Potty Mouth

Recently I've been informed that I'm quite the potty mouth on this blog - so for the record - this is for adults only! I save my G-rated commentary for the under-10 set, and let's face it, most of them are too cool to read my blog. Anyway, the real potty talk around here is centered around our pathetic attempt to potty train Gabe. He's okay about it as long as he's naked or only wearing underwear, but throw on some pants or shorts and the will to drop trow quickly disappears. We have exactly 3 months until he starts his new "big kid" school, and they don't allow diapers...so we definitely have to step it up. Any tips? Let us know! So my big adventure this past week was packing up Riley, Gabe, and Maggie for a road trip down to NC. I was expecting the worst but they were both troopers (thanks in large part to Dora the Explorer and her super-annoying Egg Hunt video). Ryan flew down on Saturday and we all drove back this morning. The weather was iffy but Gabe had a great time hiking, jumping on the trampoline, riding the 4-wheeler, and seeing our family. I had an equally good time: with 4 babysitters around I got to read 2 books, shop, drink plenty of sweet tea, and eat a fridge full of homemade food. Now it's back to the real world (and time to go on a diet!). Genetics...not our friend.

Leah meets Riley!

The crew in the bat cave (Linville Caverns)

Forget the bats - the (free) river outside Linville Caverns was the biggest hit of the day.

AAAARRRR

Hello from the First State! We've had a pretty busy weekend, checking out a pirate ship on Saturday, having lunch with friends, and then my GNO last night. Let me say, I do go out quite a bit now that I can drink again, but it is a bitch coming in at midnight after a few drinks knowing that you have to get up at 5. Its almost enough to make me not go out. Almost. Luckily, Riley is a loyal part of the sisterhood and recognizes the therapeutic nature of drinking and gossiping will make me a better (well, slightly less grouchy) mother, so she cooperated by sleeping in until 6! Woo-hoo!

Today was slightly more low-key, although I did get to spend several hours volunteering in my church nursery, an experience that ruled out any possibility of a career change into the child care field. Then Gabe and I cooked brownies (which we do at least twice a week, which now that I type this makes me wonder a little less about those stubborn last 5 pounds) and I made the mistake of leave him unsupervised with the batter bowl. Check out the result of that wise move:

Little Riley is growing way too fast and already grabbing at her toys, so I finally remembered to dust off and install Gabe's old mobile, which was a HUGE hit. And for Riley too!

Last but not least (okay, who are we kidding...)...does anyone out there remember our first-born, Maggie? We do occassionally, usually around feeding time when she's nipping at our heels. She's still a trouble maker, but otherwise doing well and earning her keep as our guard dog (going nuts any time another human or animal comes within a block of our house...which since we live in the middle of the city is about every 5 minutes). Here she is cuddled up in a baby blanket, an image that will make my mother cringe.

Quote of the week:

Me (after finding Gabe sucking on a quarter): "Gabe, you better not having any money in your mouth"

Gabe: "No, I don't have money in my mouth Mommy. Of course not. I have money in my ear!"

Have a great week!

Long Overdue Update!

I've been getting in some trouble for not posting lately, but I feel bad about posting with no pictures, and that makes me feel bad for taking so few pictures. Such a cycle of guilt! Luckily, I got my act together this weekend when Grandma and Papa Joe were in town for a few days on their way to Italy. After a solid week of rain, we finally got a sunny day for the Wilmington Flower Market (10% flowers, 90% carnival rides and food) where Gabe had a super time running around in the mud. Then yesterday my friend Julie and I headed up to the Philadelphia Zoo with 4 children under 3 between us. Brave, or incredibly stupid? The jury is still out, but it any outing that ends with a 2-hour nap is the very definition of success around here! (On a completely unrelated note, I'm watching this oddly hiliarious show on TLC called "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant". Hmmm...no birth control, weight gain, swollen ankles...how could they ever suspected??)