So happy

She has the best sense of humor. Look at this infectious giggle.

All this because mommy was laughing...lol...

Sick

Poor Kinsey has been sick. The high fever (103.5), puking, too sick to even cry sick. Fortunately, it seems to have just been a virus and it ran its course pretty quickly - 3 days later she is almost back to normal. Kinsey and I spent the time laying around in our bed, napping, and watching Sprout.

We are so blessed that this was only the second time she has been super sick (double ear infections about a year ago). I know so many little ones who are constantly sick, especially the ones that are in day care. Having been a teacher and worked in a daycare, I can tell you, germs spread like Hollywood gossip.

So, I am thankful that I can stay home with her, sick or not, to take care of her.

Need a Hug?

Sometimes, a girl just needs a dog to love on... since our two are not so lovey, Kinsey substitutes her new Build A Bear puppy, whom she appropriately named "Hug".

Party at the Park

Kinsey's friend Aaralyn turned 3 today and had her birthday party at the park. Kinsey had an absolute blast. There was a pinata full of candy...
balls to play with and lots of open space to run around...
a bounce house, which Kinsey thought was 100 times better than bouncing on the bed...
and best of all... There was CAKE! Yummm!

Happy Birthday Aaralyn, and thanks for the party!

Valentine's Day... only 17 days away

I finished the Valentine's Dress and it is too cute.
I couldn't resist posting this one of Kinsey pouting while I tried to take her picture!

Ribbitt!

Kinsey recently got new slippers. Aren't these little froggies too cute? Slippers really aren't the most practical item for her...she sleeps in footie pajamas when it is cold and the rest of the year, well, let's just say the need for slippers at 120 degrees is pretty low. Anyhow, we saw these and had to get them...So, of course, we had to make froggie jammies to go with them! This pattern is from the awesome book my mom got me for Christmas. It is full of retro/hippie children's patterns. I love it! And best of all, so does Kinsey.

This is the book. All of the patterns are super easy (I can finish them in an hour, so even you no-sewers could do this!) and super cute. Check it out...


I am off to make the dress on the cover. I found the cutest Valentine's Day fabric with love birds on it ;)

All Girl

I made this cute little top for Kinsey on Sunday night after she had gone to bed. When I was finished, I hung it on a hanger on the door and went to sleep. On Monday morning, Kinsey found the shirt and woke me up to put it on, over her jammies. When we finally got dressed for the day, of course she wanted to wear her new shirt.

Kinsey never sits still long enough to get a good "clothes" shot, so I snuck one when she finally went down for a nap.

She loved it so much that I made another one last night and she dug this one out of the dirty clothes hamper and has been playing with it all day. This girl LOVES clothes!

Yum!

Tonight, I cooked. This sounds like I don't cook very often, which would be a lie, but tonight I went all out.

Our friend Jim came over with his son, Noah and we had a down home Cajun boil, complete with crawfish, crab, shrimp, andouille sausage, corn and potatoes. It was fabulous.
Mike, Noah, and Jim digging in.
Even though Kinsey had eaten dinner before this, she wanted in on the action too.

The best part of Cajun boil? No dishes! For dessert, we had homemade Bananas Foster, but we ate it ALL before I remembered to take a picture!

Rain, Rain Go Away

It has been raining for five days. Not straight, but everyday. I, for one, would like to say, "Thanks, I am good." My backyard is flooded. The neighborhood park is now a lake, and my lawn chairs are somewhere in New Mexico by now.

To top it off it has been cold (i.e. 50ish degrees) and my spoiled rotten dogs have decided that they don't like being cold AND wet when they do their business, so they will just stay inside to poop. Hawkeye at least had the good graces to hide before pooping, but Luxe, in his permanent quest for dominance, pooped right in the hallway. Eewwwww. Needless to say, both dogs got to spend some "quality time" outside today.

Please, send sun.

That song in my head

My younger brothers and sister were big Barney the Dinosaur fans. I was a teenager and hated everything about that purple mascot. I swore that MY kids would never watch anything so stupid. As it is, I didn't let Kinsey watch TV until she was 18 months old, and now, we try to stick to the Sprout channel. It has very limited commercials and the programs are all age appropriate with positive messages.

