I guess I’m always going to be shocked that another month has come and gone already.
Summer is in full swing and we are going to try to be very active and make it memorable.
This month was wonderful and busy. We attended our first parking lot carnival of the year! Emma and Sadie had a great time while Ruthie, Dad and I looked on in enjoyment (simple pleasures!). Later in the month, we drove down to Charleston, South Carolina for my cousin Larry Burtschy’s wedding. It was a dreamy southern wedding. We enjoy each opportunity to be with family. His new bride is terrific and we look forward to spending more time getting to know her. While we were in Charleston we caught up with Steve’s good Navy friend Girl Steve. She went to the aquarium with us and we spent a great afternoon together at her new home (great digs, Steve!).
We drove from Charleston to Cleveland for a quick visit with Sittoo and Giddoo, Auntie Bethy, Michael and Daniel. We are so happy to be able to spend time with them at least once a month.
Our niece Marylouise McGraw graduated from high school this May and our nephew Simon Smith made his first holy communion. I just can’t believe Mary is going to college. I remember clearly the moment she was born (when I was in high school).
Emma had a little performance from one of her tumbling classes she takes. Dt and Opa came with Steve, Ruthie and I. It was hilarious and very short but I managed to cry anyway! I can’t believe I cried at tumbling performance! Yes I can.
Of course May in Indianapolis means the Indy 500. We had a fantastic weekend with family and friends down at the lake house at Lake Monroe. My friends from college came Fr. Mike Najim (Fruncle Mike) and my longtime college and Virginia roomie Maria Guerin came. It was SO nice to catch up and spend time together. Fruncle Mike said holy Mass for us every day, which was such a gift.
Of course our siblings’ friends are our friends too. That means you, Shauna Vick! I know you are reading this and a year from now will tell me in detail what I was up to the month of May 2006!!!! It was great to be with you Shauna and Chuck!
Dt had a birthday the end of this month and so did bro Tom Ryder! This only means one thing, of course, Emma’s birthday is next. She keeps asking and asking, “Who else has a birthday before mine, Mom?” Now that Uncle Tom’s has come and gone, she is extremely excited and anticipating her 3rd birthday. We went to the post office today to mail her invitations. As she placed a stamp on each envelope she wanted to know who was going to receive that invitation. She then put each invitation (one at a time) in to the mailbox and we had to say bye bye to each and every one by name!
This has been a HUGE developmental month for Ruthie. She is standing and cruising the furniture. She much prefers to be on her feet than her knees. She even stands and lets go for several seconds before falling on her tisu. On May 8th, two bottom teeth poked through. She began to clap (she claps one hand on to the back of the other hand). She claps on cue to “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” She also loves Pat-a-Cake. This month she has begun to use sign language very clearly. She signs when she is hungry or thirsty and when she wants more of something. Her disposition is delightful and easy going. She still adores her big sister. Her big sister adores her as well but is not so fond of Ruthie’s newfound mobility—which means she can now get in to Emma’s business!
Emma is a delight. She is sweet, sensitive and very attentive. She is very friendly and doesn’t hesitate to introduce herself or tell intimate family details to strangers!
Emmaisms of May:
I went in to her bedroom one morning and said, “Em, Mommy’s going to Dt and Opa's, do you want to come?” She replied, “Yes, but first I’m still sleeping.”
We were in the car going to music class and her cousin was singing her own rendition of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." After she was finished I said, “Em, what do you want to sing?” She said, “I want to sing 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' the RIGHT WAY, Mom.” She proceeded to ask her cousin to look at her while she taught her the correct way to sing.
Another time while we were in the car Emma said, “Mom, you’ve been really patient with me today, thanks.” (I’m not sure what that said for the other days that week!)
“Mom, when I’m bigger and bigger I’m going to leave you and go to school. Don’t worry though, Mom. You can just stay at my house and when I am finished I will come home to you at the end of the day, Ok Mom?” (SILENCE FROM MOM)
We were again driving and she said, “Mom, I’ve got a great idea! When we get home I’ll get my nini night night and we can buddoo buddoo in your bed (Snuggle buggle)!” I said, “But I have to see how Ruthie is when we get home.” Emma replied, “Ok, I understand that, Mom—first we’ll go see how Ruthie is and get her settled and THEN we can buddoo buddoo in your bed. Isn’t that a great idea??”
Emma was telling me a story about something that had occurred not the day before but a few days before. She called it “lastertime.”