Starting Over after Florida’s Deep Freeze

Remember last February when we re-landscaped the front yard?

The previous summer we moved into the *ugliest* house in an otherwise very nice neighborhood. It wasn’t a bad house. In fact it was a brand new house; we got it for a great price — bank owned. But talk about ugly.

BEFORE WE MOVED IN:
The day we looked at the house: May 18, 2008

I’m all about “curb appeal”, and this house was definitely lacking in it. There’s nothing we could do about the boring architecture or the drab gray color (without forking out a bunch of money to the ridiculous power-hungry home owner’s association), but I figured that with a little bit of planning and elbow grease, we could at least tackle that landscaping.  What little “landscaping” our little gray house had was completely dead from 3 years of neglect (as the house set vacant after having been constructed). The only thing that had survived was the jasmine, which (as you can see from the photo above) just kind of went wild.

We consulted a local landscaping place to discuss which plants would be the hardiest (and quick-growing), and went to work.

RE-LANDSCAPED
February 23, 2009

By summertime, our new plants had finally started growing and looking nice.  We added a few yellow flowers to brighten things up, and voila!  Not “Better Homes and Gardens” by any means, but I was happy. It looked sooo much better than what we had started with.

SUMMER SEMI-MATURED LANDSCAPING
May 4, 2009

And by autumn the alyssum had seen its prime so we replaced it with another annual, and added some mums for fall color. I was quite pleased with the way the lantana had matured. The crotons hadn’t grown much, but had beautiful color, and the original pentas were now the size of bushes!

AUTUMN SEMI-MATURED LANDSCAPING
October 15, 2009

And then it happened.  The Florida deep freeze.  A type of freeze that southwest Florida hadn’t seen in over two decades. It was a brutal, horrible winter for Florida. Lots of rain, extremely cold temperatures, frost…and yes, even a bit of snow. These weren’t occasional weather conditions; they lasted all winter. In January we suffered a “deep freeze” which kept plants frozen for nearly two weeks.

At first it appeared that all was lost. Everything was wilted. So I waited until March to survey the damage; to see if anything was able to produce new growth. Here are the results:

Yeah.

Depressing.

It looks terrible. Back to square one — almost.  The schefflera (bushes in the back) miraculously pulled through (they were quite wilted at first).

The pygmy date palm suffered, but I think it will make it. There is still some green underneath all that brown. (Time will tell).

The queen palms, the most expensive single items in our landscaping seem to have weathered the harsh winter. There is a lot of brown, but more green than brown. Hooray!

Pepper plants and bird-of-paradise plants – took a beating, but I think they will recover:

My previously lush, thick lantana all died, but is not lost. Some may be gone (I’ll have to watch). But others have new green growth:

And of all things, my fall mums survived. This is the *one* plant that the landscaping guy warned me about. He told me that they wouldn’t survive because they prefer “cooler climates”.  Hmmmm…

So, maybe it isn’t as bad as I feared. There is hope anyway.

Total losses; plants for which no glimmer of hope remains:

Pentas.  They’re all goners. $60 worth of pentas.

Croton Mammy – all 13 of them. Cash loss of $260.  :(

Chances are, we won’t have another winter like this in Florida — not for a very long time anyway. But, I’ve never been a gambler. I’m not real keen on the idea of replacing these plants with the same thing…just in case.

Anyone have any ideas of replacements I could use that are similar in size, and both cold tolerant and heat/drought tolerant? I am looking for ideas!

Free Pass to Busch Gardens for Preschoolers!

Busch Gardens of Tampa has something new in store. Opening on March 27, 2010 is Sesame Street’s Safari of Fun! Geared toward younger children, the Safari of Fun will offer “kid-size rides, cool water fun and plenty of memorable adventures”.

Fly through the desert with Grover. Climb in Elmo’s Tree House. Splash in Bert and Ernie’s watering hole. You can even dine with your child’s furry friends. It’s Sesame Street Safari of Fun, where imaginations run wild and there’s fun for everyone.

Here’s the best part! To celebrate this new endeavor, Busch Gardens is offering a Free Commemorative Busch Gardens Preschool Annual Pass for Florida residents ages 5 and younger! It’s all they need to explore the wonders of Busch Gardens and the all-new Sesame Street Safari of Fun…for the whole year!

