Rose's First Trip to Notre Dame

Rose made her first trip to Notre Dame this past weekend, and while she didn't go to the game (she watched from the hotel with Mom and Grandma), she did make sure to see all the major sites.  Well, except the Backer, but she can catch that next time.

Brushing up on her Go Irish book during the car ride

On the field Friday afternoon

Wearing her gameday outfit, courtesy of Mamaw

Touchdown!  (And later: "Jesus!  Hi!  Hi Jesus!")

Beat Purdue!

Recreating our engagement picture, a few years later

With some current bones

What's going on back there?

Clapping along at Concert on the Steps

Who has the better stare?  And who's taller?

Visiting the Grotto Sunday morning

Meeting St. Bernadette

Coming Soon: Baby K #2!

Surprise!  It's been a while since we've posted (again), but we couldn't help sharing the good news.  Baby K #2 is due January 1 (although Erin plans to start walking December 26 so the baby can be born before the New Year).  We went to the ultrasound a few weeks ago, and although we didn't find out the gender - we're going to be surprised again - we did come back with some pictures.  Here they are.

First, a good healthy heartbeat

This baby was much less shy than Rose, who wouldn't let us see her face

Baby also had a message for his/her older sister

We were also able to get some 4D pictures of this baby, which was pretty cool

As for the big sister, Rose has been doing well and has been going through a flurry of development.  She's loving the summer, running around, going to playgrounds, and swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool.  Her vocabulary has exploded, even using words we haven't specifically tried to teach her.  Her memory is great as well, and she can now tell you things she did earlier in the day, fill in the blanks with her stories, and even associates people with certain places or other people.  Now this isn't "our baby is so smart" bragging, it's just amazement at how far she's come in such a short time.  And now we get to do it all over again!

Catching up, yet again

The last two months featured a couple visits from the Detroit Wards, Easter, Mother's Day, and park weather!  Here are lots of pictures with a few words added in.

Godfather and Goddaughter

Beckett, I know how this works - let me show you.

This year's American Slovak Club bat girl

Kids these days....

First Easter Egg Hunt!  She did well, except she wanted to open each egg to eat the treats inside before moving onto the next one.

Garrett helped Rose put her new letter magnets on the fridge

16 Months: Meeting Great Grandpa Ward

It's been a very eventful month for Rose.  Walking is now her primary means of transportation, and it's practically evolved into running.  She's picked up a few new signs, including "please" and "thank you," and a few more spoken words, like "baby" and "Papa," much to the delight of Grandpa W.  Of course, she still has a little trouble with her p's, so sometime's it's Papa, and sometimes it's Bapa, Paba, or Baba.

We also took a trip up to the Boston area so Rose could meet her Great Grandpa Ward.  But before we get to that, some random cuteness.

Love for cousin Gavin.

Trying a spoon for the first time.  Some food did actually make it into her mouth.

Rose learned how to climb into her little rocking chair, turn herself around, and "rock" herself.  Here she is showing off the new squinty-eyed smile she now gives every time she sees a camera.

Now, off to Boston.

Playing with Aunt Marti.

Cousin Bridget, I can help with your homework if you let me play Baby Smash after.

PARTY!!!!!

Four generations of Wards

Modern Day Last Supper

Look, I can walk AND drink at the same time!

Thanks for letting us stay with you, Aunt Janet!

AND for letting us play with your blocks!

15 Months: Walking with Cousins in Detroit

Rose has done a lot of growing in the last month.  Walking is now her primary way of getting around - after her older friend Ruby showed her how it's done.  She can also now speak about half a dozen words, and can sign about twice as many.

One of Rose's favorite signs is Touchdown!  Unfortunately, she didn't get to use it much the day of the National Championship Game, at least before her bedtime.  But she was dressed for the occasion.  She also loves seeing the leprechaun, especially on someone's shirt.

Rose was quickly outgrowing her winter coat, so Mamaw was kind enough to make her a new one, complete with pockets for the mittens that never stay on her hands.  Here she is modelling for us.

Cousins Garrett and Beckett moved closer recently, so Rose and Erin went up to visit the other day.  Here are pictures from that trip.

Do I have some pizza on my face?

Cousin Garrett shows Rose how the big kids eat.

This is the only picture where the three cousins would sit still.  Mostly it was Rose who wanted to get up and move.

Garrett shows Rose how to build, not just take apart.

And she's off!

Beckett was happy to just watch the action from the couch.