Happy Birthday to me.

Scarlett went to the Doctor yesterday because of a low grade fever, and a general malaise.

Coxsackie Virus. She's fine, but a little floppy. She'll be over it in about a week.

Good morning for a little quiet couch time.

For me to poop on...

I recently told someone that Scarlett never really had blow-outs of the diaper kind.

Can you see where this is going?

Karma gets me every time.

100% Just for Wendy

There must be something about putting your kid in an Exersaucer and then torturing them with inappropriate eye wear. At least Neko was responsible for your photo-op. Mine was purely me. [I think she was about the same age that Ellery is now. I just had to dig this up for you.]

Yes, but has YOUR kid won an Oscar?

It says what we think. Best Baby.

Also, it's time again for the Goofy Sale at Castle House. We found out today that that is the third set of Giant Foam letters to grace the windows in the past 40 years. The first set was cardboard, and built by the proprietor's husband, when he had [according to his son, Joe] too much time on his hands. I believe the second set was lost when a car drove through the front window. Yes. On Hyde Park Square.

Anyway, I always like seeing the letters up. And now that we have someone to dress, I really like seeing them up.

Holland and Trey's First Birthday

Because honestly, the dog door is just too good to resist.

Meanwhile, Scarlett tells her Uncle Matt that perhaps the 5 dollars he spent on his gas station ball cap was no bargain.

Whole lotta labs...

Every met a lap lab? I have. Meet Brutus. Brutus seems to think he's a tiny little dog.

He's not.

Heather and Toby had us over for a lovely dinner. There was baby wrangling, several types of meat, and cheese nips. Kevin was very happy.

Don't worry, we'll pony up for the therapy.

It has been brought to my attention by several do-gooders that the videotape of Scarlett and her First Cheerio may be construed at child abuse, and would certainly lead to CPS beating down our door, citing us for torture by pincer grasp.

In essence, they called it mean.

Mean...funny...tomato...tomahto.

So I've decided that the only photos that will make this blog are ones that demonstrate my brilliant mothering skills - and to that end, I give you...refried bean face!

It looks remarkably like "yogurt face" and "avocado face".

How in the #$@# am I supposed to live on these for the next two years?

http://

Gee, Your Butt Smells Terrific!

Since we have had Alice, all I could think about was this meeting. Big Al, meet Little Al.

My best friend's dog, Alby, is simply the Best. Lab. Ever. He is big and sweet and a little bit stinky - and he drools enough to provide lubricant for a small auto factory. Not Ford or anything, but maybe Kia. Good Dog.

They drove through today on their way up to Hocking Hills, and the two blond dogs finally got to meet. Alby really wasn't sure what to do with Alice, who just like an obnoxious little sister, wanted nothing but a little attention from her new friend. I think at one point, Alby considered eating her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inzAbI78nrs

Oh yeah. And there's Amy and her Goddaughter, Scarlett.

Already repeating myself.

An old photo I had a request for. I do love this shot.

The original title was "Why we shouldn't be parents."

You know it's hot out here for a pug.

It's been in the 90's today, so we busted out the Target baby pool.

Please no pointing out that my daughter is playing with a beer cozy. We should probably buy some real pool toys.

In honor of Katie

Yesterday was the golf outing to remember Katie, my friend Jennie's younger sister, who lost her battle with cancer in 1994 at age 19. [You can read more about what a cool chick Katie was here: http://www.katielinzfoundation.org/]

The Linz family knows how to throw a golf party, and at the same time raise a small fortune to help others.

We had a great time - I almost won a Rolex. I missed it by "that much". ["that much" being many many yards.] and Sue Ann won longest drive for the women! Represent!

Just had to put this out there.

I mean, come on.

Some other cute babies.

Friday mornings are reserved for coffee and company at the Blue Manatee Bookstore in Oakley. We have fair trade coffee, and talk about the moms that don't show.

Joking. We never do that.

Almost never.

Anyway - big group today! 4 Babes and 2 Toddlers. While Claire walks around showing off the toys she'd like to take home, Sophie strikes a classic Paris Hilton 'washing the Carl's Jr car' pose. Work it!

Carson is the one sacked out on mom, Emma eats bananas and Henry is the youngest babe of all. And his mother is the skinniest. We aren't so sure about her. [Just kidding, Jill! You are lovely. Now have some Graeters.]

That Was Easy.

My father and I both have a Staples Easy Button. This morning, when I walked past and gave it a tap, nothing happened. I sort of saw this coming, because over the past couple of weeks, the response had gotten softer, and more southern. "Thaaaaaaat waaaaaaahhhssss eeaaaassssyyyyyy."

But while I was changing the batteries, I was thinking that it was sort of ridiculous that an Easy Button couldn't handle that task on its own.

And then I started wondering what else the Easy Button could do around here to pick up some slack. Diaper duty. Naptime. Dog walking. I mean, do I have to do everything?

Good Morning.

Typical. Everyone wants something from mom. Be it begging for blueberries and yogurt, or sharing mom's addiction to Starbucks.

The Alice picture is pretty much my fault. Kevin will tell you that when I sneak her treats during the day, I pretty much ruin the chances that anyone else will have an enjoyable, pug free meal.

She's ready for fallout, that one.

Scarlett isn't begging yet, but she does love a good morning trip to Starbucks.

[PS. Before any mom's point this out, yes, I realize I've accidentally put her in the saucer facing the wrong way. Didn't realize it until too late. She probably had a major Diaper Wedgie.]

Stats

This weekend was Kevin's birthday, and Ken and Nanci were in town visiting. A great time was had by all. We may have set a new record on Graeters eaten in a 48 hour period.

I have to say, I'm not so sure about the whole Kevin's birthday and Father's Day falling in the same week. Seems like a whole lot of attention for just one guy.

Marcy recently asked what Scarlett's latest stats were, and it's been a while since her last doctor's appointment, so I took some measurements myself today - as best I could with a squirmy 8 month old. She's about 17.5 pounds and about 26 1/4 inches. This puts her squarely in the "peanut" category.

But what an adorable peanut, eh?

First Frank Family Post.

I thought I'd start the first post of the Official Frank Family Blog with an overly cute picture. Because honestly, who can resist a baby and a puppy?

Hope everyone will enjoy our little attempt to keep everyone up to date with pictures and milestones for Scarlett Shane, the littlest Frank.

I'll try to update every so often with pictures and news, but as for right now, you should know that our latest tricks are:

1] Trying to sit up.

2] Flopping over.

3] Giggling at flopping over.