better late...

Since this is the "baby book" I better get to postin'

When my parents come to stay it is always a TON of fun!  There is only one rule we all must adhere to and that is LAUGH!  Laugh with reckless abandon, laugh as if your life depends on it and for some, laugh until you pee your pants!  

Yaya and Pops always seem to arrive at the house after nap time so it's so glorious to see the girls wake up and realize what's going on.  

There is joyful screaming, and well, lots of laughter! 

 Not much happens on these trips; a couple outings, a little shopping, but the quality time and the memories they are making will carry them all for a lifetime.  I love who my parents are to me, but to see them as grandparents lights up my life 

and warms my heart like nothing else. 

 My mom worked really hard this trip to get Marlo to say "I Love You" to no avail.  

A couple weeks later, after much coaching on Skype and lots of wishing on Yaya's part, a small miracle occurred. (don't ya love the drama?) One afternoon I suggested calling Yaya to say hello, which sounds like "headow" and Marlo replied "headow, owe you yaya"  Hello, Love you?  Yes indeed! She did it, and she keeps doing, it but only to Yaya, never once for me or Andi- only Yaya.  So as proud as we are and as much as we love to hear her say it, 

we not so secretly long for the day she says it to her mamas. 

Happy St Paddy's day!

Still can't bring myself to blog...
but here are a few thoughts from the irish. So practical!


May those who love us, love us.

And those that don't love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if He doesn't turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles,


So we'll know them by their limping.

Joy of Joys!

Here is a tiny sneak peak at all the fun we had when Yaya and Pops came to town.

More to come later~

Same Sex Parenting

I was truly shocked when this mag was delivered the other day.  The new normal? Really? This publication is very 'middle america',  so imagine my surprise to see this on the cover.  So, if it can be on the cover of Parenting magazine, why is America so afraid of us?  Why do I have to wonder, like the ladies in the article, if I will be accepted? Why should I have to always feel a little judged when I explain my family situation?  Why is my family a 'situation' that needs explanation?  I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked if Andi is my sister, or if we and our kids met in a PEPS group?  I don't expect people to automatically assume that we are gay because, well, we do have great hair and good fashion sense, but really, I could do without the judgment.  I feel like I am a strong female but why do I allow myself to be disempowered by this bigotry? This is not what I want my kids to see, nor do I ever want them to feel like our family needs to be "explained".
 I do feel lucky about the fact that Seattle is very accepting, and, as the article states, Chicago is one of the top cities for same-sex families. I also feel lucky that I did not feel embarrassed when we had our adoption ceremony; this made me sad to read in the article.  We were lucky to have a gay attorney and a gay judge that made it a point to point out that we were already family when we walked in to the courtroom and this was merely a legal formality.  I am also lucky that my girls have known love beyond measure from our family and friends.  That when we told our families we were going to have babies, we did not have to explain a thing.  I feel blessed that I am accepted and my girls and my "wife" are as loved as any other member of our perspective clans.  I also feel lucky that I have friends who sometimes forget that we are both not biologically linked to the girls when they tell me that Marlo is looking more like Andi every day, or when they tell me one of the girls really got Andi's eyes, smile or whatever.
 I hope one day we can have all the same rights as any hardworking American does.  I hope that one day we are looked at as an example of how parents should raise their kids, and not like parents who are damaging our kids.  I hope that one day same sex couples do not have to work so hard to fulfill their parenting dreams and can adopt freely across america and the world.  The same sex community longs for children and I know that there are children who need loving parents who will give them opportunities to grow, love, learn, and be loved.
Believe me, I know how lucky my family is and I do count my blessings! I just wish we were all as blessed, loved and supported, that's all.


Now, read this article, cause it's good! 
And thanks for loving our little foursome. xoxo

Same Sex Parenting - Gay Parenting - Parenting.com

why doesn't she just move here?

I figured I should blog about this last visit as we are on the heels of the next one!

Two more sleeps 'till Val and Bill are back!

Neither of them smile bigger than when they are together!

 Okay, let me see if I've got this

Phew, no one fell.

Our first trip to the Children's museum.

Rubber ducky, you are the one!

 Mimi loves to Splash! 

 Poor Marlo, she is always an innocent victim.

Check out Marlo's face.  

She truly does not think Emers is very funny

 This poor little guy had no idea who he stood next to.

 Marlo finally wised up and put on a raincoat.

 SOAKED!  

I guess this was her first wet t-shirt contest.

 Lunch after the costume change

Hey Auntie, can we go back to the water... I'll be good.

I promise!

Poor Val is always a trooper and always willing to give them and do anything they want.  

We are lucky to have you Val.

Unfortunately, I think this next visit will be all about Uncle Bill!