Father's Day Weekend

Parade the Circle
For Joe’s THIRD Father’s Day weekend, we went to “Parade the Circle” on Saturday. “Parade the Circle” is an annual parade that features colorful floats, costumes and dance where anyone can participate. Once the girls are older, I’m hoping we can organize a float.

We lucked out and had “front row” seats, on the pavement, while the Parade walked by. Sofia seemed to enjoy it. Fiona slept for much of it, but seemed entertained when she was awake.


"Unidentified Deities"






Click for more Parade photos

Some of our friends met us at the parade, including baby Nora and baby Mae. We thought it was time for a baby shoot. Fiona was wearing an adorable outfit that was a gift from Ruthie (thanks!).


Fiona, 11 weeks, Nora, almost 8 months, Mae, almost 4 months


Pensive Fiona

Father’s Day
Joe spent a relaxing day watching golf. After I made stuffed French toast, Joe parked himself on the couch and only moved to go to the park, briefly with Sofia, and then to the driving range. We were both still tired from all the sun the previous day, and Sofia was a little grouchy from having missed her nap the day before. The girls are so lucky to have a daddy like Joe and I’m especially lucky to have such a great partner. Thanks Joey!

Weekend Fun

This was the first really hot weekend this year and we tried taking advantage by bringing out the kiddie pool and the slip ‘n slide. Sofia loves playing with the water, but would rather stand in it, than sit in it.


Water's too cold!

She also didn’t like the slip ‘n slide too much. We’ll try it again next weekend and when her cousin Keira comes to visit. Fiona enjoyed the heat in her teeny bikini and lying on her surfmat.


You’re blocking my sun!

Joe took Sofia to see the Lakewood (nearby suburb) fire truck, ambulances and utility trucks on Saturday at a park festival. Fiona and I had to babysit a friend’s baby so we stayed behind. Children were allowed to crawl over the trucks and they apparently liked hitting sirens and horns. Sofia didn’t like all the ruckus, but she did like the bouncy house (again) and even got a tattoo (don’t worry, not permanent).


It’s a truck





Edie & Sofia

Random Photos (click for more pics)

I got a few cute photos of the girls together.








And an adorable photo of Fiona’s happy smile.



Quick Updates
I took the girls to the doctor last week and Fiona weighed in at 12lbs, 4oz and was 24 inches long. Sofia was 23lbs and 34 inches long. Both are healthy and on track. Looking back at Sofia's growth chart, it seems that Fiona is gaining weight at the same rate. Although since Fiona was heavier at birth she weighs about a 1 lb and half more at this age than Sofia did. We'll see how long it takes before they basically weigh the same!

Sofia has always been very chatty, but she's speaking clearer now. "New" (meaning about two or three months old) words/phrases include "basketball", "let's go", "outside", "bubbles", "books", "please", "gracias", "pajamas","I'm ready",...among many others.

Cute story
The other night I was getting Sofia into her PJs and we were waiting for Joe to come upstairs to read her a bedtime story. While I changed her, Sofia began calling out "Daddy...daddy!!!" When he didn't show up, she started yelling "Joe!! Joe!! Come on Joe!" It was very cute. I guess she thinks that works better than "daddy!"

Family Fun Fest

Lake Erie Nature Center
This past weekend we joined Emma, Rob and the girls for an afternoon at the Nature Center. The Nature Center has a small exhibit of animals, such as rabbits and birds, which is great for toddlers. Aside from the animals, there was music, games, bubbles, and a bouncy house (I thought I made that name up, but apparently that’s what they’re really called). To our surprise, Sofia really liked seeing the kids jumping around and wanted to jump along. Edie was also interested and they had a great time.

Edie avoiding the paparazzi

Gotcha!

Visit to Illinois

Dr. Gary Boyd
We went to Illinois this past week to attend Joe’s uncle Gary’s memorial. Gary was fun-loving and a very generous person. He was the first member of Joe’s family that I met and he was very friendly. Joe invited me up to Gary’s place in Wisconsin when we first started dating. I expected a romantic weekend on the Lake, swimming and riding on the wave runner with Joe. But I didn’t expect to spend the weekend with his uncle as well. Gary flew in late Saturday afternoon, bringing his lab Cigar, and so we spent the rest of the weekend hanging out with the dog and Gary. It turned out to be a good weekend and when Joe invited me to Gary, and his twin brother’s 50th Birthday Party, I at least knew two people at the party. Close to 500 people attended Gary’s visitation and the memorial was very moving. The Chicago Tribune even wrote a story about Gary in the obit section.

Gary came to visit us in Cleveland twice, most recently in November 2007. Gary was much loved and will be missed terribly.


Gary juggling Keira at six months and Sofia at two months during 4th of July weekend, 2006


Gary and Sofia (about 7 months old?)


Family Visit
Although it was a sad occasion, we did have the opportunity to visit with family and friends. Sofia had a great time playing with her cousin Keira. Keira would lead Sofia by the hand and they would play hide and seek, Ring around the Rosies, and generally run around screaming and laughing. The girls took a bath together, went to the park, to the zoo, and even had a slumber party. We also took the girls to a photo shoot. The proofs looked adorable and I’m looking forward to getting the prints.


Fun in the tub


Fun in the sun

Sofia also enjoyed her first time in the pool this season.


My brother and his family came over one afternoon and Sofia played with Vincent and Cecily.


“Abi” Polanco and grandkids


Abi, Luis, Elaine and kids

It was also Fiona’s first visit and met many of the rest of the family for the first time. My parents think she looks like Joe’s grandfather. I did notice more of a Boyd resemblance in a photo that Joe’s mom took, so I suppose they’re right.
We also took advantage of the time and had Fiona baptized.


Fiona’s godparents, my best friend Rosy, and Joe’s brother Brian


Fiona pretty much cried during the entire ceremony

Fiona also hung out with new cousin Brendan. He’s about seven months old.


Brendan army crawled his way over to Fiona

Random cute photos



The girls in Sofia’s crib



Fiona napping



Sofia ready to go shopping