and this is why he deserves the father of the year award

 

Mia's Sunday morning puppet show. Attendance was mandatory.

 

What could be a better way to wake up on Saturday morning??

She is the sweetest.

 

While the neighbors away...the kiddies will play!

 

Baby Eva

 

Welcome baby Eva to our family. Mia was amazed by Eva and talked about her the whole way home. She wanted to know where the hole was in her mommy that fed Eva.

 

Since Dennis and I will be in assisted living when the girls are 10...

I’m starting to create video diaries for the girls. I imagine mia and maz watching these pieces when they are older. It is my hope anyway. Dennis and I both have few pictures from our early years. Being the 3rd born on my side and the 8th born on his side, we understand why and it was just a different time then. Here is the first 6 months since Maz’s arrival. Enjoy!

Is it me??

Maybe I'm old fashioned but Mia and Maz have a favorite CD they like to have in the car when we are driving. The first song, I'm a Little Teapot, is very familiar to me-but the second song is one of the oddest childrens songs I've ever heard. I found myself singing along to the catchy tune but the words are a little much to take in. Whatever happended to the songs with a happy ending. I mean, Heaven didn't even want this dead person!



Found a Peanut

Tune: Clementine
Written By: Unknown
Copyright Unknown

Found a peanut, found a peanut,
Found a peanut just now,
Just now I found a peanut,
Found a peanut just now.

Cracked it open, cracked it open,
Cracked it open just now,
Just now I cracked it open,
Cracked it open just now.

It was rotten, it was rotten,
It was rotten just now,
Just now it was rotten,
It was rotten just now.

Ate it anyway, ate it anyway,
Ate it anyway just now,
Just now I ate it anyway,
Ate it anyway just now.

Got a stomach ache, got a stomach ache,
Got a stomach ache just now,
Just now I got a stomach ache,
Got a stomach ache just now.

Called the doctor, called the doctor,
Called the doctor just now,
Just now I called the doctor,
Called the doctor just now.

Penicillin, Penicillin,
Penicillin just now,
Just now I took Penicillin,
Penicillin just now.

Operation, operation,
Operation just now,
Just now an operation,
An operation just now.

Died anyway, died anyway,
Died anyway just now,
Just now I died anyway,
Died anyway just now.

Went to heaven, went to heaven,
Went to heaven just now,
Just now I went to heaven,
Went to heaven just now.

Wouldn't take me, wouldn't take me,
Wouldn't take me just now,
Just now Heaven wouldn't take me,
Wouldn't take me just now.

Went the other way, went the other way,
Went the other way just now,
Just now I went the other way,
Went the other way just now.

Didn't want me, didn't want me,
Didn't want me just now,
Just now they didn't want me,
Didn't want me just now.

Was a dream, was a dream,
Was a dream just now,
Just now it was a dream,
Was a dream, just now.

Then I woke up, then I woke up,
Then I woke up just now,
Just now I woke up,
I woke up just now.

Found a peanut, found a peanut,
Found a peanut just now,
Just now I found a peanut,
Found a peanut just now.

Mazlin is a giver

Mia's story time about the big bad guy (I think)

Maz + Mia

 

Happy colored egg day

 

Mazlin's first snow experience

Leave it to the sisters

I realize more and more how not so different my sisters are to me. I mean, I am the only liberal vegetarian in the family and Dennis is the only brother-in-law that wears capri's...but all of that aside they know me like no other. The history we have makes the laughs a little louder and the silence a little more unbearable. I don't go more than a couple of days (usually) without checking in with one of them. I can't get much past them and they definitely call me on things within a second. They really are the funniest women I know (with the exception of a couple of extremely funny friends)

Okay sisters, so maybe I am having a hard time separating from Mia (2 dance classes and 3 school tries later--thanks for reminding me)

It was so easy when she was little and couldn't tell me how much she didn't want to go. I know. I know. I'm working on it. And yes, I am prepared for her to live with me for the rest of her life. In my estimation that will only be 10 more years before I hit retirement and she hits double digits.

