Wonderful News!

I have been waiting to share this news. Since Dana posted it on her new blog (yay), I guess it's alright to tell. Dana and Domingo are expecting their first baby in November. We couldn't be more excited and cannot wait to meet our next niece or nephew (aka Cletus the Fetus). Congratulations! We love you!

Over the past few days...

my computer has been acting up, so I have been unable to post. Here are a few highlights:

We had a birthday party for Carlee and Mark at Mimi's. She made delicious quiche and homemade chocolate cake. Yummy!


Seth got a long awaited haircut. It was the first time we attempted a trip to the salon since the traumatic November make over. He was a champ!
Mark got a new tattoo - a "portrait" of he and his brother, Chris.

It was a good weekend!

Thursday Thirteen

1 - Eddie - A first cousin. Some now call him Ed or Edward but he will always be Eddie to me.

2 - Energy Drinks - I'm hooked on them!

3 - Elephants - One of Seth's favorite animals. He calls them aupataunts.

4 - Excellence - I want to strive for excellence in everything I do.

5 - Easter - One of my favorite holidays.

6 - Ego - Someone with too much ego is a big turn off.

7 - E.T. - Still a favorite.

8 - The Exorcist - Absolutely terrifying - even the Saturday Night Live sketch scares me!

9 - Ebay - A fun way to earn extra money.

10 - Earth - I want to teach Seth to care for and love our planet.

11 - Eczema - I sometimes have breakouts on my hands. It is so irritating.

12 - Earthy Cane - The color of the walls in the last three homes we have lived in. We love this color. It's soothing but not boring.

13 - End - I'm glad this post is ending. E was a hard letter!

Happy Birthday Carlee!

It's so hard to believe that you are turning 18 today!

We are so proud of the beautiful young lady you have become.

Wordless Wednesday

The Second Half

I love all of Seth's little mispronunciations, but it is especially cute when he omits the first part of a word.

A favorite treat is the 'nola bar.
The 'potamus is a fascinating creature.The 'dactyl lived in the Triassic period.
Everyone wants to be in control of the 'mote!

Zoo-riffic!

Last Spring we purchased a membership to the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden and it was a great investment. We have more than gotten our money's worth! Seth and I go several times a month. It's nice to take our time and look at whatever strikes our fancy. Sometimes we just breeze through and others we stay for hours.

Today was the perfect day for the zoo. The weather was beautiful - not too hot, not too cool. As we were pulling out of the driveway, Seth said, "Don't forget you tamera (camera) Mommy!" I told him that we would be alright without it this time, but later I wished I had brought it. I guess I should have listened to the little smarty.

We went to the zoo with our play group. One of the Mommy's sister works there so we got a behind the scenes look at the reptiles! Seth got to touch a box turtle and a corn snake. He was a bit nervous but also very excited and couldn't stop talking about it all day! Luckily, I was able to get this pic from someone else in the group - at least it has Seth's ear in it!

Happy Birthday Uncle Monkey!

You make out lives more fun!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We love you to the moon and back!

New Shoes

Nothing makes me feel better than a great new pair of shoes. Seth must feel the same way because he was asking me to take pictures of his new Crocs yesterday!

A Visit From Papa Roper

Papa Roper came by for a visit yesterday afternoon. Seth was so excited to see him he was yelling, "I'm ready to see Papa Rotu," all morning long. Seth had fun holding dandelions up for him to smell. Papa would say "Poo" and Seth would giggle - over and over. It was very sweet. Seth must be a really good boy, because he got some great new treasures including two new monkeys, some clothes, Curious George PJ's, some Disney movies and some GIGANTIC books. Thanks Papa Roper!

I don't want to forget....

how much fun Seth and Mark have playing together. They have been on a Duplo kick lately and I think Mark likes it as much as Seth does! I took these pictures while Mark was at work but he actually gets the credit for the architectural design of the tower.

