Our New Baby

Crazy Mouth

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:21:00 +0000

Overheard

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:31:00 +0000

Libby, tonight while playing on a video game: "Hey, you guys. Any animal can be a pet -- even pigs."

Emma: "Oh! I love even pigs."

For my Valentine

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:16:00 +0000

Time for my yearly valentine video. This year, instead of just doing a clip montage I did something special. Over the the last year I've been taking guitar lessons and I decided to write Kerri a song. the result is below.

We Hope ...

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:40:00 +0000

... that your Valentine's Day will be spent cuddling with those you love. (We miss-miss-miss you, Daddy! See you soon.)

Hoarders

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:40:00 +0000

On today's episode of "Hoarders," we'll be looking at a 3-year-old girl who lives with her baby sister in a squalid little beach tent filled with just about everything they own.

My Little Tokie Nut

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:54:00 +0000

Sing along if you know it, folks!

No, these are not THE polka dot jammies; they're a desperate attempt to replace them. She likes these fine, but she much prefers the original set. This is them below. (Notice the ripped-out footed part?)

In the interest of posterity so I'll understand my post title, Emma for a brief, shining period called polka dots "tokie nuts." Alas, this all too quickly became "tokie dots" and then moved right on to the correct words. Sigh. It goes so quickly!

Christmas Catch-up

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:40:00 +0000

A very late Christmas post. We spent Christmas in Ohio this year. It was so fun! I think I'm only now getting caught up on my energy levels. Many thanks to Aunt Kimmy and Aunt Kandi and their families, who were fabulous hosts.

Barley took a particular shine to her new puppy, Emma. Anytime Emma shrieked with happiness anywhere in the house, Barley barked with dismay, wondering who was bothering her little charge.

Emma loves her some Cousin Kennedy.

Cousin Andrew was patience itself with his two new girlfriends.

Two of the biggest teases in the family face off.

We were all a little tired.

Libby heard a Cheap Trick song on the radio last week and said, "This is like on the TV at Aunt Kimmy's house!" She and Emma watched a lot of Guitar Hero during our visit.

Cousin Adam indulges in being laid upon on by almost every little living creature in the household. (They're watching? Yes, Guitar Hero, of course.)

Andrew puts on the ritz.

We opened presents with the extended family Christmas Eve. As you can see, Libby was miserable. (And why is this the only picture I have of Vincent? He's such a teenager now that I didn't even get any pix with him, I don't think. Curses!)

The traditional waiting-on-the-steps pic. See Emma floating? It was a Christmas miracle!

This is such an Emma expression. Even in her snothead 2s, she has her sweetheart moments.

Santa brought the girls monkey backpacks, which are the bomb!

We love ~~consumerism~~ Christmas!

Terrible Twos

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:58:00 +0000

Some catch-up here to talk about Emma hitting the big 0-2 in December. We had a little party to celebrate, where Emma did her best not to associate with anyone else but Mommy or Daddy or Libby (she's in a very anti-social phase).

We managed to take the crummiest pictures imaginable all day long. Sigh.

Playing "with" our neighbor Lily.

Another of Aunt Kelly's gorgeous creations. A polka dot cake for my little polka dot nut. (Someday I will remember to take a picture of the polka dot jammies that started the whole craze. I have had to rip the feet out so that she can continue to wear them. I don't know what we'll do when they don't fit anymore! She'll be devastated.)

Emma loathed the singing and all-of-the-attention-on-her part of the day. The cake-eating part, though, was A-OK.

Not from her birthday but awfully cute nonetheless (and naked, natch).

Doesn't she look like one of those Russian nesting dolls? I'm blanking on the name.

This One's for Staci

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:54:00 +0000

This one goes out to Staci, our loyal reader who never complains when we're behind on our posts but instead bravely soldiers on, checking daily only to find a dearth of new cuteness.

Notice the attempt at a snowman (snowmanlet?) in between the girls. This was not packing snow.

As this was at Grandma and Grandpa's and not here in Dog Poop Central, the girls were allowed

to feast upon the flakes. Delish!

If only I'd discovered this trick to parenting three years ago! (Special thanks to Barley and Rascal for so nicely sharing their dog crates. Miss you, pups!)

Howdy, Strangers

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:26:00 +0000

Our faithful readers (all three of you) have started harassing us for new pictures and info. All I can say is: OK, OK, you all can stop calling and e-mail and texting for an update now (you know who you are, Pop-Pop and Aunt Kimmy).

As you can see, we had something of a Christmas miracle during our absence from the blog--not one, not two, but several good pictures of a happy Emma. Rejoice, one and all! At last we'll have proof for her that she didn't spend her toddlerhood in the pits of despair. (All other photographic evidence points to a deeply sad existence on her part. The kid is not big on pictures.)

I was going to include some pictures of Libby as well, but I'm being beckoned into the bathroom. Both girls have stripped themselves and are hanging out in the bathtub. No water -- just a coupla naked girls in a tub. They're weird.

