Jack Is Concerned That His Father Is a Goofball

Little Jack may be about 9 1/2 months old now but he's already starting to get concern over his father.  He thinks that Daddy is a bit odd.  While it was a Three-Hat Tuesday for Mary Jane, Daddy decided to wear one of her "hats."  This just looks silly as Daddy has a pink bucket on his head.  He then later sang something to the effect that "he keeps in there all day."  Mommy was nowhere to be seen during this photo shoot.

The Mad Hatter

Jack on the Move

While Mommy and Daddy are off conversing with family members, Jack has taken up to crawling around on the floor.  He calls it exploring as he has managed to get himself up on a small table next to where Aunt Nita usually sits.  Upon asking Jack why he did this somewhat dangerous stunt, his only response was, "gooooogaaagooo!"   No words have been more appropriately (are dare I say cutely) said.

It's also a great way to sneak up on a rabbit but I'll save that for another post.

Another Sunday

Nothing like a perfect Sunday for weather.  Yes, that whole change of time thing can be bothersome... luckily for the children, they didn't know the difference.

In this picture, the girls learn that what goes up must come down.  They love the toy crocodile.

 Here little Jack is relaxing on the smooth carpet at the Well Baby Center.  Almost no one showed up for class today -- must have been the change of time blues -- but all three of our children were there.  Jack was actually quite transfixed by the music.  Betsy Jo and Mary Jane know the songs well enough to... well, ignore them at times.  But for Jack it was one big noise fest for him.

 Betsy Jo and Jack are hanging out on the couch together in the early afternoon.  Betsy had just previously said that she didn't need a nap.  Well, I think I could state that she needs one... but Jack didn't mind her being there.  He absolutely loves it when she comes over and calls him "Goo-Goo."

Here is a better family pic of the three.  Everyone look at the camera and smile!  Happy Sunday for all... especially that they know Mommy will be back tomorrow.

Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

Clearly Mary Jane does not.  She crawled out of her crib repeatedly tonight to remind Mommy and Daddy that they should also be going to sleep.  In a span of about ten minutes, she shuttled from Daddy (flopped on the couch playing Sudoko on his Kindle Fire) to Mommy (feigning sleep in the bedroom) kissing them both good night.  This repeated over and over... finally she thought of climbing back into her crib and she did.  For about ten minutes.  Then she came back out to check up on the sleep patterns of her beloved parents.  Finally... after she walked into the master bedroom and saw Mommy and Daddy both "asleep," she climbed on the bed and nearly jumped on Mommy's ribs before Daddy had to place her to sleep.  Now... quietly... peacefully... calmly... Mary Jane sleeps.

I think Mommy is asleep too.

Daddy blogs.  What's up with that?

Tricycle: the Power Ride

Mary Jane was power riding down Dewey Street this afternoon.  She barely had time to say Hi and Bye to her dear Mommy.  Now that is an exercise ride!

Having Fun at Music Class

Talking 'bout My Generation!

 Mary Jane and Betsy Jo thoroughly enjoy their Sunday morning music class over on Venice Blvd.  One man, one guitar, nine or ten children, random assortment of parents, noisemakers, scarves, and a tunnel.  What more could you ask?  Mary Jane and Betsy both jump up and down on the trampoline (that's what Baby Natalie is balanced on in the picture below) with aplomb.  Can't say that I've ever used 'aplomb' before in a sentence.

 Two girls with their jeans and Who t-shirts ready to dance!

You mean it's time to go?  Boo hoo!

No Fooling! Erb Family Back at Home

The Venetian, where we stayed last night

After a long vacation in Utah (no worries, many pics and videos to be placed on the blog in the next few days), the Erb family stayed one night in Las Vegas before heading home this afternoon.  There is no truth to the rumor that Mommy taught Mary Jane to say, "Vegas, baby!"  Mary Jane only can say, "Las Vegas!"  And no, Daddy did not teach her to say, "Viva Las Vegas!" either.

Before leaving for home this morning, Daddy wisely placed some action on the Dodgers this afternoon.  A 4-0 victory over the Hated Ones gave Daddy, a lifelong Dodger fan, double satisfaction: an Opening Day victory as well as money in the pockets.  As the old saying goes, "Baby needs a new pair of shoes!"  Indeed, I think Betsy Jo does.

The Dodgers iconic logo

A Brief Afternoon at the Santa Ana Zoo

Charlie's Cake

Daddy in Charge of the Kids' Table

The Girls and Their Cupcakes

Wagon Time with Baby Charlie

Mary Jane, Betsy Jo, and Daddy went to the Santa Ana Zoo today for Baby Charlie's first birthday party.  Mommy was actually in Atlanta for an adoption conference so she was not there.  That gave Daddy a chance to show his mad skeelz as a Dad.  Well, the girls didn't open up any cages and let the animals out.

