Happy Father's Day...continued

Todd received the best 1st Father's Day gift from my (our) aunt and uncle, 2 tickets for a summertime baseball Game, go Cubs!. My uncle has season tickets and switches games, etc. with friends and family so we had great seats. Upper 

Deck, 1st row, 3rd base side. I'm not good with heights at all so I was more than leery to walk DOWN the aisle an take my seat with nothing in front of me except the field. It took a few innings, but I eventually was able to relax and enjoy myself. The game was awesome. We won and saw a grand slam-- it was just perfect and Jim McMahon threw out the first pitch. Todd loved it! Just as the game was ending a torrential downpour began. We were soaked to the bone by the time we arrived at the car.

 

Although this did event did not include Shannon, we plan to make her a baseball fan as well! Go Cubs Go....

Growing up I always called Anita and Tommy by their first names. It just kind of happened that way. Which actually is very odd because in my family all of the kids always referred to aunts and uncles by their proper titles. I think because Anita was 14 when I was born, she didn't really seem like an "aunt"  So, needless to say, they are very excited that Shannon will be calling them "Aunt" Anita and "Uncle" Tommy!  Thanks Aunt Anita and Uncle Tommy!

Let's Barbeque

Aunt Wendy and Uncle Greg came for a visit.  They had originally invited us to their house, but then offered to come to ours to make it more convenient for Shannon to have her regular bedtime routine and give us more time to visit. The added bonus was that because the location was changed kind of at the last minute, Wendy had dinner prepared and brought it to our house for the finishing touches! It was more than delicious. We had fresh corn on the cob from the Farmer's Market, rolls, salad, and the most delicious, tender, sweet beef ribs I have had in a long time!

Wendy was so excited to be able to give Shannon her bedtime bottle and put her to sleep.  She loves seeing and babysitting for Shannon and is the best Godmother anyone could ask for. Thanks Aunt Wendy for the fun CD too!

6 Month Check Up

I can't believe it, Shannon is 6 months old already.  Today she went for her check up. Her regular doctor, Dr. C, was not scheduled for this day so we saw Dr. M.  Shannon loves to go places and see new people, so today's visit was like a field trip for her!  She smiles at everyone and then, like last time, she is betrayed by the nurse with those awful shots! This time she really cried and, of course, mommy started with watery eyes. Im just a cryer, what can I say

She weighs 15lbs 5oz which puts her in the 50th%ile and she 

is 26 1/2" long, the 75th%tile.  So, that makes her a little on the tall and skinny side. My mom and I are hoping it stays that way. Being short and having short legs, we hope Shannon takes after her daddy and has long legs. 

Although Shannon loves to eat her cereal, fruit, and vegetables, she hasn't been as interested in the bottle lately.  Dr. M said he would normally suggest that we start giving her fruit and vegetables for lunch at this time. He thought it best to wait until 8-9 months to introduce this 3rd meal.  We're hoping she'll become more interested in the bottle so she can get all the nutrition she needs!  

Zoo

On Friday we took Shannon to the zoo for the first time. Although she obviously didn't know where she was or what was happening, she did enjoy all the new sights and sounds as she always does.  We started the day with lunch in the picnic area.

We loved it- the weather was beautiful and full of kids! It's so much fun for Todd and I to experience all these "first" parent activities. 

The giraffes were very active that day. 

She woke up from napping in the stroller with this huge smile on her face.

The elephants were her favorite.

Shannon and the leopard (up on the rock in the background) napped.

Favorites

There are so many little things that I just love about Shannon, just those cute little things that, in a few months, weeks, or days, she may no longer do.

holding the bottle with 1 finger near her lips while she drinks.....

being amused by a pillow.....

peeking at you through the rails when you go to get her after sleeping....

falling asleep while playing because she is so BUSY all the time, she's pooped out!

looking at mommy..... love it!

Day With Grandma

The other day Grandma Jan came over to hang out with us.  One of the malls near our house has recently added on to include a nice outdoor part.  So, we headed out, walked around, and went to some baby stores (of course).  

Daddy found this fun new toy for Shannon. It is a big star

that you fill with water and when you touch it all the floaty pieces inside move around. It is designed to encourage tummy time. 

Shannon will roll on her tummy but doesn't always bring both hands in front.  We thought this might be enticing enough to encourage her to do so. So far it is keeping her interest. As you can see she enjoys trying to get her mouth around it as well!

Grandma treated us to lunch at my favorite restaurant at the mall. They serve homemade like dishes full of great flavors and sides such as potatoes and salads.  Shannon loved listening to all the new sounds and seeing all the new sights. Thank You Grandma!

Molly and Cousins

Shannon has A LOT of cousins, most of whom she has not had a chance to meet yet.  Being Italian means big families. Each of my grandparents had no less than 8 siblings each, my Grandma K. is the oldest of 11!  Both of my parents have about 40-50 cousins on each side, so that makes for a lot of generations of cousins.  

Our cousin Molly graduated from 8th grade and we celebrated with a party of family and friends. I'm not sure how that all works, but Molly might be Shannon's 4th cousin if there is such a thing!? Molly's grandma Gertrude (now deceased) and Shannon's grandma (my mom) were cousins.  Figure it from there??

Ironically the majority of the cousins are women (sorry Tommy D.) and have had girls of their own as well. So, needless to say, there are MANY women around for these gatherings.  We have seasonal "Cousin's Dinners" to celebrate birthdays and keep in touch, as well as showers, weddings, other celebrations.   I look forward to Shannon enjoying and experiencing time with all the strong, wonderful women of this family!

There were obviously many girls at the party and they all enjoyed taking turns holding and playing with Shannon.  At one point cousin Jenifer (and yes, she spells it with 1 "n") was holding Shannon as she fell asleep in her arms......too cute!