are!)
Oliver is a wild child. He is everywhere. He pulls himself up on everything! He really makes me nervous when he is near the fireplace as that is all marble tile and I am soooo afraid of him injuring himself. Michael and I have discussed padding the fireplace and the slate table with foam around the corners to protect him until he gets a little older. So please understand our new decorating techniques if you happen to visit after we have baby proofed those items.




I was supposed to start class to be a dealer yesterday. I had to drop as I have no solid child care. I would have needed someone everyday from 7:30 am -12:30 pm. For 10 weeks. I am a little bummed that I didn't get in on the first round of dealers, but I am confident that when the time is right to take the classes, I will do well and have no problems passing the auditions. I will try again to take the classes when Brady goes back to school. I don't think I will ever feel like I can return to Northwest Airlines. In fact, the very thought of leaving for 4 days and having no control over delays, rescheduling, angry passengers, or moody co-workers make me sick to my stomach. Not to mention, missing my babies!

PS. I have a secret. I very exciting secret. I will not share it until the person it is about decides to share it first. I am certain that you will be a thrilled as I am!

Michael's tie

Miss Brady made a tie for Michael for Father's Day. It is one that she got to design and color herself. She was delighted when Michael wore it to work this morning. I think it may have even trumped the new cell phone and minnow trap that he received because it was made with so much love. She put his name on it and also wrote, "I love you," on the inside of the tie. What a sweet girl!

Happy Father's Day!

First, a Happy Father's Day to my dad, Preston. I wish we could see you today but hopefully it will be soon! I love and miss you. Second, Happy Father's Day to Michael. Enjoy the day and enjoy that baby boy who adores you. Third a Happy Father's Day to all those who are waiting to be fathers and all the fathers who can't be with their little ones today.
Merl and Mini Merl:

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to the late Thomas A Haymond. It would have been his 81st birthday. He used to convince my sister that people put the flags out on June 14th for his birthday. It wasn't until years later that she understood it was for Flag Day.
Also a Happy Birthday to my little Oliver! He is 7 months old today.

All by himself!

Yep. You read that right. He did this all by himself today. I had put him the crib and was doing something when Brady said, "Mom, look at Oliver!" We watched him at the side of the crib, pull himself up on his knees and then go to his feet. Just like that. He was pretty proud of himself. No. He was more than proud. He really thought he was hot stuff. So it happened just once. He still has a long way to go before it happens on a regular basis. I figure there will be a perma-bruise on his cheek until he gets it right. My mother said walking is right around the corner if he is already starting to stand up. I am not so sure. Brady didn't walk until after her first birthday. I am editing this to add that he is pulling himself up regularly. He woke up in the middle of the night and I found him standing in the crib waiting for me! Yikes.
Tomorrow Michael is hosting a fishing tournament for Belmont Tech. Brady is entered and we will go spend the day trying to catch a fish! I am sure there will be many photo ops so hopefully I will remember the camera.

Oliver and friend

Crawling has been going well. He really moves all over the place now. He can pretty much get his hands on anything in sight. The books will be taken off the shelves today. Oliver's toys will take their place. Oliver got his hands on Brady's barbie this morning. I can't wait for Daddy to see these pictures!
I am not in much of a writing mood today. But I wanted to post the photos of Oliver and Barbie.

Graduation day

Brady graduated from kindergarten today. They had a short ceremony where the kids got their report cards and then a certificate of completion of kindergarten studies. She was also awarded recognition for missing less than five days of school all year. It was really a bitter sweet moment. She is off to first grade and then before you know it I will be whining about her being off to middle school, high school, etc..
The summer is upon us. I now have to organize her summer activities and get all of her camps straight. I think she is going to do, two soccer camps, a cheerleading camp, nature camp, and art camp.
Oliver is pretty much sitting up on his own. And I mean he pushes himself into a sitting position. I walked into the room and found him sitting up and holding onto the crib rails. It was really cute, but I immediately had to drop the mattress so he couldn't stand and fall out!

Guess what?

Here is a test! Do you know what this picture is? Do you remember those mystery pictures from when you were younger? It was a real close up picture and then you had to guess what is was. It was usually a tennis ball, a pencil, or maybe a guitar.
Well, if you guessed Oliver's head that is growing hair you are RIGHT! My baby boy is finally getting a little hair. I like to spike it up with a little lotion.
I had Brady's official birthday party on Saturday. It was the party that was for the girls in her class at school to come to. I invited 12 girls. Only 3 showed up! Apparently their parents don't know what RSVP means! I was sad and angry. Brady didn't seem too upset. It may have been because her Daddy got her Heely's. That seemed to take the sting out of not having anyone show up. Next year I told her we would take a few friends on a great outing, like the Pittsburgh Zoo or Chucky Cheese. I will not waste time or money again and invite people who don't even have the courtesy to say they aren't coming. Ok. Enough venting.
Only two more days of school left and then my baby girl will be a first grader! sniff..sniff...

Such a big boy!

Oliver has been getting his first attempts at self-feeding. His pediatrician told me to let him try to use a sippy cup a few times a day. I have also been giving him Zwiebeck toasts. I know that some people may think he is too young to have these already but I sit right beside him while he eats them just to make sure that he doesn't bite too much off. He LOVES them. He absolutely mauls them. And I am sure they feel pretty good on his gums while he works those top teeth in. I do take it away and give him a fresh one when it gets too small and he has a fit because I took it away. As for the sippy cup, he gets the concept but still needs to figure out that he needs to tip his head back to drink it. He pretty much needs to be hosed down after one of these sessions, but they sure are fun!