O is for Oatmeal

One of Laine's favorite breakfast options is oatmeal.  And these days she is very adamant about feeding herself with her spoon (or her fingers).  As you can tell by the way she is holding this spoon, a lot tends to fall on her bib, the floor, the place-mat, etc.  All in all she seems to get plenty in her tummy to keep her full for the morning. 

N is for Nature

As I was out walking today I noticed all the brilliant colors of spring that are finally cutting through the chill of winter.  This purple colored tree in particular has caught my attention this year, mostly because it seems to grow in some of the most unlikely places.  I have seen it along the highways in the less than attractive areas of town and peaking out in seemingly unplanned forest landscapes.  Does anyone know what this tree is?  I don't think it is a dogwood, a pear tree, or wisteria but I could be wrong.

M is for Mac

We are a Mac family. What else is there to say about that?

L is for Library Books

Laine loves to read these days, and the library has been a great source of fresh pages to turn.  Our library is only a mile away, and it seems to have a good selection of board books, especially those with flaps and touch-and-feel sections.  As you can tell from this stack of books we are also becoming exposed to Corduroy and all his adventures.

K is for Koko

Koko is Laine's lovie or security blanket.  She originally got that name because when we first introduced her to Laine I thought that she looked a little bit like a koala.  I've since been corrected that she is a lamb, but the name stuck.  Thankfully we have two Kokos, so when one gets dirty we can pull out the other without any trauma at bedtime.

First earthquake

This morning around 4:30 we were awoken by a shaking bed and rattling dressers in our room.  It didn't last for more than 15 seconds, but it was enough to disturb our slumber.  Come to find out there was a magnitude-5.2 earthquake epicentered in Southern Illinois at that time.  Did anyone else feel the quake this morning?

J is for John

That's right, Penny's real name is John, an oft-overlooked bit of information.  In fact, Penny reminded me of this when I asked him what I should use for my J picture!  Here he is at his morning routine: enjoying cereal, coffee, and the Word for a few minutes before leaving for school.  Laine often catches him at this point when she comes running out of her room in the morning saying, "Daddy!"