Parakeet

Tricks and Tunes:

• Counting to 10
• Happy Birthday to you (Happy Birthday to Bond)
• Baa Baa Black Sheep
• ABC's
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

What we realized is that Baa Baa Black Sheep, ABC's, and Twinkle Twinkle all have the same tune. She sometimes mixes it up and puts her own words to the same tune... "No, no, no, no...", "Da, da, da, da..."

I have tried numerous times for the past couple of months to capture any of this on camera, and she always seems to know what I'm up to. One time, she was on a roll, but saw me and pronounced "no, mama". Most of the time, she spies the camera, stops, and says cheese ("teese").

Also, the majority of the time she sings Happy Birthday, she is singing it to Bond. If she sees cake or a cupcake or anything birthday related, she dedicates her song to Bond.

I did manage to capture a little singing and chatter on video last week!

Phrases:

They seem to be endless these days, as our little parakeet repeats anything we say or she hears. BUT, I thought I'd record some of my favorites.

Thank you Mama - "danku mama"

Nasty Agua - "nassy awa" (when referring to a mud puddle or Daddy's beer)

Diego, Where are you - "Go-go, way ah you" (name is usually, Daddy, Jesse, Woody, or Diego)

oooh, its cold - "oooh, es code" (and pulls her arms in and shivers)

Oh, hot - "oh, Ot" (and blows on it)

Baby eat - "Bebe Eat" (she's really interested in feeding her cousin Emmet, baby doll, and stuffed animals)

Bless You - "Bess you" (after she or anyone sneezes, coughs, or chokes)

Ooh, Sorry - "Ooh, Sah Eeh" (kind of been obsessive about saying this the past week, used for everything from dropping something, bumping something, or instead of excuse me)

Carlyle's Turn - "Cah Loll Tun" (keeps track of whose turn it is... Jesse's Turn, Zuzu's Turn, etc)

Up There, Over There, In There - "In Deer"

I got you! - "Gotchu [mama]"

Ooh, Heavy - "ooh, Havee" (when picking up something larger or heavy)

Bye Mama, Bye! - Says this when leaving the room, any room, when carrying anything that resembles a bag or purse (or a tiny miniature padlock by the handle)

Pigtails

First successful pigtails! With some practice, I know we can get the hang of it. I realize she looks a little sad, but she's watching Toy Story Storytime on the iPad... the only way she'd stay still that long without swatting at my hands!

Carlyle and Emmet meet again

Emmet was 3 weeks old at this visit, and we are all continually curious to see how Carlyle reacts to him. On this visit, she was very interested in feeding him. "Baby Ettit eat" as she helped hold his bottle. We can only hope she remains this helpful and interested come September!

C hearts yogurt

She rarely turns down yogurt, so it has become a staple in our fridge.

And she insists on feeding herself these days!

Check out those Farrah Fawcett wings and curls.

Woody's Roundup

Dessy, Woody, Me-Mouse, Buzz, & Mercer's Car

We came home from the beach with a light fever. Carlyle continuously had her hand in her mouth for two days, and we discovered about 4 teeth breaking through the gums. Once we got back to Dallas, we went to the doctor and she was diagnosed with strep throat. Makes me wonder if the Peru Crew should all take a week off after our trip just to recooperate. Jane came home with a severe staph infection.

Carlyle came back with strep throat, but she also came back

with a new love for Woody & Jesse after playing with Elle and Liam,

for Lightening McQueen from watching Cars on the iPad on the road, and for Mickey

from watching TV with the other kids at the beach. Justin went to the Disney Store and got Carlyle a sampling of all her favorite friends after we went to our doctor's appointment. I took this photo when I found her giving each of them their medicine after I gave her her antibiotics.

And since she adopted this new posse, she calls roll every morning... "Woody, way ah you?", etc.

Cheese

Carlyle has a new facsination with seeing herself in the camera, and

it started with this little photo session. She started saying

"tease" (cheese) when we get out the camera. I love it, but I don't

recall teaching her that! Maybe she learned it at school?

