O's Pool

So we decided it is a little easier to have our own inflatable pool at home instead of always getting gussied up for the big pool in the 'hood. She's in the shade and in a swim diaper. A little white trash and lazy but she doesn't care as long as she's in the water.


So what if I'm only in a swim diaper. It's cool.
Yep! Mom couldn't resist the mohawk...
Busy Mom! Can't look up...
Gotta concentrate on splashing...

Splish! Splash!

O's Big Pool Adventure

So we took Olivia to our neighborhood pool for the first time a few weeks ago. We got her all lathered up and off we went. She did great! In fact, she would much rather be out of her floatie "kicking and scooping" rather than be stuck just merely floating in it. She is a little fish which I am so happy about. I even dunk her before we leave the pool and she does not cry or anything. She thinks its a funny game. It's been wonderful weather here so far and we are trying to take as much advantage of the pool as possible. We want to show off her proficient swimming skills before her daddy comes home. Won't he be surprised:)
What? Am I supposed to use the sunscreen stick for something other than chewing?
I'm all ready Mom! Put me in the water...
So..what do you think of my new floatie? It helps me stay above the water AND has some cool toys on it too!
Smile big Mom! This is so much fun...
Look at me! I'm swimming without my floatie!
I'm all dry in my monogrammed towel! Thanks Aunt Debbie...It keeps me warm and dry.

Justin's harem

I know, I know. It's a pathetic picture but I thought it would be nice to give Justin one more post on the blog before he comes back. Here he is with the Philadelphia Cheerleaders that came to visit his camp. Of course, Justin had to be the one to initiate the conversations and picture taking with the girls. The best part of this picture (other than the s&*% eating green on his face) is the looks of longing from the other guys behind him. My husband, ever the one to make others feel welcome...Justin with his harem of Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders.

I'm out!

Below are two pictures of Olivia after her 8pm bottle. She fell asleep while drinking it and did not even wake up when I took her picture. She was so cashed. I carried her upstairs and put her in the crib without her ever opening her eyes. She looks so innocent and peaceful. Plus she just molds to me when I carry her upstairs to bed. These kinds of times have to be some of my most favorite.

O sleeping on her boppy after her night bottle.

Stick a fork in her...She's done!

Illinois, Part II

Okay. Took me a little bit but here are some more pics of our short time in Illinois in May. Because of many family commitments, we were just not able to see as many friends as we had hoped we would. We are very sorry and plan on coming back when Justin gets home to try and see everyone we missed in May. These pics are from the time we spent in Bloomington with the patrenal side of the family. The previous Illinois post was the maternal side in Northern Illinois. We miss you all and hope to see everyone soon...

Olivia at her Aunt Sarah and Uncle Aaron's house for the Mother's Day celebration.
Olivia, her cousins Anna and Allison, and her grandmother enjoy some time together while her Papa takes a snooze.
Olivia and Uncle Aaron enjoying some quality bonding time.

Our Latest Patio Visitor

So imagine my surprise yet again when I go out to water my flowers on our patio and I see something moving out of the corner of my eye. First thought-my favorite king snake was back to say hello from last summer. (See blog from last year entitled "Snakes on a patio" if you're not sure what I'm talking about...) Instead it was Tuck, a tortoise that decided to come walking on to my patio and hang out. Two days in a row he made his way onto the patio to chill. I personally think he is hiding from all the crows and osprey that would love to have him for lunch. At any rate, he is a nice addition to our family and quite a cute pet for O. Although with all the prey out there, we don't expect to see him much longer. At least this reptile is not as creepy as the last one that made it onto our patio. That is what you get when your backyard is a swampy forest. Someone was just telling me they found a brown recluse spider inside one of our community pool noodles with her babies. Sick. Below are pics of Tuck. Sorry they're a little blurry. Tried to zoom so you could see him better.


No, it's not a ladybug...It's Tuck the tortoise.
Tuck the tortoise comes to hang out.