They also have really catchy theme songs.

So, as I go about my day, I have a constant stream of chatter in my head that sounds like this: "I'm just a kid whose 4...They call me Kipper, the dog with a sniffer...When you hear that fire alarm, Sam is always cool and calm...Play with me Sesame, Play with me Sesame...Wake up, Jeff!

You get the picture. It's awful.

But, Kinsey LOVES the shows and loves to dance to the tunes, so it looks like we are in this for the long haul.

And PS... It doesn't seem that Barney has filmed any new episodes. I remember every single one that has come on this week. Ugh.

Scheduled: Meeting with the Tooth Fairy

Yep.  It looks like Kinsey will be having a meeting with the Tooth Fairy in a month or so. And not just for one tooth, but two.

Last night, she tried to climb off our bed (something she has done successfully for a long time) and she face planted into the carpet.  I heard the thunk and ran in to the bedroom to find her face down on the carpet.  I scooped her up and gave her some love, thinking that the wind had just been knocked out of her.  When I pulled her away from me to look at her, I saw the blood running out of her mouth.

We iced, we Tylenol-ed, and this morning we went and saw the pediatric dentist.  The X-ray’s look like Kinsey has fractured the roots of both front teeth.  Not severed, so there is a SMALL chance they might heal but it is still likely that the teeth will have to come out.  Right now, Kinsey is stuck on a diet of soft food so she doesn’t use the front teeth and we go back in a month to see if the teeth have healed.

One of the worst parts is that she can’t latch on without pain, so she can’t breastfeed right now either.  I don’t mind weaning at this age, but I hate to think she HAS to give it up because it hurts her, not because she wants to :(

She Wants It So Bad…

Kinsey loves flip flops. I caught her trying mine on several times, so when I spotted them at the Children’s Place recently, I bought her two pairs. They are absolutely adorable and she loves them. In fact, she carries them everywhere. That’s right, carries them. Because she hates they way they feel ON her feet.

But she is determined. Every day, several times a day, she brings me her flips flops and asks me to put them on her. So I do. And she lasts about 3 steps before she cries and pulls them off.

I’d let the issue drop, but she wants to wear flip flops SO bad. We will do the on/off routine over and over until she gives up or learns to wear them.

So far it’s all good.

Yep, I am enjoying 7 much more than I did Vista (do you hear me Mr. Gates?  Vista sucked.  So much so that I had reverted to XP just to get away.)  The only problem…I have one program that is not 7 compatible.  Not bad, not bad…

Windows 7

So, I just got a new laptop with Windows 7 and it has a feature in the dock that is supposed to make blogging more convenient.  So, here it goes…let’s see if I become a more frequent blogger!

Halloween

This Halloween we were the Queen and the Princess. I made our costumes :)

Summering

It is supposed to be 115 degrees in Phoenix this weekend. Thank the Lord we are in Colorado again! Kinsey and I flew back last week and we will be dividing our time between my mom and my dad. We are scheduled to fly home on the 20th, a week before I have to go back to work.

I love Phoenix, but the summers are HOT (hmm...biggest understatement of the year??). I always joked about wanting to be one of those people, the ones who could afford to "summer" elsewhere. Of course, there is no way I could afford a summer house, so I am super lucky to have parents who don't mind me returning to the nest for several weeks at a time (I think this is 100% due to Kinsey, but hey, I'm not picky) and a job that allows me summers off! I am also lucky that Mike doesn't mind us being gone for so long!

We have been having a great time doing nothing. We play outside A LOT and I have been practicing the slack line my little brother has set up. I can even get up holding Kinsey! Kinsey went on her first bike ride today, in the bike trailer, and she was not so thrilled. She has learned a new dance (in addition to the typical knee bender) and waddles around like a penguin. SO cute. I am working on getting in on video...

And the winner is...

KINSEY!

