Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday! Number thirty-four. Since it's too early to have any photos of today's celebrations, I thought I'd share some shots from our most recent mowing adventure.

 Without my 'phones.

 And with.

No photos, Mom. I look ridiculous!

Sacrificing the cheeks for the hearing. 

Happy 34th, Dad!

Windy City

Last weekend we took our first non-grandparent-related trip. Where'd we go? To visit Charlie, Karyn, Ed and Baby Kruschka in Bucktown. Highlight? The Shedd Aquarium.  

Thanks to Karyn for the family shot - even if Maizey looks less than pleased.

"Maizey, look at Mom! Charlie, look at Dad! Look at Mom! Over here! CHEESE! Come on!"

FISH!

So much to look at. 

And touch.

Like this sucker fish.

And this sucker fish.

And these jellyfish.

And this silly dad.

Another family shot - FAIL.

Chillin' on the ledge with my new bf.

More fish!

Watching the penguins with Mom. Takeaway? Not so exciting.

Dads.

And dolphins.

And Moms.

In the past, visits to Chicago entailed brunch, shopping, napping, dining, drinking and repeating. Now?

The aquarium followed by a few rounds of "Wheels on the Bus." Oh how times have changed...

But we did get a night out.

Thanks to babysitter Kelly.

It was a great weekend.

 We'll be back!

 (A super big thank you to the Kruschkas for hosting. Great food. Comfy accommodations. Wonderful company. We can't wait to meet Baby #2!)

Nine months well

For some pre-May Day fun, we took an early-morning family trek to Dr. Ada Kendall's office at Providence Pediatrics for my nine-month well visit (and an ear infection check up).

(A little bird told me that this was a vaccine-free visit.)

 (Pre-check reading.)

(Head: 18 inches = 90th percentile.) 

(Length: 28.75 inches = 90th percentile.)

(Sitting-Up Weight: 19 pounds, 15.4 ounces = 70th percentile.)

I was so good Dad let me play with his coat.

Mama summary? Maizey is doing great. The doc said she is obviously a "very happy" baby. She is still dealing with a mean ear infection in her right tube. She has three teeth fighting to get through her top gum (one already broke free). And she has a very sore looking yeast diaper rash.  Yet she continues to ham it up for anybody who catches her eye. Love, love, love my crazy baby.

On the move

Army crawling for a month. Regular crawling for a week and nothing can stop her now. Last weekend, BANG, on her nine-month birthday, Crazy Miss Maizey crossed over to the dark side. Will and I fear for our sanity. And our marriage. 

  

Refreshment following a hard day's explore.

She's not walking but pulls herself up on anything and everything - my leg, Kip's ears, the toilet - and when you redirect her she delivers an eardrum piercing howl.

We are feverishly baby-proofing the house.

Not to worry though. She's a great helper. Today's example? While I was installing the cabinet locks, she crawled into the cabinet and pulled out the toaster. On Monday, she started climbing the stairs.

Where-o-where did our lovely little angel go? *sigh*

Fore!

Last summer I spent umpteen weekends hauling Miss Maizey around golf courses... 

...in-utero. We even had a golfing baby shower.

So it's probably not surprising that last weekend we hauled Maizey to our favorite Par 3 course, Glenlore.

She even hauled our extra balls.

For her first time out, she handled nine holes like a champ. 

And took the game very seriously.

Many thanks to the course for letting us take the stroller on the fairways! We'll be back.

Shopping shopping shopping

I love to shop. 

 Why? 

Because I can flirt with all the other people in the store.

Play with odd toys. And ride casually in the cart...