Camera Funny Business

So I was downloading pictures from our time at the Taste of the North Country off the camera the other night. I thought I had downloaded all of the pictures from Mom and Abbie's visit and stored them in a special folder. Imagine my surprise when I found a dozen odd pictures I had no idea existed. They were taken in the big room in the back of our house. It's where Briar goes to listen to music very loud and "feen", which means 'spin.' Sean and I often surprise each other as whoever is not on Briar duty pops their head into the room and sees mad dancing, rapid spinning or crazy chase antics going on...better than a gym membership. It looks like Briar brought out a bit of the goofball in her aunt and her grandma. Witness the photographic evidence of big time goofing around.

Spinning with Grandma

Avery discovered her own kind of spinning while Grandma was in town. After having a spinning toy set in front of her Avery demonstrated remarkable hand eye coordination as she grabbed the rings. She had no issues whatsoever, that is until Briar came over and let her know in no uncertain terms that it was her toy. Grandma calmed things down and ended the tummy time with a huge smile from Avery as reward.

Goofin' and Lovin'

There's always a whole lot of goofing around and loving each other in our house.

All kidding aside though, look at Briar, she's just messing around...look at that pose-flirting even when she's not flirting.

Oy...life is going to be tough for Daddy. And I am beginning to think Avery is going to be a bigger flirt than her sister.

Can't Make It Up

That subject line could mean so many different things.

Can't make it up ---> assignment in class

Can't make it up ---> time lost over stupid stuff/people

Can't make it up ---> missed appointment

Can't make it up ---> things your kids do or say

Patterns on the wall from a prism hanging in a sunlit window = Freckles

Solid content of a soiled diaper depostied in toilet = Cookies

Freckle on my shoulder = Circle, boo boo, or 'nice and happy' (depending upon the day)

Briar continues to delight and amaze with her awareness of things around her, whether she is aware like we are or in her own special way.

It's My Blog

...and I'll shamelessly post photos of myself and the girls if I want to.

So it's been a while...thanks Pop.
I actually loved hearing that someone missed my entries. I apologize you suffered not seeing your girls. We're back! Not sure what happened, but I'll not waste another minute wondering about it.

We have made two trips to Gore for the gondola ride and both times had huge amounts of fun. Briar absolutely loves gathering rocks and sticks. Avery loves just about everything. She is so easy to be around.

Strap me in the Baby Bjorn?

Sure.

Bounce me on your knee?

Ok.

Cradle me in your arms?

N'kay.

Prop me on a cushion while you vacuum?

Absolutely.

The only condition is that you let me reach deep inside of you and take hold of your heart with a ferocity that won't ever let you look at me without feeling absolutely, 100%, totally and completely in love.

Sure!

Serious Upload Issues

This picture'll have to do for now.

Taken atop Gore this morning.

Waking Up With Avery

So here's a taste of mornings with Avery.

I get up, tiptoe to Avery's room, scoop her up and she immediately molds her body to mine. Her hands wrap around my shoulders, her little face nuzzles into my neck and her legs straddle me. We climb into bed next to Sean and she nurses for 15-20 minutes. Then I leave her to cuddle with Dad as I shower. Once I'm dressed I slip downstairs to make coffee and then go back for Avery. We come downstairs together, I fix a cup of coffee and she is either cuddling in my arms or being totally engaging as you'll see in the pictures. I thought going to work was tough a month ago, now it's excruciating because she is just so fun to be with.

Enjoy...we do.

September 11th

5 years ago Sean and I were signing the papers on our first place together in Boston. After that we drove to Logan for me to fly to Seattle. We were en route as the first plane hit.

Today we signed the papers on our first new car.

We were lucky, we didn't lose anyone, but how close we came was sobering.

Looking at our life now, our little girls, our house, the business, I hope that we have honored the chance we have been given.

It's hard to stay on track and always live each day to the fullest. I hope that with reminders like today, we will always remember what a gift each day together is. I think the best way to do that is by raising Briar and Avery with as much passion, patience, integrity and humor as we can.

Thank Goodness for Cameras

Ok girls. You know you've done it. You've been going along, enjoying your life, but maybe, just maybe you are kind of taking things for granted. Then one day,you look up and your husband, boyfriend, whatever has shaved/cut his hair/bought a new shirt and you find your eyes popping out of your head. Or you get a whiff of his aftershave/cologne/sweat and your stomach does somersaults. Suddenly you look at him differently and you realize, "Hey,he's mine. That guy picked me. And. He. Is. Mine." Something about watching Sean with the girls catches me off guard and makes me fall harder.
Something tells me I may catch hell for posting this shot...but I can't resist.


Ok, so I realize this shot may be too weird. I wasn't trying for arty. I just wanted to catch her in the mirror and I had to keep an eye on Briar and make sure she didn't use Avery as a stepping stone to get up in the chair.


Avery is absolutely exploding into the coolest little person. Today I had her on my lap as I finished an ebriefing for work and she literally put her hand on my chin, turned me to face her, grinned and planted a big old kiss on me.

Bath drunk.