Waiting Game

Future Barrel Racer

I love the footage Aunt Boo took of Mary's first pony ride. I've got no idea which movie she's been watching, but as soon as we walked up to the horses Mary knew exactly what to do. My normally timid girl chose the second largest pony and then allowed the attendant to strap her in. After many slow circles and whoops of delight (which drew the other tiny kids to the parking lot, like the smell of cotton candy), Mary asked to go again - on the largest pony. And then she tried to dismount by herself.

We still have no video editing software; turn you monitor on its side for cute times!

Luck

Sage took this photo while I was napping. She is helping me during these last difficult weeks. Then, when the baby is here, Aunt Sara will come over and Boo will go home. A sister is the finest present I can ever give Mary Frances.

Summer Sunday

Mary loves Riley

Mary loves Riley, the neighbor dog, and Riley loves Mary. Best Friends Forever. If they were human they would pool their money, get bus tickets to Manhattan and follow their dreams together. We had the hardest time getting this picture cause they only wanted to face each other, not the camera.

Danielle and Elliot's Wedding

Oddly enough this is not the last party we are attending in July. The McFarlands love a party. I fell asleep in the game room. Mary tried to take five in the dog's bed. Chris, as usual, had to trundle us both home.

Oh, hey.

Oh, Hey - here's this picture from Christmas 2009 at Aunt Amy's house. Just found it. We always (now) go to Amy and Gabe's for Christmas because they start the party right after Halloween. The stockings, the cookies, the train set, the decorations - why even try to resist?



Christmas 2010, for me, centered on nibbling cinnamon bears in between throwing up and falling asleep in the living room. Not much is remembered (though Mary still talks about the train set). This Christmas will be amazing! Can't wait!

Meat! Guns! Babies!

Well, meat and babies. Guns are not shown, but are THE hot commodity this summer. In addition to having more squirt guns than water in every bath, Mary is blessed with an endless supply of sticks and pieces of cardboard to point at people and say, "Beeyu, Beeyu, Beeyu!" Seriously, I never noticed how many sticks are on the ground until Mary discovered guns and magic wands. This Christmas: send sticks.

As you can tell, we are way behind on taking pictures. These three were stolen from Chris's phone. As I am also way behind on buying groceries, doing laundry, sending out bills...the blog is in danger of a slim July.

It's a shame too, because this has been the cutest month ever:

Mary in her jaunty blue two-piece, clinging ecstatically to a green foam "noodle" at the community pool. (She is too timid for the swings, too timid for the trampoline, too timid to jump with both feet, but as soon as she saw the water she couldn't get rid of me fast enough. Mary spent the whole swim hour yelling, "Let go, Momma! Go away!" Since we live one block from a really nice public pool, toddler swim lessons are on the list.)

Mary and her first ice cream sandwich. As you all know, when Mary is very happy she doesn't smile, she gets stone serious. And all eyes.

Mary pretending to read The Cat in the Hat at baby sister's OB appointment.  High fives from the doctor and stickers from the nurse. Big smile as she sauntered out having been neither poked, prodded, nor measured.

Mary pushing a tiny grocery cart through the store, wrestling open the freezer door and grabbing a giant bag of Tostino's Pizza Pals. (The grossest food in the world. Chris, however, loves them and apparently he shares.) "Please? This one? This one come too? Okay! Let's go!"