Disney World 2010 $99 Special!

Florida residents can now purchase Walt Disney World’s Magic Your Way 4 Day Dream Pass for only $99 ($84 for children ages 3-9, and free for infants and toddlers).  $25 per day for Disney? What a deal!

This pass includes 4 one-day, one-park admissions to any of the 4 Walt Disney World® theme parks. You can use your 4 Day Dream Pass any 4 days you like from now through March 26, and from April 10 through May 25, 2010. (March 27 to April 9 are blockout dates).  The 4 days do not need to be consecutive and admission is for one park per day (park hopper option can be added for an additional cost).

This offer is available only to Florida residents. Proof of Florida residency required.
Tickets must be purchased by May 21, 2010.  Parking is an additional $14 per day.

More Baby Birthday Photos

Yes, I finally managed to get those photos uploaded to the computer. It was quite a task (you know, actually taking the memory card out of the camera and placing it into the little slot at the side of my computer) — I’m exhausted now…so you can forgive my delay, right?

Okay, enough with the sarcasm. On to the cuteness…

Baby’s first real experience with cake was priceless, but took place during her father’s and oldest sister’s absence, so we had to have a second birthday celebration a few days later (I told you she was the princess).

I think she loved her chocolate cake just as much the second time around!

We also waited until the whole family could participate for DeeDee to open her gifts. She *really* likes the drum set! You should see her rock out like Animal, from the Muppets.

And those soft blocks are wonderful! Big brother Rey can hurl them across the room without risking bodily injury to anyone.

Hi, I’m Janne. Remember Me?

It seems that over the past year the majority of my blog posts have mostly revolved around apologies for my lack of blogging.

I don’t entirely get it. Prior to the arrival “DeeDee” (also known as the Princess), I had nine other children. Nine pregnancies. Nine births. Nine babies. Nine toddlers. I managed just fine. I still made time for journaling, then maintaining a website, then blogging. I still managed to get regular showers and look like…well, a human.

WHAT has happened to me?

DeeDee’s presence has de-railed me. I don’t know why. What’s different? Is it just that fact that she is such a needy high strung child? Is it my “advanced maternal age”? (Yes, these words were actually printed on my medical chart during my last pregnancy. Depressing.) Maybe it’s the fact that WHILE I have DeeDee and juggle her needs, I also have two teenage boys driving me crazy (a new thing for me), and Rey, the cute blond  Tazmanian Devil that lives under my roof while single-handedly dismantling my house. Oh yeah, and the fact that I am, most of the time, a single mom (another new thing to me).

Whatever it is, it has left me in a constant state of brain fog. I lack motivation and often struggle to manage to construct a clear thought. (Case in point. Construct is not the right word for that sentence, but the more appropriate word escapes me). Not a state conducive to blogging.

I was once a cute, tanned, energetic…even, dare I say it, intelligent Mama.

Hmmmm….

These days I am 20 lbs overweight (despite the fact that I often forget to eat. How does that happen?)
I have split ends. Due to lack of use, I forget how to apply makeup. It’s been so long since I’ve had my eyebrows waxed, that they’re acting on their desire to reach out and touch each other. They’ve almost succeeded. My tan is gone (and let me attest to the fact that when you have an “olive” complexion and no tan, you’re simply left looking jaundiced). I spend the entire day in pajamas or “loungewear” unless I have to go somewhere (go somewhere meaning taxi-ing children to their various activities). And I have to psych myself up to shave my legs. Yes, glamorous life I lead. (Thank you God, for energy drinks and B-vitamins!) You’re probably getting an idea where blogging fits in.

I feel a bit guilty for not blogging because the children LOVE it! They’re really irritated with me for not blogging several of this year’s field trips. I need to get on that. Stay tuned…

For the time being, while I am certainly not much to look at these days, and while I feel like a walking zombie, I am enjoying every precious moment with that beautiful, demanding, energetic, brown-eyed baby toddler.  They grow up too quickly. I will have time to care for myself later. For this season I will savor my time with her.

Just wait until they’re all grown. I will be one seriously hyper-blogging granny. You’ll all be begging me to shut up!

