Weetabix Baby

Last night our computer decided it wouldn't turn on again. It is showing some signs of life, but it seems to have forgotten how to actually start when you push the button. I'm guessing it is another update gone wrong, but it is a long weekend so it may be a while before we can get it taken care of. I stayed late at work tonight so I get to work from home on Tuesday....but I can't do that without a computer.  Sigh.

The Irishman took these pictures with his phone yesterday morning. He brought home lots of Irish goodies from our trip. Caitlin loves the white chocolate buttons, but her current second favorite is a bowl of soggy, mushy, Weetabix. Yesterday she took it to a new level and insisted on feeding herself. We are not sure how much she actually ingested, but it was a good developmental step. (And funny to watch!)

The Irishman took these pictures for me with his phone. I got an e-mail yesterday morning suggesting this blog post. Too funny!

It is now 4 am. Caitlin is still having sleep issues. A few night's ago the Irishman gave in and slept on the day bed in her room while she slept in his arms. That has been our plan for the week, but I think we both recognize that a change is needed. She woke up at 8:30 last night and we let her resettle. It was a hard 20 minutes, but we made it. Her newest protest measure is turning on the light in her room. I guess I will be moving the crib away from the light switch in the morning...

For now I am heading back to bed. I figure blogging from my phone drains the battery and takes forever so I might as well type while I was up with Caitlin and then return my phone to the charger while I sleep.

Happy Friday!

Atlantic Pond with Granda

I left the Irishman with a camera when I headed back early on time to the states. There were a couple of things that I asked him to take pictures of for me. Then there were the things that he likes most. These pictures would fit in the second category.



On my first trip to Cork, Morgan took me for a walk around the Atlantic Pond. I know he has wanted to take Caitlin there. The weather warmed up a little and the sickies recovered a bit, so Granda, Morgan, and Caitlin headed over for a stroll.



He said her face lit up when she saw the ducks.

I wasn't there this time, but I can tell you they had a great time.

I'm sure there will be many trips to Atlantic Pond in her future!

WW: Blackrock Castle

There is a castle at the end of the lane from my in-law's house. I have always been enthralled by this fact. Each time we visit I take a million pictures of the castle.



While we had the flu and other craziness during this trip, I brought my camera with me on the way to run errands one evening and the Irishman's father was more than happy to stop on the way so I could snap a few shots of Blackrock Castle in the snow.



Can you hear the two Irishmen behind me giving directions...
Did you get the moon?
Try standing on the stoop.
Can you see the snow?
How about over here?
I love them.



Above is the view in the other direction. I usually love the green patchwork look of the fields in Ireland. Snow covered fields were just as pretty!

There is actually a restaurant now in the castle. I hope we can have lunch there on our next visit. It was one of those things we just didn't get to this trip. The other thing I really wanted was to take a picture for a new blog header in front of the castle. The Irishman and his sister Rose were kind enough to work on that once I headed back to the states. Rose sent me lots of pictures that I hope to have time to go through this weekend. (Because I love Christmas, but I am over the Santa picture...just too busy recovering from last week to do anything about it!)

And yes, we are ALL finally back home from Ireland, but I still have lots of pictures to share, so expect pictures from our trip for the next week or so!

Snow Fun

The Irishman was dreaming of a white Christmas in Ireland. While it had been on the ground for several days by that point, we did have a chance to go out and play in the snow on Christmas.



After watching it from the window for the week as she recovered from the flu, Caitlin LOVED the snow!

Though she was not quite as thrilled about the snow gear! I gave up on the mittens and decided that the sleeves on the suit were long enough to cover her hands.

We threw up the snow and watched it fall...Caitlin was impressed!

This one is a quick video/photo slideshow.



If only I'd captured her giggles!

Before we headed in the house we fixed up the snowman Morgan had made earlier in the week. Caitlin had other plans...



I guess it should not be a surprise given her love for carrots!

Back to Normal

Caitlin and Morgan got back Saturday night. I have to say that seeing them in the airport was the best thing I've seen all year!

Now we are working on the jet lag. Caitlin's internal clock is still on Irish time. She was up at 4:30 am this morning. After a napless morning we decided to try taking a walk to see if she would doze in the stroller...



Ummm, right.

There was not much sleeping going on, but we enjoyed the park anyway!

She finally went down for a nap at 3:30 pm....which is also her bedtime in Ireland. She was NOT thrilled when we woke her up a few hours later. Her little body felt like it was the middle of the night.

I have to say though, I am so happy to have them home and back to normal.
Crazy sleep patterns and all!

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Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Irish Christmas

I've shared our American Christmas morning. Here is a look at our Irish Christmas. It started the usual way with milk and cookies for Santa.



The presents were under the tree, but it was a bit chilly so we brought them in front of the fire for Caitlin.

Nana helped her open the first one...

Meeting Grover....you can almost see her thinking, "why isn't this Elmo red?"

Of course there were Irish sweets

and a pint sized Liverpool shirt.

Caitlin decided that 8am was not too early for white chocolate buttons...

if you ask the right person that is!

American Christmas Morning

The day we left for Ireland we woke up and found we'd had a surprise visitor!

Can you tell Caitlin was excited?



Santa wrote a note explaining how he didn't want Caitlin to have to carry her gifts on the plane. Mrs. Claus had him doing some training exercises that night so he decided to stop by and help little Caitlin out by making a quick stop along the way. (The note is hanging on the tree in the background. Very official looking!)

The ball pit was a big hit! That is until...



She met Clippity Clop!

I think Caitlin was as excited about see what we got as she was about opening her own gifts. She explored my camera bag and I wasn't sure I was ever going to get the jellybeans back!

It is hard to believe that last year she fell asleep in the swing while we opened her gifts for her. She is such a blessing!

WW: Missing my Loves

This picture was taken Christmas Day.
Together in Ireland.


Before the flu.
Before the delayed trips home.
Before the break in.
Before the locksmith.

I miss them so much!

Only a few more days...