Surprise Visit with the Aunts

Aunt Kim and Aunt Kandi surprised us by spontaneously driving to Chicago to keep us company a few days while Martin is out of town. It's been a great visit! Aunt Kimmy put a fountain ponytail in Libby's hair yesterday. I'm not sure it's quite her look. Here's the best picture I got. Look closely because the little ponytail blends in with Aunt Kandi's shorts.


Then last night we went to a potluck beachfront picnic with other members of the Northside Parent Network. I'm afraid a few people who'd signed up weren't able to find us, but I think those of us who found the site had a good time.

Rachel particularly enjoyed the free drumming concert we got from other beachgoers.

Kelly and Sophie made new friends with a couple of the NPN kids.

Where's the Funky Bunch?

Libby channeled Marky Mark circa 1994 the other day and wore her Calvin Klein boxers (a present from Aunt Kimmy). Now, I always thought Marky Mark looked mighty fine in his boxers, but Libby puts him to shame. What a cutie!


Remember back before Libby was born, and I posted pictures of a nice, clean room? It doesn't look quite the same these days (but I like it better this way!).

Nub's a Great Big Brother

If you want to see what Nub puts up with a near-daily basis, here it is. (Seven is smart enough to avoid Libby most of the time. Nub is such a masochist that he sticks around for his lovin'.)

You'll notice that Libby is quite close to Nub's, errrr, posterior. Yes, yes, she is. What can I say? The kid is wack-o. At least she seems to have stopped sucking on Nub's tail, which was her favorite thing to do up until a few days ago.

Baby Barron, Part Deux

I've just sent out the formal e-mail announcing the impending sleeplessness new baby, who will make his/her arrival sometime in late December. A little Christmas present for Libby! ("Here, Kid. You're not the center of the universe after all. Merry Freakin' Christmas.")

We're very excited. To answer the question I hear most often: No, we're not finding out the sex this time either. Sorry about your luck, people.

We'll keep you all posted on any BBPD news to speak of. In the meantime, here's a picture of the cutest big sister on the planet. (Oh, you mean some kids suck on the other end of the pacifier? Crazy.)


And here's a picture showing you how I broke the news to Martin. He came home from work one day, and Libby was wearing this lovely shirt that I'd made after a surprising trip to the doctor for my allergies. ("Gee, doc, I'm also feeling really tired and crabby. Whatever could be wrong with me?")

Flirty Skirty Libby

Thanks for my new outfits, Aunt Kimmy! A picture of me in my tank and boxers is soon to come.

Dollywood or Bust!

OK, there's no way I'm the first person to think of this "clever" headline when Dollywood's involved, but I can't stop laughing. I'm so funny!

Our trip to Tennessee was super-wonderful-fantastic. Libby was, for the most part, an angel. Dollywood was -- and I'm not kidding -- awesome. Seriously, if you have youngish kids, I can't recommend the place enough. They had tons and tons of activities and rides and crafts and fun for the kiddos. And the food was pretty darn yummy, too.

My only complaint? Not enough kitsch and not enough music. I think I only heard Dolly music piped in at one place. That's not enough Dolly! Where's my "9 to 5"? Where's my "Jolene"?

On the way there, Martin surprised me with dinner at the world's largest cafeteria. That's right, friends: the world's largest cafeteria. My man knows me well!

The whole gang at Dollywood.


Ben and Jake decide our Dollywood plan of attack.


Jake was quite the adventurous rider. Here he and D are waiting to get on the kiddie roller coaster, which looked awesome. Can't wait until Libby's a little older!


The big boys wait in line for their rides. Ben couldn't get enough of the rides. He cried every time one would end.


In the meantime, Libby was stuck on the carousel (which she loved) and this round-and-round duckie ride that I think even she thought was pretty lame. You're thinking, "Was this ride as uncomfortable for Mommy as it looks?" Answer: Yes. Yes it was.

Libby's favorite new look is a scrunched-nose "Huhhhh?" look. Makes her look brilliant, doesn't it?

Libby shows off the look again in our family clicker at the park.

Our drive home was a one-day trip from hell that required many stops to appease a very bored Queen Elizabeth. We got to know the Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee rest stops well, and our city girl got to run around in the grass.


Libby woke up bright and early the next day with a blazing-hot fever and spent the whole day cradled in Daddy's arms with this expression on her face. Poor little peanut. (She was fine by Tuesday afternoon, thank goodness.)

Long, long time

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. Since my last post I finished my dissertation, found out I'm going to be a father^2, and watched Libby grow into a real live human being.

Today we leave for A long weekend in Dollywood (technically Pigeon Forge, TN). We're going to drive about six hours tonight to get the bulk of the driving done while Libby sleeps. Then we'll finish it off tomorrow.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, the prettiest baby on the planet.

Life's Not Exactly at a Crawl

What a busy time we've had lately! Between Libby learning to crawl (heck, learning to cruise and crawl within the same couple of weeks), getting ear infection upon ear infection, and the usual summer activities, time's been a-flyin'. Here's a recap of our last few weeks:

Libby and I went to visit G&G in Ohio to cheer up Aunt Kimmy after a surgery. It was there that Ms. Libby finally officially crawled, although she'd been crawl-hobbling along and pulling herself up and "walking" (cruising) for a couple of weeks.

We ate lunch out, where Grandma taught Libby that just plain celery sticks aren't nearly as good as those dipped in dressing.

"Drinking" from a big-girl cup.

Libby thought cousin Diana was the bestest.

We hosted playgroup at our place.

Mia, with a mouthful.

Connor the Ham.

Rachel and Katie look on as Eliza proves that Libby isn't the only daredevil (that basket proved a very popular pulling-up prop).

We met our friends Colleen and Rob and their adorable kids Ellie and Nate (or, as we like to call him, Libby's future prom date) for a picnic in the park.

Ellie, checking out the animals at the Indian Boundary Park zoo.

Nate and Libby.

Libby has pulled herself up and cruised -- oh -- roughly 372 times a day.

Up, up, and away!

Look who's a big cheese!