Couch Potatoes

So we've just finished dinner and we're kicking back in the den. I've decided I'm going to throw Michael in the tub and hose him down. And what's better than stripping down to your diaper before a bath? So Michael (and Maeve) decide to perform a celebratory dance on the couch with Dad. It's these simple things that give you pause and remind you that a really good time, is one bath away...

Homage to the Guttural Gods

My son has mastered the art of side-splitting guttural guffaws. And in case you haven't had the opportunity to experience it for yourself, I'm hoping this short video will give you a sense of what I'm referring to, although you'll have to discern a bit between Michael and the rest of the family's giggles. And yes, it's contagious...

Stealing Away

A few weeks ago, I decided to take my marriage by the reigns and kidnap my husband for a getaway weekend up to Maine. Thanks to the babysitting efforts of Mom, Dad and Auntie Jen, my dreams became a reality and the beautiful thing about it all is, Maeve and Michael were the ones who thoughts they were on a getaway weekend! We tried to keep things simple during our time up there but did nurse a couple of decent-sized hangovers our first waking morning in Rockland. After a rousing night closing out a couple of bars with Chris' cousins, Conan and Devan and their respective spouses, Heather & Herb, we took a leisurely walk around downtown Rockland, breathing in the sea air and soaking up some of the sunshine. After a visit to the Farnsworth Museum, we indulged a bit in the purshasing of some prints by Andrew Wyeth (my most favorite artist on the planet, right after my husband) and then got ready for a fabulous dinner at a gem of a restaurant called Cafe Miranda. If you EVER find yourself in Rockland, ME and you leave Rockland without having a meal at Cafe Miranda, I will hunt you down, kidnap you, put you in my car and drive you right back there (after making a reservation for two, because you will then have to share your dinner with me). Our lodging was provided by The Berry Manor Inn, one of the best decisions I've ever made and our hosts, Cheryl & Mike stopped at nothing to make sure our stay there was delightful from start to finish. Anyone who has never tried staying at a Bed & Breakfast before is missing out on a world of possibilities (and in a lot of cases, you're spending less money than you would at a hotel and getting much cleaner, better service). It was a bit more shopping on Monday before we headed back to Hanson to pick up our charges from their little "getaway." Now the only question left is, how soon can we get back there?

Good Art is Good Art

So my artist/husband is at it again, this time in the form of a t-shirt design. Always searching for a new outlet, new medium. Through a website known as Threadless, you can design your own t-shirt or poster which is then judged by the on-line community. If a design scores enough high ratings, the Threadless big wigs will print it. Once the decision is made to print it, it becomes available for purchase on the site. Unfortunately, visiting the site requires you to register (name, e-mail address...) but if any of you out there are willing to do it, Chris would certainly appreciate it! Just click on the word "threadless" in this blog entry. Hope you enjoy the site and Chris' design as much as I do...

Just Like it Was Yesterday - Six Years of Love Under Our Belts

And I say with conviction, my love is six times stronger than it was on that blessed day.

Michael's World

So I had some time on my hands (apparently) a week or so ago, and thought I'd take some photos from our little man's perspective: lying flat on his back on his exercise mat looking straight at the underbelly of a stuffed bug of some sort, the unbridled excitement of an approaching binky, waiting patiently, strapped into his car seat to jump in the car and tear up the town (AKA, run errands with Mom) and sharing sideways glances to his pal and bunk-mate, the cow:





Sing it if you know it (all you parents of toddlers that cringe while watching too many epidoes of Elmo's world);

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, Michael's World.

Can You Believe She's 3?

I'm a bit tardy in entering this log on our blogspot but time really does seem to be getting away from me these days. About 3 weeks ago, our little Maeve turned the BIG 3. Perhaps some of my delay in posting is because I'm still in denial that I've known her for 3 whole years (sniffle, sniffle). We kicked the birthday celebration off a little early and although there are any pictures to document it, we had a nice day on Saturday, March 14th made possible by Maeve's Gramp McNamara and Martha who spent time with Michael so that Chris and I could focus our attentions on Maeve. We took her out to lunch and then enjoyed a bike ride through Swan Point Cemetery with a bittersweet visit to Mom's grave. We told Mom all about Maeve turning 3 and shared with her our affections for Michael and our wishes that she could hold his plump little body securely on her lap while planting a big wet kiss on the top of his head. We realize how lucky Maeve is when we visit with Mom at Swan Point because she was fortunate enough to have received some of Mom's tangible love, both heard and felt. What an awesome gift to Maeve.

The festivities continued on the Ides of March in Hanson which WAS documented properly for posterity. Here are some shots below of the lucky Irish lass and her loot!

Birthday cake courtesy of Auntie Jen...



The real reason we're glad Maeve's birthday falls on St. Patrick's Day...



Some gift-giving/receiving snapshots...






No, this is not a duplicate photo of the birthday cake. It's a depiction of Maeve's idea of pre-dinner entitlement on her birthday. Her response to Auntie Jen when she was questioned about the act? "I was hungry." Clever little girl...



Not the most natural of smiles, but it'll do.



We love you Maeve. You're our big girl.