What was it I keep forgetting?

There's something I keep forgetting to write here. Hmmm... Calla's second birthday? Check. Trip to Virginia and DC? Check. Chloe's Big Adventure? Check. Wind Storm 09? Check. Hmmm...

Calla, what is it I keep forgetting?


Ohhh, right. You're going to be a big sister.

So, for anyone who either hasn't seen us lately, hasn't spoken with one of us, or seen us on Facebook (does that leave anyone?), it's official. The name of this blog may need to change to "jandkandbabies" in the future. Around Thanksgiving, to be more specific. And we know that Calla will be a big sister to a little sister, so all the pink clothes get one more wearing.

So far, so good. Baby's moving, I'm getting a little bigger, but nothing that slows anyone down. If she's in a good mood, Calla may - without warning - lift up my shirt to you show you the baby in Mama's tummy. And the one in her tummy as well.

There are moments when I think I can't make it through the rest of the day with my one precious child, let alone two of them. But people do this all the time, so I'm told, so I guess we'll figure it out as we go along, just as we have always done.

OK, now I think we have told all our media outlets. In whatever way we've let you know, thanks for being part of our family's excitement about our latest development.

Enjoying a soft pretzel at a Miner's Game. Nothing to do with a new baby, I just like the photo.

Happy Day, Calla!

Well, it's official: we have a two-year-old. Calla's birthday came and went without incident. A weekend visit from Jeri and Josh, 25 guests, 17 lbs of pulled pork, and a homemade layer cake (lemon) that turned out OK. The only thing that didn't go exactly as planned for our afternoon pool party was the weather - unseasonably chilly for July in southern Illinois. That's fine - we filled the baby pool so only kids had to get wet, passed out bubble bottles, and everyone was entertained.

When it was time to do the whole cake/singing thing, Calla had wandered off in the direction of the baby pool (fully dressed at this point) and was happily splashing away. At first, she was not excited about leaving the pool and was about to launch a minor tantrum, until I said the magic words: "Calla, it's time for birthday cake!"

Her face lights up. "Happy day, Calla? Happy day, Calla!!" And with that, she sprinted to the porch. She knew exactly what was going to happen since we'd watched her friends celebrate birthdays. And she was quite content to be the center of attention for a few moments while we sang to her.

And then there was the cake and ice cream. I realize now how rarely we eat dessert with Calla by how darn excited she was about the ice cream. To this day, if you ask her about her birthday, she's likely to first mention the ice cream.

Just before digging into the ice cream. Note the bedraggled, just fell into a baby pool look she's got going.

And after the ice cream. She eventually ate her cake (well, she ate somebody's cake) after most of her friends left. Ice cream came first. Smart girl.

Being two now means a new class at school (no bibs or sippy cups - thanks for your help, stain stick!), that potty training encouragement has picked up (thanks, Elmo's Potty video!), and that we're starting to think about the transition to a "big girl bed."

At her last doctor's appointment, she measured in at 36.5 inches (97th percentile) tall and 29 lbs (77th percentile). It's increasingly hard to see my baby from two years ago in her face and lanky body.

Hope everyone has a "happy day!"

Again... soon??

Here it is July 1st - nearly halfway through the summer and halfway through the year. It hardly seems possible! We're glad that so far, July has brought much cooler weather than June!

We've recently returned from a whirlwind tour of the Mid-Atlantic. Or at least, all of the Mid-Atlantic that matters to us. We started with a wonderful visit to Joe's sister Joyce and her family in their home just outside of Richmond. We had worked with Calla before we left to learn names: Aunt Joyce, Uncle Tim, Gene, Jason, Jacob and Timmy. She did really well with those new names, but found it so much more fun to put names to new faces when she finally met them all. She was well-loved by her cousins and she loved them right back.

Calla with Gene and Jason

Calla with Jacob and Timmy

Next, after a quick Amtrak ride up to DC, we were with Carrie, Brian and Julia for Julia's baptism. Julia did great - she giggled her way through much of the liturgy. And Julia's so close to walking, which means she has all sorts of new and exciting walking around toys, much to Calla's delight. We also had a chance to visit with our good friends Sally, Mike and big boy Jonah. A short visit with everyone, but so much fun.

Calla and Julia, both wearing their Mexico outfits.

By Monday, when we were driving home from the St. Louis airport, Calla finally had the total meltdown we'd been avoiding all weekend. She'd had her short car nap, polished off her chicken nuggets, and juice was all gone. About 10 minutes from home, she began her ear-piercing screams.

Joe was driving, so I was in charge of distraction. First attempt: "Calla, didn't we have fun with Timmy and Jacob and Gene and Jason and Aunt Joyce and Uncle Tim? Didn't we have fun with Julia and Aunt Carrie and Uncle Brian?"

Sob. Sob. Nods. "Again?" Sob. Back to screaming.

"Again? Of course, we'll see them again. And we'll have fun with them again!"

Sob. Sob. "Again, SOON??!!!" Sob. Back to screaming.

OK. Distraction Attempt #2. "Calla, look - do you know where we are? We're so close to home! Which way do we turn to get home?"

"Nooooooo!!" Screaming intensifies as we make our final turn on to our street. "NOOOOO!!"

So, let's just say that Calla had a great time on our quick trip to Virginia and DC. And that re-entry back to normal life was a little anti-climactic. Not to mention that she continues to wake up on the Eastern time zone. Here's hoping that the new black-out curtains I bought today help us all sleep past 6:00 am.

Thanks, family, for hosting us this past weekend - you're all so special to us and especially to Calla!