First Words?

"Ma Ma!" "Da Da!"

Cool Guy Leo

I was looking back at the blog and found a blog post from when Leo was 10 months old called First Words? After reading it, it is clear that Somerset's verbal abilities mirror what Leo was doing at 10 months old and she is 8 months old tomorrow. She has been sick all week and has been calling for "Ma Ma" when she needs me for comfort. Also, when she acknowledges Joe, she has been saying "Da Da." This truly amazes me because Leo was always so advanced verbally for his age. In no way do I want to make comparisons, but it is nice to have the blog as a reference.

Check out Leo's new sunglasses! He looks so mature with them on. The photos above reminds me of what Leo will look like at 25. What a little hipster.

R.I.P Miette (1997-2011)

Miette has been a special friend to our family for a long time. I adopted her as a kitten from the animal shelter and I chose her because she was very friendly and purred for me as soon as we met. She was always a charmer ans made friends with everyone she met. She seemed more like a dog than a cat.

When I first got Miette, I was a single gal. She knew me through my early/mid twenties and saw me through a lot of good and bad times. She was 3 when I met my love, Joe. Joe had a cat Mookie, so those two bonded and became best buds (although not at first).

After we married, Miette and Mookie moved across country in a moving truck with Joe when Joe and I went back to PA so he could finish is degree at Pitt. Joe said she meowed in every state they traveled through. She also came back with us to Oregon, Along with Mookie.

Once back in Oregon, Miette welcomed our baby boy Leo. She was always so gentle with him and never swiped at him, even though she had a million reasons too. She somehow sensed that she needed to be patient with him.

She was also sweet with Summy. Summy loved Miette and would try to grab and at her face, and still, Miette did not swipe. In fact, when we were all cuddling in bed together, Miette loved to join us for pets, she even welcomed the kid's pets.

She really was the greatest cat imaginable. We feel a great emptiness in our home since has been gone. Luckily for us, she purred until the last day of her life. She remained content, even though she knew it was her time to go. Her final day, she went into our closest and snuggled up against my clothes. Joe and I knew that the humane thing to do was to take her into the the vest. We all said our goodbyes and then she was gone.

Miette, I hope that you are enjoying all your favorite things in kitty heaven. I hope that you have a protein bar, a chicken breast and a bottle on ranch dressing. I hope that you are Mookie are frolicking about and having a great time. We love you.

Sick!

Over the last week, the whole family has been hit hard by a horrible virus. First it hit Leo, He was out of commission for a few days with fatigue, a cough and runny nose. He seemed to get over it fairly quickly. Next to get the bug was Joe, who felt uncomfortable, but escaped without too much damage. Unfortunately, Somerset and I were hit the hardest. I can cope, but seeing my baby have her first major illness has been difficult. She hasn't dealt with the pain well at all and her temperature has spiked to 103.4. Poor pickle. She has been so miserable the last few days and got up every hour or two last night, which was also horrible for a sick mommy. Both today and yesterday, she slept much more than usual and after her bath tonight, she was shivering. I felt so badly for her because I know how that feels. Well, she's crying again. We just can't seem to get her settled for the night. Wish us all luck!

Amazing Kids

Somerset now has enough hair for pigtails! How cute is that? Her new style really suits her too and she better get use to all the fuss mommy is going to make over her hair. It's just what happens when I have a baby girl!

Leo and Somerset continue to get along fabulously. Leo is constantly making Somerset crack up, which tells me 2 things: 1) Leo will be a class clown, because it is so important to him to make her laugh. 2) Somerset thinks that Leo is the funniest person in the world.

It really doesn't take much to get her to laugh when Leo is around. Leo makes silly sounds or jumps in front of her and she giggles like crazy. Also, he LOVES to make her smile. It is so endearing. The relationship they have is magical. These moments are the ones I try to remember vividly and bottle up in my memory bank, because even in the present, I realize how special they are. I sincerely think these two will get along forever. Mark my words. I have been accurate about each of their personalities from the day they were born and this isn't much different. My children will always love each other and I am the luckiest mom in the world!

