Eat, Drink, and Be Mary

Today our friends, the Humphrey's, had us over for Sunday supper. It was this really delicious chicken with some sort of cream sauce. We all enjoyed it, including Mary. While we ate, she spent a little time in the "Johnny Jump-Up". But Mary was happiest with the human John (this was a big deal - she usually stays close to mom or dad)~

John and Tracy are really wonderful - they've been an amazing support to our whole family this past year, with prayers, meals and childcare, not to mention, a beautiful Blessing Way. Tracy was in London at the time of Mary's second surgery. She knew (partly due to my panicked emails sent at 3am) how worried I was about Mary fasting. Tracy committed to fasting during the same time. We don't really understand how fasting works (in the spiritual sense). But I do know that Mary's fast went surprisingly well. During a time when she should have been fussing to nurse, she was all smiles. We are so blessed to have this family as friends.

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. ~C. S. Lewis

Spectator Sport

Mary has spent a lot of time watching games. Today, she had a triple header - with Sam's soccer in the morning, then Luke (football) and Madeline's (cheering) homecoming games.

Here she is with Christina - watching Sam~
And during St. Cajetan's homecoming game~
It was a beautiful day - before we know it, Mary will be needing a hat and mittens!

Football Fan

We took Mary to her first football game tonight. She had a lot of fun watching the game, and the crowds, but especially the halftime fireworks!

Here I distracted her from her favorite pastime, pulling up~

Mary was quite the novelty at a high school game, and was the recipient of many teen-aged "awwww"s.

Mary had an appointment with her endocrinologist on Wednesday. Dr. Minutti said clinically, Mary looks perfect! Because of that, Mary won't be subjected to any blood draws until the end of November. This is such a needed break from doctors, and tests, for her (and me).

Indian Summer

On what was the second day of autumn, we had temperatures in the 80's! It's especially nice because Mary gets to wear some of her beautiful summer dresses one last time~

We visited the Wade Center today, and enjoyed the garden there (Mary's trying to do "here's the church, here's the steeple")~
Doing her thing~


Tomorrow we have an appointment with Dr. Minutti, Mary's endocrinologist. Wish us luck!

Who's the Big Girl?

The only reason Mary crawls, is to get herself over to something on which to pull herself up. She will use just about anything and usually "lets go" once she's standing. Here she is this afternoon at the Greenhouse Fall Picnic~
She really loves her daddy~

And late tonight, long past a reasonable bed time (showing off her mosquito bites), becoming a little slap-happy~

Who's My Pretty Baby?

"Happy we who can bask in this warm September sun, which illumines all creatures" ~ Henry David Thoreau

We've had some beautiful weather this week. We've been fishing and hiking. Mary's happy to tag along if there's food involved (Monday)~

And this afternoon following a hike through the woods~
Blurry, but I couldn't resist the teeth and the dimples~

The Princess and the Pea

Here's Mary taking a very late nap yesterday around 5:30pm. She needed it, because for the last three nights, she's been waking/crying between 15 and 20 times a night!
She had been waking only 3 or 4 times a night, so this is a little extreme. She sleeps only on one mattress, not 20, and I'm positive there isn't any produce hiding beneath! Hopefully, this will work itself out soon. She is still very sweet, regardless ~

Blueberry Delight

Mary had some pancakes this morning, made with blueberries from our stash. She really enjoyed them.



Yesterday, we saw her pediatrician for her "9 month" check up. She's now up to 19 lbs., 1 oz. and is 28 1/4 inches long. She's right at the 50th percentile for both. She's such a joy!

Campfire Girl

We took Mary camping for the first time this past weekend, to our favorite spot in Michigan. Although she looks a little unsure pictured here, on her first night in a tent, she LOVED it!

Here she is waiting for Daddy, Grandma and the boys to come back from canoeing. Mary and I went blueberry picking while we waited - she ate about a 1/2 cup while I picked.

Stretching her legs while everyone else has ice cream (Mary had a tiny taste)~

Catnapping at the campsite~
Early the next day, there's a chill in the air~

Hanging out at the bottom of the dune climb~

Catching my eye from across the campfire~
Splashing in Lake Michigan~

(Not so) skinny dipping~