Hard at Play

Just the Two of Us

Colin is in the middle of his busy time of year, so he's been on mini trips here and there this entire month. Jackie and I are getting quite a bit of Mom/daughter time. We love it, but we're ready for Dad to be home!!

Ricardo's birthday

This goofy event actually happened a few weeks ago, but I thought the pictures were too fun not to post. Here's Grandpa Dowdell expressing his unique and always present sense of humor. Laughter was ever-present in my home growing up and I hope Jackie feels that way too.

The goofball injection process has begun.

It's almost here...

Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year. St. Patty's!!! Jackie looks frightened, but really she's just bursting with anticipation.

A New Cousin's In Town!

Look at this!! In my family, this is the newest set of parents. There is my sis-n-law, in labor, using no form of pain killers, looking fantastic. She is amazing! They welcomed my nephew into the world just hours after this picture was taken.

Molly is not a fan of needles. The IV was the only part of labor that I heard her complain about.

Here is my little brother, John, about to be a Dad! He looks fatherly doesn't he? You should see him hold his son. He definitely has a sparkle in his eye. Don't hurt me, I don't have pictures of the baby. John wasn't a big fan of flashing lights in his sons first few hours. I know, it's cruel to do a post like this and not have a picture of the baby.

Coming soon! Pictures of our darling neice Caroline (3 months) and nephew Jason (3 days).

Oh Geez, My Knees

Our girl is full speed ahead these days. She doesn't stay in the same spot for very long anymore. We have a few indicators that Jackie is scoping out the world that is the floor. #1. See the nice white tights she's wearing? Her knees have a lovely shade of dirt after a few minutes of cruising.

Colin is still keeping the dog under the Kathleen radar. My newest canine complaint and indicator #2 ... Hair!! See these cute pudgy hands? If we've gone 1 day without a vacuum or broom, she's picking up Ella hair in each hand and it's all over her cute tights. Thus, Colin's newest job is giving Ella a brush through every day. She' s a sweet dog really - but the hair!!

Indicator #3 - Spills. I'm trying really hard not to hover/overprotect/freak out. Jackie is going to fall and have bumps and bruises. She's taken a few spills and shed a few tears, but none last very long or keep her from being on the move.

Indicator #4 - Longer naps!!

Jackie's First Table

Jackie loves to pull up on this play table and many other things. It's amazing to watch her each day figure out and control her little body more and more. It seemed like as soon as she learned to crawl around, everything else is becoming more enticing. She has a thirst for discovering the world around her.

Check out this body control. I call her my little "yoga baby." A little "downward dog" here, a little "exhaulted warrior" over there. We'll see what kind of athlete she is. That would tickle her mom and her grandpa Dowdell. Colin would be perfectly satisfied with political debates at the dinner table. I guess we'll just wait and see what she likes - it could be a surprise to us all. :-)