At the Arizona's Cutest Kid Pageant this weekend, Kinsey was the Overall Winner! Congratulations, baby girl, on your first big win!

Kinsey the Torturer

Our Airedale, Hawkeye, is unlike most other Airedales. Sure, he looks the same on the outside, but his temperament is... unusual. Maybe it came from growing up with Luxe, but Hawkeye is timid, passive, and quite jumpy. He runs from loud noises and is quite comfortable running completely backwards to get away from something,

Enter Kinsey...

And her new maracas.

It took about 2 minutes before Kinsey realized she could make Hawkeye run by chasing him around while shaking her maracas. It is absolutely hilarious.

Boating in NM

Last month, we visited my family in New Mexico and went out on my sister's new boat. SO MUCH FUN! Kinsey loved driving with Uncle Bruce and loved having the wind in her hair.

Forecast: Frosting!!!!

It is a flipping frosting downpour over here! The PET scan is negative!

My life is a Frosted Mini Wheat

There is very little frosting on my Mini Wheats this morning. That pretty much sums up my life right now. Blah with the occasional bit of sweetness (Kinsey).

Mom2 is having her PET scan today. Depending on the results, this afternoon could be a frosting downpour or my life could become All Bran (just plain crappy).

Here's praying for frosting.

Kinsey's New 'Do

Last Friday, Kinsey went to a birthday party at Build A Bear Workshop for one of my kindergartners. We go to Build A Bear fairly frequently, but this time one of the sales girls asked if I would like to see what Kinsey would look like with hair. Turns out the bear wigs are just the right size for babies...

Kinsey sporting a blond bob.

25 Random Things...

1. I don't forward emails, tags, or anything. So far, I this has led to me not having my wish granted, not winning a million bucks, and missing out on a million other good things that were "guaranteed" to happen if I kept the chain going. Oh well.
2. I did participate in a panty chain letter once though (you send a note to 10 people asking them to send you a pair of panties, then they do the same). I got 0 pairs of panties.
3. My daughter is my everything.
4. I have 2 degrees in education and more student loans than are reasonable. A little help for the teachers here?
5. I have been to the Playboy Mansion.
6. I played rugby in college because the cheer coach was evil.
7. I think epidurals are the best thing in the world... and I would have been SOOOO mad if I went 28 hours without drugs, only to end up in the operating room anyway. (That happened to my cousin, poor thing).
8. I gained 60 pounds while I was pregnant... and NO strech marks! Thank you genetics!
9. I scrapbook whenever I get the chance. I used to love just buying the supplies, but now I actually use them.
10. Despite our great nanny, I have working mommy guilt. As a result, Kinsey is a litle bit spoiled...
11. Drink of choice: Patron gimlet, up
12. Rolled my car at 100+ MPH (supposedly, I say it was more like 85) and flew out the window, butt first. First thing I asked the EMT? "Are my boobs the same size? They're new!"
13. I actually used the dating sight "SugarDaddyforMe.com". It works if you aren't looking for love.
14. I would love more kids. I think I might be secretly jealous of the lady who just had octuplets. Not that I wish it were me, I'd just love more.
15. I danced on stage with Alien Ant Farm.
16. I cocktailed my way through college...My biggest tip ever was $702 from Charles Barkley. Then I met Mike and he gave me $703. Horrible pick up line, but it worked. We are still together 6 years later
17. I've taken the Wilton Cake Decorating courses and even made my brother's wedding cake.
18. Cupcakes are my weakness. Preference? The Les Deux from Cupcakes in Scottsdale.
19. Favorite restaraunt: Copeland's of New Orleans. Nearest location? Several states away.
20. I hate Missouri.
21. Secret Wish: To be on "Are You Smatrer than a 5th Grader." I even submitted an application.
22. I can sing. But only nursery rhymes and kindergarten tunes.
23. I am addicted to the Secret Life of the American Teenager.
24. My passport is empty. Next time I go to Mexico, I am going to make them stamp it. Kinsey's too.
25. My little brother is an official miracle for the Catholic Church.

Originally posted on Facebook.

