i've got a bit of OCD... what's it to ya!

monkeyandsquirrel June 20, 2012

just wanted to share this little peek into my obsessive picture taking habit. seriously, my phone has never before told me so often that i was out of space for any more pictures. oh penny, you are one well documented child!

father's day...

monkeyandsquirrel June 18, 2012

this one's for the father's in my life

for my own... who taught me a love of gardening, a deep appreciation for cooking shows, and how to perfectly enjoy the act of doing nothing while enjoying a glass of wine. who pretends to be a tough cookie, but deep down is a big ol' softy. who gave me his thick dark hair and sky blue eyes, and who worked hard so that his family could enjoy a really good life. i love you dad!

for my father in law, evan's dad, taken from us far too soon... who gave the biggest longest hugs, who always had a somewhat questionable joke to share, who welcomed me into his family the first moment i met him, who supported a family of 8 children, who never let us be sad even when the cancer was really bad, and who helped create the most wonderful husband i could ever ask for. we love you and miss you!

and for evan, the father of our little girl... who has shown me an effortless love that i didn't believe could be possible, who understands my short tempered flustered moments and doesn't judge me for them, who despite having no rhythm has an enthusiasm for dancing that can't be matched, who is always the first to volunteer to help a friend or family member with a laborious project, and most importantly, who loves our daughter to the moon and back. seeing you step into the roll of "papa" has made the love i already have for you grow in leaps and bounds! i'm so happy that she has you to show her what a good man is, and watching the two of you together makes me the happiest mama on the planet. we love you today, tomorrow, and always!

i hope all the other father's out there had a wonderfully spoiled father's day

baby led weaning

monkeyandsquirrel June 6, 2012

penny has been seeming hungrier then usual lately so we've begun introducing solids over here... and it's a messy endeavor to say the least! we decided to offer penn her first foods by doing baby led weaning, and though i'm not sure how much is actually making it into her belly, she's having one heck of a time exploring those sweet potatoes. she picks it up, mushes it between her fingers, smells it, and occasionally takes a lick. for a gal who puts EVERYTHING in her mouth, she's certainly timid about these taters! it's been a week now of just sweet potatoes, so next we're giving bananas a go!

NY... as seen from my iphone

monkeyandsquirrel May 31, 2012

penny's first trip to NY was a pretty darn good one if i do say so myself... and yes, i do! she did really well on the plane, with the exception of some really bad gas caused by the pressure on the way home. sorry to the folks traveling with us who just wanted some peace and quite. penny needed to get the farts out, and y'all were gonne hear about it from her! she got to meet all of her cousins on my side of the family, and even a second cousin too! she had lots of firsts, like sitting in a high chair for the first time, and her first nap in a pack-n-play! my heart was quite full watching her with all of my family, and it makes me a little sad that she doesn't get to see them all more often.

here are some favorite moments from our trip. naturally i forgot my camera, so these are all iphone shots...