Father's Day, a Dani, Tori, and Tommy Guest Post.

Hey, Tori, I've been thinking.  Isn't Father's Day coming up?  Are we supposed to be doing something for Daddy? (Tommy)
Tommy, can't you see I'm busy playing on Mommy's tablet?  Leave me alone.  (Tori)

Oh, wait!  Tommy, you're right!  Father's Day is coming up. What should we do?
I dunno, Tori, let's ask Dani.  She knows everything.

DANI, DANI WE NEED YOUR HELP!
DEEDEE DEEDEE HEP HEP!
What do you guys want? (Dani)
Dani, it's almost Father's Day, what are we going to do???
Deede, faga day, doooo?
Don't worry guys, I've got it under control.

I'm totally online right now ordering Daddy some really cool stuff, and getting us Father's Day shirts to wear.  Tori, go in the kitchen and get me Mommy's wallet.
OK Dani.  What are we getting Daddy?
What do you think we should get Daddy? 
Let's get him some coloring books!  And some cookies.
Coookie!  Cookie!

GUYS!  We have to think about Daddy!  He's super fun, and he doesn't want coloring books!  Remember when we climbed in his shirt and we were the three headed Daddy monster?  Maybe we should get him a new shirt?
Daaaddy!  Kitty!  Funny!

 Hmmm, you're right, Dani.  I will sit here and think about it.  What can you buy for the best Daddy in the whole wide world?  He gives the best hugs.  Can we give him hugs?  He likes brownies, can we make him brownies?
Cooookies!
Now you're thinking, Tori!  We can bake him brownies.  Let me get Mommy to help.  I think we should color him some pictures too.
Crayons!  Paper!  (puts crayon in mouth)
Okay Dani, I'm going to draw a picture for Daddy.

 Daddy is good at pushing us on swings.  I will draw the playground.
Playground!  Outside! (puts on shoes)

 Daddy always takes us outside.  Remember when Tommy helped him mow the lawn?

 

When I think about Daddy, I am happy.  He is big, and brown, and tall.  He gives me kisses, and he taught me how to snap my fingers.  He plays the Beatles for me, and he gives the best hugs!

Daddy always reads books with me.  And he makes the best pancakes.  I love pancakes.

Pancakes!  Pancakes!

 

Wes,

Dani, Tori and I join Tommy in raising our sippy cups to you, this Father's Day.

I couldn't have asked for a better husband or father.  You are the foundation of this family; the solid base from which we all grow, together, learning, loving, and striving to make you proud of us, and hoping that you always know how much we truly adore you.

Beach! (a Dani and Tori guest post)

Hey Tori, wasn't it so cool that Grandma and Grandpa took us to the beach?  I always wanted to go to the beach, ever since I was a little baby.

It sure was, Dani!  It was so much fun!

I was kind of disappointed that there were no coconut trees, though.  Beaches are supposed to have coconut trees.

 But it was so neat that we could just walk from the sand into the water.  Instead of on a ladder like our pool.  And the sand was so smushy between my toes.  And there were waves!  They kept pushing me over!

 Grandma was really good at making sand castles.  And it was really cool that we had the whole beach to ourselves!

I probably would have been scared if I didn't have Grandpa's hand to hold in the water.  He walked me way out into the deep part!  Even baby Tommy got to go in.

I know, Tori!  I'm usually so scared of getting my face wet, but with Grandpa, I went underwater!  I really did!

Tommy was so cute sitting at the edge of the water kicking his feet.  Too bad mommy didn't go in; she was busy taking pictures of us.

Mommy's ALWAYS taking pictures of us.  I hope we can go back to the beach soon!

Forty, a Tori guest post.

Hi Daddy, it's Tori! I'm posting tonight to wish you happy birthday! Mommy says you're 40. I don't know how many that is because I can only count to twelve. I don't think DiDi can even count to 40, so I know 40 must be a lot because she can count really well.

Me and Dani and Tommy want you to know that you're the best daddy ever. We hope you liked the card we picked out because it plays the Mickey Mouse song and that's our favorite. We opened it and played it for you dozens of times today and it was so fun to hear over and over and over, don't you think? It was fun until you put the card up on the mantel where I couldn't reach. I think if I move my high chair I can get it all by myself and play it for you again tomorrow, so don't worry!

Your cake was really yummy too. But I don't understand why there are only four candles on it. I am not a big kid but I know four is not forty. I heard mommy say something about a fire hazard if we used all the candles but I don't really understand what that meant.After your cake, it was snuggle time. Then you and mommy took us upstairs and got us ready for bed. Mommy was still taking pictures. Mommy's always taking pictures. Why does she take so many pictures, Daddy?