Cheeseball

I have been so blessed to have such a happy, happy baby. From Day 1, she has been such a sweet, easy baby and as she gets older, she is becoming quite a funny, silly little girl. Just recently, she has perfected her "cheeseball" grin, and she loves to flash it at any unsuspecting individual. Here she is, grinning at Grandma Vause.

Like me, Kinsey has HUGE eyes but when she smiles they disappear. I love her little toothless grin and I am both excited and saddened to know that any day, that smile will be gone forever, replaced by a big kid toothy smile. Here's another picture, just so I can laugh at her sweet face...
I don't think I blogged about this, but I did talk about it with a few people... we submitted Kinsey's picture to a handful of local modeling agencies. She is "in the books" at a few of them, and a few others expressed interest but wanted $700-800 for pictures and other 'fees'. Of course we told those companies no (I think my actual words were "She is too cute to pay YOU. YOU should be paying US!") and I had kind of forgotten about the idea until last week. Then, on the same day, we received two phone calls. One was from Agency A, with whom we had never spoken to, and they wanted to meet with her. The other was from Agency B, who we had pretty much told to shove their fee, and they wanted to meet with her again and waive the fee.
We met with both agencies, and both want to sign Kinsey to a 2 year contract. One is a smaller boutique agency, where Kinsey would be one of 6 or 7 babies and the other is the largest, most connected agency in town and Kinsey would be one of many, many babies. I just can't decide which agency to sign with - personal attention or connections with Disney???? I am waiting to talk to someone from Agency B (drives me crazy that their baby agent only works on Saturday. A bad sign?) about my concerns, then we will decide.
I do realize that Kinsey could get work with either agency, or she might never work no matter who she signs with. I don't want to push her into anything or exploit her (no pageants until she is old enough to make the decision), but I would love for her to have a cushion to fall back on when she is older. I know I made some bad decisions because I needed money, and I hope she is never in that position.
So, that's where we are with my little cheeseball.

I VOTED, SO YES, I CAN COMPLAIN.

I am grumpy today, for a few reasons, but mostly because of the inauguration of Barack Obama. I didn't vote for him. I voted for McCain.
But this really isn't about being a sore loser, because yeah, I know, you win some, you lose some.
It isn't about race, because I don't mind having an African American President. Congratulations, America. You have moved past the hatred that was slavery.
I am grumpy because today if Obama signs the Freedom of Choice Act like he has said he is going to do, it is a bad day to be an unborn baby.
I am pro-life. Not a bomb-wielding, stalking, angry pro-lifer, but a regular mom, Catholic, teacher, loves children kind of pro-lifer. I have always been a "no abortions for me" kind of person, but since the birth of my daughter, I am more of a "no abortions period" kind of person. I actually get physically ill when I think of killing a baby. I saw Kinsey at 5 weeks, when they couldn't even tell me if she was viable. I saw her at 7 weeks and rejoiced at her little heart. I saw her again at 13, 16, 20 weeks. And every single time, I KNEW she was "a real little human being". Maybe it has a little to do with how hard I worked to get pregnant, but I loved her before I even knew she was in there.
I had the chance to be born (Thanks, Mom). So did you. And so did Barack Obama. So who are we to say that abortion is a right? And the possibility of it being a tax payer paid for right? That just pisses me off. I'd rather keep working to pay welfare than work to pay for abortions. I can think of a few adults I'd like to kill instead (not really, but where do we stop?).

If you can't make it, fake it.

I saw a segment on 20/20 recently that profiled women who have "fake" babies - expensive, life-like dolls that they dress up, take out in public, and basically treat like a real baby. These women are nuts! When the reporter asked one of them why she didn't just adopt (she was unable to have children on her own, something I CAN sympathize with), she said it was because it was too expensive. Huh? And paying hundreds of dollars per doll, plus cribs, clothes, strollers and all the other baby gear is cheap?

Anyway, I definitely think these women need help. But while I checked out the website of the doll company, I noticed that they make custom dolls... How cool would it be to get Kinsey a baby doll that looks EXACTLY like she did as a baby? Not that I am in the market to pay $700 for a doll (I just want to be able to afford American Girl dolls), but still, a very cool idea. Add that to my lottery winning s plan!

