17 pounds 2 ounces of cuddle.

In some ways, I feel like Liam has been in my life forever. I feel like I know him better than any other human on earth. I have noticed a difference in being home with Liam versus working when Owen was this age. I can look at Liam and know, with almost certainty, when he is tired and will go for a nap, even if he doesn't act it. When I walk into his room in the nights, he quiets when he hears my voice. I honestly don't ever remember Owen doing that. Maybe Owen was just a bit more stubborn?!? Naaah, that can't be it. Liam is a stubborn little 'un, too. I think it really is different with him. Partly because I am home full time, partly because its my second time around with a baby, and partly because Liam is so expressive and social that he makes it easy to get to know him and what he wants. I think it has most to do with that last "partly".

In other ways, it feels like the last 6 months has flown by. I look down at Liam when I am rocking him to sleep and I see that bald, tiny, newborn in my arms ... then I blink ... and I see my still bald, but bigger infant that he has become. And then it happens. He smiles at me with his whole body because he noticed me watching him. He spits that pacifier out and smiles even bigger. And I think about how quickly these 6 months have gone and how, in just 6 more months I'll most likely have a walking, talking, toddler in my arms. I hope he still smiles like that.

So, here we are. Liam is 6 months old today. Fast or slow. Its here. S-I-X months. Wow. He is 17 pounds and 2 ounces of cuddle. I love this little baby so darn much.

Liam loves to watch his brother play. And when Owen shows him attention, Liam's entire face lights up. He reaches out to Owen to grab his shirt, arm, hair...whatever he can. He loves it when Owen comes near him. If Owen talks to him....it is icing on the cake. I love that about him.

Liam can sit for ages, if he wants. But, his favorite thing to do is to roll around on the floor. He will sit for a bit, and then lunge to the floor for some real fun. He is working hard on figuring out how to move around... I think that Owen's days of playing choo choos without Liam destroying the track are numbered.

I enjoy watching my babies interact with each other. Love the snuggles from them both. And love seeing where each day takes us.

This morning, Owen was a big part of the Six Month Scale Photo! He decided to sit on the scale himself. I tired to get him down to his diaper, so I could do a 2 year old version of the photo. He wasn't up for that today. But, I have 5 days yet to work on that. In the meantime, here's Owen's 2 year scale photo, he's donned in Halloween PJs and snacking from a Jingle Jive cup; but, hey, its cute!

Owen was watching us take Liam's photo this morning. That scale is wobbly....as Owen knows only too well...he did pose for 13 of these photos. At one point, it looked like Liam was going to fall, and Owen rushed to help him balance. Is that sweet, or what?

For Owen's 6 month birthday, he got fireworks. How could that be matched for Liam? Snow, of course! What a fun surprise today!

Here's Owen venturing out. I love that his Dad and Pippie (that's what Owen is calling Chippie) are watching from the doorway. I think you can almost see on their faces how very crazy they think I am to bundle these two babies up and head outdoors for photos!

Owen really isn't too sure about the snow. He wouldn't get off of the sidewalk. He did hang out there for about 15 minutes. But, when I asked him if he wanted to go for a walk with me, he replied "Mama, Owen's cold....brrrrr. Inside?" So....no walk.

Liam seemed okay with the snow. He wasn't thrilled about it; but, he was curious and a little more laid back out there than his big brother. We'll see what they both think next year. I think when they can both run around in it, we'll have some serious snow angels in the front yard! Liam isn't very patient when it comes to eating. Owen wasn't either; so, I am kinda used to a baby fussing when you put him in the highchair, instead of wanting solids. But, some foods Liam has decided he really likes and are worth the wait. I think Grammie found one of them.... see that smile?

Garden Veggies, anyone??

The Christmas Story.

Owen realizes Santa left him and baby brother, Liam, some good stuff.He fast-scooted down the stairs.

Wow. Choo-Choos!

