Tale of Two Sisters & A New Brother

Please keep Ally Heintz's family in your prayers. We heard yesterday that Ally passed away suddenly on Monday morning. Ally was a wonderful little girl that underwent a multiple organ transplant in Pittsburgh in July 07' and was here for over a year. We were lucky (through Nin Nin) to get to know Ally, her mom Jill and sister Ashley and we loved having them in Pittsburgh. Check out Ally's site for pictures of Ally & her sister http://allyheintz.aboutmybaby.com/ or my pictures from June when Ally, Colin, and Jack came to visit http://caileighduffy.aboutmybaby.com/photoalbum/169025/2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAILEIGH!!
Well even though she's not officially 3 until 10:14 p.m., the celebration started on Saturday with her party. Lots of food, friends/family and gifts! Too many gifts -we are very blessed to have such generous friends and family! Caileigh had a great time playing with all her cousins and seeing all her relatives! She was already playing with her Princess boom box, barbies and puzzles!

Yesterday we went swimming at the Y and she jumped in again and again and again and swam to the wall (with the help of a noodle) all by herself! She was very insistent on doing it by herself. Then we made cupcakes for her class and after dinner her dad made a fire and the Rodgers came over for smores! She did get one gift from us yesterday - a cleaning trolley (yes she wanted it!) so she can help do all the house work (she and John were already using it yesterday!).

Tonight we are going to dinner and then more gifts and cake of course!!

More birthday news, we went to Eat & Park last night for dinner and Caileigh got ice cream but wasn't too happy with the man that sang Happy Birthday!! Check out the pictures! More to come of her new rocking chair too!!

Well I've been a busy almost 3 year old lately! More gymnastics on Saturday, planting mums and helping mommy with yard work. Mommy and daddy went away last weekend for their 5th wedding anniversary and I stayed over at Grandma and Grandpa's house and then at Grammy & Pap Pap's house! I didn't want to come home to boring mom & dad!

Just a few more days until my birthday party and I can't wait! In the meantime, I've been doing a really good job wearing underwear to bed every night and staying dry! And my new favorite songs are anything by Laurie ("Lornie") Berkner like "Rocketship Run" or "Baseman in the Basement".

Well Daddy finally took his test so no more studying for a long time - yea!! Daddy took the day off and we went to the Museum and saw lots of really really big dinosaurs & I got to dig for bones and fossils! Then we met Mommy at work for lunch!

I am really getting good at catching and throwing the ball and especially bouncing it! Check out my video!

Another gymnastics post! I couldn't wait all week to go back and this time I did the balance beam all by myself! My daddy took video and will upload it as soon as he figures it out. It was so much fun, Ms. Patti said I did great and had a very good "sequential memory" (whatever that means:) and that I had good agility! All I know is, it was fun!

Then we saw baby Carter, Ms. Heidi, Colin and Corinne. Baby Carter sure is cute but he's really little. Mommy said her baby will be little too!

My first day of gymnastics! I had the best time doing the tumble track, climbing the steps and the walls and doing handstands all by myself! I love gymnastics class!

Then the Ryans came over and we all went to the Irish Festival and saw irish bands play & all kinds of irish wolfhounds! Then all the Ryans slept over but we didn't get alot of sleep ;)!

Wow what a way to end the summer! I had 3 sleepovers this weekend. First I slept over my grandma and grandpa's so they could watch me all day Friday. Then Saturday, Grammy, Pap Pap and Great Pap Pap picked me up and I went to Uncle Bob's house for a cookout. Sunday I went swimming at Pap Pap's house and then Monday we went swimming at our pool for the last time. I was sad b/c I love to swim. Then Jack slept over my house with me so we could go to Aunt Molly's in the morning. I love sleepovers!!

Bye Bye Pool and Summer, I had the best time!!

Today was our last day at the beach so we spent all morning and afternoon in the ocean. It was really windy and the waves were big so Jack and I looked for crabs and shells. Mommy and I wrote everyone's name in the sand and then I did cartwheels in the water!

We even got a chance to swim in the pool and I went under all by myself. Then after dinner we went back to the beach to take lots of pictures. I wore my new necklace that Daddy bought me - its really pretty. Then I had to say goodbye to the ocean, I think we're going back in a couple of weeks :)

Today we celebrated Ryan's birthday even though its not until tomorrow. Aunt Molly made a treasure hunt for everyone and we had to search for buried shark's teeth! Sydney, Lizzy & Jack were on my team and we found the sharks teeth first!! So we all got a bag of candy as a prize!

Then we went back and Ryan opened his presents and we had cake and ice cream - rainbow sherbert again! All the big kids went in the pool at night but mommy and I just dipped our feet in the hot tub for a little while.

Another morning at the ocean and today Mr. Tom made a really really really big castle for all the girls since the boys wouldn't let us use theirs! You should have seen how big it was! I tried to help dig but mostly I just told Mr. Tom what to do next.