Cool Breeze

Today, Seth came across his Thomas sunglasses. He swiftly put them on (upside down) and said, "I'm gettin' outta here." I really don't know where he got that from but he makes me laugh!

Thursday Thirteen

1 - Dad - My Dad is the life of the party. He is funny and never meets a stranger. He also has a serious side and has a deep love for his family!

2 - Daddy - Mark is a great Daddy to Seth!

3 - Dana - My sister who is also my best friend. She has a "D" nickname - Danger which has stuck with her since childhood - whether she likes it or not.

4 - Daniel - My brother who is one of the greatest people know. He also is a wonderful Daddy. Most people call him Dan. Some still say Danny. Dana and I call him Dingo sometimes.

5 - Domingo - My brother-in-law. Dana's silly but sweet husband. He usually goes by Mingo. Seth and Molly call him Uncle Monkey or Uncle Minnow.

6 - David - My father-in-law. Genuinely one of the sweetest and loving people I have ever known. Also my youngest cousin who is serving in Afghanistan.

7 - Doggies - I have always been a dog lover.

8 - Donegal - A little town up in the mountains of Pennsylvania. My grandparents used to have a weekend place there. I have so many fond childhood memories of summertime fun there!

9 - Dave Matthews Band - One of my all time favorites!

10 - Dodge Grand Caravan - I don't care if it's cool or not. I love my mini-van.

11 - Do Bee - I see Seth. He's a Do Bee!

12 - DVR - I love it! I don't have to watch commercials and can watch an hour program in 40 minutes!

13 - Deal - I hate paying full price for anything and love to get a good deal.

Wordless Wednesday

A Wee Sip

Uncle Mingo was making green beer for some of the big boys for St. Patty's Day and Seth kept asking for some. I whipped up some Leprechaun punch - a few drops of green food coloring with equal parts apple juice, Sprite and love. It was a hit.

Green Eyed Monster

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Seth has decided to become a green eyed monster. When I was dropping him off at Mimi's yesterday, Seth was surprised to see his aunt and cousin visiting. When we opened the door and he saw the baby on Mimi's lap, he refused to come in and asked, "What is going on here?" (Too funny!) He ended up having a nice visit but he's going to have to get used to sharing his Mimi!

March Maddness '09

Every March my parents throw a big bash for all of the March birthdays in our family. There are seven! Here are some highlights of this past weekend's festivities:

I'm Telwin' Aunt Thandy...

to have a happy birthday!We love you!

Circus! Circus?

Yesterday, we took Seth to the circus. He had a blast. He was amazed by the animal stunts and his jaw literally dropped when he saw a man driving a motorcycle on a tightrope. He joyfully licked his all day sucker (which we chose over the twelve(!) dollar cotton candy) until it's untimely demise a few minutes in. He watched the show with the wide eyed wonder that lasts for just a short time. It was all things to him that I had hoped it would be.

What I wasn't expecting was a crisis of conscience. As we approached the Colonial Center with an air of excitement, I was caught off guard by the PETA protesters peacefully holding their signs that read, "Ringling Beats Animals" and "Stop Elephant Abuse. Boycott The Circus." I immediately remembered a time when I was much younger and idyllic. I always thought I'd be the person who doesn't take their child to the zoo or circus out of moral responsibility. Along with so many other romantic ideas, these thoughts had gone by the wayside as life happened. Now they were suddenly jolted back into my mind.

As we watched the show, I was entertained and enthralled. I watched Seth as much as the show its self and delighted in his reaction. But I couldn't help but let my mind wonder back to the protesters out front, patiently, silently spreading their message. The animals looked healthy, but were they being properly cared for?

When we got home I did a bit of surfing. According to the shiny picture painted at the Ringling website, the animals are treated like family with all of their needs met. Of course that's what they have to portray. The laundry list of USDA violations, uncalled for deaths and pending investigations from PETA paints a drastically different picture. Perhaps the full story lies somewhere in between. I'm sure it is a quandary I will mull over in my head for some time. Will this be Seth's last wide eyed trip to the circus? I'm not sure. But I can't help but smile as I hear him singing, "Together forever, keep the circus in your heart..."

