Fiddling with MJ in the Johnny Jump-Up makes for a great way to burn some energy at the end of a long day. Gotta love her squeals.

MJ turns 6 months!

So...today Meredith turned 6 months! Crazy how time has flown!! And, she has grown and changed so much. :-) From a new born babe - tiny, weak and unknowing....to a healthy, strong, and highly observational kid! Just 6 short months. It's amazing and we love her sooooo much!

One of the things we've grown in knowledge the most as parents, is in understanding her cries (still her most used form of communication) When she was first born she pretty much cried if she was tired or hungry. Now...(on the other hand)...her cries could mean any (or all!) of the following:

> I'm really hungry, so get a move-on, Mama!

> Get me out of this crib, NOW!

> Where are you guys?

> I hate this toy!

> I have a load for YOU to change, NOW!

> Can you get me out of this house for once?!

> When is Dad going to come home?!

:-) Happy 1/2 Birthday, MJ.

XOXO love, your Daddy and Mama

Rescuing a goldfish from his fate

Last Thursday, we took a family trip to the Pet Store after deciding that we should get pet fish. It's our first step toward owning a cat or dog someday and seems like a failsafe way to try our care of an animal without much financial risk (I mean, if it doesn't work out, we won't have a difficult time paying off the 27 cent debt on our credit card).

Once at Petsmart though, we realized we were embarking on a mission to rescue a fish from an awful fate - being feed to other animals! I guess people don't actually come to buy the small goldfish to have as pets, and the fish seemed to know it. As the store helper was diving in for the catch, this is what ensued...

All 436 goldfish: "Swim, Swim!!!! The lady coming for the kill. Don't be caught!"

Bob (as we later named him) singing to himself: "Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo...bloop"

All 436 goldfish: "Hey look! Bob is lost in his own dreams again. He's sooooo dead meat!"

Bob: "Oh, rats! That was the net of death. I've been snookered into it. That must be what the other fish were yelling about, but who can hear anything when you're underwater."

All 436 goldfish: "Sucker. Should have been paying attention...hahahaha"

Meanwhile, in on the other side of the tank, we were discussing the mortgage the store clerk was trying to con us into through buying everything from a underwater house, plants to float above, and special medication for our fish in case he gets sick!! Ok, I'm exaggerating, but buying a small fish can turn into quite an investment if you're not careful.

Anyway, we secured what we needed to give Bob Foober (his full name) a comfortable life (i.e. food) and made our way home to introduce him to his new world. And that is where Bob gets the last laugh. While he was being made fun of at the pet store for getting hooked because he was dreaming of loftier thoughts, they are the ones to eventually become someone else's meal. Bob now has a cool bowl all to himself, food, lots of love, and his life to dream away.

Meredith giving Mama kisses!

This video captures one of the first times MJ gave me kisses. (just last week!) She's getting better and better at it everyday.

Slobbering, wet, mouthy kisses...my favourite! :-)

Arts & Craft Fair and the Whoopie Pie Festival!

Last weekend we went to the annual Whoopie Pie Festival in Strasburg, PA. What a day! :-) Jane and our friend, Sherry Clippenger set up a booth in the arts and crafts area there, and we all hung out together for the day. It was a gorgeous day and a fun time spent with good friends. :-)

The Whoopie Pie events kept us laughing and eating throughout the day....

Setting up - as you can see, I'm doing some last minute price tags and labels!

Sherry Clippenger does AMAZING quilted wall hangings. love, LOVE her turles and flowers! soooo creative. :-) And, in this photo you can see Erik's wooden teethers - sealed with beeswax. They were a hit and too cute to pass up!
I made a few clutches to see if they would sell...one happy customer, anyway. maybe the next show they will be more popular...??

Sherry and I had fun putting together our "tree" to hang our ornaments. Wax molded ornaments by Sherry and cloth birds and houses by Jane.

my cards and a bird's nest tea towel...and Sherry's jazzy turtle!

The completed booth! :-) Isn't it pretty?!the line of vendors
MJ was great during the day...and especially enjoyed her time with Mr. and Mrs. Clippenger (her new best friends!).

And...of course we had to try a few whoopie pies while we were there. wowzers!

pumpkin and cream cheese filling - yummy!!

MJ's First Food!

It has begun....

This morning, Tuesday, September 21st - dressed up in her "party animal bib" and her "hungry caterpillar sleeper" - Meredith took her first bites (well, slurps is more like it)!!

Woohoo!! Banana and Rice cereal is a winner! She is a fan.

She was pretty hesitant and unsure at first (see the video in a post to come), but she warmed up to it and nearly finished the whole bowl. Well done, MJ. :-)

So...now we enter yet another season of life. Eek.