Belated Father's Day Shout Out

Grammy and Great Grandpa with the lil' one
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner

Strawberry Fields Forever

This morning I took the girls strawberry picking at Critz Farms in Caz. Leah had a great time and as expected, ate more than I think she picked! Aisy was in the Bjorn with her sun hat and new sunscreen for the SUPER SENSITIVE!!! It's called Blue Lizard and while it's expensive, I have to say we really like it. I tried to skate by without plunking down the cash for it. I figured I'd just use the Water Babies I've always used on Leah on Aislin too. But after the hives, the pediatrician pretty much served up the smack down on that (we're not even using soap or cleanser on Aisy for the time being) so Blue Lizard it is. And I have to say it hasn't bothered Aisy (or me, or Leah...) one bit!!


As you can probably tell from the pictures we had a BLAST indulging in one of summertime's most wonderful activities. Leah was a great picker and knew just which ones were ripe enough to pick and eat. There were boat loads of berries in the field and even though many were on the small side, I swear...I have never had a sweeter or better tasting strawberry in my life!!! They were delicious. I took lots of pictures and even though it was a long ride, I think everyone agreed it was worth it. I was so excited to eat some when w got home that I had bran flakes with strawberries and vanilla soy milk for lunch. Mmmm....

Next crop up is Leah's FAVORITE!!! BLUBERRIES!!! They sprout up mid-July and you can bet we'll be there to pick some more for ourselves!!! YUM!!!!

Have you seen this baby?

Smess
Originally uploaded by epmdesigner

I say that becuase Aisy hasn't been quite this happy lately. Sure she's been giving us giggles here and there and smiling when she can. But mostly she's been itching her skin right off due to a case of persistent hives. We've been a bit out of touch, and Leah's been our local lollipop taste-tester, thanks to two trips to the pediatrician last week. Aisy was the patient. Leah was the supervisor. Besides the all-over hives and several gnarly face breakouts that come and go at random, Aislin's also been dealing with a seemingly unrelated case of constipation and spitting up. Probably more than you needed to know. The worse part is we have no idea what is causing this reaction. We just have to wait and see and try and get the hives under control with Benadryl. All in all the girl is sort of a big ol' messy mess (you know what I'm talkin' 'bout Laurie Berkner fans!).

Throw in our neighborhood's annual art show (I help with planning and show my art at it), as well as work for several clients, father's day, etc. etc. and you've got one tired Mommy. Not to be outdone...Pete has been really giving work and family life his all lately. Props to Daddy on Father's Day for that!

Pete is such an AWESOME Dad!!! This shot is for him. I know that nothing makes him happier than loving these girls and sharing them with the world. Anyone who's ran into him while he's got Aislin in the Bjorn has probably been asked "Have you squeezed her thighs? C'mon!! Squeeze 'em. They're super chubby! You don't know what you're missing!!!" If you've not been asked then you are probably one of the people who's been asked to delight in the olfactory honor of smelling Aislin's head. "Doesn't she smell spicy? I LOVE IT! It's the best smell!" As our friend Nicolle said to me..."Pete just wants everyone to get the full sensory experience that are his children." Even if it might seem strange to those who don't know him, to those of us that do it's a joy to see Pete so joyful!!! I'm just glad he parents my girls with such enthusiasm and delight.

Happy Father's Day Pete! Get better soon Aislin! And Leah...let's just try to get through "terrific twos" in one piece ok babe? I'll write more soon!!!!