More on Christmas and Em's birthday to come.

In Which We Attempt Some Semblance of a Christmas Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:24:00 +0000

I could post a hundred more mediocre to bad (although funny!) ones, but I think you get the idea.

Libby Loves Boogie Nights

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:42:00 +0000

This picture only gives you a taste. Libby's thousand-yard stare for MINUTES was so reminiscent of Mark Walhberg in the "Sister Christian" scene that it must have been an homage.

Kerri's sidenote: It wasn't so much fear as it was pure awestruck-ness. She was trembling at the altar of greatness.

Libby the artist

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:30:00 +0000

Libby has left her still life stage and moved to her human figure artistic stage. All of her figures look they same and are equal parts adorable and creepy.

October Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:40:00 +0000

Yes, yes -- I know November is almost halfway through, but I missed lots of big highlights in October. So I'm circling back and playing catch up. Live with it.

Libby had a few friends over for a pajama party to celebrate her birthday. Libby -- our own little Hugh Hefner -- would wear jammies all day every day if we'd let her.

Dem Bones (Dem Dry Bones!) is one of Libby's super-duper faves. Aunt Kelly managed to make a kick-ass Dem Bones cake that somehow made skeletons pretty! (It's good to have talented friends, yes?)

An absolutely adorable Snow White (a frantic last-minute sub from the dress-up box when I realized the chicken costume I had for her was too small). She refused to take out her pigtails; of course, they were so stinkin' cute I couldn't blame her.

She's once, twice, three times a lady.

Grandma B. sent us a cupcake project to celebrate Libby's birthday. As you can see, Libby thought this was just about the coolest thing ever.

Emma particularly enjoys the fringe benefits of baking. Honestly, I can't turn my head for second, or she's tipping the bowl up to drink the batter (and, no, I am not exaggerating).

Major(ette)ly Cute

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:59:00 +0000

I wore this costume for Halloween when I was little, as did my sisters before me and family members back to my cousin Shelley, for whom my Aunt Barbara made it. Alas, I think it's too big for Emma, and I can't convince Libby to wear it (I don't think anyway -- still working on it).

As it stands, I think Libby's going to go as a princess (*gag* I'm not big on the whole princess thing), and Emma's going to be dressed as a piggy with wings and go as Swine Flew (again, we'll see if I can convince her; she might wind up as a princess just because her sister is or in Libby's old chicken costume from last year if I don't get off my duff and make some piggy ears).

Yup, That's Right

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:54:00 +0000

When Martin filled the radiator reservoir in the girls' room last time, he put the photo back like this. I've left it because it makes me laugh: Yup, having kids turned us on our heads, alright.

P.S. Margrethe, if you happen to read this: Thank Dora and Julia for our little elephant, which -- as you can see -- is much beloved.

Snuggle Puppy of Mine

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:17:00 +0000

What with Libby starting school and pooping pennies and having a birthday, I feel that Emma's beeng getting shortchanged on the blog lately. So let me tell you a few snippets about our snuggly littlest puppy:

* If Emma could be held 20 hours out of the day, she would be (so long as she could spend the other four hours eating).

* Emma has this hilarious, gravelly, sort of low voice, especially when she's being shy (which is often). The other day after I asked Emma to say goodbye to my friend Kristy, Kristy looked at me and said, "She sounds just like Eeyore."

* Emma insists on going to bed with strange (and different) stuff every night. (Example? She'll often sleep for days with the "Parade" magazine from the Sunday paper.) Consequently, her crib eventually becomes piled with massive amounts of books and magazines and stuffed animals and whatnot. Martin goes in every now and again and shovels it all out. (Me? I just leave it. Seems like a YP.)

No, this was not staged, and -- yes -- I do worry for her social future as a result. (And also -- yes -- this was one of those odd things that wound up in her crib for days and days.)

* Emma is, and always has been, just amazing with names. She seems to hear everything going on around her and absorb any names from it. She knows everyone's little brother or sister, for example. In contrast, Libby only just realized a few days ago that Martin and I have names besides Mommy and Daddy.

* Emma is even more stubborn than Libby, which I was pretty sure wasn't possible. She sets her mind to something, and -- watch out! -- that's it. In fact, I finally just stopped trying to grow out her bangs because the kid simply would not leave a barrette in her hair.

A few moments with the barrette left in. She looks pretty darn cute with bangs now, though!

* My favorite Emma-ism? "Not that one shirt. The other one shirt." "Not that one book." etc. I'll be sad when she realizes she doesn't need that "one" in there.

* Emma love, love, loves when she gets to pick out my shirt for the day. Consequently, I sometimes wear some odd combinations.