Free 8×10 Photo Collage

Free BareMinerals Sample at JCPenney

Print this coupon and take it to a Sephora inside a JCPenney store for a free 14-day sample of Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Foundation.  Choose Original or Matte in one of 6 shades.  There is no purchase required and no expiration date on the coupon; they just say while supplies last – and if they run out they’ll give you a sample of another product!

Free Denny’s Grand Slam

Participating Denny’s restaurants are giving away free Original Grand Slam breakfasts from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Last year, two million people across the country turned out for the free meal, according to a news release. The restaurant announced during the Super Bowl that it would offer the promotion again.

This is just one of a few promotions Denny’s is serving up for its customers.

• Anyone can go online or stop by a restaurant until Sunday to register to win one free Original Grand Slam every week for a year. One winner will be announced each week on dennys.com.
• The first 500,000 people who sign up for the new Denny’s Rewards program online between now and Sunday will receive a free burger and fries, available March 1 through 7.
• Denny’s also will provide free refills on any order of French fries or pancakes at participating locations nationwide, starting Wednesday.
• And the party continues at Denny’s. Customers can celebrate birthdays with free Original Grand Slam breakfasts at participating locations as long as they provide proof of their birth dates.

“My Sister Eileen” – Final Weekend

This weekend is your last chance to see Gator and Ant perform in My Sister Eileen at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center!

A comedy by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov. Two Ohio sisters, the acerbic Ruth, who is determined to become a famous writer, and the sweet Eileen, who dreams of becoming an actress, move to New York. Based on Ruth McKenney’s New Yorker stories, the production was hailed by the New York Post as ‘the giddiest delight to be seen … since You Can’t Take It with You.’

Baby Meets Cake

Guess Who’s a Year Old?!!

Yes, ALREADY! I don’t know where the year went!

“DeeDee” went into the whole cake-thing with some confusion and even a little irritation…but she came out thinking chocolate cake is the best thing that ever happened to her (a girl after my own heart).

“What’s with this thing on my head? Get it off!”

REALLY not liking the party hat!

“Wait….what’s this?”

“Mmmmm….”

“Hmmm…there’s got to be a better way…”

Diving in…

Yeah, that works.

“Oh yeah…NOW you’re talking! This stuff is awesome!”

Pure delight!

Our Masked Visitor

Early this week, after lunch was eaten on the patio, and the children had left some crumbs and half-eaten sandwiches behind, a young raccoon appeared out of the rain to clean up.

He returned later in the day and I noticed that he was not putting any weight on one foot. It had obviously sustained a serious injury. I began searching the internet to try to find some sort of local wildlife rescuers. What I came up with were a bunch of dead links and disconnected phone numbers. Finally, I was able to reach Lynda of Sky Harbor, who gave us Laurie’s number.

Over the next day and a half we spent time slowly gaining the raccoon’s trust by continually feeding him (we were told he would like marshmallows….and already knew he like peanut butter). We moved the food closer to, and eventually into a cat cage. He was smart though! He would grab the food and run back out of the cage!

One of the boys had the brilliant idea of running a line of marshmallows on a skewer through the holes on one side of the cage through the other, so he’d have no choice but to stop and eat his meal, in the cage. Finally, by Wednesday morning, the coon had grown comfortable enough inside the cage that we were able to spring the trap — a rope had been tied to the front of the cage door, through one of the holes, and leading under our back door, so at the golden opportunity, we could give a little tug and Voila!

He was NOT happy with his entrapment. Feisty little fella! We carried the cute little critter to the car and rushed to meet Laurie at a nearby gas station. She took possession of him and got him to the vet for treatment.

We called her later to check on his prognosis.

• BOTH back legs were broken! — one will likely never be able to be used again.
• His injuries were consistent with having been hit by a car
• His injuries were TWO WEEKS OLD! (Can you imagine this poor little guy hobbling around on two broken legs for two weeks?!)
• He was determined to be a male of about 5 months of age
• He has been named “Turbo” because he is so feisty
• Due to the extent of his injuries, Turbo is unable to be released back into the wild, and will spend the rest of his days at the wildlife facility run by Laurie and her husband.

I visited the website of the facility, Florida Wildlife Alternatives, and was very touched by what I read. Laurie, and her husband Al have made it their life’s mission to care for injured and orphaned wildlife of all kinds. Their goal is to rehabilitate and release, but in some cases (such as “Turbo’s”) it isn’t possible to be released. In these cases, Laurie and Al are committed to provided longterm (as in lifetime) care.