They did have some snack food which was not in their typical diet.  They might have both had a cookie each, a small box of chocolate milk (Betsy never really could figure that one out), and the cupcakes (seen in the photo).  Betsy loved the frosting; Mary Jane preferred the cake itself.

At the end of the day, everyone went on a train ride around the park.  Fun was had by all and the girls came home tired and a bit cranky.  That happens after festive days.

Sunday Is Dancing Time...

No pictures from the music class but Mary Jane and Betsy Jo had fun in good ol' Mar Vista with their Sunday morning music class.  They get out and about and get in some needed play time.  Mommy and Daddy get to groove out to classic tunes like the "Alphabet Song" as well.

The Double Dunk

Here is the real time action of the double baptism of Betsy Jo and Mary Jane.  Betsy Jo goes first and you can hear for the rest of the video clip that she was not that enthralled about the dunking.  I guess that's why the parents pass them off to the godparents.  Well, if you're baptizing two that is.  Because Mommy and Daddy went right on to holding Mary Jane for the second dip.

Double Baptism Photos!

Yes, I am considerably behind on my blogging.  So sorry... with two young girls, it's difficult to find time to find photos and write.  But here are a few photos from our double baptism at St. Joan of Arc on Feb. 10.  It wasn't a large gathering... heck, most of those who know us think that Mary Jane and Betsy Jo have already been baptized   Well, the wonders of adoption and paperwork slowed us a bit but here are some photos of the grand day.

Right here to the left is the christening of Betsy.  Look at that photo as everyone intently watches the action.  Even Mary Jane turns in to look as she wonders what is next.

 Alas, Betsy didn't take too kindly to having cold water placed on her forehead.  Mommy is there to provide consolation.

Betsy still seems a bit distraught but Mommy is there to save the day.  Not only that but Brent and Pat, her godparents, are there to make sure that she's OK.

 With Father Jim in the background, Betsy and Mary Jane form a triangle of white in this photo.  There's Betsy's hair typically flying free while Mary Jane's hair stays flat as a pancake.  Hmm... pancakes.

 Mary Jane standing before Fr. Jim.  She calls him "Fadda Jim" which is pretty darn good for a two year old.  Note: way in the background is the statue of St. Joan of Arc looking over the parish and our two girls.  May they have the same ferocity about life and faith as Joan of Arc did... but hopefully live a longer life.

Someone has their baptism candle!  Now please don't use that as a weapon... especially on your sister.  That's just bad form.

Betsy is celebrating form!  Either that or she's telling the parish that she's caught a fish THIS big.

 Aunt Pat gives the candle to Betsy with Daddy watching.  Mary Jane readies to stick her candle in Daddy's ear.

Ah, the group photo!  Dad (aka Grampa Erb) is to the far left with Pat, Brent, Daddy, Betsy, Fr. Jim, Mary Jane, Mommy, Brendan, and Stephanie to the far right.  Happy day for all!

Every Afternoon Is a Walking Afternoon

This caption has nothing to do with the story!

Mary Jane and Betsy need to go on their afternoon stroll with Daddy.  Hopefully today they will pass Mommy as she drives home from work.  She'll stop and wave and they'll have large, precious smiles.  But Daddy cannot swap cars with Mommy because he cannot drive stick.

Walking down the Street

Nothing like walking down the street with your favorite two girls.  Daddy gets to hold Betsy while watching Mary Jane waddle along to the end of the corner.  Mommy stands behind and tapes the fun family walk.

Occasionally Mary Jane will point at cars, doggies, or planes (we do live adjacent to an airport) but not in this video.  She just happily waddles along without a care in the world.  Shouldn't we all!

No, not our driveway!

The very next day Mary Jane made it around the 1/4 mile block for the very first time.  The last few houses were difficult -- she started walking up every driveway hoping it was home -- but she finally made it!

Proud Product Placement

No one in this proud is too proud to do a little promotion.  In this case, Mary Jane holds up a piece of taco from Tito's Tacos, a very well-known Mexican restaurant on the Westside.  Technically it's in Culver City but that's neither here nor there.  (Well, we live in Mar Vista which is the literal here nor there as it's between Santa Monica and Culver City.)

The basic taco was truly favored by our little girl.  Not too much salsa though.  Keep it moderated.  Mommy and Daddy both enjoyed tacos.  Mommy wanted a bean burrito but Daddy forgot to write that down on the menu list.  Not to worry, the family will go back again in another month or so.  Mommy's parents are big fans of Tito's so there are often apt to allow us to get some over the weekend.

Peekaboo!

Little Betsy gets all excited as Mommy plays her best game of Peekaboo!  Look at that wide-faced smile!

