Buy American?

Obama says we should. But will your next car be a Chrysler? I tell ya, this economy is really good for business...mine.

Hat Trick

I did not put this pink hat on Harry. He did. Very deliberately. He sat down to play with a new toy, saw the hat on the floor, picked it up and then screwed it on his head with complete determination (which was required since it's clearly way too small). The hat stayed on his rather large melon until he went outside to play. Thankfully it fell off.

Rain Drop on Roses...and Toddlers

Nothing says the beginning of sweltering heat like the old backyard sprinkler. Harry was tentative about the contraption, inching closer and closer until he was underneath the cool shower of drops. He loves it each time - until he realizes he's trapped in the quick-moving spray and can't noodle his way to dry land. Then it's tears and a mommy rescue mission.

Charlotte, on the other hand, is way too dignified for this madness, preferring to watch the soggy shenanigans in her sundress and matching hat -- it's this season's infant cruise wear, suitable for afternoons on the Lido deck.

A Fiesta, A Flat and a Duo of Fat Babies

Today we headed to Liam V's house for a birthday Fiesta. He joins our mothers' group's growing rank of two-year-olds. The weather was awesome and the kids had a superb time running amok around the Van Goethem's yard with gooey cupcakes clutched in their hands.

Charlotte, while hardly a cupcake eater yet, had her first picnic "date" with Sam, who is just two days her senior. They faced-off on a blanket and tried to poke each others cheeks.

Lastly, three cheers for Missy, whose tire pump saved me from having to call "roadside assistance" to get my hobbled, one-third deflated stroller back home.

RIP

The tragic death of Freddie Mac interim CFO David Kellermann was cause for me to write a story yesterday for Motley Fool.

Police will likely release information later today that Kellermann hung himself in his basement (details being reported by sources to the local media). How very sad for his family and for Freddie Mac, which as we all know is struggling under the weight of the mortgage collapse and the retention bonus scandal.

A Picnic at the Zoo for Harry -- He's 2!

Yes, yes, more celebrating. And how easy is a picnic at the zoo? We picked an incredible weather day to set up camp on Lion and Tiger Hill. With the help of Harry's grandfather, Jim, and his godmother, Cathy, we hauled what seemed like scores of peanut butter and jelly sand-wiches, juice boxes, animal crackers and YES cupcakes (a panda theme for this round!) to the zoo for an early afternoon toddler lunch.



They came, they saw, they chowed down, and then our guests joined their parents for a little zoo action. Then, I'm sure...naps. The prize for attendance was a home-made tie dye tee-shirt, that Paul and I had a lot of fun making over the last couple weeks. For a while I thought our hands would be permanently stained purple. The kids were super cute in their matching attire (no, there is positively no correlation between the zoo and tie dye, but who's counting).

When we got home we opened some of Harry's awesome presents. Thank you, everyone, for making it such a special day. So Harry, on to year three. I'm going to need at least that much time to recuperate.

Turning Two

As a baptism and Easter weren't enough to keep us busy, Friday kicked off our weekend-long celebration of Harry's second year on Planet Earth. And a big celebration for us it was. As is the tradition of my mothers' group, Harry's toddler (and newborn) friends came over for a play date. I whipped up some lunch for the ladies and my first of too many batches of cupcakes (a Thomas The Tank Engine theme) for the kids. (I swear I am not prepared to see another bowl of butter cream frosting until Charlotte turns one, let alone fondant.)

The kids were totally awesome, sharing Harry's sandbox and trucks and other four-wheeled toys under a super-sunny sky. I think they really know each other. It's great. And when it was time to blow out his first birthday confection, Harry was serenaded by his slightly younger friend Morgan, who not only knows all the words to "Happy Birthday to You" but sang it on pitch and with Harry's name subbed-in at just the right spot. I am not so sure Harry will be able to return the favor. Perhaps he could sing a few bars of "Old MacDonald"...E-I-E-I-O is very festive for a natal day, wouldn't you say?

Eggstraordinary

We kicked off Easter with an early-morning egg hunt, both to entertain Harry, and Charlotte's Godfather's children, who were staying with us for the baptism. Who can resist watching children scurry around looking for plastic eggs filled with the equivalent of toddler crack?
Harry began the morning with jelly beans, a fine breakfast if you're 2. The effects were definitely felt by the middle of church. After each performance by the choir Harry would bellow "more songs!"

We were joined by family and friends for a very nice Easter dinner of lamb and my 2nd annual stab at the "bunny cake," which Harry is still waxing poetic about. When I told Paul that the frosting required three boxes of confectioners sugar and six sticks of butter he rightly proclaimed that this dessert would be a hit with our boy. Solid sugar and fat. Really, what's not to love? We had a great time visiting with family, and heroic acts of gastric stuffing that followed. Speaking of which...time for leftovers!

In God's House

Charlotte was (officially) welcomed into our Church on Saturday night during the Great Easter Vigil. It was a lovely, candle-lit service, focused largely on the seven (!) children being baptized. Charlotte led off the night (the beauty of being at the beginning of the alphabet), dressed in an her Godmother Julie's baptismal gown. It was mended and pressed by my surrogate Godmother, Cynthia, who spent a few tense weeks worrying alongside me...would it fit? would it fit? Stop growing! And it was positively the most beautiful dress I have ever seen, handmade, Julie's mother says, in the Philippines. And Charlotte rocked it, if one can politely do that in church. (pictured above are Charlotte with her Godparents, Julie Dugger and Andrew Stewart).
Our little group packed the pews where Charlotte, as if on cue, rhythmically thumped the hymnal as the choir sang. She was polite and uttered not a squeak when her head was bathed in holy water. We completed the evening with suptuous late-night dinner at Le Bergerie, courtesy Charlotte's grandfather. It could not have been nicer.

