First trip to the ER

For years now, we've watched Katelyn trip over her own feet, ride her bike into parked cars, walk into walls, etc. and we keep saying "we didn't name you Grace for a reason," and held our breath to make sure she was okay. Well, last Monday, while "dancing" with her friend DJ, she tripped over her own two feet and fell on her face, her tooth going right through her lip. I managed to stop the bleeding (so much blood!)...her friend was ghost-white and silent. Probably traumatized. Brady was crying with Katelyn. Once I could see what was bleeding, I saw her lip was torn. K was HYSTERICAL and one point I thought I should slap her across the face to snap her out of it...she was beyond reason. I called my mom, who told me to call the pediatrician, who told me to take the ER for stitches. Bryan was able to come home and take over watching Brady and DJ and his little brother (I was babysitting them at the time while their mom was at an ultrasound) and I took K, now mostly settled down, to the mini-ER, an urgent care center near us. We waited about an hour, then the dr. said the cut, although v. deep, could not get stitches because it was too far inside her mouth. They gave her a prescription for an antibiotic, since the cut was so deep and open and we were on our way home. The first of many trips to the ER, I'm sure!!!

Relaxing afternoons at home

Enjoying Brady' favorite snack...cheerios!



Snack time :-)


K wears her school project, a suit of armor so she can pretend to be David and she fights Goliath.



Katelyn pretends to be a "rock star."


More dress-up!! Our friend sent some new princess dresses. This snow-white dress will be her halloween costume next year, but she's getting get good use out of it!


We made this princess castle together while Brady napped and K had a blast using it as a home for her little people. And the castle fell apart the next day.



Afternoons in FL in the summertime are the worst...you can count on a thunderstorm to hit around 3pm (right as the kids get up from naps), then when the storm passes, the humidity level is through the roof....in short, you do not want to be outside. It's miserable. So, we've been doing our playdates/errands in the morning, then staying home the rest of the day. These are some of the things we've been doing.

In Memory of Michael Jackson....

This was the poster that hung in our bedroom (Ali and I shared a bedroom) for years while we lived in Connecticut. I thought Michael Jackson was just the coolest guy in the world!



I remember getting this tape and loving every song on it. My neighbors had a whole routine to "Beat It" and used brooms as guitars.
And I didn't see the video for "Thriller" until I was in high school and it scared me so much that I slept with the light on that night. I think I was 16!!

Oh Michael....as talented as he was, he was a very strange man. He barely resembled himself at the end of his life.


I know this is an odd post on this blog...usually it's all about our sweet kiddos, but the shocking news of Michael Jackson's death is on my mind. When I first heard the news (via Facebook), like everyone else, I was totally shocked. No way, it couldn't be....I immediately thought of his "good years" the time of Thriller and Bad, the poster that hung in my room, and my dear friend Andrea who loved him more than anyone I know. I started playing MJ's music on my IPOD for my kids to hear and Katelyn loves his songs and Brady danced for the very first time to "Thriller." TV is running MJ specials and introspectives almost 24/7...he's everywhere! When they announced they were having a public memorial at the Staples Center and the Nokia Theater, I didn't really think they'd fill those venues, but was surprised to see 1.2 million people have already requested tickets. Wow. Michael Jackson for me represents my childhood...the first videos on MTV, awesome songs on the radio, choreographing "routines" to his music...I know there's a dark side to him and some v. serious allegations that don't sit well with me (but seriously, who would ok a sleepover with MJ in his bed???? ). I chose to believe he was innocent and just thought of himself as a boy himself (only with Jesus Juice!). He was so, so talented...so comfortable on stage and what a dancer. Who hasn't tried to do the moonwalk? He was such a superstar...probably THE superstar of our generation. I see how people felt when Elvis died. It's just such a loss....but he's in peace now. And he never had any peace here on earth. Thanks Michael for all the wonderful memories and for your music that will live on....

Brady does his best Robert Pattinson

Brady's crazy bath hair Robert Pattinson and his trademark crazy hair


I know Brady's hair blends in a bit with the counter top, but his hair is getting soooo long and I was playing with it in the tub (okay, sink...) and noticed with his hair so crazy, he resembles actor Robert Pattinson (Twilight). I wanted to learn how to find and post a pic from the web in the blog, so I discovered google images....and there are worse pics to be looking at :-)

"But Mom, We're a TEAM!!"

This is a quote from Katelyn when I said I could take her to a movie while Bryan stayed to watch Brady. To my surprise, she wanted Brady to come with us and told me they are a team! What an awesome big sister she is!!
They have been hanging out together at home. Katelyn loves to stack our throw pillows up in the living room to encourage Brady to climb and he loves being on the floor with her!

Entering a new stage of parenthood...

I should say entering a DIFFICULT stage of parenthood....
Brady has been mobile for months now, crawling around. Our house is perfect for this stage...we just close all the doors and he can room our living room, kitchen, and dining room easily. No stairs t worry about, etc. Well, he's recently bumped it up a notch to climbing and wanting to walk, while holding your hands. Yes, this is a big step and v. important, but there is no rest for weary around here. He takes so much attention. You can't leave him out of your sight and he just whines and cries for you to hold him up and walk with him. He is still VERY unsteady on his feet, but we're relieved he's even trying. My guess is he will be a late walker (he'll be one on July 21st and is nowhere near taking a step on his own), but he is trying so hard!! Two more teeth have broken through, but he's still in pain with two more almost in. Poor little guy is just changing and growing so quickly. He's still not pulling himself up in his crib or furniture, but while we were at Barnes and Noble at the train table, he pulled himself up real quick to get a train in his hands, so he is capable, just needs the right motivation :-) We are entering the toddler stage, slowly but surely. Our once content baby boy is now non-stop!! This is just the beginning...