South Bend or BUST

We're back from the Bend. Actually, we've been back for two weeks, but it takes me that long to settle back into our lives here. A quick photo recap...

Carly & Teddy visiting with Grandma Rita at her new sweet digs. Carly was in rare form, as you can tell.



It was a last minute line-up at the Pietrosantes on Saturday morning, but alas Nick & Katie made the cut (along with Carly & Teddy), so we loaded up Julie's minibus and set off to South Bend. With two pack-n-plays and two strollers and several bags, we were still jammed. Charlie and Joey were left behind to torture their dad, but little did they know how much better it would be at home as opposed to roughing it in Zahm Hall (not for the faint of heart thankyouverymuch).



Carly & Nick taking a break from the Architecture commencement reception to take a walk around campus. Here they are at the Manor, hopefully they both have updated tetanus shots.



Across the quad at Pangborn:



A picture of Air Force One flying over campus about an hour before the ceremony. Note that Touchdown Jesus is pointing to the plane, not to the supposed protesters, so I guess we know who he picks in that debate.



The proud graduate. Has anyone heard me talk about how Scott has claimed to "be failing out" at least once per semester since he started his path of higher education? This semester did not disappoint. Of course, we learned at graduation that he was **almost** valedictorian. Oh shoot.



The proud commencement speaker.



This picture captures Carly's first experience with a belgian waffle topped with whipped cream and strawberries...at Bibler's no less. Lucky, lucky girl. Too bad she had a total meltdown just moments later and ruined her mom's dutch baby pancake breakfast. I still am holding a grudge.



Back at my mom's house....the cousins went nuts with nana's toys. The discussion between Katie & Teddy went something like this:

K: Soooooo....what hair products are you using these days?
T: Mostly baby barf, but it doesn't seem to help with hair growth. You?
K: Yeah, that stuff is worthless, my bro Charlie tells me that we should stick with peanut butter.
T: Not until I'm 18 months, bummer. Sunscreen on the scalp is going to be a bitch this summer.


Katie, Carly, Teddy, Joey, Nick & Charlie...


The only thing Carly willingly shared the whole weekend was the hairclips that came with the purse Aunt Julie bought her. One day, Joey, this photo will haunt you. And, Aunt Julie, one day Katie is going to point out that there was a beer on her highchair tray.


And......the day after we arrived home.....Carly graduated from the 2's class at preschool (I'm withholding my rant about the graduation trend, but I've got one buried inside me). Good thing she had just learned from Uncle Scott what graduates do with their mortar boards. Ta da!

Happy Trails

Guess who is excited about our trip this weekend? (If you are wondering what Carly is doing in the clip...that is Ga singing - he doesn't annunciate words because "his mouth is sewed shut mommy").

CONGRATULATIONS UNCLE SCOTT!!!!!!!!!!

Scene at the Rock (2004 I think)

Kid Rock & Charlie. I really have nothing to add.

Noise

So, parents of boys, are these roaring noises that Teddy is making normal? Maybe he is taking his name a bit too literally.

See ya!

Say "adios" to the binky! Today was Carly's first dentist appointment, during which we learned that Carly has beautiful teeth. Also during the visit, as prompted by the "what can we do for you today" portion of the patient intake form that I carefully completed, the dentist mentioned to Carly that she should stop using her binky. Carly nodded in agreement, perhaps encouraged by the glistening coin that the dentist gave her to retrieve a prize from the prize machine, and we left the office happy as clams.



The rest of the day went something like this: We arrived home. Carly ran to tell Greg the good news that it was time to throw away the binkies (I should note here that she rejected the idea of mailing them to needy children, so we really need to get on the wagon as far as attending mass more regularly). She ran upstairs, retrieved the 4 binkies from her binky bucket and threw them in the trash can. We left and went to an activity-filled playgroup. Upon returning home at naptime, she promptly headed upstairs, grabbed Ga, and had a total all-systems failure binky meltdown. We quickly went through the 5 stages of grieving (again, that Death & Dying class from Marian comes in handy!):

Denial - "I am not a big girl, I am a baby!!!"
Anger - "I will not take my nap. No nononononononononononononono mommy!"
Bargaining - "You stay here mommy, I'm going to get my binkies out of the trash." "Pleeeeaaaaase mommy, I neeeeeeeeeed my binky!"
Depression - hysterical sobbing
Acceptance - "Okay, I'm happy mommy, you can leave." This was a fake-out, since she never went to sleep and continued the previous 4 steps for about an hour and a half.

I was prepared for a similar experience this evening, so I armed myself with two very, very useful tools.

1.


(This was for me, not Carly.)

2.


Some may say this was an unfair scare tactic. Dr. Dentist might not approve of me using her brochure about tooth decay to falsely convince my toddler that binkies will rot her teeth and make them fall out. They are both right, but sometimes you just have to do what works. I had my little talk with Carly and you can be damned sure that that picture had her asleep without the binky in less than 5 minutes.

Ta da!

Happy Easter

I spent a lot of time and energy today trying to relax and enjoy the day, so naturally I'm exhausted. Happy Easter everyone!!

35

I had a fantastic birthday. Teddy was sick, we are still unemployed, and we have a new "white picket fence" (not the good kind), but the day was still great. Greg outdid himself with the birthday gifts this year after turning up empty handed last year. I got two bottles of tequila ("one for margaritas, one for sipping"). Hey, this is from a guy who once bought me a box of Duraflame logs for Christmas. Not bad! Carly helped bake the cake, as evidenced by her handprint in the chocolate frosting and a really guilty look on her face when I noticed it. We all thought it was delicious.

So here it goes. Things I've learned this year.
1) Miracles do happen. In a word: Teddy.
2) I should not feel guilty about booking a three week trip to the Rock. It always goes by too quickly.
3) It was a bad idea to show Greg that I can get ready in 14 minutes or less.
4) Even though friends move away, they are always in my thoughts.
5) The 24 hour stomach flu lasts more than 24 hours, even if it's Christmas Eve.
6) If you build it, they will come. People cannot resist our sweet guest quarters (a pullout couch). Visitors this past 12 mos have included: Nana, Grammy & Papa, Michelle & Dan & Jack, Julie & Katie, Duffy & Katie, Scott, Bridget & Kevin & Colin, Ten Frame, and BI & Melissa. (Keep 'em coming!)
7) Enrolling Carly in preschool at age two was brilliant.
8) You should always check to make sure the new eyebrow pencil you are about to use is not dark blue.
9) Because I renewed my 5 year-old driver's license online, I will not need to get a new driver's license photo for 8 years. I will look 30 until I'm 43. Better than Creme de la Mer!
10) Happiness comes from within.

Cheers!