Its a marathon, not a sprint

Reina, Liam and I are cruising through the weekend. I'll let the pictures tell the stories though...

Peanut butter only Daddy! And I'll help spread with my "sharp knife"

Bravely went to the top of the tallest slide and went down. Once.

WAK IV and WAK V - self portrait

RMK tossing rocks at the fishies

Pensive

Screw you guys - I'm going this way.

Swinging

Chillin'

I'm actually not sure that girl ever lost a race.

Sharing a movie. This movie moved every 3 minutes as they "shared."

Seriously? Why is there a frog on my head?

Look at the pure bliss and enjoyment. Why Reina is on backwards is beyond me.

Losing steam...

I believe the original title was, "Reina doing CPR on John, while Libby perfected her Wii Mii and Bill was working on his 6th beer.

All is correct except for the 6th part...

Fin

While the Mommies are away, the Daddies will play

Annie and friends Dre, Steph, Jamie and Natalie packed up the wagon and headed off to Chi-town for the weekend. That left Chris, Jordan and myself to play Mr. Mom for the weekend. Jordan opted to work all weekend - that left Chris and I. No sweat, right?

Day 1: Zoo and Daddies' Hospital

Pucker up Buster.

Gimme some sugar

Dr. Chris and the kids checking out the swimming polar bear

Look Reina! There's a waterfall down there!

Proof: Liam came too. Unimpressed though.

More polar bear.

Capt Reina

Ground control to Major Logan

Roger, Roger. What's our vector, Victor?

After zoo fun, we went home and most of us had naps. And by most of us, I mean Reina and Liam. Naturally, they napped sequentially, not in concert.

After a killer 3 hour nap, of which Reina had to be woken up from at 6pm, she got a chance to talk to Gram on the phone for the first time in a long time. Lisa, Lily and Jack came over for a few, and then it was time for a Red Robin dinner with Gina-Mom, Michael-Dad, Aunt Katie and Uncle Austin.

Naturally, home too late, and up too early - but we are taking the weekend by storm.

For Saturday? I think we'll go to the Puppy Rescue Shelter to, ummm, look...

Bubba and the Boss

Lately Reina has been flexing her independence muscle more than usual. As is typical for kids her age, she often wants to do things herself, to the extent that I occasionally have to undo my action so she can redo it her way. Obsessive compulsive much? In the past several weeks, she has taken this to soaring new heights, now she even enlists innocent bystanders into doing things for her at her command. She delegates like a Harvard MBA, including cousins Colin and Ryan, Nana and P-Ga and of course, myself, in her daily duties as QUEEN. She has been rather bull headed lately about her bedtime routine. Insisting on only Mommy Mommy Mommy. However, during our recent visit with my parents, she wanted either Nana or P-Ga...I was happy for the respite.

As usual, she is still delightful and hilarious. Always surprising us with her sunny side, language advances and sense of humor. She is sweet to Liam, blowing kisses to him in his crib and wanting to be the first to open his door after a nap.

Liam is wiggling and kicking and rocking...everything but rolling himself over. He nearly jumps out of your arms when you hold him and yet hasn't quite figured out what to do on his own. His balance is getting better when sitting (with assistance) and it won't be long before we find our house is woefully under childproofed. He's been eating like a piggy lately, all bottles still. I'm not sure how much longer we'll hold off on solids. Since he thankfully sleeps through the night, I haven't been tempted to start them quite yet. He doesn't seems to be deficient, either, since he has rolls Reina never did.

Last week we had some adventures, not the least of which included a waterfall in the basement from the septic backed-up toilet upstairs. Lovely. New basement carpet here we come...we also hosted our first official dinner party. For 11 med-students we had never met! All went well except I think they were so happy to have free food I could have stressed less about the menu, they even took home leftovers.

Bill took off with the guys for a weekend of golf, fantasy football drafting and a little gambling in Indiana. I think his gambling came out about even, the football team remains to be seen.

The kids, dogs and I took off for my parents' house. I had only been there once since Christmas, so a long overdue visit. We went to a park with very extensive gardens called Inniswood. Reina kept looking for the slide (no playground at this kind of park) but seemed to enjoy running around just the same. Liam finally met my Memere, having missed her on July 4th when he met Pepere. It was nice to relax with my family and get a little break from all the mommy duties Reina insists I do at home (not that Bill doesn't try...she just won't always let him).

Now we have a couple of days for laundry and grocery before I take off again. This time to Chicago with the girls (all the wives of the husbands who went to Indiana with Bill). Needless to say, I am SO EXCITED! I will miss Bill and the kids, but can't wait for the trip. It seems as though numerous outside factors have prevented Bill and I from vacationing together this summer...but he has time off in October and we WILL go SOMEWHERE. Promise. Anyone want to babysit Bubba and the Boss?

