bike design

Junie’s first bike deserved its own blog-post, but Junie also helped me decorate one of my bikes this weekend.

a blank canvas…the artist at work…and voilà…probably not the most durable bike decorations in the world, but incredibly cheap ($3) and the stars should stay in place for a little while with a few layers of clearcoat…

have wheels, will travel

Junie received her first bicycle today.  It’s of special significance because:

1. It’s her first bike

2. I, like so many other kids, spent most of my waking hours on my bike when I was little.  With a dollar or two in my pocket, I would leave the house in the morning, ride around the neighborhood, get a slice of pizza for lunch at Little Caesars, and then ride around until exhaustion set in or until dinnertime, whichever came first.  I really hope our kids can enjoy that sort of freedom and safety on their bikes.  It makes me sad to think they won’t.

3. I bought this bike in the dusty basement of a vintage store almost 15 years ago in Chicago, and back then, I said my kids would someday ride it.  My kids was such an abstract concept at the time, so it’s strange, fun, and exciting to see one of my real-life kids riding this bike.

Before the cleanup…A little shinier…Saying hello to her new, cleaned-up friend…The first ride…I think she likes it…Sporting her new helmet.  I know she should wear a helmet when riding, and she will, but it’s hard to forget that nobody wore a helmet when I was growing up.  It doesn’t appear that we’ll have much trouble convincing her to wear it; she decided she wanted to wear it out to dinner, so she did…

a sweet surprise

Our good friend, Alyssa, spent last weekend with us.  What a sight for sore eyes!  Alyssa and I kept Adrienne in the dark about her travel plans, so Adrienne was happily stunned when Alyssa strolled in through the door…While Alyssa was here, Junie showed off her pocket stuffing skills.  In case it’s unclear, those are uncapped markers…

Thanks for the visit, Alyssa.  We miss you!!!

nana

My Mom came to see Junie and meet Jolee.  Fun was had by all…   

easter morning

Adrienne helping Junie put on a very special necklace from her Great-Grandmother… Jolee in her Sunday-best…The after-Mass Easter egg hunt…

easter balloon

The event description read as follows:

March with the Easter Bunny at 11:30 a.m. located at John Shaw Field. After marching with the Easter Bunny, children, age 8 and under, can participate in the 16th Annual Egg Scramble. The Egg Scramble begins promptly at noon. Children are divided into the following age groups: 2 years & under, 3 & 4 years, 5& 6 years and 7 & 8 years.

Sounds like a good time, right? There was no “march” to be found, and the “scramble” quickly devolved from this tranquil pre-event scene…into overly-protective-parent induced gridlock… Fortunately, Junie managed to snag an egg… The egg didn’t hold her attention very long. Soon she was off chasing her balloon… That’s a long line. A picture behind the Easter bunny should suffice…

big girl bed

Two weeks ago we moved Junie into her “big girl bed” (her crib less one of the sides).  She’s very proud of her move up… We’re still working out the kinks with our “one book in bed” rule.  Also notice the new “big girl” pillow and sheet set and the numerous clean diapers she likes to nap with…

jolee @ 7 weeks

rotavirus be gone!

all 4 of us fell victim a few weeks ago to the nasty rotavirus (a horrible g.i. bug if you’re lucky enough not to be acquainted with it).  whoa, that was a mess.  junie got the worst of it by far and felt so crummy for nearly a week that she didn’t even want to put diapers on her stuffed animals or pack her bags for the airport or do any of her other favorite play activities.  this photo is significant for being snapped the evening she finally felt good enough to stick big bear in the baby björn and read him a book.  phew!  our girl was finally back.  it took a few more days for her to truly return to form, but what a relief to see a smile and some playfulness.

unfortunately, the next day saw rotavirus launch its second attack: jolee took ill and, at only 6 weeks old, i didn’t waste any time taking her to the e.r.  we then spent 3 days and nights there together (i also weathered my bout with the bug while she was a patient).  and finally came home to a mountain of virus-driven laundry but everyone feeling much better—thank goodness! 

daddy’s girls

mom’s b’day

A cupcake! What joy!