Happy Valentine's Day!

I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.

~Author Unknown

Happy Valentine's to you all! Especially the Dougherty's in California and South Carolina! We're thinking about you and sending you lots of love! Some pictures from the last week and this morning...

A man is not where he lives, but where he loves.
~Latin Proverb

Whiny Mommies...

I almost forgot...so other day, I was putting the boys down for naps and Finn was not cooperating very well. I was tired and wanted to have a nap too so I was feeling a little impatient. I'm yelling at Finn to get into his bed and lay down, when I hear little mister Seamus say:

High soft voice.
"Hey. That sounds like a whiny mommy...I don't want to hear any whiny mommies. Whining doesn't get you anything."

You think he's heard that before? I held in my laughter and said, I'm not whiny, I'm frustrated because no one is listening to me. At which point Seamus pointed out that he was laying in bed and now so was Finn and that it sure sounded like a whiny mommy.

Maybe it did. But I am the boss.

Waiting...

We're all anxiously awaiting the birth of Dougherty Cousin #1 (although probably not as anxiously as Andie is...). Seamus is very excited because he's getting "baby boy cousin and a baby girl sister." If our baby turns out to be a boy (50-50 shot), I'm afraid that Seamus is going to send him back.

I've got a doctor's appointment today - 9 weeks to go! I'm feeling like there isn't any more room for the baby to grow (he/she lives with his/her feet in my lungs) but alas, I know there is lots more growing in store for this baby. But all in all, I still feel good and it's been fun now that the boys can feel and see the baby moving in my belly.

I'll add some pictures later today. Boys are doing very well - Seamus sang me "You Are My Sunshine" this morning as a wake up call - nice way to start the day. Finn is into everything lately, but he's so smiley and funny that its impossible to get mad. James and I have had a lot of what we call "walk out of the room discipline" which means you reprimand whatever naughty thing the boys did (usually together) and then walk out of the room so they can't see you laughing. Last night they were playing the drums together in the bath tub - which was just more noise than James or I could handle at 6:30 at night. James told them to stop and took the sticks away - at which point the boys both just smiled quietly and said "OK." Short pause. Smile. "Now may we have them back, please?" Eddie Haskell BIG smile. Who knew that saying "No" is actually the hardest thing to do as a parent - sometimes its so much easier and more fun to just say "Yes". Again, I guess it's all balance. But they did get the sticks back for a bit last night - until Seamus squirted water at James and ended bath time (I had to walk out of the room I was laughing so hard - it was a great shot...)

Weekend visitors

Sharing some great pictures from the Frozen Half Marathon this weekend (This was after we thawed out)

Birthday and Anniversaries!

Happy Birthday Andie!!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

We love you guys - we miss you tons and wish we were there. Thinking of you on your special days!

Seamus the pirate says, "AAArgh...mateys...Shiver me timbers...happy birthday and anniversary to youaargh..."

Finn the pirate/motorcycle kid/baby/soon to be older cousin says, "ba....ba.....ba....ju...aargh"

PS - It's the ten year anniversary of the night Anne and I met - Thanks, Conn and Maria!

And the big boys continue...

Well, my thoughts that Finn's foray into the big boy bed was one night trick has proven to be false. He's loving the new set up and as fun as it is - it is a little sad to have such a clear symbol that he's no longer a baby.

Seamus is also loving preschool. It's amazing what just a few weeks will do. Much to my surprise he (or a furry penguin) sang the whole alphabet song during the puppet show this weekend - it was the first time he'd done the whole thing without error all by himself. Clear as a bell.

We had some friends visiting from California this weekend and the boys loved all the attention - I'll post some pictures when I get them.

James, Charlie and Andrea all ran in the Securian Frozen Half marathon with great success - they finished pretty fast and nobody froze or got injured. James is a constant inspiration to me. The most he's run recently has been about 6 miles, the last time he ran 13 miles was 10 years ago, and he has the determination and strength to just head out run 13.1 miles at just over 8 minutes a mile and feel fine afterwards. Almost not even human. He's a rockstar. Paula brought Seamus downtown to cheer them on (Finn and I held down the fort - as it was FREAKING cold on Saturday).

I'll add some pictures later - too many chores to do now before the WWF champs wake up.