Somerset seems to love music. She plays with her piano for great stretches of time, so even at this young age, we will nurture this in her.

Leo has always shown a passion for throwing, so I think he will excel at sports such as baseball and basketball. He was just born with such a strong desire to throw things and he has amazing aim. I Leo the next Chris Paul? Stay tuned!

7 Months Old

Dressed up for Date Night

I can't believe that my Summy bear is already 7 months old. This is going by way too fast!!! There is still a lot of babyhood and firsts to experience, but I already feel nostalgic about her earlier days. Somerset is now a confident sitter and she eats 1-2 times a day. She loves carrots, peaches, applesauce and bananas. She hates peas....who could blame her. She is also really enjoying visiting grandma at the gym and has all the little girls in love with her. She seems very entertained by just watching the other children play and doesn't give grandma (who runs the childcare department), a lick of trouble. She really is such a good natured baby. Even thought she is easy going, when she wants something, she is not passive. She has been this way since day one, and it makes me happy to know that she is determined.

Leo is really excited about the weather improving. He wants to be outside playing every chance he gets. He also asks a million questions about everything. He has been doing this for a while, but sometimes, he asks questions I don't know the answers to. Thank goodness for the internet to help me out. He's super excited for Easter, especially since it is a holiday that features so much candy. He has quite the sweet tooth.

Recently, Leo told Joe that he was, "falling in love with him." I love when Leo conveys a sweet sentiment, but is just a little off on how he expresses it. He is constantly saying, "I love Summy sooooo much." It melts my heart every time. She adores him too.

I have been working 2-3 shifts a week. It has been fun to get back into it and I am thrilled that Joe is now confident with both kids. What a good daddy!

I also have started getting some amazing bargains. I follow a site called Thrifty NW Moms, and the site explains how to combine coupons to get stuff for free. I only get the things we need and only take advantage of one item at a time. I think the extreme couponers who clear a store of an item are greedy. It's been a lot of fun though!

Joe and I went on a date! Joe won tickets to see Ellis Marsalis, who plays jazz piano. It's not our normal musical genre of choice, but it was fun to get dressed up and experience something different. I am so thankful that we have my mom around to help with babysitting. We had a great time!

Rest in Peace Grammy Irene

Grammy Irene at our wedding in 2004

Million Dollar Smile

No sibling rivalry here!

Already proud of her accomplishments!

The brew master

Joe's Grammy Irene passed away last night. Having always been a woman of strong faith, we know that she is in a happier place. She suffered with dementia the last few years of her life and was often confused and scared. It is a relief to know that she is free from this pain and is now with her loved ones of past.

The last time we saw Grammy Irene was in May of 2010. We went to visit Joe's parent's for Aaron's HS graduation and Grammy was there visiting as well. We are grateful that we had the chance to see her one last time.

On a happier note, Joe's little mini-me (Leo), and my little mini-me (Somerset), continue to be the best of buds. For the first time this week, the sibs engaged in a full-blown game and it was the cutest thing ever. Joe was giving Somerset a bath and Leo was watching. Leo set up the soap container on the edge of the bath tub and Somerset would knock it over. Leo would laugh and then Summy would laugh! They did this over and over again and every time, the kids would laugh hysterically. Joe and I couldn't believe the cuteness.

Somerset also finished her first full container of baby food...carrots. I then rewarded her with a few tiny bites of ice cream. Poor little thing seems to be teething like crazy, so I thought it might help her gums too.

I started going back to the gym in the morning last week. Somerset did great in childcare, and I am sure it really helps to that her grandma is there to watch her. I am easing Somerset into childcare by having her go for 30 minute increments before checking on her. She also went to the church nursery for the first time today and did great. The volunteers had been begging me to let her stay for a while now and since she is now over 6 months, I figured it was time.

Joe continues to brew beer and is completely obsessed! He is becoming quitw the expert and enjoys the process and the finished product.

Portraits!

Look at my beautiful babies! I thought Leo's 3rd birthday and Somerset's half birthday would be the perfect time for a photos session. They are so cute!!!