Friday, March 30, 2012

Happy 8 Months!

Sorry I couldn't win the Mega Millions for your 8 Month Birthday Niamh. You'll have to settle for this blog.

Wow! I can remember the day Niamh popped out like it was yesterday. I even have a video of it (although I'm strictly forbidden to show it to anyone... which I found out the hard way!). Between then and now is a blur. Niamh is growing too fast!



Niamh, I give you my permission to slow down.


When I think about it, I am very excited that I have this blog to look back on to help me remember.


Is that last picture a little scary? I can't tell if it's cute or scary. Can it be both?


Speaking of blur, Niamh is moving around like crazy. Since I posted the blog where she "crawled" backwards, Niamh has perfected her forward "crawl." Most of the time, she still scoots. But lately she's been trying very hard to get to her knees and do a proper crawl. But her main goal is to stand and walk I think. She's always trying to pull herself up on everything.



Well, here's to the next 8 months and beyond!

But Niamh, you're allowed to stay like this for as long as you want...

Monday, March 26, 2012

Striiv

When Beth, Niamh and I were on our way home from New York a couple of weeks ago, I came across an ad in the Skymall magazine. It was an ad for a pedometer called Striiv. I was a little skeptical at first because a lot of stuff in that magazine seems very gimmicky. But when I got home a few days later I did some research on the product and knew that I wanted one for Beth and I.

So, we just got these "pedometers on steroids" about a week and a half ago. They basically count up all of the steps that you do in a day, all of the stairs and all of the running steps, calories, etc etc. You accumulate totals, which you can use to donate clean water to South America, polio vaccines to children and even save the rainforest! We've only had these for about 10 days now and I've already donated 7 days worth of clean water for children in South America, 1 polio vaccination and 9 parking space sized lots of rainforest for a year.

Beth and I love them!



They fit in our pockets, clip on to clothing or can be used as a keychain. Last night as I was writing my blog, Beth was going up and down the stairs doing a challenge to make sure that she beat me for the day. Before we got Striiv, Beth and I would yell to each other up and down the steps (we live in a 3 story house) to grab something for each other, but now we are going to get our own stuff and even offering to go up the stairs for each other.

It even gives you challenges to do throughout the day...


Why is Niamh in the background of this picture you ask? Well, it is her blog afterall!

The first day I had the Striiv, I kept leaving it on a table. Then after a few minutes I'd yell at myself because I just took some steps that didn't count! Now I even strap it to my boxers at night and only take it off right before bed! We're definitely hooked!

Beth, Niamh and I have gone on a walk almost everyday since we've gotten these (sometimes more than 1 walk). And it's a cool feeling knowing that it's all going towards charity. I think it would also be a great idea for an older child. There's a game on the Striiv (that I think is a little lame) but Beth kind of likes it and I can see Niamh enjoying it. I can't wait until Niamh's old enough to join our friendly family Striiv competition!

Check it out here: Striiv: Personal Trainer in Your Pocket

Niamh is still getting her exercise, though. She's crawling and moving around like crazy (which I'll talk about in an upcoming blog) and through one of her new favorite activities...




That's right... the bongos!

Have a great night!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Tower Grove Park

Today was an awesome day in St. Louis, a great day to recover from St. Patty's Day festivities yesterday.


You can't see it very well, but that outfit that Niamh has on was, of course, made by Momma. She came home from work Friday night and said I think I'm going to make Niamh a dress to wear tomorrow for St. Patrick's Day. So, she went out shopping for supplies and then came home and whipped (cut, sewed, stitched, etc.) together a dress before going to sleep at about 1:30am. Very impressive!

Niamh, Beth and I had a nice brunch this morning at the Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park. Then we stayed at the park to take a walk, hang out at the playground and take some pictures...







I have lots more, but it's bed time for me. Maybe I'll post some more later.

Have a great night!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Richard E. Wilkins 1930 - 2012


This blog post is long overdue, but we were out of town. Niamh's last surviving Great Grandfather passed away last Monday (March 5). Beth, Niamh and I traveled to Bloomfield, NY to be with friends and family and attend the funeral services.

Great Grandpa Dick was one of the sweetest men I've ever met. I consider it a blessing that Niamh was able to spend Christmas with him this year.





 He will be greatly missed by us (and by a ton of other people as could be seen at the JAM-PACKED funeral service).

We Love You Great Grandpa!