I still like the waves but I'm doing really well in the pool. I hold my breath and touch the bottom of the pool and jump in all by myself with my inner tube. Mommy and I have tea parties under water!

Playing with my cousins is lots of fun. We run around the house and hide from each other and the boys play with their dart guns. All the adults like to play volleyball games in the pool. Its always boys vs girls and the girls always always win (ha ha!).

Mommy & Daddy and I went out to dinner and then met our cousins at the playground. Then we all went on the Go Carts and I rode with Daddy. We almost passed Aunt MaryKay! Then Daddy & I got Dippin Dots after and boy was it good!! I'm really having fun on vacation!

More beach fun today! After my nap we went to the ocean and the water was really far out so we could walk and it wasn't too deep. Then I helped big Joe dig a bog hole and build a big sandcastle. Daddy was using the nets to catch fish and crabs but they were too little to bring home so we put them back in the water.

Everyone got up really early in the morning and we headed to the beach by 9:00 a.m. At first I was scared to go in the water so I just helped Sydney and Lizzy build sandcastles and dig holes. But then I started to jump when the waves came and daddy carried me if they got too big- one time the wave went over both of us! It was really really really big. All my cousins rode the waves on boogey boards and my mom said Aunt MaryKay is a fish b/c she never gets out of the water!

Our house is really nice -- all the girls sleep in one room and boys in the other. Sydney or Trinity sleep with me in my bed. Sometimes we stay up late and the boys shoot darts in our room. None of the adults like that too much.

Wow, it sure is hot here in North Carolina!! We made it to our house and even got in early b/c Mr. Tom found a window open that he climbed through (shhh don't tell anyone!). Then we unpacked and I went in the pool with daddy and then took a nap. Then after dinner I went to the beach for the first time - wow! The waves were really big and the sand went on forever! I didn't have my suit on but still got my pants wet! I can't wait to come back tomorrow.

Today we let for the beach !! Finally vacation time is here. Aunt MaryKay came with us in our car and we watched movies on the way to the hotel. We din't drive the whole way, just to Richmond and then went swimming at the hotel and to dinner. Then it was time for bed and more driving - Outer Banks here we come!!

My mom and dad went to the doctor to check on my baby brother or sister today and everything looks good. Doesn't he/she look cute? I think its saying - "i'll just hang out here while you have fun at the beach!" We leave tomorrow!!

We had a relaxing weekend after Trinity's party on Friday and going on the incline with Grandma and Grandpa. Just one more week to the beach and I am already packed!! I can't wait!

This morning we got up early and went over to the Riordans house to play with Seamus and Reagan (http://seamusjohn.aboutmybaby.com/) - they are daddy's friends that live in Chicago. We had breakfast and played with Seamus' toys - his sister is really cute! Seamus too!

And then mommy and I cleaned the bathrooms, did laundry and swept the floors. Some of you think mommy is a slave driver but I like to clean! I get mad when she doesn't let me help. Mommy says its hard work and that's why mommy ends up doing it instead of daddy ;). Then it was off to Aunt Kellys and to the pool with my cousins and a sleepover!

Today we went to Idlewild Park for the first time and had a great time!! We started with Storybook Forest and the best part was getting a lollipop from the Captain of the ship. Then we saw the "little engine that could" (daddy read me that book just last night!) and I stood by it and said "I think I can, I think I can!"
After Storybook Forest we ate lunch and then mommy and I took the train to Raccoon Lagoon (daddy had to walk with the stroller). I wasn't sure about riding the rides but once daddy took me on the turtles I was hooked and rode the dragons, cars and everything else all by myself!
Then it got hot so we went to my favorite place - Soak Zone! I went in the big pool and jumped off the side and could stand in the water by myself. Then I went down the water slides in the kids park. It was a long day and I fell asleep in the stroller on the way out of the park (while daddy got his potato patch fries!). Then we stopped at Chilis for dinner! I think mommy was more tired than I was b/c she went to bed as soon as we got home!!

What a fun day!

I've been a terrible mother, ignoring this site for over a month but with good excuses! Well no more! I'll try to backdate but if I never get to it, here's what the stinker has been up to lately:

combing everyone's hair;
going to the bathroom by herself all the time(as long as you leave her alone!);
wearing her high heels around all the time;
riding the bus with her grandparents;
pouring Guinness beer to all the patrons at the Harp;
entertaining lots of guests staying in the yellow room;
going to vacation Bible school with her cousins;
swimming and jumping in the pool and going under all by herself;
sleepovers at her grandparents houses;
helping her mom with the laundrey and cleaning;
getting ready for her little sister or brother!

Now we're counting down the days until vacation!!

Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers out there but especially to my "cutie pie" daddy! He is the best dad ever and doesn't mind when I sleep right next to him so he only has an inch on the bed! And he makes me great waffles in the morning! I love you daddy!!

Hey check out my video below Daddy took from his new camera!

Keep my Great Grandma Duffy in your prayers, she's been in the hospital and not feeling too good.

