Pumpkin Patch

So we went to like a million pumpkin patches this season. Yo Gramma Gramma and G-pa A left us with a fantastic new camera and so this fall became photo shoot o'clock. Poor Frankie was up to her ears in Pumpkins. Unfortunately my photo skills did no justice to the fine Pumpkin patches of the West and I only got this photo to show for it. eh.

Shes so little and cute. All American jeans and a white T. Shes even wearing gym shoes. A real baby Mellancamp.

Anyway, the patches may not have turned out great, but the eating of her first (and much too early) carmel apple was a win win for Frankie and the camera. If you ever want to see a 1 year old in complete bliss, give them a carmel apple. I swear I had never seen her so satisfied with life.

 She looked like this for about a half and hour.

Until she dropped her carmel apple in the grass. Then she looked like this... The next series of photos is titled "Give Me My M-F-ing Carmel Apple Back."

Then Ashley got another one and this happened...

Yes!

BEST COSTUME EVER

Frankie took herself to a new level of cute this Halloween.  She was a hit! 

We trick or treated at 3 houses. I wasn't sure she would understand the concept and I felt a little guilty for trying to telepathically encourage her to go for the Reeses instead of the peppermint pattys.   She didn't get the message. We went home with a sucker, a piece of candy corn and some smartees. Either way, there was no child as stunningly adorable as she was that day.  Really. 

The way her tail waddled behind her as she walked was hilarious.

In a pot?... C'mon!

Can you see Frankies tounge? 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKIE!

First thing in the morning. 

Then a pizza party at Aunt Ashleys house. Duck pinata, Cupcakes from Aunt Jessie and fake hair extensions for Grama Gaybe. Sweet.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Frakie learns the Itsy Bitsy Spider and does the moves too.

Yo Frank!

So we had a long trip to Chicago a few weeks ago and Frankie got to hang out with everyone. We did alot of stuff. Here is a video of the highlights, including... (SPOILER ALERT!) Hanging with Grandpa and Grandma C, Apple picking with Dad, Walking with Grandpa A, Picking tomatoes with G-pa A, Julia, Joe and Matthew, Followed by some sweet kissin cousins action that makes everyone go "awwww", a short clip of yo Gramma Gramma (Sue), Frankies First Saints game, Bath time with yo gramma gramma, a wind up traveling sushi and top it all off with some sweet moves to an acapella version of Michael Jacksons "Beat it". Word.

Ooo gurl, slow down.

Shes on fire everyone, I dont know what else to say. And a real charmer too. We're preparing for our trip to Chicago and Rita's wedding. So many people to impress and so little time.  Next week she will perform these same feats only while balancing a jug of water on her head. You cant start em too early, thats what I say.

That covers physical talent, now on to the theater...In this next one Frankie pretends to be affraid of her dad in the thrilling game of "im gonna getcha."

                                                                             BRAVO!

Baby Stepping Down the Hall

Is this happening too quickly for anyone else? Shes only 9 months old!

Real Hippies

We had a baby welcoming celebration, for Frankie and Opal, at the rites this year. It was a beautiful ceremony along the creek at the Findhorne Farm in Reedsberg, WI.  Marlowe and Sam both gave inspiring  speeches, the Giblin twins sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Everyone blessed the girls and threw flowers into the creek, I cried, Andy Toan was uncomfortable, Virg, Grandma and Grandpa Antonick and Jamie were there. It was a great day.

                                                                                  

First Word Alert! Duck! Duck! Duck!

                                                          She said duck! (Thanks Gaybe)

A Sudden Growth Spurt

It was around mid june that Frankie decided to suddenly become much older and skilled. In one day she started clapping, waving, high fivin',  turning pages in books and growling. See for yourself....

shes like a tiger!

Crawling.

Its official. Frankie has been crawling around for a good month now and here is the video to prove it. Now we have to baby proof everything. She's a real explorer. Also, please take note of her modern dance uniform. This outfit was selected in response to the pink tutu she received in chicago from her great Aunt Nancy. And that hair-do is au natural.

