Three Months Old

Marin is now three months old! I can’t believe it. In the last few weeks, she is eating less often, sleeping more and growing bigger and bigger. Here's a few things about Marin: She is very happy and content: a very, easy-going baby. She sticks her tongue out when she smiles. She likes to sit in her chair and take in the action. She watches the ceiling fan in the kitchen while I cook. She expends most of her energy trying to get her hands in her mouth. She recently had her first 8 hour night…and we are hoping for more nights like that! That night was follow by a record 8oz bottle but she averages closer to 6oz. Her most ticklish spot is under her arms. She beams every time Katie comes over to talk to her. Katie will often say “Marin wants her big sister.” We call her Marinade and Bug. Marin Jane sounds like Marinade when you say it fast: Our Sweet Marinade! Or we call her Bug for our Little Snuggle Bug. She still doesn’t have a lot of hair. In fact, I think she has less hair now then she did when she was born. She likes her bath, especially when Dad gives it to her. She isn't a huge fan of long naps. She prefers the short, one-hour naps. Ugh. She’s beginning to roll over. She lifts up her legs to wind up and gain momentum but she never gets all the way. She makes a funny gurgling noise when she tries to talk. She is very chatty. On Friday, her daily report card from daycare said “a love to have.” I couldn’t agree more! Here are a few outtakes. She was more interested in eating the sign...

Father's Day 2010

A big shout out to Josie and Kelly at daycare who helped Katie make this cool hat for Chad as a Father's Day gift. It looks great and Katie was so proud that she made it. The hat has "Dad" and her handprint on the top. It's very cool. I went with the not-half-as-cool Best Buy gift card. Chad is one step closer to something else he wants - a bigger, better TV!

Ga-Ga-Ga-Gastroenteritis

Katie is really into learning her letters and sounds. Her daycare spends a lot of time reinforcing this when they teach the kids how to talk and learn new words. It’s great and most of them consider it a game. Katie loves to name as many words as she can remember when she picks out a letter. G seems to be a favorite. We were having dinner at my Dad’s last week and she sounded out Ga-Ga-Ga Grammie, Ga-Ga-Ga Grampa, Ga-Ga-Ga-Gastroenteritis! I was a little shocked at first but then remembered that she has been watching the same Sesame Street (on DVR) over and over again because it features a segment on gymnastics that she likes. The episode was all about the letter G. When I watched it the next day, Anderson Cooper was reporting for the GNN (Grouch News Network) and said gastroenteritis during his segment. Now instead of requesting Sesame Street, she asks if she can watch Anderson Cooper on TV. Move over Barack Obama…Anderson Cooper is taking over.

39

Happy 39th Birthday to Chad! We had a low-key birthday at home this weekend. Low-key is what the sleep-deprived people do. I'm already planning his 40th birthday pub crawl. Next year, it's on! Here is the birthday boy and his girls! Katie had her last class at Little Gym this week. It was show week so Chad joined us too. Katie loves it so we signed her up again for the fall. She improved so much from our first class 10 weeks ago. She's so strong and her instructor said she did great job.

Look Alikes?

So many people ask me if Marin looks like Katie, more specifically, whether Marin will have red, curly hair. Not sure if lightening will strike twice in the hair department but my answer of whether they look alike depends on the day. I see similarities and differences. Only time will tell. I took this picture below and Marin's expression reminded me of a picture I took of Katie at the same age. You can judge for yourself.

June 4th (Part 2)

My brother reminded me of the famous electric carving knife. We were like Pavlov's dog with the bell. You knew dinner was a comin' when you heard them plug in that knife! I forgot I had these pictures too. Steve, Julie and Susan (1977) Sean, Julie, Steve, Susan and Jeff (1979)

June 4th

I was thinking about my Nana and Grampa Kerrigan today. June 4th was their anniversary. They were married in 1934. Here's their wedding photo. I think they got married on a Monday. One of my favorite childhood memories was going to their house on Sunday night for dinner with my cousins. Here is what I remember.

• We always had to ask to be excused from the table.
• No elbows on the table.
• Nana called everything Roast Beef so we would eat it.
• We sat in the same seats each week- our unofficial, assigned seats.
• In the summer, we would walk up to the Reservoir. We would climb down the rocks to get close to the water. Some of the more talented family members would skim flat rocks off the water.
• The younger ones (me and my brother) rode to the Reservoir in the red wagon.
• I chased my cousins, Sean and Steve, until someone would pin them down so I could kiss them goodbye with a peck on the cheek.
• I idolized my cousin Susan. She's still the coolest!
• I learned the Redskins fight song from my Uncle Kevey!
• Nana would always make the meals and Grampa would always load up the dishwasher.
• Occasionally, Grampa would indulge in a cigar after dinner.
• Nana and Grampa had their special chairs on the porch.
• We would watch The Muppet Show in the living room.
• There were dolls and hummels EVERYWHERE. Nana was an avid collector.
• My black and white bathroom downstairs reminds me of the black and white bathroom they had upstairs. Classic decor! I could go on and on....

I have a daily reminder of them. The faded scar on my left cheek is one I got as a baby when I fell and cut myself playing on their porch.

Those Sunday night dinners remind me that good memories are not always the big events in life but the everyday ones.