The Connolly Family

Here’s the first batch of Paige’s birthday photos.  Only a month and 3 days late!

For Paige’s initial birthday celebration (on her birthday, as opposed to her bigger celebration which was 4 days later) Liam and I made chocolate chip cookie cupcakes.  He helped measure, mix, stir and decorate.

Getting ready for the icing and sprinkles:

Sheer concentration:

Making sure they weren’t poisonous:

They passed muster!

The tongue of self satisfaction:

Finished product(s):

The birthday girl, her birthday goods, and her brother.  Taking a bite out of her hand.

Birthday hug!

It may have taken him a full year…

…but I think Liam’s starting to get the hang of this whole big brother thing.

The goods:

Liam’s handiwork:

Ta da!

“You’re gonna let me eat those?!”

Getting ready to make a wish:

Blowing out the candle (with a little help from Liam and Daddy):

“That was it?”

“Yay!”

Getting down to business:

Birthdays are so much fun!

Testing the waters:

Getting into the swing of things:

A little help from Daddy:

Not so sure…

“What is this on my tongue?”

“Oh, I see how this works!”

The tongue of utter concentration:

Things really got rolling at this point:

The key is double-fisting.

And this is the point in the post where I admit to being incapable of picking out just a few pictures and proceed to post 8,032 almost identical photos in a row.  But I ask you:  With this face how am I supposed to choose?

The many (chocolatey) faces of Paige:

“Wow!  Look at that tummy!”

“But no tummy is ever too full for chocolate, right?”

“Right.”

“Oooooooooh”

Liam enjoyed himself as well:

You can’t tell, can you?

“What?”

Chocolate teeth!

“Whatcha got there, Mama?”

Puffs chaser:

I warned you about the lack of editing, didn’t I?

And again I ask you: With a face like this?

How am I supposed to choose?

Birthday feet:

Winding down…

…but never too tired for a silly face.

Ready to be hosed down:

“Dirty?  Who?  Me?”

And after being doused with a giant cup of water…

…our Sweet Baby Girl’s first birthday came to a close.

Next up?  The party!

Paige is finally old enough to be bathed with Liam.  They both have a ball when we have the time to do it this way (as opposed to me bathing Paige in the morning while Liam is in school and Liam taking super-fast showers with Matt because we ran out of time…again).  Here are some pictures from a few weeks ago of just such an occasion.

Playing ball:

Liam shows Paige how to play the bath flute while Paige gets soaped up:

Liam helps Paige take a turn:

Jailbreak!  (this isn’t a rarity, unfortunately…)

Sibling chatter:

Liam reads to Paige:

Paige accosts Liam:

Ahhhhh…

Liam helps wash Paige.  Paige tries to gouge Liam’s eyes out.

Oh how I do love baby bums:

Paige shows off her standing prowess (which was a lot more impressive when this picture was taken — a month ago…):

Look at those lashes!

I tried to get a picture of the two of them smiling at me, but we all know how that goes…

Oh, well…

Maybe I’ll get birthday pictures up before Paige is 13 months old.  But maybe not…

Almost a full month ago (I know, I know…) Matt headed to Decatur for an early morning soccer practice and followed it up by meeting Grammie, Pop, Aunt G., Ean, and Ean’s cousin and dropping by the Decatur Book Festival for the Pete The Cat Parade.  Matt said the parade itself was a bit lackluster but Liam seemed to enjoy himself and the end of the parade featured a tent where James Dean (author/artist) and Mr. Eric (Litwin) were waiting.  Liam wore his ‘blue shoes’ (those in the know will know what that means) and Pete The Cat eyes taped to his shirt.  Here are some pictures from the morning (courtesy of Aunt G.).

Liam and Matt on the parade route:

Lovin’ it:

Liam as Pete:

Pete as Pete:

Liam does a little dancing to Mr. Eric’s guitar jam:

He had a great time and I’m glad Matt was able to take him.  Because it’s all good…