Shannon’s World

Libby discovered a new, fun toy while in San Diego - mardis gras beads.  My parents made a few trips to NO after Katrina and my Mom brought back lots of beads (I didn’t ask how she got them - sometimes its better not to know these things).  Nana passed the beads off to Avery, who has a container full of them.  Libby spotted them almost as soon as we entered Avery’s room and had a ball playing with them, wearing them and dragging them around.  Lucky for Libby, Nana also brought her a few strands of beads from NO and the Target $1 section has them for St Patrick’s Day.

Mike and I were amazed to see how much Jackson and Avery have changed since July. Jackson is in morning kindergarten and is reading really well. He read at least 4 books to us on the first day we got to San Diego. In addition to being an academic super star, he has his yellow belt in karate, is playing t-ball and loves all things BIONICLE. Avery has turned into quite the talker, goes to gymnastics, is an expert at dress up and loves all things PRINCESS.

When the rain stopped in San Diego, we went to the park. We tried to get a picture of the 3 cousins together. This was Libby’s first trip to a park since she can walk. She had a blast on the slide and LOVED the bright yellow tunnel (where she climbed and played peek a boo with Nana and Uncle Sean). This picture is one of my all time favorites of Miss Libs:

We had a great vacation in not-so-sunny San Diego. Libby is so exhausted from all the fun she had with her Grandma, Uncle, Aunt and cousins, she fell asleep while eating her ravioli-lasagna at dinner tonight!

I came home a few Saturdays ago to find Libby and Mike lounging on the couch watching cooking shows on PBS.  I love watching Everyday Food, Real Simple and Rick Bayless on PBS (it *almost* feels like the food network).  Apparently Mike enjoys it, too - and Libby!  Mike saw them make this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Strips and Bleu Cheese Salad on Everyday Food and had to have it.  He made it on Sunday night - it was delicious!  We typically never fry anything, but we did with this recipe and the food tv people did some kind of explanation about how this recipe was a healthier way to fry (Mike will have to explain more).  Anyway - I recommend this - it was really good (and you don’t have to have the fancy frying thermometer that they mention…we don’t have one and Mike did just fine without it!).

Eskimo-wear one day, bathing suits the next. We leave for San Diego soon and I’ve been going through Libby’s spring clothes washing and packing them. I wanted to try her bathing suits on in case we go to the pool/beach and I couldn’t resist snapping some pics. MY SWEET, SWEET GIRL! How can you not love this little one?! Sports Illustrated here comes Libby

I tend to put Libby’s other winter coat on her when we go out - it’s less bulky and I think she’s more comfortable in it. I put Libby’s puffy coat on her for a quick trip to the neighbors and I couldn’t get over how cute she looked in it… my little Eskimo Pie! Every time I see the video, I can’t help but laughing. Libby’s walking a lot these days and just takes off without any notice!

I try to send cards with Libby’s picture to our families during special holidays.  The pictures that go on the cards are getting increasingly difficult to take as Libby gets older and more mobile.  Here are a few out-takes as well as the photo we chose for our Valentine’s Day cards this year.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Does anyone have a good shepard’s pie recepe out there?  I lost a bet (on a technicality) and I owe Mike some shepards pie.  I’ve never made it and can use any recipes/advice.

It’s hard to believe our sweet girl turned 11 months this past weekend. Here is a quick update:

Walking: yes, 5-6 steps at a time, sometimes more, but she prefers to crawl (Mike posted some great video)

Eating: baby food and people food…just had Grandma’s meatballs for the first time and LOVED them!

Hair: L is sporting a fashionable baby mullet - it’s growing a little in the back, but not so much on top!

Breastfeeding: NO MORE as of this week! Most of L’s bottles are half breast milk (that was frozen) and half formula….we’ll see how she likes cow’s milk.

Napping: 1 or 2 times a day (still sleeping 12 hours at night - thank goodness!)

Talking: says YES, hi, mamamam, dadadada, nana (today I asked her if she had poop in her pants - Libby answered yes! and she wasn’t lying!)

Tricks: waves, so big, clapping, rocks her baby, dances, indian calls with her hand to her mouth, shakes head no, gives open mouth kisses, we’re working on blowing kisses and the sign language for “more” and “all done”

Pacifier: gave those up cold turkey (we have no idea why) about 3 weeks ago

Teeth: NONE, ZERO, ZILCH

Favorite thing: Bobby Doll is our constant companion!

I am honored to be in two weddings this summer. Posey’s wedding is on May 3 in Houston and Mike and I are both excited to go back to Houston (Mike was staffed there for a year in 2002). . . .Buffalo Grille here we come! My Aria bridesmaid dress arrived and I promised Posey I’d put it on and take a photo. I decided I might as well try Libby’s dress on her, too. I think we look pretty cute; nothing like a little Mother Daughter dress up on Saturday morning!