Sample doll from Baby Love Reborns

My new obsession

Have you seen The Secret Life of the American Teenager on ABC Family? I "discovered" it Sunday when ABC Family was running a marathon in preparation for the new season that started last night. LOVE IT!
While I have to say that it really isn't the most accurate portrayal at teen pregnancy, it is a great little drama. Molly Ringwald is the mom, and the young woman playing the lead is amazing.
Check it out Mondays at 9 AZ time.

When 2 - 3 is the highlight of your day...

I guess this means I am a mom. Either that or I seriously need to get a life.

Kinsey was running low on diapers and was nearing the top of the weight range for her Pampers Swaddlers (18lbs). She hasn't been blowing out or anything, but let's face it, the kid's legs are HUGE! Anyway, I headed to Target, dreading the decision that was about to come next. Do I go up to size 3? And if so, what brand? I have only used Pampers Swaddlers thus far, and they don't come in 3's. I have Pampers Baby Dry?? Should I try Cruisers? Huggies? Luv's? Aaaggghhhhh!!!!!

I am such an indecisive person and this was killing me. What to do? Then, like a ray of sun from heaven (I swear I still hear the angels singing)... I saw Pampers Swaddlers Size 2 - 3. Fits 14 - 22 lbs! Perfect! And now, my decision has been pushed back another 4.5 lbs!

Mrs. A, our nanny, laughed at me when I told her the story. I guess it's true. Diapers were my #1 highlight last night, lol.

Three Christmases

Because Mike and I both come from split families, Santa came over and over again. Santa came to Nana and Papa Vause's house... to Grammy and Grandpa Burgie's house,

and to Nana and Papa Acosta's house.

We are still hoping to get out to Grandma and Grandpa Kuba's house soon. However, Kinsey made out like a bandit this year. Toys, toys, toys, and a gift card to our favorite store, the Children's Place (can't wait to shop there!) Like so many kids her age, Kinsey's favorite present was the shiny wrapping paper.

I too did well... the most novel gift was a Dough-Nu-Matic Doughnut Maker. I made a batch last night, and all I can say is...YUM!

New Year's Resolutions

2009... A new year, new start, blah, blah, blah. But in the spirit of things (and of course due to the fact that I love list making), here are my New Year's Resolutions:

• Blog more - According to some medical study, blogging actually helps reduce stress, even when no one reads it...
• Get back into my Rock and Republic Jeans - Considering that I will never again be able to afford a new pair, I better get my ass back into the ones I have. This will involve eating better, toning back up by working out and probably even weaning when Kinsey turns 1.
• Learn Spanish - We have all 3 levels of the Rosetta Stone software, but currently, mi no habla espanol. (Neither Mike nor I have done lesson 1).
• Pay down my debt - I have 2 credit cards and Kinsey's cord blood banking to pay off... less than $5,000 all together. As for my truck and student loans...maybe next year.
• Start working towards National Certification - I think the only thing stopping me is the cost... like $2,000. I think their are scholarships, so I'll start there.
• Scrapbook more - I want to stay up to date with Kinsey's and finish re-doing mine, plus start a few other projects. This is the only thing I do for me, so I want to make sure I carve out time to do it. Our nanny will still be coming this summer (part time) so hopefully, I will finish a few projects then.
• Start sewing - Got a new machine and can't wait to o a few fun projects.

Oh.

So this weekend, I kind of thought Mike proposed. I joked that if it was a proposal, it was one of the worst. Turns out, it was the worst. Not the worst proposal, just the worst. He doesn't want to get married. He wants a 'break'.

How in the hell did I read that one wrong????

I want to be witty, to be strong, to be...graceful and dignified as I write this. But really? I just want to puke, to scream and cry. I work so hard to teach my kindergartners how to use words to voice their feelings, and all I can think of is "I am sad because he doesn't want to be my friend anymore."