Mazlin's way of dancing

I know the video is dark but this is a snapshot into how hilarious Mazlin is. She is either so extremely shy that she squints her eyes shut when someone is looking at her or she talks nonstop.

The best pictures

 

Cooking with Mia

 

Oh, Jameson, This wind is ruining my hair do!

 

A BEAUTIFUL day in the Lou'

 

We are expecting 6 inches of snow tomorrow. Yesterday was an amazingly beautiful day that made you want to go home throw the windows up and get out the Pinesol and bleach (well, maybe not everyone)but it is my way of celebrating!

Mia and Dennis hit the park with Mia's uncle Pat, aunt Kathy and cousin Jameson. Mia and Jameson play so well together. He was such a little gentleman--he gave her his hat to keep her hair out of her eyes.

Mazlin and I took a little nap. I didn't want her to feel bad so I was compelled to join in :)

I was tired after all that cleaning.

A perfect evening

Tonight was one of those nights where the stars aligned. The house is clean, the checkbook balanced, the wine is poured, Radiohead is piping through the walls and both kiddies are sleeping soundly. I’m making a concerted effort to be more present with the girls and with life in general. It seems the hours turn into days and the days turn into weeks and…well, you know the story. Mia asked me before she went to bed if I liked my bones. Hmmm. Never really thought about that one but now that I think about it, I love my bones. They’ve done a great job so far. No breaks or fractures and they get me where I’m going every day.

Thanks, Mia. For showing me how I’ve been taking my bones for granted. Did I tell you how much I also love pinot noir? Next time. Here is to staying fully present.

The Hous of Mia + Maz

LuLu + Mia

 

We had such a great visit with Elizabeth and LuLu. The weekend was filled with great conversation and hours of just watching the girls play together knowing this will be a life long relationship. It meant so much for them to make a special trip to see us. Elizabeth and I both promise to do this at LEAST once a year.

Two peas in a pod

 

 

The pod that takes you to the top of the arch

 

The top of the arch

 

Yes, the window is that small

 

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Mommy did the exact same thing last weekend in Chicago with every sip of my apple martini.

Mia does public television

 

Today Mia's cousin in-law (Kathy) invited us to the studios of Channel 9 for a Kids Club commercial. Mia was hilarious. The producer started to introduce herself to the room full of people and Mia yelled out, "Hi, I'm Mia and this is my mommy."

That's my girl always looking out for her momma.

To share (or not)

This is Mia's way of sharing. Notice how Maz just gets a quick skim of the cupcake. Poor Mazlin.

 

Mia hearts Ed-may

 

Mia LOVES edamame. We thought it was just a fluke the first time we introduced her to this fun food. She literally eats almost the whole box. Now if we could just get her this excited for sesame tofu.

Our girls

 

I'm not sure how it happened but every night after dinner we move into the living room and start playing and dancing (you should see Dennis do a mean soft shoe to 'Do You Know The Muffin Man?')with the girls. It is becoming my favorite part of the day. I've learned that expanding your family is an adjustment that takes time and I was more prone to think of all the harder parts at first. Dennis, being the old man in the shoe, didn't seem to have the same struggles. That is why I love him. I was away last weekend and it was the first time I've been away since Mazlin arrived for more than one night and I missed them very much. This is our little family and we all found our place and our routines and I can honestly say it is perfect to me. It just took a little time...

Mia brings it home

Mazlin Liliana McGrath

Dear Mazlin

You are such a little joy. Your daddy and I were just talking about how much you've brought to our family. You were such a quiet little soul upon your arrival(understandable)but lately you have come into your own. You are so funny and full of life. Nothing makes me happier than to watch you and Mia laugh together. Well, saying ma ma instead of da da makes me pretty happy.

We are very very lucky to have you!

Mommy+Daddy+Mia+ZeZe

Where's Mazzie?

 

Mazlin turned into a Macaw while I was in Chicago this weekend.

A little mommy time in Chicago

 

Mi Amigos-

Thanks for a great weekend! It was perfect and I look forward to next year. Maybe we should switch to a warmer destination next time around.