Best Buddies!

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Jake....




And a sweet puppy dog named Maverick.




Jake and Maverick were BEST BUDDIES!




Jake was 6 months old and probably the happiest baby on the block.



Maverick was 9 or 10 and probably the best dog on the block.




Whenever Jake laughed, screamed or giggled Maverick would bark along in unison.





And whenever Maverick would bark Jake would laugh, coo and giggle!




They had a sister named Mary Grace who loved them both but was usually too busy playing with Will to pay much attention to the best buddies.






So Jake and Mav were a team! Although Maverick loved just hanging out with Jake, eating the crumbs that fell off the highchair and licking Jake's gooey hand after a yummy meal of baby cereal and carrots, he was just waiting for the day Jake would start crawling (which will be any day now) so they could find some trouble!



THE END

Update on my little guy:

Jake had his 6 month check up and is doing great! He is 50% for height and 25% for weight.

He is eating baby cereal, green beans, carrots, apples, pears, bananas, ect.

He loves Maverick, his big sister, Allie, and going outside.

He is sitting up, rolling over, jabbering (usually in the middle of the night, I think he likes to hear himself talk!), standing up (with help..... he wants to start walking sooooo bad!), scooching on his tummy...... not crawling but can do a complete 360 degree circle while laying on his tummy and throwing stuff (don't know if he is going to be a southpaw yet or not!)

He is such a happy, yummy, sweet, little baby boy! I am so glad he joined our family...... and so is Mav!

Why WE Love Allie

If you know me, you know I have a sister Allie (because I talk about her all the time!) But you might not know how great she is!

Allie is the most amazing person I know. She is the best mother (even though she has never given birth to a child nor has any children of her own), a dedicated teacher (high school art teacher), the dearest friend anyone could have and a very talented artist!

My kids LOVE her and this is why...........

She is always willing to participate in a impromptu Popsicle party.

Or an adult party! (Crazy Uncle Drew, Allie and MG at the 2008 Memorial Day Block Party)







She loves MG's kisses!






And a good laugh!





She is a great artist..... (MG and Allie made this banner for our new neighbor, Hattie)





She gives the best fashion advice...... I think the word that came out of her mouth when MG picked out this ensemble was "WOW!!!!"





She likes to hang out with the GIRLS! (Allie, MG and Ashley)





And hang out with the BOYS! (Allie, Jake and Josh- Allie's boyfriend)






She love Birthday parties and Birthday CAKE!!!!






She enjoys a good bounce house!





She loves to play outside. (This picture is old but one of my favorite! MG, Allie and Will)





She runs a GREAT cake-walk (Allie volunteered at Mary Grace's school's Pumpkin Patch)





She is always game for a snow cone!!!







But most of all.... because she gives so much of her heart to Mary Grace and Jake.







I LOVE her because......

She is more than just a sister, she is my best friend.

She is there for me when I need a shoulder to cry on, when I want to complain about Mike leaving his dirty socks on the dining room floor, when I watch Mary Grace and Jake laugh and play.

She is always up for shopping, watching a great movie or getting a margarita!

She is my fashion advisor, my personal shopper, my 5:30 am running buddy, my "let's go to Target" companion, my "Hill's" watching partner and most importantly......the wind beneath my wings.

I couldn't make it a DAY without her, she is my strength, my support and my best friend!

A Reversal of Roles- Our Off Season Life

I officially went back to work full time 2 weeks ago. I haven't posted in a while because that is how long it took to adjust to the new role of full time pediatrician and Mom......wait I am still adjusting! I will probably get it down once it is time to leave for the baseball season in 5 months!

My day starts at 5am, Jake is usually ready for his pre-breakfast, breakfast. 5:30 I am out the door with Allie for our 2 mile walk...... soon we will turn that walk into a run, but I am taking baby steps. By 6:30 I am out the door. AGAIN, and on my way to the hospital where I spend my day seeing newborn babies, teaching residents and guiding medical students to choose pediatrics as their career choice. It is a little bit like Grey's Anatomy- except no one sleeps together, there are few natural disasters and very little drama!

Most days I am heading home by 3:30 so I can pick Mary Grace up from school. The afternoons are filled with playing outside, playing inside, going to ballet class, going to bible study, making dinner, etc.

After dinner comes the marathon of getting the 2 kids bathed and put to bed.

By 8:30-9, after the kitchen is put back into "pre-dinner chaos" shape, lunches are made for the next day, bills are paid and laundry is done Mike and I finally collapse on the couch or into bed.

Mike is also adjusting to the new role of full time, stay at home Dad.

He does a great job with getting Mary Grace up, fed, dressed and off to school everyday. (One day he told me he forgot to brush MG's hair but most days are pretty smooth.) He is great with her!

The rest of his day includes grocery shopping, cooking, laundry and taking care of Jake. These activities include multi-tasking and I often find Mike cooking and mowing the lawn while wearing Jake in the baby backpack. Jake and Mike are really bonding and it is a "blessing in disguise" the time they are spending together....what other father gets this precious time with their son?

Mike got the job on the sports talk radio station and is working every Saturday! He is great and if you ever want to listen to him go to www.theticket.com. You can listen on-line live. His hours are Saturday 12-2pm and he is also filling in during the week for the regular guys. He is going to get to do a Maverick's post-game show on Friday October 17th. Below is a picture from his broadcasting booth last Saturday.

This life we lead is definitely interesting, CRAZY but most of all FUN! We love spending time with Mary Grace and Jake..... they are thriving due to the fact they get so much time with both of us.

However, we are still adjusting so be patient with us if we don't respond to an e-mail, voicemail or alarm clock in a timely manner!!!

*****I have to include a disclaimer here......... we do not do this alone! Thank you to our wonderful neighbors, family and friends for helping us through this transition. You know who you are and you are INCREDIBLE!!! We wouldn't be able to survive without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the babysitting, love, patience and words of encouragement!*****