Milestone

I can be serious or I can be smiley. I am not very wordy (in speech or in writing) but I AM 6 MONTHS OLD today. That's all I wanted to say.
Lili

I am Happy!!!

This is one of Miki's favorite declarations. But today, I am happy too. I guess my parents have not forgotten about me after all. We had a great day at the beach. But especially the Mikster and I. I ran in and out of the water, chased tennis balls and even pretended I could swim ( I know it is in my genes I just have not accessed that part of my brain yet). Miki got a set of beach toys and he also enjoyed jumping into the waves. Again. And again. And again. Lili was content for the most part, playing with a blanket. She did show off her chubby legs but I don't think she is really into the strutting her stuff at the beach. Yet. The parents, well they liked it too, although seeing them lugging 2 children, all their belongings, myself (of course tugging at the leash) and lunch out to the beach made me happy to be a dog.
Lexi

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, (and future mothers)!!!!

Success!!!!

Warning- for those who are not parents of toddlers, this may be a bit graphic.
So we have had a major breakthrough tonight- that is- a poop in the potty(not in the bathtub as Mikael thinks the picture suggests)!!!! As some of you may know, we started hard core toilet training 2 weekends ago ( this meant we basically decided Miki was ready and took off his diapers). He caught on to the pee part pretty much after one day, with occasional accidents the first weekend, and only one accident this whole week. The #2 was another matter, and somehow he always just disappeared at the key moment. Tonight, once again he disappeared for what seems like only a couple of minutes and then reappeared and said 'I poopooed in the potty!!'. Somewhat dubious, Mikael and I went to check and sure enough, there was a very impressive specimen right where he told us it would be. He right away asked for his turtle toy ( which we bought last weekend but he was not allowed to open until this momentous event took place). That's him in the tub with the crab (Miki), the starfish (dada), and the big turtle (Mama, since it has the baby inside- as it was pointed out to us). Yeay Miki!!!! Or as he likes to say woo hoo!

What about me?

Yes, what about me? I have been a loyal member of this family for over 4 years now, but I am not sure most of you even know that. When I arrived I was THE baby of the family. I got to go to the park every weekend (and I mean real green space, not under a bench at the playground), I got to play in the snow ( Rome- what snow?), I got to go to the doggy beach, I received plenty of petting and attention from my admiring parents. Then along came this thing called Miki, a real baby or something. This was an adjustment but I still got to go plenty to the DC Arboretum (even though dogs are not allowed) and I got to play in the back yard. Then we moved to Rome. Initially this was great because we had no car, so there was lots of walking about. But then again, the Mama's tummy started to get big and I suspected it was not just the pasta she was eating. And yes, I was right, along came ANOTHER baby, Lili, and this has put almost a complete end to my walking with the family. Yes, I pull the leash, making it virtually impossible for one person to have the baby in the Bjorn, push the stroller and walk me, but come on, I am EXCITED when there is finally a true family outing. OK, I still get pet, I get plenty of early morning and late evening exercise, but it is just not the same. I HAVE gotten to go on some fun trips (I have been to Umbria, the Amalfi coast and a recent little jaunt to the former eastern bloc). Some say this is just due to poor planning on my parents' part, but I take it as a sign of love. Although on this last trip I was exposed to some serious danger called Nero (a german shepherd-rottweiler mix). Luckily, my usual docile and submissive personality reassured him of his manly manliness (not!) and all was fine- see picture above.

Of course the saving grace(s) in all this, aside from the fact that I know my family loves me, come by the name of Kathy, Patrick and Tomo. They know how to have fun!!! When they come over, I know I am about to have the time of my life running at the dogpark, chasing balls in the garden, or taking a bath in water fountains! Plus I always manage an extra meal. Unfortunately, I only have a picture of my buddy Tomo (again, another example of my parents' obsession with nothing but their REAL children, forget photographing MY friends).

That's ok, I love them all the same, I just needed to vent a bit.

Thanks for listening.

Lexi

Budapest?

Chasing chickens at my uncle's house...

Rajzoljunk!

Well, after a month delay, I am finally determined to post something. We did have a great trip to Budapest during Easter, although aside from the new faces or a random piece of furniture on a picture here or there, you will certainly not be able to tell that we were anywhere but home. Visiting family with a baby, a toddler and a dog (yes, Lexi came) means 2 things- lots and lots of food and no sightseeing. Regardless, we had a great time, stayed with Mami ( my grandmother- the proud 88 year-old great grandmother of 2) and visited with lots of aunts and uncles and cousins. Miki loved all the attention of course, and Lili was her usual happy self. Mikael sat around a lot (I suppose a lot is a relative term- that is, when he was not busy eating, drinking, running after 2 kids and walking the dog), soaking in all the hungarian he could. I, as well, ate my fare share of food (especially Mami's kalacs (chainbread) with ringlolekvar (sort of like plum preserves) from a tree in her front yard.

Amongst many firsts for the children, there was also a first for us- thanks to my cousin Krisztian- Mikael and I had a night out without the kids (while Mami and my aunt Eva graciously babyset) and we went to see a play.