And, I even peed on the potty tonight, just for you. Don't tell DiDi but I think I'm going to be out of diapers before she is. Anyway, Daddy, I smiled extra pretty in this birthday picture for you. I love you Daddy! Happy Birthday!

Victor, a Tori guest post.

Hi everbody, it's Tori. Did you know that Tori is short for Victoria? Daddy said he picked that name because it was the strongest name he could imagine for a girl. And you know what? I'm really strong. I'm also the victor! I beat Dani in my 1 year visit!

I went to the doctor today for my 1 year visit and I'm 29.5" tall and weigh 23 pounds and 6 ounces. I'm a whole inch taller than Dani was when she was 1, and about 4 pounds heavier! I win! I'm the victor!

I guess you could call me Super Tori if you want.

Mother's Day, a Dani and Tori Guest Post.

Hey Dani?

Yes Tori?

I'm really tired. It's hard to keep up with TWO grandmas!

I know Tori, that's why I'm just laying here taking a break.

They were really fun. Way more fun than mommy is.

I know, Tori, but don't tell mommy that, we don't want her to feel bad!

I like grandma's airplane rides best!

Me too Tori!

I sure wish they lived closer. I love grandma and great-grandma!
Me too, Tori! Let's tell them something together!

Happy Mother's Day grandma and great grandma! We love you!

New Year's Resolutions, a Tori guest post.

Happy New Year's everyone! It's my first New Year! I've heard that you're supposed to make resolutions every year of stuff you want to do better in the upcoming year. I've already made pretty amazing progress for a baby.

I can stand up. And, I'm only 8 months old. Look at me!

I would like to learn how to walk, though. That can be my resolution. Sometimes when I stand up, I try to walk but my belly is all wobbly and I fall down. So, I am going to learn to walk.

I also resolve to keep working on my one handed push up. As you can see, I've almost perfected it. And the cat. I'm going to catch him one of these days. He always comes close, but then runs away before I can hug him. He and I are going to become good friends this year.

So, I think those are all my resolutions.

Mommy said I should add a few more. She says I should also resolve to sleep later in the morning, and not to cry in my sleep. I think she should just learn to get by on less sleep.

In case of emergency, a Tori guest post.

Hi everybody, Tori here. I thought that, since the holiday season was upon us, I should give you all a gift. I'm going to teach you how to do CPR. You know, with all the egg nog, and cookies and prime rib dinners this time of year, you never know when somebody's just going to keel over from all the fatty grub. So, I'm going to tell you exactly what to do if it happens to you. Well, if it happens to you, just hope someone you know read my blog so they know how to help you! But this should help you help someone else.

Now, the new school of thought with CPR is that you don't have to do the rescue breathing, just chest compressions. Start by putting your hands on the victim's chest. Lean over the victim, and press 100 times per minute. If you remember the Bee Gees, you can sing the Stayin' Alive song in your head for the tempo. (I don't know who the Bee Gees are, but mommy likes them.)

You probably want to have someone call 911. Keep pumping and pumping at that pace until the paramedics arrive.

Good work. If you need to borrow my puppies so you can practice, just let me know. I'm good at sharing.

Pssst.

Psssst, down here. It's me, Tori. I'm supposed to be taking a nap, but I'm hiding behind the couch.
I just wanted to tell everyone Happy Thanksgiving. It's my very first one. Mommy said she would take a lot of pictures. I hope she lets me eat some turkey! Mommy says Thanksgiving is about being thankful for things you have. I'm thankful for warm bottles, banana baby food, and my big sister Dani.

North Carolina, a Dani AND Tori guest post!

Hi everybody, Dani here. And, hey, it's me, Tori, I'm here too! We want to tell you about our trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house, so we decided to do it together. Well, mommy kind of made us do it together because it was close to bedtime and she said we had to share. Dani doesn't seem like she's sharing too well. Pipe down Tori, or you won't type another letter.

So, we left for North Carolina on Wednesday. We all packed into daddy's car and drove and drove and drove. Tori went to sleep for a while, but I didn't. I stayed up the whole way to North Carolina, because I'm a big girl! Mommy was so surprised that I could stay up that long, because we drove for about 14 hours and in the middle of the night, but, hey, I'm a night owl when I want to be. I'm already working on my college sorority skills--I'm going to be an AOII just like my mommy.

Anyway, I had so much fun. I love my grandma and grandpa so much! Grandpa read me books.
And grandma and grandpa took us to this neat town called Shelby, which has a train and a merry-go-round that we got to ride on.

We were the only ones on the train, and we got to ride 'round and 'round the park.

