A Day with the Babysitter

Our babysitter, Ana, took these photos. Watch as Max turns on the charm.

I love this picture because it shows Harry making friends at the park. Look at that face! How could you not want to be friends with him? (OK, maybe if you've played with him and he has stolen all the toys you have a different opinion, but we're working on that..)

Ahhh! I'm swinging!

My cheeks are now reacting to gravity. (Oh, I love having chubby cheeked babies.)

I want to cuddle this photo right now. Look at these chubby cheeks and the chubby fingers! That is why I am almost sad when he sleeps until 4 a.m. instead of keeping up with his middle-of-the-night wakeups that have been kicking my butt! While I feel happy that he's ALMOST sleeping through the night, I feel sad because this baby phase is so short in the grand scheme of things. (I may also be delusional after a year of sleep deprivation.) All worth it for this little guy though. Such a personality.

On the Road with Harry and Max

Some of you may know that I am writing the Explorer's Guide Illinois, coming to your local bookstore in Spring 2011. My deadline is Sept. 1 so we are deep into the research, travel and writing. With my talented navigator Rob, we recently explored Southern Illinois and Springfield and found many excellent places to visit. The boys were good sports overall, though both reached points where they refused to get buckled back into their carseats. We understood.
You'll see some of our trip in the book but here are some funny shots:

The city boy goes country.


Harry's pose cracks me up.

And this one too. Totally all him. In front of the state capitol. "Should we talk about Abraham Lincoln, Mommy?" he asked before going to bed one night.

Next up: Galena. We'll keep you posted.

Max likes cake!

Our baby Max turned 1!

I love the changing emotions in this set of photos:

"I'm not really sure. I don't think I like this birthday thing."

"What am I supposed to do with this?"


"Let's check it out."

"Mmmmmm......Let's lick all the frosting off."

"Oh, would you like a taste?"

Glee! (He likes cake! His brother cries when we give him birthday cake: "No like cake!")

Such a sweet smile, in multiple ways.

Present time. What am I supposed to do with this -- let's try eating it? (His hair is wet from the post-cake cleanup.)

This is a perfect picture to capture this stage of our lives. It's Max's present and he wants it. But Harry has to have whatever Max has immediately. Cue Mom the referee.