Thursday Thirteen

1 - Carol - My Mom's name. The most selfless person I know. Also a sister-in-law. There was another in the family for a minute, but she was Karol with a 'K'. It's not the same.

2 - Carlee - My super sweet step-daughter. ( I don't like that word. She just feels like a daughter to me.)

3 - Cranberry Jello Surprise - A dish we always have at Christmas. We made up the name. It has cherry jello, walnuts, pineapple, whole cranberry sauce and cream cheese. At our house my mom, sister and I are the only ones who eat it usually. It is the bomb!

4 - Crafty - Something I'd like to be. Some of my crafts turn out great. Others - not so much.

5 - Crying - Something that I have a hard time listening to. I never could let Seth cry himself to sleep.

6 - Carolina - Where I live. Where I went to school. A way of life.

7 - Children's Books - I cannot stop buying them. My love of reading was instilled very early. I hope to continue the tradition.

8 - Christmas - It is still (or maybe again) magical.

9 - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - A classic. Even though I love Johnny Depp, I only have eyes for Gene Hackman!

10 - Cranium - We still do family game night at my parent's house. Cranium is one of my faves!

11 - Charleston - The prettiest place I have ever lived. I miss the scenery butt am glad to be closer to family.

12 - Cabaret - I saw this play on Broadway in the original studio 54 building with Jason and T.J. It was great!

13 - Crystal - I have had two wonderful friends named Crystal.

Cirque du Seth!

The circus is coming tonight and we cannot wait!

Wordless Wednesday

Sleepy-Doos!

Still my baby!

Seth and I had so much fun pretending he was still a
little baby drinking a bottle. Even though it was just for "retend", he will always be my baby!

The Doctor Is In!

Earlier, I felt a poke in my ankle. A few seconds later, another. "Ouch. That hurts." I looked down and Seth was jabbing me with a colored pencil. "Please don't poke me with that pencil, Seth. It hurts." He replied, "I da doctor. I make you a beddah." Aww...he was playing doctor. "OK buddy. But do it gently." And he did.

Then I remembered a vintage Sesame Street doctor kit that we had bought a while back to sell on ebay. For some reason it didn't sell - even though it seems like anything old and Sesame Street sells. "Doctor Seth, go hop up on your bed I've got something for you." I retrieved the bag from the closet and went to the anxiously awaiting physician with a little plush monkey in my hands. "Doctor Seth, this monkey is very sick. He must be seen at once." I presented him the doctor bag and one by one he pulled out a reflex hammer, a thermometer, band-aids, scissors, a sling, syringes and an octoscope.

He loved the set and we payed doctor for a loooong time. He fixed all of my boo-boos. "Thank you Doctor Seth."

"You welcome Mommy."

And I'd fix his. "Chank you Doctor Mommy."

"Sure thing Seth."

He also cured a monkey with a bad cough. Gave shots to another. Put a sling on a bear with a broken arm. Treated a leopard with a tummy ache. Fixed up a duck with diarrhea. (Water from the tub leaked out when the patient was being treated.) And made an octopus who had lost his mommy and daddy feel much better. Even Pup Pup and Leon, who is visiting while Mom and Dad are in Texas, got check-ups.

When he would examine each patient, he'd pick it up and say, "Let me have a look." He'd assess the situation and take the appropriate course of medicine. Then, he'd wrap them up (each had to have it's own blanket) and put them to bed for the evening. His bedside manner is impeccable. At one point, Mark came in and sat down on the chair which was serving as the hospital bed. Seth was appalled that a patient was being squished!

Much fun was had and I'm sure we will be playing doctor again tomorrow. I love seeing his little imagination blossoming.