Okay, SERIOUSLY.

I'm fixing to start a Why-You-Should-Hire-A-Contractor blog.

When this is the crap you're squeezing out of a caulking tube, you know the DIY gods are against you. It sort of confirms that irking feeling you got when it was impossible to replace the shower head because the last one was installed with a glue typically reserved for space shuttle construction.

(And no, I don't normally trim my tubes down to a nib, but it took serious surgery to remove this obstruction. It wasn't the first to come out of this tube; let's hope it's the last.)

Lady[bug] Liberty

This year, the energy behind our patriotism ran out long before fireworks ever started going off. In fact, we barely mustered up the energy to figure out what those loud noises were late that night. (We both just stared at each other like, "What IS that?")
HOWEVER, for the morning, we got into it as much as possible.

I hung the flag.
We dressed Josephine in red.
And we even participated in our neighborhood's little 4th of July parade. I use the term "parade" loosely-- it's really an informal little walk around the elementary school block. Anyone can join in, (which means there's essentially no one watching :-). Dogs are dressed up, strollers and cycles are decked out-- everyone just shows up at 9:30, gathers, and strolls around the school chatting to each other. It's nice. If it were even a hair more formal I wouldn't like it as much. I find it endearing precisely because of how spontaneous, random, and uncontrolled it is. Just a bunch of people taking a walk together with glitter and streamers and balloons. And really, the turnout is very impressive. There are also games and competitions and sno-cones afterwards at the park, but Sean and I couldn't stick around for that this year.Here's Josephine all dressed up and ready to go join in the fun. (Don't worry, Dear Luthers, we refrained from spray painting your stroller red, white and blue. But I'm sure you're happy to know that even in your expatriatism, a little piece of you still celebrated the fact that we're not all currently residing in Great Britain!)
Of course, once we got there, she slept through the whole thing (it was incredibly hot already). Thankfully, what she lacked in enthusiasm was made up for by the sheer excitement exuding from her daddy.
Having had a lovely nap, once we got back home she was ready to play again...

...And that's all the cute pictures I have of her in her little ladybug liberty outfit, so this post must come to an end.

Happy Belated, Mom!!

My dearest mother, who seems to have discovered the fountain of youth, has denied yet another year's attempt to age her. I'm in awe of her in sooooo many ways. She turned one year more impressive on June 30th.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

(Yes, yes, this post is late. Considering I got Josephine in for her first vaccinations 3.5 weeks late, I think a 2 day delay here is a vast improvement on my postpartum capabilities. But it's pretty impossible to blame a blameless granddaughter, so apologies are definitely in order... Sorry, Mom!)

Another picture of...

... JOSEPHINE! Yes, I know you're shocked!

Anyway, I just thought this was a cute picture my mom took of Josephine flirting with my youngest sister. Darla came down last weekend to float the river with some friends, and brought along my mother. As far as Mom was concerned, this was a great way to spend her birthday weekend. As far as Sean and I were concerned, we couldn't agree more. It was wonderful to see her, fabulous to go out to Taverna and the Gingerman on a date, and so freeing to have the extra hands attending to Josephine so we could get more done around the house! Thank you, Mom!

Oh, and take note of the hair on Josephine's head. You likely won't see much of that from here on out. I'm finding TONS of it on her mattress and shirts. The child is balding very rapidly, just over the last couple days. For that matter, so am I. My pregnancy locks are bidding me adieu. Doesn't help that Josephine's clutching hands find my hair the instant I pick her up. I'm pretty sure it's an intentional effort to make sure she's not the only one going bald. She's a malicious child. If she were a little more capable she'd probably be replacing my shampoo with Nair.

(Yes, we've been having a rough week. So, yes, I become wholly convinced she's out to get me. I do not like being screamed at. Perhaps I'll Nair her head in revenge. That'll teach her.)

STEP NINE: Practice Playing Peek-a-Boo

... with your hedgehog.