Kelly: Seven Months

Oh, Kelly Belly, you're getting too big too fast! I mean, you're too little to be doing this...

And this...

And this...

And most definitely this!

You're turning into a good little eater. So far you've liked but not loved most of the foods you've tried: sweet potatoes, peas, beans, bananas, pears, apples, carrots, avocados. I think sweet potatoes are your favorite. You LOVE to feed yourself with the "food bag" and always want a spoon in your own hand when we feed you.

You've gotten ticklish. You laugh when we get you under your chin and zerbert your belly.

You love to dance and definitely recognize the ABC song and Sesame Street's "Sunny Days."

And you're babbling up a storm. Ba-ba-ba-ba-BA!

Grammy's House

Well, nearly A MONTH ago, we made a trip to Cleveland to visit Grammy and Papa. Don't let the s-l-o-w-n-e-s-s of getting pictures posted fool you; we had a great time!

Shannon had a blast just playing at "Nammy's House." She really liked the cool wooden toy that you sent marbles cascading down... although I think my mom's grin was bigger. (I'm pretty sure she plays with it even when Shannon isn't there.)

Kelly on the other hand thought Abby was the best toy. She chased her all weekend. And succeeded in getting a huge handful of tail once. Thank goodness Abby is just about the sweetest dog ever.

Shannon also got to see a bit of Mommy's hometown, Chagrin Falls. Papa took her to feed the ducks, we went out to lunch at Yours Truly, and on Saturday morning we went to Mommy's favorite playground ever.

(I'm chuckling because I envisioned doing a separate post of the playground shots... that was when I wasn't six posts behind on this blog! Maybe someday...)

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Grandma Rose and Aunt Jo (out of town and sick, respectively) but we squeezed a quick visit with my cousin Joanna and her two cuties in on Friday night.

On Saturday we drove to Youngstown to visit Grandma Marge and "other Papa" (as Shannon dubbed him...I didn't have the heart to break it to her that he was the original). Papa was recovering from a nasty fall earlier in the week so we went to see him at the rehab center. We watched the first half of the ND nail-biter with him and the second half back at their house after a delicious dinner.

Thanks, Mom and Dad. All the "hanging out" was fun!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

So for those of you who haven't heard, I had the BEST birthday ever. Chris organized a massive surprise weekend full of twists and turns, special guests and various stops along the East Coast.

I didn't know anything until a few days before we left. And then, all I knew was that Chris and I were going somewhere for the weekend without the kids.

First stop: New York City. We met Mike and Hanna for dinner, saw Wicked, met Alexandra for drinks (going out at 11pm! when was the last time I did that?), drank coffee leisurely, strolled around Central Park, and enjoyed Mike and Hanna's new apartment in the Upper West Side.

(This isn't actually their apt, but it is the ONLY pic I took in New York)

I was shocked when Chris told me to pack up after lunch because we were headed out. (BTW, I had the world biggest suitcase because he would give me no clues about what kind of clothes/shoes I would need so we packed everything.)

Next stop: Boston. For years we've been talking about taking a trip but are always too busy with life, new babies, family obligations and not nearly enough vacation time. So this was a treat. Friday we spent poking around Back Bay and the South End, napping (for as long as we wanted!!!!!) and dining al fresco under twinkly lights in perfect weather.

After breakfast and a nice morning walk, we went back and got ready for the day. I was surprised by two knocks on our door: first, by Mike and Hanna and then, Monica. Chris had been coordinating with them for months. So we spent the weekend as a happy little group of five enjoying Boston's sights and fare.

We became a group of six for dinner on Saturday night. Samantha (one of my book club friends and currently a Bostonian) greeted us a the door... another great surprise Chris arranged! (Oops, no pictures with Samantha.) Another delicious meal with lots of laughing. Back at the hotel over a bottle of wine and dessert, Hanna dazzled us with her knowledge of all the Dugger children.

More walking and eating on Sunday, including finding 3 out of 5 of our names on signs...

...and a quick visit to the bar from Cheers.

(Mon comparing bellies with Norm)

We checked out of the hotel and said our goodbyes. And then, Chris revealed his final surprise. We weren't headed home because... we had tickets to see U2 at Foxborough that night. Wow! It was an awesome show.

If I knew turning 30 was going to be this fun, I would have done it years ago!

And as I've said many times already, THANK YOU CHRIS for planning such an awesome weekend!