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!