Portraits at the Park

Hanging around on a summer day

Air Head

So, I'm sitting down with Norah, messing with her hair. Its finally long enough to start putting it in pony tails! So, as I am shaping and imagining her hair up, Madelynn comes up and says:

Madelynn: Whats in her head?

Me: I'm just playing with her hair, I can't see whats in her head.

Madelynn: Yes, you can, just look in her ear!

Me: Oh....Hmmmm...(looking in her ear)

Madelynn: (getting closer and peering down) What do you see?

Me: A big smart brain! What do you have in your head?

Madelynn: (Tapping her head a few times...eyes big as saucers) I got nothin'!!!

Oh Shoot.

Me: "Oh shoot"

Madelynn: Why did you say Oh Shoot?

Me: Well, I put the dirty washcloth on top of the clean clothes pile by accident.

Madelynn: I like to say Oh Shoot.

Me: Oh ya? ( hmmm, is this a teaching moment?)

Madelynn: I also like to say Oh Shit.

Me: (Um, yes, this is a teaching moment in all its sparkle and glory) Oh really? I don't like to say it. (pure lie, fumbling, do I make a big deal of this? If I make a big deal, she might think more of it than if I let them moment pass and shrug it off.) Grandma doesnt like that word.... ( I say...)

Madelynn: Oh, ok.

(done, passed, didnt make a big deal, and hopefully we will not have to wash her mouth out with soap until she is at least 7.)

Conversations with a 3 year old....

Madelynn (collecting rocks): Here's three for you mom!

Me: Thanks!

Madelynn: I'm going to go get some MORE! I'm gonna get 5 60 38. (actually saying, five, sixty, thirty-eight).

Me: Really? Thats a lot! How many again?

Madelynn: 5 60 38!

Pick a Petal

When I was pregnant with Madelynn, I was busy with many projects getting ready for her arrival. One of those projects was to paint a cute little garden of colorful flowers, lady bugs and dragonfly's on her nursery walls so she would have a beautiful world to dream about. After a trip to the craft store, I plopped my pregnant self down, with paints, stamps and stencils and went to town.


Here we are, 4 years later... and as we move out of our 1st house, I realize that this home, where we have created so many memories, where we brought home our babies, this place where we have created our family dinners, dyed easter eggs, hung Christmas ornaments, these walls we have laughed between, cried between, yelled between and bounced off of, are ours no longer. I felt a pang of saddness knowing that she would never see these flowers again, something I has chosen just for her, my gift.


On our last day, after all the furniture had been packed up, the last of the boxes moved out, we took one last look around. Madelynn sat next to her flowers, peaceful and happy, she took one last spin infront of her beloved heating vent and to remember it, I took pics and will use them to create another piece of art for her new room, in our new house to create new memories.

Love is....

...Pure Joy when you hear your 3 year old sing her heart out to "Skip, skip, skip to my lou, My Darlin." And her 1 year old sister joins in with squeals and screams with laughter. and you sneak a peak in the rear view mirror to see them holding hands.

I know, I know!!!

Where have we been?

Well, things are hectic on the Flanagan front. Because my husband is stubbornly superstitious, I cannot blog about the latest events. So, here is our stubbornly cute little kids to entertain you, while we pace nervously and cross our fingers and find moving boxes.....

In the setting sun

Happy Birthday Bug!

Dear Norah,

Yesterday you turned 1 year old. You celebrated like a drunken chimpanzee. You have this way of wrapping your left arm snug around my upper arm as I hold you on my hip, tenured at rocking back and forth, up and down and digging your face into my neck when given even the slightest look from a stranger. When you took your first wobbly steps you might as well have had a cocktail in your hand, I wouldn't have noticed the difference. You loved it though.





Having kids really marks the time and makes is seem like its steamrolling by at a record pace. Its amazing to see what can happen in one year with a fresh new soul.






We started out 2006 waiting for you, me with a mighty big belly. One saturday morning, I woke up as any normal day, felt normal and ready to plan the days normal activities. Around lunch, I remember feeling heavy, kinda felt some back pain, nothing crazy. But I do remember walking past the kitchen as your dad was making a gourmet peanut butter and jelly english muffin and I said in passing....I think I'm having contractions. He stopped in his tracks.....REALLY? What do we do? Should we call the doctor? Should we go to the hospital? Do we have a bag packed? What ensued for him for the next few hours was hilarious, he began frantic movement around the house, going from room to room whipping around corners and through doorways, opening cabinets and closets.....not really getting anything accomplished, but at a very steady frantic pace. As I sat on the couch, for me, everything seemed to be moving in slow mothion, to watch him go from room to room with a look of determination and seriousness on is face was hilarious.

We called Grandma and she was down in a flash to watch Madelynn. We organized our bags and made our way to the hospital a few hours later and yes, at that time I finally felt like I was in labor. You arrived very easily later that evening. Crying your lungs out, a fierce fighting cry...the same one you have today.




Throughout the year, I watched your newly focusing eyes look in awe at your older sister, while she played by your side. You smiled with all your might at me at 1 week old. Rolled over at 3 months old. Learned to sit up surrounded by fluffy stuffed animals that Madelynn and I stacked around you to protect you from a fall. Sprouted teeth and learned how to sneak goldfish crackers from snack cups. Pulled yourself up to walk along the couch holding on for dear life. Taught yourself how to give kisses. And boy do you give some good hugs and you have a signature pat on the back that goes with it. Those hugs you give are so special and genuine and it melts my heart every time. In the past few weeks, with much encouragement, you have taken your first steps and I'm sure in no time you will be running and jumping and tearing around here.

So here we are, one year later, on the brink of toddlerhood and everything that goes along with messes and tantrums and giggles and sloppy kisses. I look forward to every new moment with you little one!




We love you Norah Buggaboo,

Mom, Dad, and Madelynn

Full of Bologna.

Madelynn and I are in the bathroom getting ready for the day....

Madelynn: Mom, I want to clean my ears.

Me: Ok, grab some of those Q-tips. Ok good, put each one in your ears, gently.....

Madelynn: Ok. (she sticks one in each ear at the same time, wiggles them around, takes them out and looks at them. Pauses for a moment......) MOM!!!!!! Poop is coming out of my ears!!!!!!!!

She has no idea the pun I could have used to describe that.