Did I forget to tell you?

I'm going to be an Auntie again. My sister-in-law Amy is due with my third niece, Lily Rose in June. I'm so excited. As it stands right now, we have had mostly girls in our families for quite some time. All my friends have girls too. Here is a list:

Amber Dawn - 2nd Cousin - February 15, 1997
Riley Elizabeth - Niece - April 12, 2006
Raegan Leigh - Niece - January 29, 2008
Clare Rose - Close family friend's daughter - July 8, 2008
Heidi Lynn - Friend's daughter - July 9, 2008
Mia Ryan - Friend's daughter - August 8, 2009
Courtney Holland - June 1, 2010

Riley holding Courtney, Clare and Raegan at Christmas Eve mass!


Trying to get a picture with all the girls looking is impossible. From left: Erin and Clare, Me and Courtney, Jenni and Heidi and Sammy and Mia (My sister and my nieces were at home in Boston) - October 2010.


Mia giving Courtney a kiss and Heidi "smiling" for the camera. :)


Riley, Raegan, Courtney and Clare with Santa!


Heidi and Courtney - October 2010


Amber (who just turned 14) and Courtney back in October!


And a shout out to the two litte boys that have snuck in there along the way.

Nathaniel Peter - December 2005
Connor James - May 2009.

Nathaniel and Courtney - October 2010


Connor - October 2010


We are looking forward to adding sweet Lily to the girl madness!

99 days!

We are in the double digits now. We have 99 days until Courtney turns ONE! And because I have nothing better to do out here in the Pacific Northwest, the party planning is in full swing. For close family and friends who read this, you will be thrilled to know that we will be holding Courtney's party back at home in California so you all can be there.

And the theme will be something along the lines of a BEE-Day! I'm so excited about this party, but on the inside am so sad that my baby is turning one. Maybe I'll need #2 sooner rather than later. ;-) I'm just kidding. No seriously. I'm totally kidding.

Courtney is getting so good at standing up. I'm afraid she'll walk before we know it.


And another picture zoomed in. Other than her runny nose she had that weekend, you can see her two teeth that she has now!

[Rob Pats...LB State fan?]

Rock on Rob! Represent. ;-)

[8 months]

My baby girl turned 8 months yesterday. She is growing so fast and as sad as I am to watch her near toddlerhood (OMG), I am excited to see more of who she becomes and watch her blossom into a walking, talking little girl (sorta). ;-)

Things she does:
- Pulls herself up (in her crib, on her toys, in the bathtub :-o)
- Will stand for a short time unassisted
- Has a good pincher grasp down. She picks up her puffs and feeds herself.
- Does good with her sippy cup
- Still army crawls with a few up on her hands and knees
- Sits up on her own
- Plays patty cake and peek-a-boo
- Says "mama" indiscriminately
- Is working on her bottom two teeth and taking it like a champ
- Sleeping through the night (wohoo)
- Eating three solid meals a day and 4 bottles
- Loves finger foods such as puffs, mum mums and yogurt bites

My sweet baby is growing up. And first birthday party planning is in full swing!

[Babies don't keep]

I hope that my child, looking back on today
Will remember a mother who had time to play;
Because children grow up while you're not looking,
There are years ahead for cleaning and cooking.
So, quiet now cobwebs, dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.