A quick visit

Hm, not too many leaves in that tarp...

Lolo and Lola visited us Wednesday to attend Dave's annual Spirit of Service dinner. It was a fun night of wine, auctions, catching up with friends over dinner, and honoring those who support these wonderful programs. It's always so neat to see the fruits of Dave's labor.  Amazing work, Dave! Speaking of service, thank you Grandmommy for staying home from the ball to watch the littles!

Quick snuggles

Cheek update (forgive the pun)

David has cheerfully embraced the potty in record timing (after one day of "training"). I don't recall Frankie and Teresa using the transitional potty with such zest, on their own initiative. He's more mature than we give him credit for, little guy!

Training day. 

This is David's blankie, his warmth and security during an important transition. I should probably wash it...

T 

Rosie's cheek is looking almost back to normal! Still bruised, but not swollen.

This girl is tough. At the ER she was her usual mischievous self, squirming out of my arms, cackling and attempting to run out the door of our room. Don't think this resilience is from my gene pool...

Cabin fever

It's cold outside, which makes for creative play indoors. So I wasn't entirely surprised to find every kitchen utensil spread on the kitchen floor ("we're organizing, Mom!"), nor was I surprised to find the girls had dressed Rose up as a fairy ballerina.  Remember this outfit, Aunts Missy and Melanie? We need to sign this girl up for a baby ballet class.

Look at that pointed toe!

Every cloud has a Rosie lining

Tuesday night marked our fourth trip to the emergency room in seven months. It's amazing how these emergencies happen so quickly, so unexpectedly every time. In an instant, life changes and we're in crisis mode...a scenario we're all too familiar with this past year. 

Rose was standing on a chair right next to mine after dinner when it tipped over. Three minutes later we were in the car driving to the ER. To spare you the gory details, no concussion, no stitches needed. Her guardian angel was on call, as well as Aunt Tasha, who was over for dinner that night. Thanks, Tasha, for holding down the fort while we took Rose in! We came back to a clean house and happy kids. 

Rosie's smile won't be the same for a while, and it will be forever memorialized in our family photo which will be taken tomorrow at Queen of Apostles (a shoot planned months ago for our parish directory). 

Our zany baby the night before...

...the night after. "You shoulda seen the other guy, Mom."

Enjoying popsicles and Pixar movies at the ER.

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween in the cousins' neighborhood, where homeowners actually participate in Halloween (unlike in ours). I know everyone has been wondering how the Elmo saga ended. Something about that furry, red vest didn't sit well with our little guy. Instead, he opted for a cow costume that was a few sizes too small. 

 

 Someone, however, was very happy to wear Elmo.