BIRTHDAY SEASON!

June is birthday season for us... the following greats celebrate their birthdays this month: Uncle Marky, Auntie Anne, Grandma Patty, Cousin Adrienne, Big Cousin Krista, Auntie Kathy, Grandpa Jim (RIP), and "Auntie" Ellen (the big 4-0 no less), and Daddio himself. Let's add some graduations to this list: Cousin Adrienne, Cousin Andy, "Cousin" Isaiah, and "Auntie" Nell a.k.a. "Auntie" Nellseykins. And, to keep things extra festive, we have our First Ever Father's Day celebration. Woo hoo!

In honor of these great people and their presence in her life, our wee Nannerkins (where do we get these names?) donned her rather impressive Birthday Suit and let the cameras roll. You can't tell, but Daddio and I are SO proud of her physique. Love the baby phat.

Developmentally, our Little Monkey Princess is up to some new tricks. Whilst mama was out getting some physical therapy, baby got hungry so Daddio whipped out the high chair, a jar of baby food and a measuring spoon (the closest thing to a baby spoon he could find). Vanny fans may recall we tried feeding her baby food when she was 4 months old, but she still had the spit-out reflex then, so we backed off. Well! Daddio brought the spoon of food to her mouth and she tasted it, num, num, num, and didn't cry. Second spoonful went to her mouth and Slurrrrrp! she sucked it up like breast milk. Third spoonful came at her and she sceeched, flapped both arms, grabbed the spoon with both hands and pulled food, spoon and both fists into her mouth. After that, it was evident she loves to eat. In fact, she was downright mad when Daddio couldn't supply more food fast enough. The food? Bananas, of course.

Here are photos of VanNestle tasting one of the bright colors on her new bib. Can you see the determination she brings to each task? If you look closely you might see carrots up her nose. Not a lot of tastebuds inside the nose.

We've added the sippy cup and some sign language, too. So far, the sippy cup only has water in it for test driving. The recommendation is to start little babies with up to 3 signs. We've started "eat" but truthfully, Vanessa and mama seem to have that one covered, don't we now.

On Father's Day, Daddio strolled his wee Pit Bull daughter down to our local artisan bakery for some chocolate croissants. Baby Nessa wanted to try... the plate. Did I mention that absolutely everything goes into her mouth now?

Also this week VH1 rolled off the couch while mama was busy in the kitchen. Oops. But Nessa didn't cry, she was laughing about it. Thought it was some kind of new game, maybe. I do play "Physical Therapy" whereby I roll her around by her legs on the bed, but Jack thinks she just landed on her grand noggin and it tickled. (Both of our mothers let us roll off the counter when we were tots. It's a tradition.)

We've been trying to clean up around here. Mama got her hair done for the first time in seven months, we clipped Alley's claws and sponged off her fur, Milo got a bath, Max got a new collar, Chica got new toys, and even Daddio got a spiffy new 'doo. Nessers' hair is now officially the color of Milo's.

Vanessa now "pets" Alley. This involves running her fingers through Alley's fur, grasping it, and pulling it towards her. Since Van weighs three times what Alley weighs, the poor cat has to work hard to get away. In to Nessa's mouth go the hairy fingers, of course. I did catch Vanners looking at Alley and blowing raspberries: I think she was trying to say, "Kitty-kitty-kitty-kitty!" It worked - Alley came over and Nessers let out a monkey screech of delight.