Charlotte received many beautiful baptism gift, but the prize for originality goes to her godmother, who extended the Dugger family tradition to Charlotte by giving her a sterling mint julep cup -- which as Kentucky tradition dictates, has the President's initials engraved on the bottom. I'm hoping Julie won't mind if mom borrows this one on occassion -- at least when the ponies are running at the Derby.

Toy Story

Why can't every company be as easy to deal with as a big, money-lovin' toy company? This afternoon I placed two calls. One to Baby Einstein in search of a replacement piano for Charlotte's Musical Motion Jumper. I was ready to give the customer service rep my credit card number when she said the battery-operated part would be sent and shipped, free of charge, today.

So, feeling surprised and lucky, I called Fisher-Price to see if they would let me exchange a bubble mower Harry received for his first birthday. It just came out of the box for a test mow this week. He loves it, but it doesn't work properly -- no bubbles! I saved the box thinking they'd let me send it back for a swap. Two minutes into the call I was told they'd be happy to just send me a new one, no questions asked, no need for a return. nothing strenuous on my end.

So is it me? Am I that charming suddenly? Likely not. Rather these companies figure it's better to keep the money-spending parent happy with their brand, even if it costs them a few bucks. And boy do I appreciate that.

Pretty in Pink

No one dared question Charlie's gender yesterday. She was positively Pepto pink, from head to toe. Makes me recall that scene from "Steel Magnolias" as Julie Roberts describes her upcoming nuptials..."My signature colors are blush and bashful."

Wagons-Ho!

Being two is all about the Daily Obsession. Yesterday Harry was positively fixated on a little blue wagon he (temporarily) poached from our neighborhood park where old toys are left for mass use.

First he took it home (we were unable to pry it from his grip). Then he cried when he couldn't bring it inside the house. Then, after his nap, as we tried to wheel it back to the park, Harry insisted on continuing on, under the train trestle, over to Whole Foods....and back....still holding tightly to the wagon's handle (note that he refused to hold our hands to cross the street, so, crying...we had to lift him and the still-attached wagon across the intersections).

Inside the market, the wagon, as per Harry's instruction, had to be stored under the grocery cart for safe keeping. Then, he wheeled it, full with groceries, back to the park, where, by some miracle, he was willing to relinquish it.

The Greatest Show on Earth

When you're 23-month and change, there is nothing better (not even cupcakes) than having road construction outside your home. It's toddler crack.

After two years of gentle pleading the city agreed to finally give the residents of the 100 block of Commonwealth Avenue....a curb and gutter. We're the only block in the city without one. While I was pregnant with Harry I got a meeting with a few officials. They looked, they poked...they worried the trees might suffer, so they suggested I petition the neighbors. A week later I had baby #1 and well, the curb was hardly on my mind.

Fast forward two years and the city has been in the throes of replacing the sidewalks all over Rosemont and Del Ray...but no plans to give us a curb and gutter. So I made yet another run at the city. This time, they listened, and agreed...this morning the bulldozers and concrete rippers arrived. So thank you Alexandria, we are DELIGHTED that soon we won't be ankle-deep in mud and rainwater every time we cross the street or go out to the car. And an added bonus...tons of trucks to entertain Harry for a week.

Fool Me Once

What a banner week, so reminiscent of my old life. I got a call yesterday afternoon from the editors at Motley Fool, interested in handing me my first assignment. I've contracted with them to be their breaking-news reporter (not a full-time gig, I still have my 3-day-a-week job at the magazine). But I was eager to take on a few more clients and it sounded like a fun challenge. Stress the word "challenge." Financial news is not my first love.

They asked if I could pen a few hundred words on the day's events. Let's see...that would be...the G-20 Summit and the revamped Mark-to-Market guidelines. Together, they managed to push the Dow up over 8000. Ahem. Coughcoughcough...sure, I said....uh....OK. Let's face it, I'm a little rusty. And please don't ask me to explain mark-to-market again, unless I'm drinking. But I got the thing hammered out quickly. Motley is a really good fit for me....they want news with an attitude. Love it! So if you feel so inclined....check out my Foolish endeavor.

What on earth does this have to do with Harry and Charlotte? Nothing. Except maybe now I don't have to feel guilty buying them extra Easter goodies.

Sit-uation

It may have been April Fool's Day, but Charlotte's decision to sit upright, unassisted was no joke. Over the course of two days my little meatball has gone from being slouched over (chest grazing the floor) to a dainty little sitting position. Such poise!

The Write Stuff

It's been two years (!) since I penned a story. I can't even remember what it was, it was that long ago. So it is with great fanfare (for me) that I published a story today -- a profile of wreck hunter David Mearns. He made global headlines last year when he located the Sydney deep in the Indian Ocean. He's a fascinating man, a terrific interview. If you've ever wondered how they find great warships and other vessels lost to the sea (we're talking the likes of Titanic, not your dad's fishing boat), then take a read.

Hannah and Her Sister

Welcome Hannah Grace! The newest Alexandrian made her debut tonight -- much anticipated daughter of Erin and David Thornton, sister to Lucy, new bestest friend of Harry and Charlotte.

Dad says mother and daughter are great (we expected nothing less!). She weighed-in at 8 pounds, 19 inches long and with oodles of dark hair.

Three cheers for Hannah! We know Lucy will make an awesome big sister. She's been copying Harry's sibling notes for months.