Good times (w/ a touch of competition) with cousins

On Saturday we had a great visit from my cousin Eileen and two of her brood, Eamon and Declan. Eamon is six, Declan three. Cecelia was a bit shellshocked for the first hour or so of the visit. Not used to rambunctious boy energy in the house. (or 'sharing' her toys. She showed interest in objects long forgotten as soon as Declan occupied himself with them.) It was traumatic to watch the boys get their turn on the lawn mower, too. And Cecelia thought Mommy's car was HER car. (Her regular mantra these days is, " Mommy, Daddy, baby......MY.")

My favorite of these pics is the last one. Eamon and Cecelia collaborated pretty well on pushing Fiona's stroller, although Eamon had to step widely to avoid colliding with her. The verdict of the day was, we really like playing with cousins.

Daddy and his girls take 2

Fiona is fitting into the clothes her sister wore at 4 or 5 months. (Fiona will be 8 weeks on Wed, April 23.) She is very fond of her older sister, and is starting to smile more often and more clearly for all of us. She turns her head to Cecelia's voice, even when it is raised to a screech.

Cecelia got a bit too much sun yesterday during our visit to Jim's Dad's lake house in Connecticut, unfortuneately, and she was out of sorts this morning. But as you can tell from pictures two and three, she is recovered enough to enjoy a jump in the wheelbarrow, and a try at her new drawing toy. (thanks to cousins Jim and Lisa Brady!!)

Focus on Fiona

People tell me that baby#2 gets, if not ignored, then neglected in the photo taking department. I am trying to prove them wrong, but I don't seem to be toting the camera around as much as I did with Cecelia, it's true. Fiona is already much bigger than her sister was at 6 weeks, more than 11 pounds. And she continues to be a good sleeper, although we think some of her 'good babiness' comes from our ' more relaxed parentness' the second time around. Cecelia is crazy about her little sister, and kisses her constantly, when she is not poking at her eyes and ears and nose and feet and leaning on her belly. We are all very glad it is finally spring, and we took full advantage of the 70 degree temps today to have a family picnic and hike. (sorry no pics of the picnic, didn't bring the camera.... I assure you it was lovely.) We are looking forward to swimsuit weather. Well, the babies are, I personally am not looking forward to the swimsuit part.