Grandma called the merry-go-round a carousel. It had so many neat horses on it. Daddy and Tori rode in a sleigh (she is a baby, after all), and mommy walked all around and took pictures.

Grandma and I played with bubbles. We had bubble kazoos, and pipes and wands, and just had so much fun. And it was so nice and warm there. Before we left, there was snow at home, but in North Carolina, I got to wear short sleeves! Grandpa let me wear his cowboy boots!
We did so much fun stuff that it's hard to tell you. Did you know that Grandma and Grandpa are my mommy's mommy and daddy? They bought me some neat toys that are just like toys my mommy had when she was a toddler like me....I don't know why they didn't just save my mommy's stuff for me, but even if they didn't, I'm glad they remember my mommy's old toys. There is a neat shopping cart and groceries and lots of other stuff, too!

HEY DANI. YES, YOU DANI. ITS ALMOST MY BEDTIME AND YOU ARE TAKING TOO LONG. MY TURN. MY TURN. MY TURN OR I WILL TELL DADDY.

Okay Tori, it's almost your turn. (Peeps, don't worry, I'll post more after the baby stops babbling). Tori--just keep crawling around after the cat, and once you catch him, it's your turn to type.

DANI, NO FAIR. I'M TELLING DADDY.

Here you go, Tori, but just so you know, everyone probably stopped reading already because they like me best.

WHATEVER, Dani.

I'm going to tell everyone about my FIRST road trip! It kind of sucks having to ride backwards in a carseat for so long. On the way down, we left at 1pm and got to Grandpa's at 3:30am. I tried to sleep as much as I could but it was SO boring and carseats aren't really very comfy. But we made it--I guess some bad stuff slowed us down on the way, because the way home took much less time.

Anyway, when we got to Grandma and Grandpas, Grandpa met us and took us to our very own apartment. Mommy said that was so nice of Grandpa to get our own space for us--sometimes Dani's naptimes are kinda unpredictable, I guess. And Grandma and Grandpa are pretty old, so they probably needed to go to sleep early or something like that.

Grandpa also gave me lots of kisses.

I love Grandpa kisses.

Sometimes I think it is more fun to be the little sister. No one really is paying attention to what you are doing because your bigger sister is just so much more fun, so you can play with extra fun stuff. Here, I snagged Dani's shoe AND a magifying glass. It took a while for anyone to notice. Cool!

We did so much fun stuff. We went to a motorcycle place and did something for charity. If you bought something at this Harley dealership you could turkey bowl and maybe win a turkey. Mommy, Daddy and Grandpa all had a two chances to roll a big frozen turkey down a lane to knock over pins. Nobody won. Mommy did really bad--she didn't even knock over a pin! But the fun part was that after that, we went out to lunch. It was my first time in a restaurant! I sat in my very own high chair too! I hope I showed mommy and daddy that they could take me out more often!

Anyway, before I sat in the high chair, I sat with Grandpa. He let me chew the menu.

I had so much fun at lunch, that I got tired. I fell asleep on Grandpa's shoulder. He's super comfy. I totally recommend him if you need a nap.

TORI, no one cares what you have to say, and it's bedtime. You have to go to bed NOW. I'm the big sister so you have to do what I say. NOW.

Okay, Dani. Tell everyone night night for me, okay?

Whatever Tori, just go away.

Geesh, Tori's finally gone. Isn't it so annoying when she thinks she can post stuff? Like it's her blog or something. Well, anyone, just humor her, okay? Well, it is getting pretty late and I need to get ready for bed too. It's time for brushy brush, washy wash, nighty night. Bye bye!

I'll fix her little red wagon, a Tori guest post.

Hello again, it's me, Tori. You remember me, right? I'm the little sister. Well, just so you know, I'm not so little anymore. In fact, I'm pretty big. I'm way bigger than Dani was when she was 6 months old, and I'm awfully strong. I'm good with my hands too, and I like to pull mommy and Dani's hair, just because.

Anyway, can one of you guys talk to Dani for me? I can't talk yet, but I figure she needs a warning. She needs to be warned that pretty soon, I'm going to be big enough to not get stuff taken from me. Actually, daddy thinks that I'm going to be bigger and taller than Dani, so pretty soon I'll be the one taking toys from HER!

Anyway, here's how it went down. Daddy got out a Chicago Bears winter hat, and put it on my head. I'm crawling on the floor, looking cute (natch).
Then, faster than you can say "Jay Cutler sucks", somebody snatches the hat off my head. Good thing daddy caught it on camera, I'm thinking of filing robbery charges or something.

