First stuffed hippo to summit Everest!

Boy, does Appa get around! (For those of you who I have already confused, "Appa" is Rory's stuffed hippo friend. This is how she said "hippo" when she was smaller. And now look at what he has accomplished!!)

A few funny photos

I am on a downloading spree these days! Here are some recent pictures for amusement purposes (if any is to be found ;->).

Pictures include:

Craig's birthday cake (which Rory helped decorate - "Happy birthday Magaggie!" for all you Simpsons fans out there)

Craig blowing out his candles - what cheeks! And nice candle, eh? I couldn't find the pack I bought for the occasion, so I plucked one out of a Waterford crystal candlestick for the festivities. Nothing but class.

Fiona passed out in her chair after lunch one day (with Nana in the kitchen saying, "So, would be be better for the baby to sleep in her chair or in her bed?" And then I noticed Fiona asleep... hah!).

Both sweet girlies on my lap for a little bedtime reading. I love these moments!! Except when my legs start to fall asleep... kidding!

And finally, Rory at her good friend Jordan's third birthday party this past weekend. Jordan and Craig share a birthday! He was 39 when she was born. Ouch. =>

Fiona is 15 month old!

A few days late, but just as sweet!

She was freshly bathed and on her way to her 15-month appointment. She weighs 30 pounds even, is 32 inches long, and has a huge head (just like the rest of us!). Growing like a weed!!

Fiona talks up a storm, and says the following: hippo, doggie, mama, papa, daddy, Rory (barely intelligible - not an easy name to say), Digit, kitty, ball, purple, teacher, bubble, SpongeBob (not kidding), apple, and many other words. She has to talk a lot to keep up with the rest of us chatterboxes, I suppose! She eats well, sleeps well, and laughs often. She and Rory fluctuate between playing together, playing separately, and battling for things (luckily, this one doesn't happen so much... yet).

We love Fiona!

Happy birthday to Harv!

Craig turns 42 today - the same age as the Super Bowl - and he looks better than ever!

Kinda hard not to love him and hate him for that, you know? =>

Nana arrives!

To much joy and fanfare, Nana (Craig's mom) arrived today from the Vineyard and the girls haven't stopped smiling since. Fiona, that conniving little thing, even let Nana change her diaper without spazzing out on the table, a trick she does with us all the time. Grandparental magic, I call it!

Nana is rapidly kicking all of us to the curb on Saturday to attend the Preakness. How cool - having never been to a professional horse race, I can only imagine how it must be to hear the thundering hoofs, to smell the dirt, to hear the neighing. To see all the drunken fools in the center. I can't wait to hear all about it, and I hope no horse gets injured. It is such a precarious sport.

Once Preakness Day is over, we look forward to many fun and exciting days with Nana!

Little hands, big trucks!

Last night, we took Rory (who had puked in her father's car earlier in the afternoon) to see some BIG TRUCKS. The Herndon Public Works Department sponsored a week in which kids could climb, drive, and honk the horns of various vehicles. Rory was thrilled. She sat in bulldozers, mini diggers, a giant dump truck, and more. She sat in a dump truck scoop, even. It was amazing, and she could have stayed for hours!

They also had a working street light, upon which you could flip the switch and turn on each color, one by one. I enjoyed that more than anything! Plus, they gave out tattoos and plastic hard hats (we brought one home for Fiona, who loved it!).

Two girls, one swing

Had to do it before one/both of them got too big (or too unwilling!)

Current girl pictures

It has been a while since I posted any girl pictures, so here you go! Notice the drool flowing from Fiona's mouth. She is in a constant state of moisture - like the river Nile. And if that is the worst consequence of teething, so be it!

They are quite the willing subjects, typically. And since we take loads of pictures (way more than you see here, trust me), it is nice to have moderately cooperative children.

Beware of "The Tinkler"

This article is just TOO funny not to share!

Cinco de Mayhew #6

Can it BE that we have already been married for six years - and together for 14? That must mean we're old. => In the ensuing six years, we had two baby girls and invited a myriad of hair-giving cats to come live with us. What a great life!

Tonight, the non-furry members of the family are going to celebrate at Picante, a wonderful local Mexican joint. Mariachi singers and free tamales for all!