Son, You're Raisin' Her Right

So, this post needs to be pre-faced with a story. Almost two years ago now, Mitch and I had the opportunity to take Gabriel and John Mark who were then 4 and 2 to a Univ. of Georgia vs. Ga Tech game. It was a very cold and rainy game and I was praising the Lord that our seats were under the overhang and we were dry. The boys were very bundled up - puffy down jackets (think kid in A Christmas Story), gloves, hats, etc.

Right around kick-off, after the trumpeter in the corner does his bit and they play the fight song for GA and all, a little old man who looked eerily like KFC's Colonel Sanders, tapped Mitch on the shoulder and with tears in his eyes told Mitch in reference to toddlers on our laps, "Son, you're raisin' 'em right."

So, flashing forward a few years and we witness Libby Kate "watching" her first UGA game this past Sat. night (UGA vs. Alabama). While, not yet at the stadium and definitely not even watching it, she was in attendance in her living room with mom, dad, and Aunt Memuph helping cheer the dawgs to victory.

Even though it is hard to find UGA themed attire for people only 10 days old, Libby Kate was sporting her UGA socks for the occassion.

Shawn, Katie, you would make Colonel-Sanders-man very proud indeed. Certainly not sparing any tears for you, I am sure he would pronounce: "Son, You're raisin' her right."

Meeting our new Cousin

So, Mitch and I are are now "Uncle and Aunt." Everytime I would say or think "I am an Aunt" I would immediately hear Dolly Parton's character in Steel Magnolias, Truvy's exclaimation, "I'm a ch-a-a-a-i-i-n!" (upon the opening of her second hair salon - my female readership will recall and understand fully) running through my mind. "I'm an A -a-a-a-u-u-u-n-t!" It is safe to assume Mitch did not have a similar experience.

The boys, including Mitch, loved meeting Libby Kate for the first time; as evidenced by the following photos:

Gabriel, as you can see is now an official Snaggle-tooth. I think he was displaying that for Aunt Memuph and Libby Kate during this shot. He is missing his top and bottom two middle teeth.

In honor of the occassion, our friend, Miss Shannon, has taught them all the song "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." They love it and sing it all the time. Espcially John Mark who sings it with much inflection and range.

John Mark is not snaggle-tooth yet, but he is, like his Aunt Katie, the most photogenic Jolly. He was impressed with Libby Kate but was excited to go to Papa's house where he knew golf in the front yard and M & M's awaited him. Gabriel kept oooohing and aaahing her. John Mark would kiss and admire her and then run along and do something else for a bit.

Daniel too has all of his teeth as evidenced here. He will not be losing them anytime soon unless they get knocked out during one of his multiple feats of climbing prowess. He too admired and loved on Libby Kate, but found equal joy in hiding behind the couch.

It wasn't long before his brothers joined in and Memuph caught them in the act. The photo below is equivalent to a "Jolly Jack in the Box-Behind the Couch Edition"

Bless Libby Kate's heart to be growing up alongside these three!

Introducing . . .

Libby Kate Parnell

Daughter of "Uncle" Shawn and "Aunt" Katie Parnell

Born Sept. 13, 2007 at 10:13 am

8 lbs. 5 oz

21 inches long

The boys' first cousin and our first niece on the "Masisak" side of the family was born this week and we all couldn't be happier. Her birth was FAST and Katie made it look "oh-so-easy." Katie and Shawn did a great job. She is beautiful and was so very alert that first day!

Her aunts Jennifer and Meredith were there to welcome her in her first moments. It was amazing to see her be born. I am just thankful I was there to see her be born. I almost didn't make it.

Katie was induced at midnight as the 12th turned into the 13th. I figured with an inducement, it might take awhile. My plan was to leave Rome at 7:30 am and get to the birthing center in Chattanooga "in plenty of time." I left home at 7:45 and as I was driving onto the on-ramp for I-75 and Highway 53 in Calhoun, I get a call saying she was at a 9.5 and I better get there. I put on my "flashers" and sped (literally) down the interstate. Praise the Lord I didn't see a single cop! I made it though, with barely an hour to spare!

Mom, Dad, and baby are at home in LaFayette now. Gabriel said Libby Kate must be glad because "she probably didn't like the hospital with all those lights and beeps. She probably couldn't sleep."

Welcome to the world Libby Kate. Sweet dreams in your new home. You are spared the dreaded beeps and lights. At least until your cousins come to visit!

One of Life's Milestones

So, our beloved Memuph (pictured here on the left with Miss Kate from our office, circa 2006 YFC trip to Savannah) is moving to New York City and the boys are none too pleased. They have let me know countless times that it "is not fair." And they demand to know why "Memuph wants to move so far from her woobies."

While Daddy was away in Dubai, we went to see Memuph for one last (?) hoorah in her ATL apartment. We did many fun things like eat ice cream at bedtime outside, go swimming (in her other apt. complex pool since hers was closed on Labor Day (what !?) and experience one of life in this century and culture's milestones: stumbling upon a "Pride Event" in progress.

We took the boys for an innocent jaunt through Piedmont Park. Our intention was to play on the playground, take a walk, feed the ducks, etc. We drove the boys about 25 minutes to get there, during which time they were very anxious to arrive and play. As we neared the venue and kept driving around looking for a parking space, we got the "feeling" from astute observation that there was an event taking place in said park due to the sheer number of people trying to enter it.

After further observation, I said, "Memuph, I think there is a black gay-pride event going on here." But alas, we had committed. We were here. The boys were here. The playground and ducks were here. We were going to the park and what looked like a black gay-pride event, called "Ladies in the Night."

And sure enough, that is what it was. So, we did not feed the ducks because that is where the DJ was for the dance party. We played on the playground, but only after we had to wait on the swings for some fully grown, adult, shall we say, event-attenders, to finish swinging.

And needless to say, we did not stay long. I am so thankful that they didn't seem to "notice anything."

And the fact that we like to sing and dance to "Dancing Queen" by ABBA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GFpMb0sOaw means nothing. NOTHING! I say.

Mitch hates that they know (groan) and like (gasp!) that song. But then again, I hate that they can sing "Ice, Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice with him.

So I guess we are even.