You sure you want to babysit this little dictator?

Bossing around the flamingos at the garden park...

telling us to retrieve the coins people had tossed in the fountain...

happy little buddy, no idea of the tea party and dress up fate that awaits him...

Memere, Liam, Pepere, me and Reina making a break for it.

P-Ga and Liam...must have been a break in the golf on TV they watched together.

Nana and Reina...too much fun.

Finally got both kids in their sibling shirts on the same day. Goofing off at nap time.

Reconsidering babysitting yet? Look how well they get along!

A O.K.

Our clan continues to grow as our sister-in-law Lauren delivered the newest member safely last night at her and Andrew's home in D.C.

Oliver John Knight now surpasses Liam as the youngest of the cousins and is baby brother to Milo. All are doing well and this tiny boy is likely only hours away from mischief and adventures with Proudie and Milo.

Congratulations to Andrew and Lauren and welcome little Oliver! We can't wait to meet you in person!

Good News and Gray Days

Well, the good news is, barring any last minute SNAFU's, we will finally be closing on our house tonight. Amazingly, we went around and around with appraisals, underwriters and mortgage brokers, only to end up with exactly what we needed. I guess patience IS a virtue after all. We've been loving our daily life around here, occasionally having visits from family and actually enjoying daily chores in our new environment (ok, laundry is still laundry, but I do have great new machines, just the folding is about the same).

This summer began for us on moving day/my birthday and seems to have flown by so fast. I've taken the kids to the pool a grand total of once, and the weather has been cooler and rainier than any summer I can remember. With all the rain we've spent quite a bit of time watercoloring and playing with a hand-me-down train table (thanks Lily and Jack!). My little weatherperson now knows exactly where her frog boots are kept and when to use them.

Liam keeps threatening to roll over and has started to join us in the high chair at meal times, although otherwise remains fairly immobile. He is thrilled with slurberts from his sister and any attention in general, rewarding us with giggles and attempts to bite any body part we carelessly leave within his grasp.

1st hula hoop attempt...lack of rear or hips were a real hindrance

Some awesome face painting by new friend Peyton at the recent SWAT Team picnic. Reina got ahold of the paintbrushes later and tattooed some sleeves on both arms. FYI, doesn't come off clothes as easily as it comes off faces, despite fancy new washer and dryer.

Liam hangin' in his jungle gym...again.

Me with the kiddos, Liam-papoose and mommy jr. with her "baby girl"

Ins and Outs

Another busy week around here as we start to contemplate some sort of normal schedule. We enjoyed a day at a friend's lake house while Reina and Liam went to their first movie in a theater...Ice Age 3 I believe with Gina-mom, Katie and Austin. Bill began his job officially, started moving into his new office and working a couple of shifts. My sister-in-law, Jen, gave her PhD defense...many rats lost their lives for the advancement of science, her study was on reducing the side effects of medications given to treat Parkinson's disease. Starting Monday, she'll be a 3rd year med student again, Dr. Student-Doctor. Congratulations Uncle Jen! My parents came down to witness that and to spend some non-structured time with the grandkids.

Reina loves being outside these days and our yard offers her seemingly limitless exploration. She is enjoying our hand-me down hammock courtesy of Nana and P-Ga and has discovered some very bouncy pine tree boughs that make a great horsey-ride. Jedi and Hermes also are loving our finally finished fenced yard. Chasing birds, squirrels and chipmunks. I can't be certain, but I believe they are also working on controlling our mole infestation as well.

Bill and I both are working to make the new/old house our own. I am by moving furniture around and organizing shelves, Bill, by purchasing "on sale" obscenely large televisions and untold amounts of internet equipment. Whatever it takes to feel at home...


All right, as promised, a few inside photos. Granted many of you have seen the inside or even grew up here! Please take into account the some of the clutter is a work in progress and not nearly enough pictures or window treatments are up. You'll get the general idea, however. We are learning the quirks and how to love them, finding our favorite spots to sit with a cup of tea, and trying to figure out where to stash all the toys.

happy little dude

Celebrating Jen's PhD (while she was defending it to her panel of advisers). She got to party later.

How cool a kid do you have to be to get your own personal helicopter tour?

Reina wanted to take the inside photos herself. Quite possibly the weirdest picture of me ever. No hips or torso. Is this how my kid sees me? If so, it could explain the strange looks she sometimes shoots my way.

So proud in her new blue room. New rug, my old bed. I did not tell her to pose that way.

Built-in bookshelves in Liam's room, aka former and future office.

Master bedroom. Needs a little something. A new 42 inch flat screen tv? Not quite what I had in mind...

Front hall staircase

Family Room, that particular enormous tv we already owned.

Dining Room with a fireplace!

Love our kitchen, you can only see half of it from this angle.