* Emma has a special affinity for Seven. I think she sees Nub as belonging to Libby, so she staked her claims on the other kitty around. Poor Seven. He's a gentle guy, thank God, but he certainly doesn't have Nub's completely unfathomable and utter patience with every form of toddler torture. (The funniest part? Emma calls Seven "Nub." This despite her amazing gift for names. Odd.)

Let the tortures begin!

* I can hardly keep clothes on her these days. (Don't ask me about the turd story from when she took her own diaper off Tuesday. Shudder.)

Washing dishes (naked, of course). If only Mommy had the patience more often for the dish-washing game! (Or if only my entire kitchen were waterproof. Perhaps that's the better wish.)

* Because she's always been surrounded by kids a year older than her, she adores having a younger kid around. She is one bossy little beeyotch then. "No, Zach. No." (Although she is fascinated by little babies and is very sweet toward them. But give it a few months, and she'll be quite the meanie.)

New Video

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:30:00 +0000

The girl are in Ohio so I had a night to kill and made a new video. I pine for these bachelor weekends and when they come I get bored and pine to have my wife and kids back. Sigh.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Stinkerbutt!

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:21:00 +0000

It turns my brain upside down to think that this kid ...

... is now 3 freakin' years old. What a merry chase she has led us! I can't wait to see where you take us next, Sweet Libs.

This-n-That

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:55:00 +0000

Libby and Mommy had a date yesterday and went to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." My God, was that movie ever horrible! It was so bad that even Libby did not like it. Pure dreck. Nice to spend some time with my little monkey, though. We had a ball together!

As for Emma, she and Daddy had fun together at the farmer's market and Old McDonald's. Speaking of her Emma-nence, Emma is not crazy about getting her picture taken. This is why we have so few good photos of her. I thought these pix, though, really show her gorgeous smile -- both the little one and the big one.

More photos for ya:

Cheese-dog! Doesn't she look like a dork here?

Libby had a weird mystery fever one day, and we had to cloister ourselves at home. We had a tea party to keep our (OK, my -- I'm not ready for flu season!) spirits up.

Hard Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:28:00 +0000

Both girls have learned hard lessons this weekend.

It began with Libby yesterday morning. Our first-floor neighbors have several trailing plants from their deck planters. We were playing on the sidewalk below their deck, and Libby decided to try to swing on the "vines" (a la Dora). Needless to say, it didn't work. Note to all of Libby's blog readers: TV apparently is NOT grounded in reality. Who knew?

To make the lesson even more painful, she was trying to swing over a sunken section about three steps down. She was fine, but she scared the poo out of me when I saw her falling down into the pit. There she landed, surrounded by broken leaves and other bits of plant. Poor thing. (Kim, I keep flashing to the "swimming pool" you made out of Mom and Dad's shower. I'm sure Libby had just as clear a mental image of her swinging as you did of paddling around in your pool.)

Then it was Emma's turn for a typical childhood lesson. She and Libby were playing "go to work" at our back door. They both stand by the screen door, and Libby shuts the back door so I can't see them. I have long known this would end in tragedy, but what're ya gonna do? After months of this beloved game, Emma finally forgot to keep her fingers out of the door crack. Smash! (Poor thing really got it, too. It's nice and purpley.)

Our brave Emma has managed to soldier on and only mentions it five or six times an hour. It requires constant visits from our boo-boo fish (an ice pack), several Band-aids, lots of kisses from Libby, and -- mysteriously -- occasional bites from Emma herself. ("Eat boo-boo." I don't know what the heck that's about.)

Emma's the biggest chicken you ever saw and is terrified of slides at the park. This eensy-weensy slide at Libby's preschool is the only one she enjoys. Who cares that it's shorter than she is?

Libby on her first day of school sans Mom and Dad. The teacher told me the other day that she asked Libby if she was drawing an apple (they're studying apples right now). "No," Libby said. "I'm taking notes." Ahhhh. Already a little nerd. I love it.

Overheard

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:55:00 +0000

Emma just put a little jar into a bigger one, looked up at me and said, "Oh my gotch. Look." Hilarious.

Even more funny? I swear she sang this last night while I was changing her diaper (sung to the tune of "I Want a Dog," which should explain the third line of her invented song lest you think she has some gender identity issues):

Daddy has penis.

I want a penis.

Vagina!

It was a little garbled, but I'm pretty sure these were the song's words. Honest to Gotch.

A Coupla Pix

noreply@blogger.com (Kerri) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:07:00 +0000

Emma must have sensed that I finally sat down to post a new entry and get Aunt Kimmy off my back because she just woke up and started to cry. Sigh. Such is parenthood.

Enjoy the pictures, sans cute stories about my kids. But expect cute stories to come soon. (Or not. You know me!)

Who knew?

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:53:00 +0000

Kerri found some Toy Story action figures at a yard sale and yesterday Libby found them. It took her about three minutes before Woody and Buzz were in a passionate make-out session. Who knew?

Libby's First Day at School, in her own Words

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:00:00 +0000