An Emu Ate My Camera

So, though it may not be obvious by the photographs, but this was a trip to the zoo. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE animals and took many pictures of them, but I know that most others aren't really interested in the animals, so I posted a bunch of my next favorite subject: Brock.

My sisters and the kiddos drove to Manhattan, KS for a day trip to buy our 2009-10 Planners, eat at The Little Apple Brewery and most importantly, visit Sunset Zoo. All in all, a very pleasant day, if you discount the insane, rabid Emu that was gunning it for my camera because apparently I set it on "his" fence in order to get the timed shot of all of us, which, if I do say so myself, despite being set and taken all in under 15 seconds, came out perfect...

Shae & Ricky

(Soon to be) Shae & Ricky Paradise: August 22nd, 2009

We will be missing their extravagant wedding, while traveling Europe to attend another wedding that same day in Denmark. But we did make it to their couple's shower! Which I am sure, due to the incredible skills of the hostess (Whitney, pictured below) was almost as good as the real deal...

Third Year!

Pathology Club Officers, 2009I am officially a 3rd year medical student! I have passed the step 1 board exams, and taken my final final. I start rotations on September 1st in Internal Medicine. Let the fun begin...

*Revised* 8 Month Olds are Just Like Us...

...they take naps....they enjoy bowling.
...they enjoy a bottle [of wine] every now and then....they have to do the dishes....they like holding a newborn baby.I have always imagined there to be a definite line between a baby, a kid and an adult. I am quickly learning, this line does not exist. I still wonder to myself, as I did when I was little bitty, "when do I officially become an adult?" One would think having a child of their own would do the trick. I still enjoy games and sports and kool-aid and Lucky Charms, but I also love coffee and wine and running a household. And it's not just the line I thought I would cross someday, but I imagined there to be a line for Brock. When will he stop being a baby and become a little kid? In so many ways he has crossed that line, but in so many ways, he never will.

This month, perhaps, brought on the most significant changes in Brock. His crawling really progressed and I don't foresee stalling walking much longer. His curiosity has peaked. He climbs stairs, opens cabinets, and puts everything in his mouth (including a nickel, dime and Reese's). He understands "no" (but doesn't adhere to it) and responds happily and alertly to his name. He greets me standing every morning. He sleeps 11 hours a night 99% of the time. He gives kisses. He holds his own bottle, finally, what a lazy butt. He started out only sitting at the zero entry section of the pool, and now he can climb out at the 18'' wall. He has a favorite toy. He eats crackers, and cereal and this weird, freeze-dried yogurt. You can point to any word in the newspaper and he can read it. No wait, strike out "read" and replace it with "eat". I can't put a finger on it, but he just appears to be thinking more, I guess. During each new stage, I think I don't want Brock to make that next step, because he will grow up and stop being my baby. But each step he makes is so amazing and he is still so completely Brock.

Negligence #2

I walked to TCBY last night with Jamie, a buddy from school. After purchasing my usual, white chocolate moose yogurt with some crumbled Reese's Peanut Butter Cups as a topping, I went outside to sit on the bench while Brock explored on the ground. On this particular evening, the toppings were overflowing (I'm not complaining) and a few spilled out when I dipped in for the first bite. A minute or so later, I look down to find Brock chewing on something! Out of instinct/panic I quickly stuck my finger in his mouth to dig out what ever rock or twig or grass or poison he had acquired only to withdraw a finger covered in chocolate (or so I hoped) and peanut butter. He had found a nugget of Reese's topping and stuck it right in that little, cute mouth of his. At least I now know he doesn't have a peanut allergy.

A Lakehouse full of Ladies!

Molly Mulloy is getting hitched. To celebrate this long anticipated event, one of her bridesmaid's, Jeanie, volunteered her family's lakehouse in the Ozarks for the bachelorhette festivities! What does a group of 17 girls do at a lakehouse for a weekend, you ask? (Well, it isn't tapping a keg well or turning on the water heater, that's for damn sure...) I'll be honest, I hoped to wake up in the bathroom with a tiger. But since that didn't happen, I guess waking up at 7am to Danny Neenan doing dishes is about as close to the impossible as I'm gonna get. And because what happens at bachelorhette parties stays at bachelorhette parties I am just going to let your imagination run wild for this post, but I'll give you a hint: eat, drink and be merry. (Oops, I gave it all away!)

Q: What do you get when you cross...

...a high strung (I like to call it energetic), inquisitive know-it-all with an independent, do-it-yourself engineer? A: Brock.

Happy 26th Birthday to Matt!

