A Day That Will Live in Infamy

Saturday, November 1, 2008. A day that will live in infamy. Libby Kate walked by herself with both parents to see it along with the grandparents.

She was and is so proud of herself. Now she is practically running everywhere. We have now had to invest in a baby gate. But it originally had been purchased by Shawn for another use. Just ask Katie, Jennifer, Mitch, or even the Jolly boys. But don't ask Shawn, you get a completely different version. I'll just say it includes a fireplace, string, temporary adhesive hooks, and the baby gate.

All For Fall

Libby Kate was discovering fall leaves for the first time. We have a gorgeous sugar maple in the front yard that turned bright yellow. She has a swing on the tree that she absolutely adores.

I wish I could have caught a pic of her face after she took this leaf out of her mouth. I'll just say she was highly disappointed and less than thrilled about that particular experience.

Ah, yes. One of her infamous looks, (she has so many). This one was intended for the neighbor's dog who was barking at the time. Libby Kate grunted and swatted her hand at it.

It doesn't get any sweeter. Actually it does, but this is all I had room for.

Fall Night with Jollys

What "fall night" would be complete without a 1 year old girly girl in a cowboy hat?

We ate chili and painted pumpkins. Libby Kate recycled her mini pumpkin she painted at Ms. Stacy's. Really all she was interested in was eating the paint.

Shawn's shirt made a great "smock". The neck hole hung off her shoulders!

We look forward to next year's Fall Night Aunt Jen!

It's Saturday Between the Hedges

Game day with Memuph and the crew

No, not the Dawgs (although they were playing), the Cowboys! There he is, in all his Pee Wee football glory! #56, but #1 in our hearts, GABRIEL!!!

Libby Kate just wanted to get down, "walk" around, and eat Cheechos (cheerios).

From what I saw of the opposing team's cheerleading platoon, I will not be allowing my daughter to participate. No I don't mean cheerleading squad. That would imply 10 or so girls. Platoon is more accurate considering there were actually 30 little girls. And they all had been taught to shake their rear ends to Ludacris, 50 cent, and Britney Spears. No thank you.

"Bedtime" at Tiffany's

Our Memuph from NYC doesn't spoil Libby Kate at all. My child has had one birthday and gets a present from Tiffany's. Yeah, you heard me, Tiffany's. Look at the infamous Tiffany box that my child could not be less interested in. She's more interested in her purple plastic telephone that goes with her Fisher Price Music table. Memuph gave her a pink polka dot piggy bank made in Italy. Memuph, I've had 30 (about to have 31), birthdays. Where's my Tiffany's? Where was my Tiffany's when I gave birth to your woobette and let you cut the cord? Any silver jewelry will do, Memuph. :)

Roughing It in the Mountains

So we took a mini "vaca" to Aunt Cathy's. Shawn and I went to the UGA game while Libby Kate spent the day with Aunt Cathy and Uncle Russ. These are pics from Auntie C's back porch. Poor Aunt Cathy and Uncle Russ have to wake up to this every morning. By the way, people don't trust mapquest when going to Demorest, GA. :)

More Birthday Fun!

Ok, so thanks to the Jollys we have a classic red wagon. Who would have thought that a childhood staple, without all the bells and whistles mind you, would cost $143? Yes, I said $143.

Birthday Fun!

I needed no instruction.

Stewart, Martha Stewart

You can call me Martha or Betty, which ever you prefer. Libby Kate's birthday was a success! We had a nursery rhyme theme. Mary's Little Lamb for a cake, Libby Kate's very own Pat-a-Cake, Sugar and Spice, The Muffin Man's muffins, courtsey of Nana Kaye's wonderful pumpkin bread recipe, which Libby Kate loves! It was highly important to me that a big deal was made of her birthday because Mom ALWAYS made a big deal of our birthdays. It was also incredibly important to me that I made everything myself because Mom did it so well, and did it out of love. I want Libby Kate to have the same kind of memories that I do with Mom.



Mary's adorable little lamb.
Libby Kate's Pat-a-Cake, made from Nana's very special homemade chocolate cake!

Walking to Gabriel
Opening presents. She was not very impressed with it I must say. She was of course more interested in boxes and paper than the thoughtful gifts. The boys were loving it though!

Bella Mia!

My name may be Irish, but I'm an Italian at heart! Here's to you, Nona, and Grandpap's spaghetti! Bon Appetite!




Ciao, Bella!

Baby Steps

So what better way to end the summer than by taking new steps, literally. Labor Day weekend, Libby Kate started walking with her ultra cool activity walker. Very exciting. It will surely be a day that will live in infamy; Libby Kate took steps, she swam, the Dawgs won, and UGA VII was introduced all in the same day. The avid Dawg fans in the fam might ask, "Does life get any better?" I say yes! Libby Kate has become very skilled in her walking capabilities, though she is still not as confident in walking by herself. She will walk with assistance. There is, however, a strict rule that no one is to practice walking with her while Shawn and I are not present, for obvious reasons. We would like that day to live in infamy as well!!

Here is the Nutster taking steps to Shawn. She was very proud of herself!
She made it halfway across the living room and hit a road block.
"Are you going to help Mom or take pictures?"
"I guess she's going to take pictures. Now what?"
She could not figure out how to turn around.
Another day with more play! Life is good!

Those Rough and Tumble Jolly Boys

So, Labor Day weekend, I think, Aunt Jennifer and the boys came to have one last swim while Shawn and Uncle Mitch went to the Georgia game. Unfortunately, in the swaree of getting sunblock applied, bags packed, cars loaded, getting lunch, etc, there are no pictures to commemorate the wonderful time had by all. Why? Who can think of a camera with all the previously mentioned responsibilities, three eager boys, a crawling/semi-walking baby, and two mothers who feel as though they have lost their minds? Once we remembered the camera, we didn't want to prolong the good time to go back and get it. We were perfectly fine with the fact that we would have to take mental pictures. That hasn't really worked out for me, how about you Jen? So, the pictures that follow are those taken after the day of fun at the pool and back at our house.

Daniel loves Libby Kate! He is incredibly sweet to her!

Gabriel reminds me of Jennifer when we were little. She always wanted to give lots of kisses and hugs. Gabriel loves to do the same with Libby Kate!
John Mark loves to play with Libby Kate and show her new things.
Here's the whole clan! Funny how Libby Kate is the one looking the most mischevious!

Until next summer my dears!

Excuses, Excuses

So, yes, I know it's been July since I've made a new post. But I have good excuses, believe me. Surgery, starting school, remodeling a bathroom, planning a very special birthday party, a job loss, medical issues with family members.....shall I continue? I think not.

Libby Kate has done a lot since July. She has started walking, not by herself though. She is talking more. She has 4 teeth. She laughs all the time. And the big issue is that she has discovered she can hit! Yes, sweet little Libby Kate, aka "Sugar Ray," has figured out how to take swats at people. We have tried everything, literally. She has even sat in time out at Ms. Stacy's. Yes, I said time out. She hates it. It's getting better, but not completely. Now that she has teeth, I'm a little concerned that she might follow suit with Memuph in the biting department. Hopefully not.
Sugar Ray also loves music. She claps and shakes her little bum. Quite amuzing. Since her parents are avid Office watchers, she has become familiar with the theme music. This always brings a smile and a head bob.
This was Shawn's Kermit the Frog, she's not real sure about it. But then again, is there anyone who can be sure of a talking frog/puppet? She's no dummy! Poor Kermit can never catch a break!
More to follow.....