The Face of Fatherhood

A real father volunteers to make an early morning Pedialyte run and comes home from Walgreen's with a whole bag of options.

Then he takes care of his sick little girl so that Mama can get ready and go to Mass. He uses it as a rare chance to let the baby sleep on his chest.

Even though it's Father's Day.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

7 Quick Takes, Vol. 27

Linking up with Jen and the Conversion Diary Crew for 7 Quick Takes. 'Cause it's Friday, that's why.

1. Tomorrow is my little sister's birthday. We were not particularly close growing up, but now I can honestly say that she's one of my best friends. We talk pretty much every weekday, and I really don't know what I'd do without her. Happy Birthday, Whitters! (Also, you are not 27, because that is too old. 7 I could handle. 17 well, it was 17. But 27? You're like a real grown-up and stuff.)

Looking gorgeous on her wedding day

2. Anyway, she just got a surprise for her birthday -- my dad and his SO drove to San Diego to visit her. Even though I knew, I had a little too much fun encouraging her speculation earlier about what was arriving between 2 and 4 pm. Masseuse? Cable guy? Creepy cable guy slash masseuse?

2 lucky gals. No creepy cable guys.

3. I had a very, very scary and traumatic experience with some sort of beetle (thank goodness it wasn't a roach) at lunch today. I was talking to Charles on the phone and making soup when it butt-wiggled its way out of the non-garbage disposal drain in the kitchen sink. I have lived in this house for 6 years now and have never seen a large bug. I was not excited for that to change with a crawling/cruising little monster who likes to put stuff in her mouth. Jen's scorpion drama took on a whole new level of meaning. No pictures. I know you're sad.

4. Picture break. Someone was less than thrilled with the broccoli cauliflower medley. Mostly the broccoli part.

5. Yesterday, I had one of those moments when I realized how quickly June was going to disappear. Then it would be July. And July, August, September and October are sure to be Krazee-town and thus flyyyyyy by. I just really want to push pause. Then I count how many disastrous diaper-and-outfit-changes I've done this week and wonder what I'm thinking.

Feeling all sappy about treasuring these moments.

6.Thanks to personal experience -- once being evacuated and once watching a small fire being fought across the street from my dad's while our carport was being hosed down -- there is nothing scarier than forest fires. I seriously used to have nightmares. *shudder* Meaning my prayers are with Colorado, hardcore.

7. Happy Father's Day! Happy Weekend! Stay cool and hydrated! Or safe and dry! Or whatever being smart in your neck of the woods looks like this weekend!

Repeat? Oh well.

I'm sure you can find people with less filler at Jen's. Off with you, now.

5 Favorites, Vol. 11

Joining Hallie to share with you some of my favorite things!

1. The perfect sandwich -- For the last couple of weeks, my go-to lunch has been a panini-pressed ham and Swiss on a French roll. Add some fruit, and I'm a happy camper. In addition to being tasty, it carries me back to my French study abroad happiness. Bliss. And when lunch is bliss, that's saying something.

2. Party planning -- My sister and I had a long planning meeting phone conversation talking about Miss Clare's birthday party at the end of the month! I love hostessing, and she loves decorating, so together, we're a pair to be reckoned with. I can't believe how close my American Girl is to turning one. Yes, I am having a patriotic themed birthday party. Yes, I'm crazy.

3. Father's Day -- I am not fond of being the center of attention, but I love celebrating everyone else! I'm excited to spoil Charles this weekend, after getting myself spoiled to the core a month ago.

via

4. Summer fruit -- I feel like I'm about 30 years behind the curve on this one. Everyone always loves summer fruit, but I didn't really catch on until last summer. I mean, I liked it okay, I guess, but now, I get it.  Like I get it. Last year, I thought it was a pregnancy thing -- and the volume of fruit consumed certainly was -- but I'm enjoying it again this summer! Mmmm...so sweet, juicy and refreshing!

Via

5.  My new sweet baby cousin -- My cousin, Alison, had her baby! I don't have any pictures yet, and I won't get to meet him until this afternoon. But there is not much better or more favoritey than a brand new, born this morning baby!!!!!!!!

11 (those are TWO ones!) months

A year in less than a month? Gulp. A birthday party in a couple of weeks? What to the what?

So, at 11 months, Clare:

- is talking up a storm. She has four or five occasionally discriminate words, depending on the day. "Baby" was her first official word.

- has four teeth, the bottom center pair and two fangs. Her two front teeth are bothering her, but have not yet made an appearance.

- is standing, pulling up and cruising with confidence! Independent walking right around a year? I think so.

- is too smart for her our own good.

- is a great eater! She loves food. Loves it.

- loves exploring and discovering.

- loves books, her puppy, her baby, and her phone.

- is taking two consistent naps and sleeping through the night (knock on wood).

- did not enjoy modeling for Mama, but I still managed to get some keepers!

Still flexible

Goofy teeth and goofy tongue

Ballerina/bow removal

Laughing

How much longer?

I have a bow!

Modeling

Clapping, laughing and showing off the teeth

I'm done.

Sunday Best - vol. 2

Linking up with Grace et al to commiserate share how Clare did at Mass. It feels so liberating to grade her.

As an added bonus, you get a mediocre hall/closet mirror selfie of my outfit!

Shirt: Old Navy, several years ago
Skirt: Off brand from Last Chance, $5 several years ago (I've definitely gotten my money's worth!)
Shoes: Dillard's (they are actually my wedding shoes, so 2 years ago)
Ability to pass for a high school student: God
Laundry spilling out of the closet: actually got done yesterday

While I really like the skirt, it really does look cuter (and more like an adult is wearing it) with a cardigan. But the print is so summery, that my opportunities to wear it with a cardigan are limited, because, in June, in Phoenix, a cardigan outdoors while carrying my little personal space heater is just so not happening. First world problems, I know.

Speaking of my little personal space heater, she was actually a very good girl at mass, just some babbling (and announcing that she found another "BABY!"), but age-appropriate. That said, she gets major points deducted for an enormous, disgusting poopy diaper (and everything else) while walking from the parking lot to the chapel.

Grade: B

And since I have my outfit, I'm going crazy and linking up with the lovely ladies at Fine Linen and Purple, too.