I keep saying that I am okay, that I am glad he is doing it now, before Kinsey is old enough to know, but really, inside I am screaming. I look at her pictures, and I just don't understand how you cannot love her, not want to be with her, not protect her? How can you reject her?

The question of the day is "Is there someone else?" I don't know. He says there isn't, but just weeks ago, he begged me never to leave for a week again. So??? Maybe there is. Maybe there isn't. I don't think it even matters at this point.

He says he isn't "moving out" - he is leaving most of his stuff here and just taking his clothes etc. So, for the time being, I am keeping Kinsey (obviously), the house, the dogs, the nanny, housekeeper, and landscaper. All the trappings of my life, except for the man I thought was my partner.

This sucks.

How pretty!

Not much to say... just had to share a few new pictures.

How is this possible?

I have been back at work for a week and a half, and at least twice every day, I sit down at my desk, yank up my shirt and pump (yes, I wait until my class is gone). I would say this is a 50% successful mission. 50% in that my right side consistently gives me 4 - 5 oz. 50% in that the left gives 1.5 - 2 oz. It's as if I am losing my milk supply...on one side! So far, the visible effects seem to be minimal (I don't look lopsided to anyone but me).

I talked to Cami, a wonderful lactation consultant and mom of a dear college friend, who offered me a few tips for increasing my milk supply. Warm compresses, double feeds, and brewers yeast (aka dog food pills) are now part of my life. I am also trying to take better care of myself by eating well and trying to stay un-stressed (i.e. no more starving myself back into my Rock and Republics, even unintentionally). Hopefully this will boost the supply in the left side, without also boosting the right side. The last thing I need is the right side to get even bigger and the left to stay 'deflated'.

On Wednesday, I stayed home with Kinsey (nanny had an emergency) and noticed that she was polishing off the 3 oz bottles, so I started prepping 4 oz bottles the next day. Now she is polishing those off too. If this keeps up, I am going to need to pump at least 15 oz a day to keep up with her demand... agh! Right now, I am only averaging 10 oz, so come on boobies!

Happy Days with Nanny

Thank the Lord for our wonderful Nanny!

To Whom It May Concern - UPDATED

Please accept this notice that my daughter, Kinsey, will not be starting in your infant room this week. We visited the center on Monday, September 15th, to allow Kinsey to get acquainted with the idea of day care. After our visit, I am no longer comfortable leaving my child in your center.

I would like to begin by saying that the three women in the infant room were exceptionally nice and professional, and in no way should this reflect poorly on them. That being said, I would like to let you know what influenced my decision, so that you may rectify these issues.
· I registered and pre-paid first week’s tuition for my daughter on July 28, 2008. Even with this advanced notice, when we arrived Monday, I found that she was assigned to “the broken crib”. When I asked the teacher where Kinsey’s stuff would be stored, since she was the only one without a drawer, I received an honest answer that she “wasn’t sure” and was looking for a place…in the meantime, it would just stay in her crib. I was told that a maintenance order had been put in, but it was unknown when it would be fulfilled.
· Both swings and both bouncers/rockers had dead batteries. I mentioned this and was told that “they were all out of batteries up front”. As a former Curriculum Specialist for your company, I am aware that supplies are procured on an as needed basis, and it seems to me that maintaining a battery supply for the infant room would be a priority at this location as well. Given that my daughter is less than 3 months old and cannot sit up on her own, I expect that she would be placed in a swing or bouncer at times, but when that equipment doesn’t move, it is the equivalent of leaving her in her crib.
· I am fully aware that state regulations allow for a 1:5 or 2:11 ratio, and for all non-walkers/under one years to be in the same class, but when I sat down with Kinsey on the floor area, I was barely able to keep a much larger child from falling on her head. I was not expecting Kinsey to receive 1:1 care, but without it yesterday, she would have been hurt.
· When I asked about getting a card for building access, I was told that the system was “still broken” and that I could just ring the door bell. The fact that the access system is broken leads me to question the security of my daughter while in your center.

