Christmas in June?

What a month! 

In the past month (give or take) we celebrated my first Mother’s Day, I took Tess on our first solo flight to Massachusetts, we celebrated Andy’s birthday, my birthday, Tess' half-birthday (6 months) and Andy’s first Father’s Day.  

It’s almost been like a mid-year Christmas around here – travel, good food, cake, presents.  It’s been awesome! 

Don’t worry though, Tess didn’t miss out on presents just because it wasn’t her actual birthday.  My mom sent Andy and me gifts and included more things for Tess than for us, so she didn’t feel “left out.”  Do you think Gramma is gonna spoil this kid or what?!

Instead of writing a long-winded post describing everything, I thought I'd just do a "photo-heavy" post (because I clearly don't post enough on Instagram?!) Let's be honest, that's all anyone wants to see anyway!

Mother's Day:

My mom in about 1975-6. I wasn't even born yet but I just love this picture.

She's a beauty - inside and out.  And gets more beautiful each day!

I planted this new flower bed on Mother's Day. 

My gift to myself I guess?

Me and my homegirl.

Mother's Day Roses

My little thumbsucker.  

Just like Mom was.

Two of my three kids.

Love these two.

My happy little thing.

Lovelovelove.

Andy's Birthday:

Out to lunch.

Our little girl was so good!  

She just played with her toys while Mom & Dad had fun.

Mmm...

One happy family.

Birthday swim.

Birthday book.

A Daddy steak and a Mummy steak.

"I prefer giraffe for my birthday dinner."

Babies and dogs:

Tess has really started to be interested in the dogs lately. 

She suddenly always wants to touch them!
Unfortunately, her idea of touching at this point largely consists of pulling 

hair, ears, tails, whiskers and jowls.  Not good.

My Birthday:

My friend Eric is visiting from Hawaii so I got a night off Mama duty to go hang 

with my buds a couple of days before my bday.

This guy was soliciting door to door so we invited him in for some adult beverages.  

He was more than happy to oblige. 

Reminds me of the good ole days before breastfeeding ran my life.

My actual birthday:

My mom sent Bruins gear for all of us.  Hard to get our hands on in Atlanta!

Don't mind my bed head.

Tess got the jersey, a Bruins onesie and two Celtics onesies.  

She now has Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and Patriots gear thanks to Gramma.

Do you think she is sending us a message to move back to New England?

"Put me in coach!"

Birthday oysters!

My love.

My other love.

Happy Mom.

Tess decided she wanted to sit at the table with us at my birthday lunch, 

rather than quietly play with her toys in her carseat like she did at Dad's birthday lunch.

She wanted to grab all the knives, hot fried food and beers.

Fun times.

Self explanatory. 

This is one of my favorite movies. Andy got it for me for my birthday present.

Yes, and you still can buy DVDs!  Imagine.

Birthday dinner. 

Since I haven't been eating dairy (it doesn't agree with Tess), 

I wanted cheese for my birthday.

Just cheese.

And it was delicious.

Birthday swim.

She is the best birthday present I could ask for!  She is so friggin' fun!

The next night, we made pizza with all the leftover cheese.

This one was brie, sausage, shiitake mushroom, egg, fresh oregano.

This was goat's cheese, tomato, zucchini, arugula, fresh basil.

After these 2 meals I decided I never want to each cheese again.

Delicious but overload.

 Father's Day:

My friend Anita Bage took photos of us when we visited Massachusetts in April.

I got this image from her and got a big print made and framed for 

Andy's Father's Day present.

The quote is:
"The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

From "Nature Boy," written by eden ahbez, sang by Nat King Cole (among others).

Almost life-sized!

Opening Father's Day presents.

For my birthday, Andy got me a really nice croquet set! 

I know that seems random but I have always wanted one.

So for Father's Day, we set up our first real game in our front yard.

We took a break to drink some Pimm's.

Naturally.

After our game, we headed to the pub for some additional refreshment.

One of Andy's pressies - a Red Sox "#1 Dad" shirt.

Tess likes sitting in her clamp-on bar stool.

Well, it's clearly been a pretty epic month! July has a lot to live up to, but since we'll be spending part of it on Cape Cod, I think it'll do ok.