Our Gremlin...

At 5 months (today!), Ainsley is doing well and is such a blessing. So this weekend, when she started GROWLING at us, we were a little shocked. According to my neighbor with four kids, it's totally normal, but we can't stop laughing. Ainsley GROWLED all weekend....a deep, gutteral, animal-like sound. She's laughing and smiling the whole time, but we keep looking around for what creature is threatening us...it's so funny!

"Nah-a-wee"

We had some wonderful friends in town on Thursday/Friday and Elise has a new best friend! Natalie and Brent Twombly got married just 2 weeks after Ainsley was born and I was honored to be Matron of Honor for them at the GORGEOUS event in St.Augustine, FL. This time they were up in our neck of the woods and we shared a great Japanese meal with them, just hung out a bunch, Brent and Adam played poker with the neighborhood men (no kilts this time, just FYI!), and had a great visit. Elise REALLY took to Natalie and couldn't get enough of her! We heard OVER and OVER again, "Nah-a-wee, come play in my playroom", "Nah-a=wee, read me book wif me", "Nah-a-wee, ready not, here I come" (hide and seek). It was a riot and although Elise didn't smile well for a picture, but she was so happy to have them come and play! Come back anytime, Natalie and Brent! We loved it. =)
Here's a pic from their wedding, just b/c Natalie was so beautiful!

And the winner is....

THANKS for the 7 actual votes we got on the 'comparative photo' of the girls. Although all 7 votes were for the same picture, I took some more yesterday to try to get one a little better, and I succeeded. Thanks anyway for your votes. Here's the winner- ELISE on bottom, AINSLEY on top.

This picture didn't mimic the one of elise very well, but it is classic for Ainsley. We see this look all day every day...so, I included it just for you all to enjoy.

Help me decide!

So, I'm trying to take some pictures of Ainsley that are similar to pictures I have of Elise at this age. Then, I'll frame them (or scrapbook them) side by side as a comparison. I'm having trouble with the "5 month" shot...give me your opinions! Just go to "leave a comment" below the post, and you can leave a comment under "Anonymous" if you don't want to sign in. Just leave your name on the Anonymous post so I know who left imput! Thanks.

The middle picture is Elise at 5 months. The two on top and bottom are Ainsley...and I'm trying to see which is a better comparison...I know I won't be able to get the exact same pose, expression, etc...b/c they're different kids, but which do YOU think looks better side-by-side!?!

Bathtime

Along with just about everything else in life, Ainsley loves bathtime! Although she's actually gotten a little too big for the kitchen sink(thanks, in part, to the last 2 weeks of rice cereal! This kid is beefing up quickly!), it's definitely the easiest option so I still squeeze her in. Elise loves helping out. Check out the rolls on this kid- she could be the next Gerber baby, for sure. =)

No Poop and Peanut Butter

We hit the Waterpark again today and I'm pleased to announce that we made it WITHOUT any poop in the water (See last week's "Dirty Kid" post if you're confused)! It was a blast again- Elise just loves being in the water, playing on the slides, etc...and it feels great since it's almost 100 degrees here again today!
The trickiest part is getting us there, unloaded from the car, and then the reverse on the way home... We got home today after 2 hours in the sun and heat, I got Ainsley up to bed (crying b/c she was overtired, but that's what the 2nd kid gets to deal with, right?), and started prepping lunch for Elise and I. Elise informed me that she wanted "P Butter ackers" for lunch and went in the pantry to get the crackers. She came back and said "new P Butter, Mommy" and was holding the brand new GLASS jar of Organic Peanut Butter. Before I could say anything, she dropped it, glass shattering EVERYWHERE. I got she and Gus out of the way, cleaned it all up...but stewing the whole time that it wasn't the cheap plastic JIF at 2.99 a jar but the totally organic (and unopened) glass jar at, like, $5.25 a jar....grrr. I looked closely to see if I could salvage any of the PB, but I guess (!) the idea of ingesting glass for any of us isn't worth $5.25. I did think about it, though...

Daddy's little helper

"Safety first, folks!!! Although I didn't use the tools this time, I read a library book on Daddy's lap as he cut a hole in the island for an electric outlet. I think he appreciated the extra help and the safety goggles are so stylish, I loved them." Love, Elise