As a result of our experience, I have decided to hire an in-home nanny for Kinsey, beginning immediately. I am aware that the registration fee is non-refundable, however, I do expect a refund of tuition, seeing that Kinsey was never officially enrolled (her paperwork is not complete- missing shot record) and that she never attended your center. If the refund is not issued, I will be forced to go ahead with a chargeback on my credit card.

Sincerely,

Meridith

BlogNotes: Yep, that is where we are at, and I go back to work TOMORROW!!! I am working on a few nanny interviews for this afternoon, and Princess Nana (Mike's mom) has offered to take tomorrow of, if necessary. Oh, the drama.

UPDATE: We have a nanny! Mrs. A came by this afternoon, and from the minute I opened the door, I loved her. And...she is CPR/first aid certified, DES licensed and has a DPS fingerprint clearance card. She is okay with the dogs, and can start tomorrow! Hooray!

Our Busy, Busy Trip to Colorado

Kinsey and I traveled to Colorado again last week. Thankfully, this trip was MUCH better than our July trip, due mostly to the fact that I am no longer half dead from the c-section. We had a great trip and were VERY busy.

Item 1: My mom, Kinsey and I drove up to the mall in Denver to meet up with Starr, my nanny from the time I was 6 weeks old until we moved to Texas 5 years later. Starr (aka "Nanny") was like a second mom to me. Her daughter and I were best friends and still keep in touch. It was great to see Nanny again after all these years and to show off my baby. I only wish I had someone like Nanny to watch Kinsey in Arizona.

Me, Kinsey and Nanny

Item 2: My cousin Molly and I were born 3 months apart, and to our surprise and delight, we became pregnant only weeks apart. Kinsey and her cousin Miles are 5 weeks apart (Miles is older, Kinsey is bigger, lol). They 'met' while they were both in our tummies, but this was their first time to meet in 'the real world'. Molly, her husband Coleman, and Miles drove down from Fort Collins for the weekend. Being so young, the mostly played near each other, but I like to think they had a good time... until Miles used his toes to pull Kinsey's hair!

Miles was fascinated with his toes, a milestone Kinsey hasn't reached yet.

Item 3: For the second year in a row, we walked the 5k in the Race for the Cure at the Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs. Last year, Molly, my mom, my aunt Karen, and I walked together in Celebration of my mom and her sister/Molly's mom. This year, we were joined by Coleman and Miles, but Auntie Karen couldn't join us (my step-dad, Mike, runs each year).

This year, we walked in celebration of Grammy (my mom), Molly's mom, AND Auntie Karen, who was diagnosed after the race last year. Fortunately, all three beat cancer, but it does mean that Molly and I (and Kinsey) have to be extra vigilant. I walk in hope that Kinsey will never have to fight like Grammy and her great aunts.

When Kinsey moved to the Snuggli, I didn't have a hat!

Thankfully, Grammy did.

With Grammy before the race. Kinsey's sign says,

"I roll for Grammy"

Item 4: On Sunday, we also celebrated Kinsey's Baptism. While I love my church and priest here in Arizona, I wanted Father Brad to celebrate the sacrament for us. Father Brad was the priest at the church I went to in high school, and is close to our family (he was there for the aftermath of Luke's miracle and will hopefully travel to Rome with us when Maria Teresa Bonzel is made a saint). Although he is no longer at the church in Colorado Springs, he was recently transferred to a nearby town, so we were still able to have him perform the ceremony.

My mom and step-dad are Kinsey's god parents, both because their religious convictions are what brought me back to the church when I wandered and because I honestly don't have many Catholic friends/family anymore. I thought about asking my sister Jill and one of my brothers, but Jill is now a "seeker" and the boys are at that 'questioning their faith' stage. It was important to me that I pick people who had a solid Catholic faith to help guide Kinsey, so my parents it was.

Mom, Mike, me, Kinsey and Fr. Brad

Luke, Tim, me, and Kinsey after mass

We also enjoyed some beautiful weather, great BBQ (seriously, we ate at the Front Range BBQ FOUR times!) and being with family.

Kinsey with Grandpa Burgie. I love this picture.