Sweet Potato

We started solids with Emmy a few weeks ago, and it’s something she puts up with but doesn’t seem to love. In fact, I have to trick her into opening her mouth – she doesn’t willingly accept the food. But today we had a breakthrough. We tried sweet potatoes for the first time and she gobbled them up.

Emmy, as your mom I feel like I’m pretty in tune to your emotions. If you could talk, here’s what I think you would have said about each of the foods we’ve given you so far:

• Rice cereal – yuck


• Oatmeal – ick


• Applesauce – better, but not great


• Sweet Potatoes – now we’re talking!

The funny thing is, the only way I can get Abby to eat sweet potatoes is when I puree them and hide them in her pancakes. I wonder if you girls will be as opposite in your tastes as my sister and I. Only time will tell I guess. If my mom is reading this, I bet she’s getting a good chuckle and thinking “payback’s a $*@%#.”

Race for the Cure

This year marks 7 years my mom has been cancer free!

In 2001, the year she was diagnosed, I signed up for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in New York City and participated in my first 5K. It was such an inspiring, emotional and empowering event that I have participated in it nearly every year since. It’s an amazing day – supporters line the street cheering on race-goers, and the number of women wearing pink race shirts (the sign of a breast cancer survivor) is both shocking and inspiring. These women have been through so much and here they are – some with bald heads, some needing assistance to walk, some completely recovered – but all with smiles.

On June 14th, for the first time ever my mom and dad participated. I’ve been telling my mom about it what it’s like for years, but within minutes of getting there, she got pretty choked up after seeing a young girl with a sign on her back saying “In Memory of Mom.” But the good news is, the percentage of “in memory” signs was quite small compared to the “in celebration of” signs. I am so thankful that I’m one of the lucky ones who gets to wear an “in celebration of Mom” sign. And I promise to bring my girls to this event when they get a bit older so they too can see how strong these women are and get a taste of what their grandmother went through.

Abby & Austin

Abby loves her cousin Mikey and best buddy Sammy -- she talks about them all the time. But lately, there’s someone else in her life. She is obsessed with a purple kangaroo named Austin. He’s one of the “Backyardigans” and Abby cannot get enough of him or this cartoon. As of this weekend, we’ve officially realized that Austin is her imaginary friend. She always says “Austin is here Mommy, talk to him.” And of course, I do. This weekend, David had to pretend to hold Austin’s hand while walking down the street, and we have to tuck Austin in alongside Abby at night. Here’s a picture of her make-believe buddy as well as her real ones.

Emmy Update

We had Emerson baptized over Memorial Day weekend and it was a wonderful ceremony. She wore the same white dress that Abby did in November of 2005, and so many people commented on how beautiful both girls looked. The ceremony was followed by a cook-out at our house, and it was great as usual to get all the family together.

Once the crowd left on Monday, Emmy was doing tummy time and rolled on to her back (which she does pretty regularly). But then she went and rolled from back to belly! She was 19 weeks old at the time. I need to enjoy the calm before the storm – it won’t be long ‘til I’m chasing around 2 mobile children!

Sisters Part II

Here's another "sister story" worth sharing. The other day Abby and I were hanging out downstairs while Emmy was napping. After only a brief sleep, Emmy woke up crying. I told Abby I'd be right back, that I needed to go stick the paci in Emmy's mouth and try to soothe her back to sleep. Abby said "Mommy, can I come with you?" I said sure, but explained that we couldn't talk and needed to be very quiet b/c it was important for Emmy to go back to sleep. So we tip-toed in her room and true to her word, Abby just stood there silently looking at Emmy. When I realized the paci wasn't going to do the trick, I whispered "Abby, I'm going to rock her for a minute, but we still need to be quiet." Abby climbed up next to me on the rocker, and Emmy was in my arms, facing her big sister. That's when I heard a little baby giggle. Then another. Emmy was looking at Abby and laughing! Abby was smiling right back, but still obeying by not talking. Except to look at me and say "Mommy, I think she's awake." I agreed, and we gave up on Emmy going back to sleep after that!