What's up, buttercup?

Guess what time of year it is? Spring!

What happens during the spring? I rework my GARDEN! Woo-hooooo! My tulips are already emerging and our trees are full of buds.

There's something so invigorating about getting your hands in the dirt, don't you think? This year, at our NEW house (ahem, we have moved), I am looking to completely redo the front landscaping, put in a few raised beds and transplant several perennials. Here's where I need YOUR help: what are some evergreen bushes that can be pruned, remain somewhat small (nothing over three feet high) and have a manageable smell? Boxwoods smell horrible when they are watered (okay mom, you were RIGHT).

Ideas, PLEASE?

In the meantime, here is a little familial inspiration for the kids and I celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
Welcome Spring! Now go plant your potatoes!

Some O'Learyisms . . .

"No big dog! Don't eat me!"
Mary-Elizabeth yelling at the neighbor's barking dog.

"Mom, say 'hi' to over there" as Tobias points to the Dining Room.
"Hi to over there."
Mom! There's no one OVER there!" Funny.

"Tobias! Stop eating the grass!"
"I am a herbivore! Herbivores eat the grass!"
"No you're not. You're an omnivore. Now stop eating the GRASS!"

We love our babies. They keep us on our toes and we are better for it.

A little photo stroll . . .

The Latest and Greatest!

February 27th marked Tobias' 3rd birthday and I couldn't help thinking, "Wow, it went by so quickly!" And so, to commemorate my son's birthday, I thought I'd steal my cousin's idea (Thanks Marla) and take a photo stroll of my "Mister man" . . .

She's Here!

We would like to officially introduce you to the newest member of our family:

Clare Catherine O'Leary!

Clare arrived May 2nd at 11:29am after a long 8 1/2 hours of hard labor. She weighed in at 7 lbs and 9 oz. and was 20.5" long. Several complications for mom ensued following Clare's arrival and now we're all so excited that everyone's healthy!

How did we pick Clare's name? We had been praying for months about it and couldn't mutually agree on a name that reflected our Irish heritage and also honored one of the Faithful that has "gone before us". We also wanted the name to be unique and unpopular in secular and Catholic circles. Tough guidlines, w

e know.

William originally mentioned the name Clare, honoring St. Clare of Assisi, but we couldn't decide on a middle name. We both love St. Gianna, but Gianna has become a popular name among young Catholic families and it isn't Irish. At all. Finally, we decided on Catherine, honoring St. Catherine of Sienna, a personal favorite and considered a "feisty" woman while alive. While Catherine isn't exactly Irish, it is popular in Ireland. So we have Clare Catherine,

bringing together a Franciscan and Dominican!

Clare (or Cawe according to Tobias) was Baptized on June 14th, 2009 at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, KS by Monsignor Thomas Tank. Her Godparents are her aunt and uncle: Susanne and Bill Mahoney! Her cousins, Molly and Meg Mahoney insist that they are Clare's "Godsisters". So cute!

Our Family

We brought Tobias home from the hospital after spending several days in the NICU. Although born at 34 Weeks and 6 days, he weighed in at a whopping 6 pounds 9 ounces and measured 18 3/4". NICU nurses asked us repeatedly if I had gestational diabetes or if our due date was incorrect. Nope and Nope.

Mary-Elizabeth came home two days after her birthday, April 14, 2008. Although she arrived at 38 weeks under some dramatic circumstances, thank goodness her weight and length weren't so dramatic! She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 21 inches long. Perfect!

It's so hard to believe how big they are getting now. Tobias is losing his "babyness" and Mary-Elizabeth is on the brink of Toddlerhood. I was reminded today that once "Baby Girl O'Leary" comes home from the hospital, both children will look so big in comparison. So true! When Mary-Elizabeth was wecomed home Tobias had transformed into a toddler literally overnight.

Our little babies are so big now!

Why didn't someone tell me they grow too fast?