5 Words and an Em Dash

I'm getting a cold - again.

The Lion That Wouldn't Be

I saw this costume in a consignment store and for so many reasons I had to buy it against all better judgement. The primary reason being that Max would look so cute in it and, well, who am I to stop that from happening? Still, I tried to talk myself out of it. We already had an adorable costume from our friends - a turtle. Surely Max would look so cute as a turtle. I even managed to walk away but I came wandering back. Even when the size said, "3 - 6 months" I thought, "It looks big." I held it up to the boy and it did look like it would fit. Cha-ching. Sold.

I brought it home and later that night I tried to put it on. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. In fact, I pretty much had to wedge him in there. Poor Max. I may not listen to reason but I will listen to a lion roar.



About Halloween...I thought Max would look so cute as a turtle.

Little Rascal

I was minding my own business taking a shower on Saturday when I started to hear all this gleeful giggling. Max had found the toilet paper and realized what fabulous fun it can be. This may not bode well for our future neighbors.



Max pulls up all the time now and is getting quite good at cruising. I don't know how long it will be before he walks but I think another 6 weeks or so and that's just fine with me. It's so hard to keep up with him and that's even more true since it's often just me with Max and the mini-zoo with Dan on the road so much.

Max loves this little drum my mom found at a garage sale. I love it too because it sounds way better than a metal pan clanging. =)

Just in case you're all wondering how the critters are - here is a shot of each. Havers is going a little batty because she's not getting out for walks that much. She did get a walk this weekend when a friend and I headed down to the downtown park. Havers was so wild for the ducks, geese and squirrels. She only got in the water twice so it was an improvement on the last walk in the park. A phrase that is redefined when it means taking Havers on a walk in the park. Chubber is still an ace napper.



That's all for now as both Max and I are still sick or shall I say sicker again and I'm getting so tired it's unbelievable! It's been a month and a half. This is getting old and I would like for us to have a healthy little home. Please think good thoughts for our health!

Wiggle Worm

I love this series of photos of Max. I think he was practicing for the vice-presidential debate in the first one. The photos were taken over the course of 2 minutes and shows what a mover and a shaker he is not to mention how very charming. It amazes me how difficult it can be to hold onto him when he gets it in his mind to move. To think he's only 20 pounds. I can't imagine what it will be like when he's bigger!

Double G - We love you!

In typical fashion, Grandma Della blew in and out in a whirlwind visit with us on her way to a Garden Club Convention in Providence, RI. We are so GLAD she came! Her arrival was eagerly anticipated by Dan and myself. We have missed her so much since moving from Alaska and we love the newish hair do.

Dan was supposed to be out of town for work but in a true spot of luck, his trip was cut short and he was able to come home for the first half of Della's 36 hour visit. What crazy lives we lead now traveling hither and yon. Dan was able to meet the train from Boston in DC's Union Station and the pair rode the Metro home. We were all so excited for Della to meet Max - the most recent great-grandchild. Here they are not too long after meeting. He is loving his gift - a stuffed duck from the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.



We packed a lot into our short visit: Take-out Thai that was so hot it almost blew our socks off. Delicious but WOW. Of course, the visit was scattered with political discussion - a Barry tradition. Breakfast at IHOP with a waiter who just couldn't stop flirting with my Grandma. Naps and other feeble attempts for me to get better and kick my maybe-cold-maybe-sinus-infection-maybe-black-death. A little cooking together which included some tomatoes from the house at Walla Walla and a spectacular Della creation to adorn the table for my Beta Sigma Phi meeting which we hosted together. Grandma, I couldn't have done it without you.

We had a longer visit 2 years ago and it's hard to believe how much has changed since then. During our last visit, Della attended Havers' obedience school graduation and joined us on a fiesty dog playdate. Her comment on Havers this go 'round was that she'd mellowed considerable. (She was here for the days when Havers would drag the table around the dining room.) Also, Owen was still with us and, of course, there was no Max.


Dan and Della



Great Grandma and Great Grandson. What a beautiful site!

These pictures were taken just minutes before we headed off to the Metro and our goodbyes. Amazingly enough I didn't get lost this time. You'd think I'd have it figured out after 3 years but I've gotten lost the last couple times I've driven to the Metro. Geesh! As ever, it's sad to say goodbye but so wonderful to have had the chance to say hello in person.