What an incredible service they are providing! And it touches my heart to see other people with such hearts for wildlife. (I have a special place in my heart for raccoons especially, after, as I young child, watching my older brother raise an abandoned raccoon from the age of a few days old to adulthood. These are magnificent creatures).

An appeal:  Florida Wildlife Alternatives is a non-profit organization. They get no government funding. The care of the animals is provided entirely “out of pocket”, and with private donations. If you wish to donate to this facility (tax deductible), you will be helping to make a difference in the lives of Turbo and other animals like him.

Although donations of cash are always helpful, there are other ways you can help as well. There is a wish list on the website detailing some of their needs, including such items as:

• 2 x 4s
• chain link fencing
• gift cards from various places
• dog and cat food
• peanuts
• white bread
• marshmallows
• certain types of baby food and animal formulas
• pet carriers and cages
• plastic sandboxes
• bird houses/bird feeders
• small stuffed animals

For more info, contact:

Christmas 2009

Just sharing a few photos and captions to recap our family’s Christmas season….

Another strange Florida winter. As I write this in January, while experiencing one of the coldest winters on record for Tampa Bay (sleet and flurries this morning), December saw temperatures ranging from the 30s to the 80s. It’s no wonder flu season hit everyone so hard this year.

As we were decorating the house in the weeks following Thanksgiving, we were being relentlessly attacked by mosquitoes, and on December 9, our air-conditioning quit, prompting us to have to open all the windows and play outside where there was a breeze, while temperatures inside the house reached into the 80s.

Contrast

Above:  Dinky Tumblina, clad in Santa hat,
keeps Scout from escaping through the open window

Below:  Porch decked out for Christmas
while a bird-of-paradise blooms in the background

Baby “Dee Dee” enjoying playing barefoot outdoors
…in front of the Christmas decorations and pointsettias

….and keeping cool by playing with water

“DeeDee” vs. The Christmas Tree

I knew that interior decorating would present a bit of a challenge with baby Dee’s mobility, but I thought we could simply solve the problem with the whole gate-around-the-tree trick. Right?

WRONG!

Nothing stops this baby!
(Who, by the way, is also climbing out of her crib!)

A Visit with the Clauses and Gingerbread Houses

For the third year in a row, our neighborhood hosted a visit with “Santa and Mrs. Claus” and a gingerbread (or in this case, graham cracker) house building event. For the children, it was an opportunity to consume entirely too much candy. For me, it was a photo op!

Above, From left:  Dinky Tumblina (11), Gator (14),  Curly Top (6), Cricket (7),
Rey (4), Boo (8), Dee (10 months), being held by Ant (13), Lefty (10)
[Audrey (18) not pictured)]

Below:  And since Rob came home for a couple weeks to spend Christmas
with the family, we talked a neighbor into getting a shot of all of us.

Constructing the “gingerbread” houses

I think there was more eating going on than constructing!

Above:  The girls’ house
Below:  The boys’ house

Below: Cricket makes friends with “Mrs. Claus”

More Christmas Fun

Above:  Six young LeFebvres dress up during the living Nativity

Above:  Yes, cruel — I know.
When I found an elf and a Claus cat costume for 75% off at Target,
I just couldn’t resist dressing up the Siamese twins.

Never fear; the torture didn’t last for long — only long enough to get a few photos.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We were thrilled that Audrey made the trip from the great white North (Massachusetts), joining us in celebrating Christmas. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without having all my children under the same roof!

Above:   An excited “Boo” opens up one of her traditional Christmas Eve gifts — pajamas!

Below:  Oh no! Every year I get a picture of all of the children together in their new pajamas…but I didn’t realize until after the fact that I didn’t this year. I snapped this lovely photo of the six girls, while the boys were off assembling a couple of Christmas gifts next door. I had intended to get a shot of everyone when they returned. *sniff sniff*  I’m so absent-minded!

Below:  ”Dee’s” first Christmas

Below:  Rey, clad in his new pajamas, opens up
his second traditional Christmas Eve gift — a new ornament!

Fun Reactions!

Above:  Gator reacts to receiving a season of his favorite television show
Below:  Boo, Cricket, and Curly Top react to seeing their new dolls

Below:  Dee’s favorite gift!

