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!

Red-Hot Playgroup

Heather hosted playgroup last week and decided to experiment with an outdoor party. While it was lovely, we all soon moved inside to avoid sizzling like sausages. While outside, however, Eliza's mom, Susan, snapped these wonderful pictures (this not-so-wonderful mommy left her camera at home).

There is an adorable picture of Libby and Eliza, but I cannot for the life of me get Blogger to upload it. I am seriously annoyed with this Blogger stuff. How can they deny the world this beautiful photo of the two Elizabeths?

Here's one I can get to upload: Libby refused to leave her adorable sunhat on, so we decided to try a switcheroo. Ben (who's my boyfriend, by the way; I just love that kid) wore the pink number, and Libby put on the Cubs cap. She loved it! A Cubbies fan already?!