We celebrated Matt's Wednesday birthday at his parent's the Sunday before with some excellent homemade chicken spiedini. Matt's mother also made a special surprise: ice cream cone cup cakes! His favorite (unfortunately not pictured).

For the actual day, Brock went over to his Grandpa Smith's while Matt and I stuffed ourselves full at Houston's (where, according to Matt we had our "first date", not so sure I agree...but that is a whole different can of worms.)

Probably shouldn't publicize this, but...

Aren't you proud of yourself?As I surfed the internet, Matt took charge of baby duty. Brock was out and about, exploring the house, when Matt informed me that he was running upstairs and that the baby was in the hallway. After just a moment I peeked in the hallway to check on the little guy, only to find him 3 stairs up and climbing! Finally got the outlets covered...time to bring out the baby gates (or just refrain from being a neglectful parent.)

Housekeeping.

So, the months of May and June just flew by, and were very eventful, but I was stuck in my little cave studying, so here is the scoop:Stephanie Million's baby shower in early May, the twins have since arrived.
The O'Laughlin's had a family reunion-ish weekend here in KC, June 18-20th. I really just ate the great dinners from Jack Stack and Garozzo's while the rest of the family visited the old airport where Grandma Genny O's old flight attendent uniforms is on display.
Staci Schnieders & Robert Reintjes' engagement party, hosted by the Lillig's & Amey's on June 12th.

Graduations

• Sean Gratton - Medical Degree from Georgetown.
• Beth Maggard - Master in Writing from Depaul.
• Claire O'Laughlin - High School now headed to Boston College
• Michael O'Laughlin - 8th Grade now headed to Rockhurst HS
  

Congrats

• Meaghan & Brian Hagenhoff welcomed Henry Peter on June 3rd.
• Stephanie & Brian Million welcomed Molly and Benjamin on June 7th.
• Katie & Ian Gillihan expecting in October
• Kathryn & Andrew Carnahan expecting in November
• Joe & Vanessa Harris expecting in February

And too many birthday, engagements and weddings coming up to even begin listing them...am I missing anyone?

It's only a puncture wound.

Despite a few patches of light rain, the we enjoyed perfect weather for the 4th. Or, perhaps I misspoke, the weather was a bit dreary; the temperature was perfect - in complete contrast to the previous weekend. Thus, we did not have a cranky baby on our hands, he enjoyed his entire first visit to the farm.

Turns out Brock LOVES fireworks (surprise surprise, he loves fart noises, trucks, and just about anything loud in general - such as blenders at Latteland). Anytime a set of ladyfingers went off he quickly turned in the direction of the commotion and smiled and/or laughed, not even the M-80's startled him. Unfortunately, he is on the fast track to taking after the Smith boy's (who, btw, are dead set on obtaining their pyrotechniques licenses' so they can "shoot off some real fireworks"). Perhaps we will not be joining them next year, seeing as I enjoy living.Since finishing up with boards (oh yeah, I took my step 1 exam last week!!) Brock and his cousin Xander have been able to spend a lot of quality time together and are quickly becoming buddies. Xander was so kind as to give Brock a lift - twice.
And, let's not forget, it isn't just the little boys that like to drive around in miniature vehicles...Gramps and Dad do too.
No directly fireworks related injuries this year, but we did have an injury indirectly related to fireworks. Brennan was holding a Roman candle and Porter (being the intelligent bull dog he is, pictured in the background of above photo) decided he wanted to destroy it. Needless to say, he missed the firework and sunk a tooth into Brennan's hand. And by sunk, I mean I am pretty sure I could see a tendon. So, after nearly fainting, a little bit of bottled water, antibacterial cream and surgical tape, Brennan got back to his usual debauchery in no time at all.

We did not stay for the fireworks, but made it back to Kansas City just in time for the Leawood fireworks show. Shoot, you know what? I am a Smith too - I LOVE fireworks!

Oh doorstop, you are so funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvPwCqayrA8

Next Stop: Hoio.

You know what they say: fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Well, shame on me. Bunkerhill ended up being too hot, and too miserable again this year. Not nearly as bad as last Summer, but pretty close if you add in the cranky baby factor. No going back now, we have a AC spoiled baby.
I did thoroughly enjoy the quality family time. And the vacation time away from real life. And the awesome ad hoc white sangria that we created. And playing Catch Phrase with my mother because she is genuinely shocked every time the game piece gets back around to her - kind of amazing & hilarious. And the campfire. Overall, the good evens out with the bad, so it was a fine time. A fine time, indeed.