"Aunt Jen"

I hadn't seen my niece since Christmas, so when sweet Lauren came in town this weekend - it took a little time for her to warm up to me. I got her a litle stuffed, pink poodle and I think that might have done the trick. She walked around all weekend with the puppy and each time I held my arms offering to hold her, she leaned toward me.

She has the cutest little curls! I know Tracy is happy about that. It has always been her dream (and mine) to have curly hair, so the fact that her baby girl has curls is a dream come true for her! Lauren will be two in August and this is such a fun age. She makes the cutest expressions, says the sweetest little words and give such sweet "lovin"!!

I love you Lauren!

Four generations

This Mother's Day, our family celebrated four generations of women. Faye Ingram, her daughter Ann Ingram Skinner, her daughters Tracy Steiner and Jennifer LaPierre, and their daughters Lauren Steiner and Kennedy LaPierre. What an amazing feeling to have four generations of ladies together. We truly are blessed to have a GREAT grandmother for Lauren and Kennedy. "Grandma Faye" will celebrate her 83rd birthday this year. What an amazing feeling it must be for her to have her child, her grandchildren, and her grandchildren's children!

Luckiest Mom

I am the luckiest mom in the world. I have been blessed with two amazing children who light up my life more than I ever thought possible. And making me an even better mom everyday is my husband, Chris. I am blessed beyond measure and this Mother's Day was the sweetest I have celebrated yet.

Update on Brady

I feel like I need to give an update on Brady, who will turn ONE in just five short weeks!

He is officially crawling. We thought he was going to skip crawling and walk because he wanted to hold our hands and walk everywhere! It seems he has figured out how to crawl, so that buys us a little time before he's RUNNING!

He is pulling up on EVERYTHING! The couch, my leg, Kennedy, his bed in the morning (first time was today... SO cute to see him do this when I walked in to get him).He is growing teeth as fast as possible. Until a few weeks ago, he only had two teeth, but now he has two more which have poked through the top. Others are showing sign of coming through soon.
We had pictures taken by our friend (and talented photograph) DeAnn right before Easter. This is my absolute favorite! I keep hearing the Donald Trump voice in my head "Ya FIRED!"

Since his birthday is fast approaching, I MUST get on the ball with his birthday party!! Little "B" will be celebrating... Red Sox style!

"Swan" flu scare

After fighting a fever for 24 hours, a rarity for Kennedy, we went to the pediatrician. To have Dr. Mack tell us she needed to be tested for the swine flu made me panic a little.

I started racking my brain to think of people she could have come in contact with who might have had the swine flu... and no one came to mind. The ten minutes of waiting for the test results were torturous.

We colored and talked.. talked and colored...

I texted Chris, which sent him into a panic.

Dr. Mack came back into the exam room with the good news. She did NOT have the flu, type A or B. WHEW! That was a scary experience! Dr. Mack said he had to test her because her white blood count came back so low from her labs. (They drew her blood and let me say, she does better with needles than I do!)

We got in the car and headed home. The first person we called was Chris and I handed the phone to Kennedy for her to deliver the good news.

"Hi Daddy! Guess what? I don't have the SWAN flu!"

Guess who is sick NOW??

The kids know when daddy goes out of town because someone is usually sick. This time - it's Kennedy, who is NEVER sick! She is running fever and I'm taking her to the doctor this afternoon, but in the meantime - she can't go to daycare.

So she's been at the office with me and I snapped this quick photo of her sitting at my desk. Think she has a career in Public Relations?

I think so.... she walked right into the Chancellor's office and told him she had fever and was going to see Dr. Mack in a few hours. Dr. Marsala was a good sport about her impromptu visit and told her to wish Dr. Mack well - they know each other.

She then told him that her daddy was going to California. Then she gave him a sticker and left.

My sweet daughter doesn't meet a stranger....

Five Steps to a Perfect Sunday

1. Bright and early Sunday morning, retrieve the Sunday paper....

...throw it on the floor...

and make a huge mess!

Sounds like it would be irritating to a neat freak like me, but it was soooo much fun!

2. After breakfast and the little one goes down for a morning nap, make a comfy palette on the floor and watch a movie!

We watched "Babe" - which was precious. We all really enjoyed snuggle time!

3. After naptime and the kids realize they can't go to the pool, let them put on their floaties and prance around the house and practice swimming!

4. Play games, read books, and have tickle fights!

5. Finally, don't COOK dinner! Order Johnny's Pizza!