Here Comes Peter Cottontail

  ...Hopping down the bunny trail. Hippity-hoppety, Easter's on it's way!

Nonna and Ga came down to celebrate your first Easter with you this year! It was a little chaotic with Daddy getting sick and you being pretty miserable with a runny nose and swollen gums, but we still managed to have fun.

 The girls helped find the basket that the Easter Bunny hid for you. You didn't get any treats this year, but he left you lots of fun things to play with! You spent most of the day testing out how each new toy felt on your gums.

We snapped a couple of shots of you and your sisters in the outfits that Grandma and Grandpa got you three for Christmas. I love how you stick that little tongue of yours out when you smile these days. Happy Easter, our little pink bunny!

Irish Roots

Okay, so you don't really have Irish roots, but Daddy and I lived in South Bend, Indiana when we were first married, and Notre Dame became more than just a university to us. So it was with great pleasure that we took a trip to show you and your sisters around campus today. The excitement was palpable as Eleanore and Charlotte sang the fight song in the car at the top of their lungs over and over and over again on our way.

Our first stop was the grotto. You and your sisters each lit a candle and chose something special to pray about. We had the place pretty much to ourselves which was nice. It was beautifully sunny, peaceful, and quiet.

We also checked out the golden dome and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. I think you liked the Basilica's ceilings because your eyes were glued upward. (Or, as Nonna would say, maybe you were watching angels up there.)

Daddy was very excited to take you all into Hammes Bookstore. As you can see, your sister Charlotte wanted to make sure that you and she were dressed in your "Oater Dame" shirts for the occasion. Your sisters were in awe of all of the Irish gear everywhere.

You are our little observer, probably chanting, "Go Irish!" in your head as you took it all in.

6-Months-Old

We have had you for half a year already. You are such a sweet, smiley, happy and content little baby. You roll with the punches and put up with way more "loving" from your older sisters than I can believe!

You still have no teeth, which I am completely okay with...I'm not ready for that adorable gummy smile to disappear! You are already an expert at eating and devour whatever we put in front of you. So far you've had sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas and squash.

You love to turn the pages of books that we read together and you've mastered rolling from your back to your belly and back again. You haven't said much in the way of babble yet, but that could be because everyone else always talks for you! You love "naked baby time" (bath time) and you adore your older sisters (as they do you!).

I had to put away your 6-month clothing today and even some of the 9-month clothes. You're now wearing 9-12 month outfits. I'm loving your gorgeous chunk! Keep it coming my smiley little girl! (Just look at that toothless grin!)

That Gaze

I've been meaning to capture this gaze for a long time and I finally remembered to do it this morning. This is one of my favorite looks of yours. It shows up when your in the Ergo, nice and cozy and it's just about nap time. I see it most often at the grocery store in the mornings after we've dropped your oldest sister off at preschool. You, Charlotte, and I will be picking up food for dinner and I'll look down to see this stare. It is the sweetest gaze; this picture doesn't even do it justice. If only these moments could last forever.