I am not supposed to do this... but I will. For the Grandmas.

Here is one of the pictures from Noella's first formal photo shoot in the end of March. To atone for my copyright sins, I will recommend all in St Louis to Birchtree Studios, run by our friend (and photographer) Mia Ulmer.

Happy (late) Mother's Day
Here is a photo (thank you, Emily) from our Mother's Day lunch. Emily, Freddie and Aidan came over, and Mariel and Freddie decided to go for a little ride in the front room. As Patrick noted, they sort of look like an elderly couple touring a European city on a moped. Perhaps in about 60 years?

Why I love having kids...
Mariel is in her room for "quiet time" (which has replaced nap time in order to give her a chance to decompress and me a chance to remain sane). I am in the next room on my computer, listening to her play and talk to herself. She makes up great stories, often laughing at herself (or her imaginary friends?). Today she is rhyming, going through lists of words and coming up with rhymes for them> "Wumpy Mumpy," "Umbrella Mumbrella," "Tree Dee," "Huckleberry Suckleberry."
This morning she spent time with paper, a pencil, and sticky notes making a map for us to get to ballet class this afternoon. (Side note- we have found the trick to leaving happily. It is all about bribery. If she leaves nicely she gets a lollipop).
It is fun to see joy in tiny things, and beauty in the moments that I would otherwise rush past. On our walks to and from her preschool she likes to pick out flowers and leaves. This morning, she was so proud because she waved at people in a car driving past and they waved back at her.
Of course, sometimes a precocious 3 year old is a bit much. Such as her recent attention to the "stripes" on my face.

Are you ready?

Here is my kitchen, approximately 5 weeks ago...

4 1/2 weeks ago...

3 1/2 weeks ago...

And this morning. These photographs were all taken from the same place- this is really the same kitchen!

Here is another before and after view- 5 weeks ago...

And today...

Thanks to all of our helpers! Especially my dad, Charlene, and Tim. And of course, my kitchen designer, general contractor, plumber, electrician, carpenter, delivery man, and short order cook, Patrick. Do we need a reminder of why certain friends of mine refer to him as "Saint Patrick?"

Here are some happy baby photos for Noella's fourth month. She is looking more and more like Mariel when she was a baby. Noella is rolling over, babbling, and drooling like a pro. What more could you want from a four month old?

And here is the big smile :)

We had a gorgeous (hot) weekend in St. Louis. Patrick and I were very busy around the house- working on the yard, kitchen, and all sorts of other projects (Can I call laundry and cooking "projects?" It makes them sound better). Saturday night we got to go out to the Boathouse in Forest Park and enjoy some food and beer with the Pratts, which was a lovely treat. Here are Patrick and Mariel on our pre-dinner stroll around the park.