Go Pens Go, Go Pens Go!! Daddy bought me a Crosby shirt so I wore it to school (with my underwear) and the Pens won! Daddy said I can't wash it and I have to wear it again on Wednesday!!

Guess what I've been doing for the past few days? Wearing underwear and going on the potty all the time!! I used to just go at school, but now I go at home, at Aunt Kellys and I'm going to go at Aunt Molly's house too! Mommy says I'm doing a great job!

Today all my friends came over to play! Colin, Corinne, Jack (not my cousin) and Ally came over and we played downstairs, ate lunch and then went outside. Ally & I went on the banana swing and she sang some really fun songs! I hope they come back soon!!

Well its been awhile since we updated this site so you'll have to read to catch up!

What a busy Memorial Day weekend! The weather was finally nice - mommy had friends in from New York so I went and stayed the night at Aunt Kelly's house. Then the next day we had a picnic at Aunt Kelly's and played volleyball. Monday we planted flowers and went to the pool! It was really cold but I liked it and even went on the slide by myself!! I went under water too but I'm not sure I liked it too much!

Well my mommy and daddy left the camera out on the new swing set in the rain so we may not have alot of pictures to share this month.

On a good note - Go Penguins!!

This week I'm 'reading' all new books like Green Eggs & Ham, Go Dog Go, Sleeping Beauty and the Foot Book. I love to read!

Happy Mother's Day ! I did my third Race for the Cure today with all my cousins, aunts, uncles and friends (like Nin Nin, Miss Suzy, Mr Tom and Lizzy!) I got my fingernails painted green, we had donuts, yogurt, cookies and I met Ronald McDonald and Steely McBeam (although I didn't like either one!).

Daddy and me got mommy a memorial bench for baby Stephen - I can't wait to put it outside with my flowers!

Daddy and I slept in until 9:00 today - I was really tired after Joey's party last night. Then mommy & I went to nd then mommy & I went to the cemetary to take flowers to Grandma Burke for Mother's Day & then we got flowers for my flower box. We couldn't plant them b/c it was raining. Maybe tomorrow!

Mommy and daddy went to the Penguin game today - go Pens! so Grandma and Grandpa came over to watch me. My eyes and head have been really itchy b/c of all the "stuff" flying around in the air. My dad gives me medicine at night so that helps me not scratch.

Guess what - I've been going to sleep by myself and staying in my bed all night! I keep putting more stickers on my chart every morning!

AND, I've been reading my favorite books--"Are you my mother?" and "City Mouse, Country Mouse" every night all by myself!

Yay! The swing set is up! Thanks to daddy, uncle Joe, uncle Jason, Bill, Grandpa and Dr. Kaufmann for helping! I love the swings and can climb up the wall all by myself!

Boy what a busy weekend!
On Saturday, mommy and I did the Big Blue Quest Race at North Park to raise money for Colon Cancer. Mommy's friend Ms. Gelsina is a survivor! At first I was really shy and poor Ms. Gelsina had to carry me half of the race but once I ate a muffin, boy I was ready to run. Check out me in the big colon!!

Then Sunday, daddy worked really hard to get the deck and the grille ready and we had a birthday party for Aunt Mary Kay, Uncle Joe & Aunt Kelly! We had lots of fun and all the kids (and Aunt Mary Kay) were climbing our trees! Even the Rodgers came over for cake and ice cream! I was tired when I went to bed on Sunday.

We love and miss you Stephen. We know heaven is a much better place with you there. :)

What a weekend! My cousins slept over all weekend and boy did we have fun! We had pizza Friday night and played outside all day Saturday. Then we went to Aunt Molly's for a party and played outside some more. I like having my cousins sleep over.

When mommy was getting ready for work, I read "Brown Bear Brown Bear" to my "kids" - my mom posted a picture - do you think I'll be a teacher?!

Yay! Its finally getting nice outside. Only a few more weeks and daddy will put up my swing set - I can't wait!

Tonite Aunt Kelly had a party for Uncle Joe (he's 40!) so Trinity, Joey, Sydney, Jack and Patrick slept over in my room! We stayed up late and mommy made us pancakes in the morning. Daddy slept in because he stayed out really late at Uncle Joe's party!

I got to go into work with mommy this morning and I saw Nin Nin, Miss Carrie, Mr. Tony and all mommy's friends! But Ms. Gelsina and Ms. Eileen weren't there so I'll have to come back and see them soon!

Happy Easter! What a day!

The easter bunny came to our house and brought me a Mickey Mouse swimming suit, swim towel a swim tote bag and lots of other toys! Then we went to mass at St. James in Sewickley and what a great mass it was -the choir was great! Next to Aunt Mollys for brunch and easter egg hunt (thanks Aunt MaryKay! - candy, bible book and bubbles).
Finally back home and dinner with Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Linda and Great Grandma! I got a huge basket of toys, candy and money from Grandma and Grandpa!

Boy was I tired! I hope everyone had a great Easter and lets hope spring comes soon!!