Lots of choo-choos!

Daddy, Owen, and Liam explore the goodies left behind in their stockings.

We try to get a good picture of the boys in front of the tree in their fun Christmas PJs. They are both sidetracked by crinkles on the floor.

So, we tried again.

And again.
Then, decide that one of the 20 we took would just have to do...someone can't wait any longer to open pressies.

Did you think I meant Owen?

So, Owen passed out the gifts....

and opened his. and Liam's.

Mom got a picture with her 1st baby, Owen. Happy 2nd Christmas, honey.

And, then a picture with her second baby, Liam. Happy First Christmas, my little sweetheart.

Then, everyone ventured upstairs with the miles and miles of track and the metropolis of buildings that Owen got from everyone for his Thomas the Train set. They re-created the Island of Sodor up there in the playroom.

Owen took a break for some yee-haw.

but, returned to play more choo-choos.

Meanwhile mom and Grammie cooked. Yum. Our friends John and Val came over for dinner. Owen was soooooo excited to see Emma. He doesn't look excited in this picture...but, oh boy, was he excited. They could hear him squealing with delight as they walked to the door! The whole house was laughing at Owen in all of his delight. It was awesome.

John put Daddy to work in the kitchen! It was awesome.

We finally got everything on the table....Pumpkin Mushroom Soup, Beet and Blood Orange Salad, Standing Rib Roast with Cherry Port Sauce, Brussels with Prosciutto, French Onion Bread Pudding, Mashed Potatoes, and brownies with ice cream.

We opened Christmas Crackers, read the trivia, and laughed at the corny jokes. Four people donned their crowns. Daddy was a bit disappointed we didn't have more crown wearing.

Emma wanted to watch some toons...so, the two two year olds snuggled on Owen's chair and watched.

And, that was it. A Merry Christmas was had by all! Really. Even these two...

The End.

Baby's First Christmas Eve

...he doesn't want to miss a moment. Was up at 2:40AM and still wide awake at 3:45 AM.

He is practicing scooting/crawling. I am practicing using my flash for good/better indoor photos. Although the one on one time with him is nice...we can go back to bed now.

Lil Dude, Santa comes TOMORROW.

Merry Christmas

from the Quinlan Family to yours...

...and, the out-takes 'cause they make me laugh more than the 'good' one.

Happy Holidays!

Sarah

The Quinlan Boys

aren't they too cute?

From the Kitchen of Owen Quinlan: Sugary Christmas Cookies

You will need:

1 package Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
1 tbsp flour
1 egg
1/3 cup butter
some water
decorating sugar
icing
lots of patience
high mess-factor tolerance


1. Mix the first 4 ingredients together.

2. Roll out the dough.

3. Cut your cookies. Owen's Tip: If working with your momma...press the shapes really, really fast so that she can't get a single cookie out of the dough. Just keep on going with the snow man, snowflake, and star...mixing them up and making crazy shapes, and eventually, she might let you have your own, seperate dough to keep working with.

4. Once you score your own dough, disregard what your momma is doing and just keep on making cookie shapes.

5. While still cutting out cookies, rolling dough, and then cutting more cookies, your momma might have snuck a batch in the oven. If so, make sure you shout "cookies" when the timer goes off. You might have something that looks like this:

6. If you need more hands than you've got to keep up with the demand, call in reinforcement. Here, my little bro is hanging on the the star cookie cutter for me.

7. Let the few cookies your momma was able to cut and get on the cookie sheet when you were distracted with rolling your own dough cool. Then, its time to decorate them. Start with squirting some icing on as a base.

8. Then, sprinkle some glittery sugar on top.
9. Not enough sugar? Go on, then, pour some more. Just let it go, baby.

9. Got a little icing and sugar on your hands? No prob. That stuff is tasty...
really tasty.

10. Last, but not least, pose for a picture with your 18 cookies that you managed to get out of a package that says it will make 3 dozen.