Baby Dee loves music — LOVES music! She has slobbered many a cell phone and iPod to death while trying to “share” tunes with her siblings. So I Googled “baby mp3 player” and found this.
Definitely a hit! Highly recommended by this mom of ten!

Below:  The Christmas Dinner Table
70 degrees = Christmas Dinner on the patio

Cinderella Enchanted

Cinderella Enchanted Play
November 2009

Although we have participated in youth theater in the past, this past fall was the first time we have ever had seven children in one production at once! It made for a busy schedule, but the children all enjoyed it immensely and are looking forward to the next production.

Rather than post 60 photos separately, I’ve merely included them in the flickr slideshow below.

Cast (from our family):

“Gator” (14)
Prince Christopher (seen dressed in white suit and red sash, or in red shirt and dark blue hat)

“Ant” (13)
Cinderella’s father (dressed in green vest and large black hat in photo #54)
Footman (dressed in white suit and yellow pants in carriage and ball scenes)
Royal Guard (dressed in red vest with silver “belt” and tall black boots)

“Dinky/Tumblina” (11)
Villager (dressed in long pink skirt with white overskirt and dark “vest”/bodice, pink ribbon at neck)

“Lefty” (10)
Villager (dressed in the silky bright blue outfit)

“Boo” (8), “Cricket” (7), and “Curly-Top” (6)
Flower Girls (not pictured)
Villagers (dressed alike, but in different colors. [see photo #29] Boo in green, Cricket in purple, and Curly Top in blue)

Happy New Year!

Wow, I just realized that it has been almost 3 months since I have updated this blog (something for which I have been sternly admonished by my children).

Life has just kind of gotten in the way.

Seven of the children were involved in a fall play, which consumed a great deal of our time from September through November (yeah yeah, Alex — I’ll blog about it. ) We also went on a few field trips that I have yet to blog about. The kids love it when I blog the field trips so they can go back later and say, “I remember THAT!”

Also eating into my usual blogging time are both the fact that I have become a single mother for about 90% of the time, and the needs my ever growing, ever changing vibrant bundle of energy, baby “DeeDee”. (Wow, I *really* need to do an update post about her; she has changed soooo much.)

Christmas and Thanksgiving were a whirlwind. 2009 FLEW by! (A sign that I’m getting old!)

But I wanted to take the opportunity to wish everyone the best for 2010!

And LeFebvre children, I will update those other topics soon…if you’ll go play quietly for a bit and entertain the baby so I can actually think. *hint hint*

Free Homeschool Magazine

Free trial issue of  Home School Enrichment Magazine.

Here at Home School Enrichment, we believe homeschooling is the best lifestyle a Christian family can have. And, we want you to experience that joy and fulfillment throughout your entire homeschool journey! Keep reading for just a few topics we’ve covered to help keep the joy in your homeschool!

The Lowry Park Zoo, Trip 3 – 2009

2009/2010 - Homeschool Field Trip #7
The Lowry Park Zoo - September 30, 2009

Yup, one more zoo trip. Lefty talked us into it, on the last day of September (the last day we could get in for free).  The weather was very pleasant and mild (a rarity for Florida at this time of year), so how could we resist?

It was a quick trip,  as it was kind of a spur-of-the-moment idea, allowing us only a couple of hours, but we managed to get photos of some animals that had evaded us before.

“Bumblebee!”
On the way to the zoo, we stopped by Target where Rey spied his
favorite Transformer, Bumblebee! – so we had to stop for a photo op

Bornean Orangutan
Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus

Marabou Stork
Leptoptilos crumeniferus

Two Cute Girls!
“Cricket” (7) holding “DeeDee” (8 months)

Shoebill Stork
Balaeniceps rex

African Elephant
Loxodonta africana

Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus

Saddle-billed Stork
Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis

Budgerigar
Melopsittacus undulatus

Florida Black Bear
Ursus americanus floridanus

All of the Florida natives were MUCH more alert during this visit, than on the previous
visits. This was due to a few days of unseasonably cooler temperatures and lower humidity.

North American River Otter
Lutra canadensis

West Indian Manatee
Trichechus manus

Southern Stingray
Dasyatis americana
&
Cownose Stingray
Rhinoptera bonasus

The children especially loved the “baby stingray”!