Happy Easter!

                                                 F       R        A         N        K         I         E
                                                            Frankie colored eggs today.

Last day at Fifth Ave. Vinnies Cafe.

Awwwww Casey.

Now that Casey has been working, Frankie and I spend alot of time reminiscing about the good ol' days with Dad. Like...

That day we smelled the flowers with dad after we went to the movies, or...

                                             That day we went to Applebees on our way from Oakland to Portland.            Someone won the Superbowl that day. Casey is not a football fan or an Applebees fan for that matter.  He definitly thinks Frankie is the coolest though and since she likes Applebees and football he was willing to compromise.

 

This was from the first time we drove to portland. She was so little. Casey gave her her first piano lesson. 

Or when he would let her sleep on his belly.

Baby Einstein

I just think this picture is funny. Have you ever seen the Baby Einstein Videos? She gets totally hypnotized. I dont know who the real Einsteins are that made these videos, but they really know their baby stuff. This video features a hamster running on a wheel. Thats it. And she cant peel her eyes off of it. She'll sit like that for 20 minutes.

Theres a first time for everything. Really, everything.

One of the best parts about being a parent is that each day something new is happening. For every single thing she does, there will have to be a first time. 

                                                                           First tooth.

                                                                             First tear.

                                                               First bath in a sink.

                                                                  First Gyro Session.

 

                                                     First time on an airplane (not in my belly). She did really well. In general, people on air planes dont like to sit near babies. But Frankie nearly got a standing ovation for her sleeping behavior on our flights to chicago and back. Little snug bug.

Hello, world?... we have an announcment to make...

The past six months have been a little crazy and we have not yet taken the time to give credit where credit is due. Amy Iddings, please stand up.

 One question, Amy, why are you so good? So, Amy has come up from Kentucky to Chicago twice since Frankie was born just to see her. She came to Oakland while I was pregnant and was glad to just lay on the couch and watch my feet swell. She really pulled through and helped put my baby shower together

(shes the one with the sweet fan. Oh Amy, you really are from Kentucky!)

and now she is coming to the Rites in Wisconsin with us. On top of all that she somehow found a way to knit Frankie  some...

legwarmers...

a sweater...

 and some coffee mug holders for Casey and I. She also has showered us with so many gifts over the last year that we suspect that the woman who sent us baby clothes and claimed to be Amy's friend from work, in Kentucky, was actually Amy creating fake people so she could give us more gifts! Why Amy? All the while she is the sweetest and cutest ever! We have been so blessed with all of the support of our friends and family that Frankie now poses like Mother Mary for pictures.

So many people to thank. More coming soon.

Waterfalls!

We made it out to the gorge last week. Frankie needed some fresh air and some time to ponder her existence after having been hit by a category 5 crush, Gwen Kruger. It was beautiful.

Frankie enjoys long walks on the beach.

Gwenjammin Kreuger and Jackie came to visit from NY for Gwens 30th Birthday. We ate and drank and teethed. It was a lovely weekend. For her actual birthday Gwen wanted to go to the Tilamook Cheese Factory. Dont ask me why. She was very excited and couldnt wait to get there. This photo details the highlight of our self guided tour. Look at the glee on Gwens face. Well, Happy Birthday indeed!

Gwen and Frankie actin' fools, Tilamook style.

Then we went to Twin Rock Beach. She touched the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Casey jumped in the water even though he was the only nut job in Oregon that seemed to think the water was fine. Twas awesome.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GWEN! WE LOVE YOU!

She cant get enough.

Frankies dreams come true.  

On the night you were born...

Rita

Kathleen and Caitlin

Virg and Pat

Sue and Jessie

Jamie, Julia and Johnathan

Jordano

Maryanne

Leslie

Kathleen and Caitlin strike again.

Annie

Amy