Spring has Sprung!

We have been working hard in the garden this spring and Valentino has been an excellent helper.















He really digs the accessories - who wouldn't?
Like purple gloves....

and groovy blue owl hats to keep you cool....

Can you believe this is actually ONE azalea?


















and even though we planted 25 more ,


well, they do seem a little small ...
I'll have to post another picture in about 50 years!

Ever seen "Mahonia" before?
Check out these velvety blue berries!

Don't forget the water!













oh yeah.... and the naps afterwards..... ahhh.....

Catching The Stills

Why does it always seem that when winter hits the south it is absolutely the coldest winter ever? We've been locked away indoors a lot lately and fighting the boredom. The television, an unfortunate ally, helps some when you've exhausted all forms of Play-doh, crayons, blocks, dinosaurs, books, and kitchen cabinet raids. But in the light of things, sometimes it is the only time I can catch this little one being still.






...and then he's off!

Learning to Share

We went to the Children's Museum with Kyle and Gavin. Talk about big fun! Even though the frog pond with the little raincoats was fun, the sand table and painting were interesting - it was the train table that was the hit of the day! We even caught Valentino actually sharing. You've got to have a quick shutter finger to catch this kind of gem. Can I get a little whoooo-hooooooooo?


It was really neat to see the two of them parallel play and then interact for those brief moments. As if, "Oh yeah! You're doing the same thing. Here ya go!"

Remember when?

This was from Valentino's first birthday - the morning that we were getting ready. That little toddling walk with the high-step, drop, crawl has really passed. I am so glad we captured it! Jazzy little thing, isn't he?

Time to come clean!

See, it's been a little while since I last posted. OK, so it has been months. Do you even recognize this little man? This is my walking, babbling, self-feeding, birthday partying, eight teeth brushing, door knocking, mamadadapapboo calling, 18 month onesie-busting, first haircut sporting, and frankly irresistable little guy!

Are we up to speed yet?

Gran n' Me

Gran is so wonderful! She spends time with me and gives me goldfish - my favorite!






She pulls out my favorite toys and takes me outside.










She always has smiles for me and we laugh together a lot.

Don't worry, Gran! I won't tell what's really in my sippy.

Easter 2006

Easter was spent mostly on the road traveling to see Grandma & Grandpa. But we did stop for lunch off the beaten track for a quick picnic.



There were kisses and snuggles on the menu....











And somehow Valentino got cell reception on his play phone. Don't ask me how.

Botanical Gardens

Today we went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with Kyle and baby Gavin.









He's got the best blue eyes you ever saw in your life!








































Our boys spent a lot of time watching each other and reaching out to touch one another.
I kind of think they are beginning to become buddies!


I was really amazed at how many things were in bloom and how gorgeous the gardens were. The colors were fantastic!


I think Valentino was kind of into the colors as well.











Can't...... resist........ touching.......... must............





....TOUCH!! But of course!


Lucky for the blooms I think they were held on with super glue.
It helped keep the roving security off our backs - whew!












Look Mom! Melts in your mouth, not in your hand!!


just kidding.....

















We had such a nice day and the spring weather couldn't have been more perfect.



How lucky for all of us!

Birthday on the Horizon...

i've learned to sit,
i've learned to stand
i can even walk if you hold my hand
but something new has just begun
look out world -

i'm turning one!


please join us to help valentino celebrate!

saturday may 6, 2006
at one o'clock in the afternoon

Cruisin'

Valentino is really cruising now and pulling up everywhere. He walks along the furniture, holding on so sure. And then he lets go to switch from table to sofa and I find myself holding my breath everytime. I do think he really will be walking by his first birthday.











As I watch him scooting here and there and when the fleeting opportunity to hold him in my arms comes along he just feels more and more like a little boy and less like my little baby.


Hey! No paparazzi!!

Growing Up

Why oh why
is my little boy
growing up so
dang fast??

He's standing
and crawling
and positively outgrowing

EVERYTHING!

Each time we put away something that he's outgrown I find myself in tears.

Have I taken enough pictures?

Have I completely burned that image of him doing such and such into the core of my brain so I'll never ever ever forget it?

And how could I possibly do that?

They never told you about the tears you find yourself shedding the night before you have to go put the infant car seat and the cute little baby swing into storage.

And what the hell is wrong with Mommy, right? Oh, I'm such a basket case these days!!

Scrub-a-dub-dub

Valentino loves his bath-time but he's getting to where he doesn't want to stay seated. He is pulling up on everything these days! He might just skip crawling altogether. He doesn't seem that interested. I think he sees how much faster you can go if you walk instead. He's growing up waaaay too fast. Next thing you know he's going to be asking for his learner's permit! My god! 

The Best Gift

...that Valentino got for Christmas was his two front teeth! He is now eating so many different things and loves to chew chew chew. Such a good little eater! 

Shamelessly Proud

How could you not fall in love with this little guy??

The morning light in our living room is just the best. Of course having a beautiful subject doesn't hurt things - LOL! 

Christmas Salutations

We had so much fun getting ready for Christmas. Here's the picture that we used for our Christmas cards this year. The caption read "Wait a second - this is the first I've heard about this naughty or nice business" - what a kidder!!