On May 26th, Genesee turned 10 months!! And just like that, we have a crawler!

You know how I’ve described my sister as happy and smiley? Well, don’t let this picture fool you; I’d actually like to retract those earlier statements. Ever since entering the terrible-two-digits, Genesee has exhibited hangry behavior, she gets fussy in her car seat (sometimes crying the whole way home), she’s sort of a buzz-kill during movie nights, and she’s starting to grow weary of unfamiliar faces.

My parents are hoping it’s just a change of mood caused by teething or a growth spurt, but I have my own theory. I believe the timing of her sassiness aligns closely with her reassignment to the basement bedroom, which is why I tend to give her a pass most days. I mean, I remember sleeping all by myself down there… luckily I’ve since graduated to the main floor and someday she will too (although we may need to upgrade to a king-size bed).

39 was so last year. These days, our dad is a new and improved 40-year-old! Because you know what they say: “40 isn’t old if you’re a tree.” Wait… that’s the wrong pep talk for aging gracefully. Let’s try this again…

Dad, listen closely to the trees planted over the hill; they whisper wisdom in the wind:

• Drink plenty of water and seek nourishment from the good things in life
• Be flexible; bend before you break
• Go out on a limb once in a while
• Remember to turn over a new leaf or let some go at times
• Accept the changing seasons
• Stay grounded and connect with your roots
• Stand tall and proud and celebrate each growth ring
• Enjoy the view

Mom surprised Dad with a La Crosse Segway tour!

He’s a natural!

Mom? Not so much.

Here’s dad, heading over the Mississippi River

They made it to the top of the bridge

Cruisin’ through Pettibone Park

Segway Selfie – take 1

Segway Selfie – take 2

Mom eventually got the hang of it!

Silly photo op

40 hasn’t slowed dad down!

Cuties!

Another surprise! Dinner with some of Dad’s besties

Hibachi grill

Yum!

The Shogun gang

Birthday dinner, prepared with love by Grandma

Dad’s lovely gift-opening assistant

The fish cake, with extra buttercream frosting!

Family photo

Help! The cake is on fire!

The birthday dad!

Happy birthday, Dad! Forty sure looks good on you!

Because 7, 8, 9.

Ha! See what I did there? I told a funny joke to distract you from my lapse in posting Genesee’s monthly milestone photos. My only excuse is that I’ve been busy doing life with her, but for what it’s worth, let’s all take a moment to look back through the blur…

In February, Genesee turned 7 months old. I have no recollection of her 7-month accomplishments, but I can tell you she was alive and well and…

…not at all cooperative for that month’s photo shoot.

At Genesee’s 8-month mark, she was more of a pleasure to work with. But only for the photo shoot.

Because by March, Genesee learned how to arch her back and then regularly practiced this new move during diaper changes and car seat buckling sessions. Equally unamusing were the poopy blow-outs she started having that month… it’s just not a cute look. She also became even more resentful of having her nose/mouth/any-part-of-the-face wiped, and she absolutely despised those 2 seconds when a onesie was pulled over her face.

But there were a few impressive events that happened as an 8-month-old; Genesee:

• grew two little teeth
• started to stand up (with assistance)
• could hold her own bottle
• loved eating Puffs
• made major strides in her walker

And then she turned 9 months old!

By the end of April, Genesee learned how to sit up on her own, got really close to crawling, weighed just over 17 lbs (32nd percentile) and measured 27.56 inches tall (45th percentile). Doc said she’s doing great, even though that pesky cough has persisted; we may need to keep an eye on her for asthma or allergies.

Throughout all of these months, Genesee has consistently rejected vegetables, identified Uncle Cory as one of her favorite people, maintained a smiley disposition, and laughed at all my jokes. I’m not sure I could have asked for a better little sidekick.