A Hot Mess at 2000 Feet

For Father's Day this year I set up an introductory flying lesson for Chris. He's always been interested in flying (since he first flew to DC to see me in the summer of 2000!) so I thought I'd get some cool points from him for such a creative present. And maybe  I did but....it certainly wasn't cool in the plane last Friday and I wouldn't say that Chris was cool as a cucumber in the pilot's seat! You all don't have to worry about Chris being your pilot next time you fly commercial, but it was a memorable experience!

First, I found this picture and seeing it always make me laugh because for a while after Caroline turned one she went through this terrible phase where every picture she took at school looked like she hated life. This was her first Valentine's Day at school (Feb 2009) so she was about the same age that little sis is now. Lovely hair do...but at least she had some!

These pictures made me laugh too. There were taken last week playing outside with our neighbors. Cate is trying her darndest to play with the big kids by getting into the car too.

Then she finally runs them all off and she's a very happy girl!

We had check-ups this week...

Lee Catherine is in the 96 percentile for height and 76th for weight at 22 lbs. Caroline Sidney is in the 47th for height and 35th for weight at 35 lbs. I am thankful they are so healthy!

Happy weekend!

Where in the world is

...Carmen Sandiego? No.

Matt Laurer? No.

Chris Nick?!?

On some beach, somewhere without me!

Chris left us for a week to go to Curacoa with his good friend Tim. It was painful knowing he was in the Caribbean without me!

Thank you to my mom for not making me tackle parenthood solo last week, and to Tim for being such a good friend to us.

Our one year old!

What a year! I am still amazed at how fast this past year has passed by, and everyday I am grateful that Cate is really the easiest baby on the block because she has made year one a blast and a breeze. Why do I have a feeling that with Cate it's going to be an uphill climb from here?

Happy Birthday to our sweet, sweet girl! She'll probably kill me for these pictures later that showcase her belly but I had bought this bday shirt for her before I realized she was going to be at the top end of the baby growth chart!

She is really walking now! Yea!!!

She thought about sharing her cake but... 

quickly changed her mind and ate it up in one bite!

Opening presents with Milan.

Kisses with daddy.

Here's Caro and daddy on her first birthday.

Looking like daddy here, I think.

Early birthday

Or, as my brother coined, happy "Americate"! We enjoyed early birthday treats on the fourth! No fireworks, just cake.

Catey is stepping!

She must know it is her birthday week because she has gone from the fastest thing on four legs to stepping out just on ten toes. Her mantra is slow and steady!