Caroline was a delight to be with today, as long as she was getting her way. It was a busy day. She attended a Christening brunch and then the 2nd birthday party of her playgroup buds Annie and Ellie.

Maybe it was the late night on Friday. Maybe it's that she'll be two in a few short weeks. Maybe she is possessed of a demon from the darkest bowels of hell. I know not what has caused the latest change in our wee one, but it sure ain't pretty. Today she fought us and screamed and yelled and refused to wear clothes and screamed more and removed her shoes in WalMart and made a dining experience at an already downscale establishment even less appealing with her wails and climbing and attempts to drink honey mustard sauce.

Caroline partied with Mikey and Bobby Davignon and their fabulous babysitter Ruth Anne while we parents went to the school's end of the year bash. Here I am with friends Camille and Krista. (We neglected to get a shot of Caroline, so all you get is a shot of me.) When we got back to chez Davignon at 10:30, the boys were both fast asleep, but Caroline was wide awake. By the time we got her home, she was nice and overtired and didn't sleep until about 11:30.

Cheryl finished her last classwork yesterday, so she'll be a much larger part of our adventures until she starts working at the beginning of June. The weather was gray, chilly and rainy most of the day, so it was a perfect time for a trip to the mall to find Cheryl a dress for the end of the school year party later this week. This picture has nothing to do with that trip, but it was taken today.


The subtle product placement helps us maintain our lavish lifestyle.

After eating like a normal hungry toddler for the past few days, Caroline is reverting to her old ways this morning. She ate a fraction of her cheerios before pushing the bowl away and demanding croutons. She's eaten about 10 so far.

Caroline went back to Bobby and Mikey's for a bit last night. It was all fun and games and spinning until a wayward door clocked her. Then, not so fun.

Caroline and I went to a cookout at Mikey and Bobby's house. Caroline actually ate 1/4 of a hamburger and a half slice of cheese, while I ate 2 and 3/4 hamburgers and 3 and 1/2 slices of cheese.

This morning the whole family went to Callie's 2nd birthday party in Miller Park. Caroline enjoyed negotiating the stone steps, playing in the portable ball pit, and snacking on some tasty treats with gal pal Emma.

We left her strapped in her booster seat for 6 hours today.

We went to eat this evening with Emma and her parents. The girls had a great time running up and down the sidewalk after we pumped them full of dessert from Baskin Robbins.

Caroline received a singing bunny in the mail today from Grandma Libby. We thank her on Caroline's behalf.

To make herself comfortable, Caroline removed her pants, slipped into one shoe, and put my hat on backwards before continuing on her quest to disorganize everything in the living room.

Caroline's crankiness yesterday was explained this morning. She woke up earlier than usual, very upset, and yelling ow while clutching her neck on the right side. An early morning trip to Dr. Kribbs confirmed our suspicion of an ear infection. Following a dose of ibuprofen and antibiotics this afternoon, Caroline regained most of her rambunctiousness just in time to make dinner with Emma and her parents quite an adventure.

Caroline was inexplicably whiny and demanding for much of the day, nearly driving Cheryl to medicate in the few hours they spent together. At the park, however, Caroline had a great time with her bud Emma, as they practiced their dangerous bleacher running, played with dirty discarded cups and straws, nearly picked plenty of poison ivy, and tried a bit of soccer too.





And then there's the hugs.

Caroline, on the baseball field, at the park.

For the first time in a long while, our picky little eater actually ate some of the same dinner food that Cheryl and I dined on. I'd been tired of making a plate for Caroline only to have it rejected without even sampling it. But tonight, she ate quite a few pieces of a turkey burger and steak fries before insisting on the her default dinner of cheese pieces. Perhaps she will hit a respectable weight by her second birthday...

Caroline joined Aaron, Bobby and Michael at a kids carnival today. This picture pretty much captures their level of excitement. I don't think there will be a visit next year.

After a good late afternoon walk, Caroline ate like a champ and is settling down for a long rest.

Because it's way too sunny and warm outside, we're hanging out indoors, reading books and playing with blocks.

Before playgroup, Caroline did her best to dedandelion our lawn. She was back to her normal destructive self today.

Caroline seems to be feeling much better today, although she was prescribed her first inhaler at the doctor yesterday for some cold-related wheezing. Although she's still coughing a bit, she seems to be breathing easily in spite of the disgusting phlegminess.

In development news, our girl has started singing along to songs in tune. Clearly she has inherited my fabulous pipes in more ways than one.

Caroline is most definitely ill, and not handling it well (much like her dad). She had trouble breathing all day, her cough sounds just horrible, and she was burning up between doses of tylenol. Her heartbreaking whining convinced us to allow her to stay with us on the couch well past her bedtime, but eventually she gave in to sleep around 9:30pm. Hopefully she'll sleep well and get a bit better; otherwise, there may be a call to her doctor in the morning.

Other than a bit lethargic, Caroline seemed OK before attending Matthew's 2nd birthday party this morning. However, following her afternoon nap, she became increasingly clingy, developed a nasty cough, and felt like she had a fever. The playgroup park trip did not disappoint.