Free Rocket Study Guides

Free Book and Free Movie from Vision Forum

Thanks, Penny Raine for letting us know about this offer!

Free Bestselling Movie or Book — Pay Only Shipping!

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HURRY, coupons expire at midnight on October 15, 2009 (CDT), and may not be combined with other offers.

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(Coupon Code PHDGFREE)

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

Have you struggled to reconcile God’s vision of virtuous womanhood with the worldly myths that marginalize and mock the role of the homemaker? Do you wrestle with cultural messages that demean the homemaker’s calling and exalt instead the emotionally androgynous power-woman—the wife whose worth is measured only by the degree of her ambition, the shape of her body, or her money-making skills? Such is the image of the “desperate housewife.”

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DVD. 75 mins., plus bonus features. Retail $18.

Be sure to stop by Penny Raine’s site, where she will be giving away some of her own ebooks this month.

The Florida Aquarium – 2009

2009/2010
Homeschool Field Trip #6
The Florida Aquarium
September 25, 2009

In continuing with our celebration of “Swaptember“, on one hot September afternoon after co-op classes we headed down to Tampa’s Channelside District to visit the Florida Aquarium. Although we were members previously, it had been quite a while since our last visit.

Above: The Whole Group
Gator (14) holding DeeDee (8 months), Rey (4), Lefty (10), Ant (13),
Boo (8), Dinky Tumblina (11), Cricket (7), & Curly Top (6)

Loving the sharks and giant rays

Not a great shot of the sea turtle (dark room, water, a moving animal
– really pushing the limits of my digital point-and-shoot) –
but he was cool, so I had to include him anyway.

Above: One of Lefty’s favorite animals – the Jack *ss Penguin
Below: One of my personal favorites from the aquarium – the Sea Dragon

Above: A shot that turned out really strange. Can you tell exactly what this is a picture of?
(I mean besides just “alligators”)

Our Baby Girl – 8 Months

Baby “DeeDee” turned eight months old last Friday! I am constantly amazed by how quickly time flies!

By the time she was seven months old, Dee weighed in at 14 lbs. (yes, she lost a little weight, but the doctor isn’t concerned) and was 27 inches long! Tall and thin. By her seven month mark, she was also crawling and constantly pulling herself up to standing.

Learning to Crawl!
August 14, 2009 – 28 weeks, 5 days

Since that point she has started “cruising” around the furniture and has learned to wave. She is trying to learn to clap, but hasn’t quite gotten the hang of it yet.

Standing Up!
August 23, 2009 – 30 weeks

Someone always needs to be behind Dee when she stands up, because she will
use ANYTHING as a means of getting upright, no matter how flimsy.

Below: Don’t you just love her look of concentration?
When she’s REALLY focused on something, she sticks her little tongue out.

In the past month Dee has also been introduced to a sippy cup (although she prefers to sip out of a standard Zephyrhills water bottle), and, instead of sitting on her bottom, she has begun to sit on her knees. She loves to eat off our plates (and has quite the appetite!), and has added “Baba” (for “bottle”, when she wants a drink of water) and “Alla” (for Alex; aka “Gator”, her second favorite person) to her vocabulary, and she will now sit in a highchair (rather than just the Bumbo seat).

What a Great Big Brother!
August 23, 2009 – 30 weeks
(2 days shy of 7 months)

You may notice that “Gator” (14) is a recurring fixture in the baby photos.
That’s because he is the favorite; second only to Mama.
Baby Dee just adores her oldest brother!
Because Dee’s daddy is home so seldom, I believe she thinks Gator is her Daddy.

Just as particular as ever, Dee still hates the stroller and the front carrier, but isn’t quite sure what she thinks about the backpack yet. At least she doesn’t hate it. Being carried, however, is still her preferred means of transportation.

First Trip to the Zoo
September 4, 2009 – 31 weeks, 5 days

Asleep in big brother’s arms.

All Photos Below:
Baby’s First Trip to the Florida Aquarium
September 25, 2009 – 34 weeks, 5 days
8 months old!

Above:  A very rare shot of Baby Dee in the greatly detested stroller and actually SMILING!
It didn’t last for very long, but it DID happen!

Below: One of Dee’s favorite things to do — pull hair!

“Stop blogging and cuddle with me, Mommy. I have such a headache!”