More avocado....

Holy moly guacamole!

Rosalie tried her first food today, smashed avocado! Yum! She really didn't ingest much, just a little that she sucked off her fingers, but she definitely had a fun time playing with it!

What if 'Twilight' starred Rosalie?

Rosalie would live in Forks.

And she would have to choose between Edward (vampire, left) and Jacob (werewolf, right).

Edward would transform Rosalie into a vampire, turning her against werewolves, and she would attack Jacob.

Cutest. Vampire. Ever.

This girl loves America

First Father's Day

This was my first Father's Day as a dad, but also my first Father's Day without my father.

Mary let me make all the decisions - what we ate, what we did, when we napped...

The highlights include a walk at Lake of the Woods, playing with Rosalie on the deck, a 2 hour nap, and an hour cleaning out the garage (it's my belief every man enjoys spending time "arranging tools" in the garage).

And the day ended with ice cream. A perfect day.

Ahhh... Vacation

Mary and I had last week off from work for a relaxing week. We spent a few days with Ryan and Amanda in Southern IL (90 degrees, no air conditioning, played card games, swam in the creek, and dodged ticks) and a few days in Nashville with Kathy and the Fornes family (90 degrees, AC set at 65, played card games, and dodged vegan food).

We spent a few days at home preparing for a big cookout on Saturday (which means we spent the rest of our vacation cooking). A lot of friends showed up!

Rosalie Firsts from over the vacation:
* 1st swim - Hutchins Creek by the Pankau's
* 1st swim in a creek
* 1st 6+ hour road trip
* 1st Size 3 diapers - she moved up!
* 1st gunshot - she was inside while Ryan shot at a beaver
* 1st trip to Costco

Proud Wife!

The News Gazette featured Rob's Illinois Marathon re-run recently. It is a really great article, and I'm so proud of him!
Click here to read "Andy Roberts Marathon Redemption."

Lost Some Memory

A coworker sent this poem to me, and I certainly relate.

Lost Some Memory

I think I've lost some memory
since my baby girl was born
I don't remember sleeping late
on a lazy Sunday morn

I don't remember quiet dinners
with candlelight and wine.
Or getting up and ready for work
and making it there on time.

I don't remember summer days
just lounging on the beach
And those memories of "girls' night out"
are somehow out of reach.

I don't remember long warm baths
with bubbles and a good book
Or my favorite TV program
or a movie worth a look.

I can't remember all those things
I spent time on yesterday
And I can't remember life
being any other way.

And as I lay her down at night
and kiss this little girl
I can't remember so much happiness,
such love and joy in my world.

(c) 1997 Juli All

Rosalie Goes "Green"

We recently refinanced our home. While at the bank, we opened a savings account for Rosalie, depositing any money she had been given (ie baptism).

Today, her first bank statement came in the mail. Awwww. Now we have to create a user login with the bank's website so she can go paperless. It'll be the first "green" thing she does in her life, hopefully wiping out her never-going-to-disintegrate-in-a-landfill diaper-debt to Mother Earth.

IL Marathon Re-Run

Mary said to me "you still have your marathon timing chip on your shoe. Is that because you still have a chip on your shoulder?"

I gave up during the 2010 IL Marathon. 3 times. Mary kept me moving toward the finish line and I did complete it, knowing I could have done much better. I kicked off the Memorial Day weekend by re-running the marathon. I dropped gatorade bottles around the course between 4a and 5a. Then, and 5, I took off from the start.

Mary and Rosalie kept in touch by text, they walked down to Sangamon where the course intersects with our street, and they were there at the finish to re-award me my medal. I had company in the last eight miles: My friend Adam walk/ran with me. I took an hour off my time.

The timing chip? Yeah, it's still on my shoe. I don't have a chip on my shoulder. I'm just lazy.