Mary Jane Stays Up Late

For some reason Mary Jane decided not to sleep early tonight.  She kept waking up and making all sorts of random noises and words.  With either the chants of "Momma" or "Up" from the other room, Daddy had to go in and pick her up.  Then she'd lift his shirt and say Baboo!  (That means Belly Button)

Silly Mary Jane.  Singing when she should be sleeping!

The Shadow Chaser!

On a supposedly simple walk to the mailbox and back, Mommy and Daddy were delayed for about ten minutes by Mary Jane who decided to follow her shadow in the opposite direction.   Whether it was a mistake by the Postal Service or an error on behalf of Mommy and Daddy, the shadow pointed the exactly opposite way.  Maybe the mailbox was emitting strong energy beams which caused such a shadow.  No one is quite sure but that delayed a very simple walk.  Meanwhile, Betsy was quite calm and was carried without issue.  Well, unless her face was turned directly into the light of the mailbox... er, sun.

Hopefully the brief video of Mary Jane chasing her own shadow will be downloaded momentarily.  Otherwise you'll just have to imagine it.  I have faith in your imaginative abilities.

Happy Girls Rest, Daddy Gets a Few Minutes of Sunday Football Time

Alas for Daddy, most of his players were in action during Thumpsgiving so this morning's action is fairly meaningless.  But Betsy and Mary Jane did make a wonderful guest appearance during Mass this morning.  Poor Betsy had a bit of a fit early on but she calmed down by the end of it.

The Santa Ana winds are blowing today which always makes it a bit drier outside.  I hope sore noses and throats don't arise from it.

Meanwhile, Daddy walks back and forth between sleeping girls ensuring that their "white noise" giraffe is on and keeping them napping for just a little bit more. 

Mommy is napping too.  Daddy is making sure that Gilmore Girls is on in the background so she can nap for a little bit more too.

Thunderstorm Keeps Mary Jane form Prolonged Swim

Mary Jane is on her swim-a-day vacation as she splashed about in the Munds Park pool for about ten minutes. Unfortunately the weather got just a bit dark and nasty as large thunderclouds came overhead with lightning strikes. So Mommy, Daddy, and Mary Jane all fled the pool but they were in it long enough to show off their swimming strokes to Gramma and Grampa Kendall. Well, Daddy doesn't have great swimming strokes but that's never stopped him.

Earlier in the day Mary Jane decided to skip a nap and go straight to her 1pm bottle at noon. But the swim and a busy afternoon allowed her a ninety minute nap. Yay for Mary Jane!

The Battle of the Carrot: Mary Jane v. Chip

The mornings provide the most entertainment in regards to Chip/Mary Jane interaction. Chip is wont to sit in the "tropical island" in the living room that has lots of flashing lights on the top of it. Of course if he accidentally bumps the side, any number of children's songs will play. But nevermind that, he loves resting on it. Meanwhile that little bit of heaven is Mary Jane's focal point in the living room. Every time she fashions a long crawling trek, she starts from that location. The cushiony bottom does hinder her scooting/crawling ability but as she as she gets to the wood floor... zoom!

So this morning was a little different as Mary Jane somehow made it into the kitchen. Methinks Miss Jill (aka Mommy) air-dropped MJ into the kitchen but let's not probe too deeply into such metaphysical musings. Anyway, MJ and Chip were both in the kitchen and Miss Jill fed Chip a carrot. Oh, good ol' Chip needs his almost daily carrot (if he had carrots too often, he'd get an orange chip and orange bottom but let's not go there). As the picture on the left shows, Chip is trying to eat his carrot calmly without any territorial griping from Cherry Bugg (his aunt and ultimate nemesis) when Mary Jane appears.

Now Mary Jane and Chip get along quite well. Let's not recall that mini head-slap she gave Chip a few days back. He's still dutifully fond of her and sleeps beside her crib every night (in a real coincidental bit of timing, Daddy just tripped over Chip as he went to check out why MJ let out a few mild cries). But when it comes to carrots... or at least shiny orange things, MJ is just as intrigued as that intrepid boy rabbit who wishes he were a man. Or at least an adult rabbit.

Mary Jane sees the carrot and then grabs it away from the bewildered Chip. How dare she do such a thing, he must wonder. Naturally MJ tries to a bite of it herself but with only two teeth... only a long gumming ensues. Chip is still aghast and wishes to complain to the management. Poor Chip, this final photo shows Mary Jane holding the carrot hostage with her right hand and Chip with no alternative but to hop away and beg for a carrot some other day. Oh, some day, little Chip, you too can become an adult rabbit. But not when little 7 month old girls can take carrots from you. It's not like taking candy from a baby but rather like a baby taking candy from a rabbit.