Then, to add insult to injury, Dani puts my hat on! Oh yeah. I'm making a list, and rest assured, I'll be checking it twice once I can fend for myself, and it's going to be all about getting my stuff back. Hey big sis, I hold grudges and my memory is loooooooong!

That's right, Dani. Look cute and smiley for now, but when I can walk, I'm coming for you, and my stuff. Count on it.

I'll fix your little red wagon big sis.

Mommy has silly friends, a Tori guest post.

Hello again, it's me, Tori. Dani went to sleep already so I snuck onto the computer to say hi. Don't tell her--she's still not so good at sharing. She's getting better though. It's probably getting easier for her because I'm getting so cute, that it's hard to say no to me.
It was my mommy's birthday a few weeks ago. She's really old--37! I don't know much about birthdays but they seem like fun. You get to have cake! I don't really know what cake is, but mommy and Dani sure seemed excited about it when daddy baked it. And people give you presents and sing songs to you.

Today one of mommy's friends sent her a present. It came in a big box! She said it was from her friend Chang, who I guess is one of her and Daddy's bestest friends from college--there are a bunch of pictures around the house with him in them. I can't wait to meet him, because he seems like he must be funny--his present made mommy laugh.

He sent her a toilet seat that had a painting about baseball. You can see the little boy's booty on it.

Mommy says thanks Chang! She says she's going to make daddy answer any questions Dani has about the picture, though. I'm not really sure why. Anyway, I'm getting hungry now, so I'm going to cry for a bit until someone brings me a bottle. Life is good. Bye bye!

I'm worried about Dani, a Tori guest post.

Psst. Tori, here. I'm a little worried about Dani. In case you didn't notice from mommy's posts I've gotten bigger and much cuter. I'm fun too. I don't cry as much as I used to.

But Dani seems to be taking it pretty hard. She can say my name now, and even calls me Tori. It really sounds more like To-WEE, but who am I to judge, I can't even talk yet. But yesterday, in the back yard, I got worried. She turned the squirt gun on herself.

She must have hit rock bottom to be drinking from the squirt gun. I think she might even have them stashed around the house and mommy and daddy don't know. What's a baby sister to do?
In other news, mommy and daddy are trying to make me try new stuff. I have had some rice cereal in my bottle, and on Sunday, mommy gave me some sweet potatoes. I pretty much spit them back out. She kept scooping the spitted out parts off my chin and putting them back in my mouth, but she failed. I just don't want to work that hard, yet--all that sitting up and paying attention, instead of being cuddled and bottle fed. Screw that, bring me the bottle.
Daddy's pretty obsessed with giving me tummy time. Dani told me that she hated it so much that she could flip over when she was only 2 months old. I don't really mind it too much, though. I like sleeping on my tummy; I don't get mad, I just give in. Don't believe me when they call me McScreamy. As you can see, I'm just chill.

I have to go now; we have to wake up Daddy so he can go to work. Bye bye.

Don't tell Dani, a Tori guest post.

Pssst. Pssst. Down here. Shhh. Be very quiet because I don't want my big sister Dani to know I'm writing to you.

I'm Tori. But, I get called lots of things. I hear mommy call me McScreamy, and daddy calls me the angry whopper. But most importantly, I'm Dani's little sister. I think you know Dani. She's my big sister. She sometimes posts here. She really likes to be the center of attention, so I don't want her to get mad that I'm posting today. I mean look at that scowl, I don't want to mess with her...at least until I'm bigger.


But, I'm 9 weeks old and I figured it was time that I introduced myself. And, I have exciting news! I met my grandma and grandpa today, and they are so awesome! But before I tell you about them, I wanted to show you a picture of my daddy. He's such a good snuggler.

So, anyway, my grandma and grandpa came to visit from North Carolina today. They are lots of fun. My grandpa is so silly. When we went outside, he wore my sun hat!

And grandma took me for a walk and we sat outside on the porch while Dani got to swing. When I get a little bigger, grandma says I can go on the swing too.

So far, it's not so bad being a little sister. Dani is pretty nice to me, but she only calls me "baby". I wish I could tell her that my name is Tori, but I can't talk yet. Sometimes it seems like she gets mad when mommy holds me. She's always running around the house laughing and playing, and I'm stuck in some dumb swing because I can't even crawl yet. But I'm working really hard at it. I can push myself up on my hands, and can almost turn over. Pretty soon I'm going to get to play too. I have to hurry because grandma and grandpa brought a little bear and blankie for me but Dani took it when they weren't looking.

Anyway, grandma and grandpa are going to be here for a while so I am sure we will have lots of fun.

Don't tell Dani you met me. I don't think she can read yet, so she won't know that I wrote to you. Anyway, I hope I get to talk to you again soon. Love, Tori.