Bill and my Dad changing a light bulb. Oh the joys of ownership...oh wait, we still don't own it. That's another story, hopefully with a happy ending soon.

Reina and P-Ga swinging from the trees.

Can it be?!?!?

An update? Gasp! Shock! Dismay! Oh, where to start? Summer has flown past, so much has happened and we've had emotional roller coasters left and right. I think the best thing to do to sum up for you and to get on with the now is to go through my calendar and give you the cliff notes version....

Let's see, when I left you last we were in the throes of moving into our new/old house. We have sold and closed on our 1st home and have settled into the family homestead. We are so blessed and fortunate to be in such a place. It has an inexplicable quality, almost magical. It also seems to be a local landmark. Most of you know we obtained this home from family, Bill's Uncle Chris. In fact, the house has belonged to his family since his mom, Gina, was in second grade. With so many family members how we lucked into it I'm not sure, but we are happy and grateful.

That being said, there have been some bumps along the way. I don't have the energy, time or heart to go into all the details, but eventually we'll actually own the place. Yeah, we're officially squatters. Due to the crazy economic times, mortgages seems hard to come by. Who knew? Not that it is our fault. Long story short, we're great borrowers, but, because the house is so unique it is posing a problem with the banks being able to agree with the price...we are hopeful, however. We have a local bank who knows the area well working on our case and with luck, will have a mortgage soon. Until then, profits from the previous home are collecting a little interest. Thank goodness Chris and Erin are patient and understanding!

Moving on...both Bill and I are aging, 32 years to be exact. Yup, pushing 40. Ugh. Celebrating our 10 year reunion at UD was fun but a poignant reminder our our aging. And that's all I have to say about that.

Chugging right along...Bill FINALLY completed his training and is officially done with residency, fellowship and designated whipping boy! Yippee! I am proud of him and starting tomorrow, he will be begin his career. Weird. He gets a new office, new title, (new paycheck) and new computer...and I get the hand me down laptop. Now maybe the blogging will be a little easier to accomplish since for some reason when this house was built circa 1930-ish? they failed to make it cable ready.

A sad update, my Uncle Jim, my mom's youngest brother, passed away suddenly which led us to an unexpected trip to St. Paul, Minnesota. While it was good to reconnect with that part of our family, the circumstances were grim, especially being so close to my grandfather's and Bill's Dad's passing. We chose to travel with the kids via car. Reina had previously been a great traveller, but Liam was as of yet untested. They turned out to be stellar troopers and the eventual 25 +/- hours we spent in the car were much more pleasant than they could have been. Note to other parents: whatever your views on letting children watch TV, a portable DVD player is INVALUABLE for long car trips!

On the trip back from Minnesota, we diverted out trip to go through St. Louis to visit friends Brian and Jamie in their new digs. They had actually only moved there a week or two before. Since in a way Bill grew up in St. Louis during the summers with his Dad, he enjoyed helping to get them settled in to their new city. We all took in a Cardinals game, visited the Busch brewery and toured the "beer factoly" as Reina called it, and ate in a great Italian restaurant called Rigazzi's, recommended by Gerlyn as a place she and Bill's Dad used to go when they lived there. It was great to see our friends and a nice respite after an emotional week.

We went directly to my parents' home after our trip to St. Louis to get Liam baptised. Since my Dad is a Deacon, we chose to have the sacrament done at the same parish where we were married and where Reina had been baptised. It was a very unique and personal event and we are so glad to have had the opportunity to make it special. Friends Jordan, Dre and Jonah were in attendance as well as family.

OK, almost done here, then some photos of that last several weeks. We are starting to get into a routine. Kids wake up a little earlier since we have yet to get blinds on their windows. Reina and the dogs are loving their new independence with the newly enclosed fenced back yard. Liam is growing and smiling and so happy to be talked to. He just smiles and giggles all the time. He is the easiest baby. He sleeps all night and rarely complains about a thing. He does spit up more than I'd like, actually a ton, but all things considered I can't complain. We are figuring out the quirks and intricacies of our home and enjoying Bill's time off (which ends tomorrow, better schedule, however).

All right, on to the pictures. I've left so much out, but think I hit most of the important points. I will try to do better with the updates now that Bill has beaten the internet into submission in this house! Hang in there with me and look for more updates soon!

New house, new toys

Reina reading a story to Liam

Liam's first trip to Uncle Matt and Uncle Jen's neighborhood pool. A split second before he burst into flames. Kid is not destined to be a sun worshipper.

Reina at the church festival. She just wasn't able to follow through on her swing.

Reina's 1st tattoo. Now we know where her sympathies lie.

The boys, Bill, Liam and Brian, at Busch Stadium.

Reina and Liam after "the dunking". Doesn't he look holier already?

My little family. Sorry about the food in Reina's mouth...table manners are a work in progress.