Dach's hat

Carlyle wearing Dach's hat.

This little girl LOVES her Uncle Dach! Chad and Shauna put these photos together for us to show how much she has grown in a year.

Our Little Fish

I know I've mentioned how Carlyle has been taking swim lessons, but we have now been at it for a whole year (since she was 6 months old). This summer, she has taken off! And she can't get enough of the water.

She repeats, "Mo, mo... weese, weese" (More, More Swim, Swim)

And when she is ready to take the plunge, she says, "Weddy?" and dives in the water. She learned this from her class where we say, "Carlyle, Ready? Go!"

17 Day Roadtrip

The Garrity family embarked on a 17 day roadtrip starting Memorial Day weekend, complete with two weddings, time spent in Natchez, a couple of stops in New Orleans, and a trip to the beach.

Dallas to Natchez, Natchez to New Orleans, New Orleans to Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores to Destin, Destin to New Orleans, New Oreleans to Natchez, Natchez to Dallas (and some where in there, Justin managed to fly back to Dallas for 4 days of work). . . . whew!

Natchez

We started out with a fabulous wedding in Natchez. Chris and Annie were married on a Saturday afternoon out on the Natchez Trace. Carlyle spent the day and night with her Meme (momo) and visited with her cousins. She had a blast!

Carlyle visits with cousins Lida and Presley at Aunt Gail's house.

Carlyle and I spent then spent a week in Natchez. We stayed at Zuzu's house, but Zuzu was in Dallas waiting on our baby nephew's arrival. We managed to fill the days with walks to the coffee shop, picking blueberries in Momo's garden (I wish I had photos to share), swimming in Zuzu's pool, and playing on our indoor playground.

Peru Crew Beach trip

The Jenkins, The Carby's, The Garrity's, The Rountrees

Captures a little bit of everyone's love of the beach. As you can see, Carlyle was not a fan of the sand.

Carlyle and Jane on the beach. More photos coming soon. . .

Emmet Arrives

Welcome to the world, Conrad Clement Barnes IV! The news of Emmet's arrival came on Saturday while we were at the beach. Far away from all the excitement and upset that we couldn't be there to welcome him to the world, we were so happy to hear that everyone was happy and healthy!

For more on Emmet's arrival, click HERE.

Mama's Spa & Beach trip

Laurel and I took an extra couple of days and treated ourselves to a getaway at the beach. Dinners out, shopping, pedicures, and a spa day were just what we needed! Meanwhile, Justin and Phillips entertained the girls in New Orleans. . .

Daddies & Daughters in New Orleans

With trips to the Aquarium and the Audubon Insectarium, they stayed busy and had a great time!

Carlyle has evolved into quite the little parakeet during our travels... more to come on her funny new phrases.

Bathtime Bubbles

Not afraid of water in her face, for sure.

What? All done?

I was so tempted to share her bathtime chatter video, but I'm afraid it may reveal too much baby. I don't want someone to report me.

Around the House

Carlyle enjoys "working" in the kitchen whenever we are working in the kitchen. As I unload the dishwasher, she unloads her favorite drawers. The more mess, the more fun, right?

Impromptu naptime.

She likes to pretend "night night" at any given moment... usually when she can lay down a blanket or pillow or towel. She says, "nigh nigh".

I am hoping this is naturally preparing her for school this summer. She graduates from a crib to a MAT! I am nervous.

Saturday at the Mall

Funny how Carlyle won't hold anyone's hand willingly, but she will hold Avery's hand. They walked the Mall together for a nice long stroll. She ADORES Avery!

Our non-meat-eater decided to devour half a chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A. I'm not sure whether is was Momo's influence OR the butter & salt. I was so proud, I snapped some pictures!

My Grandmothers

Carlyle was lucky enough to have time with both grandmothers last weekend in Dallas. Momo came for a weekend visit, and Zuzu has been moving into to her new condo AND waiting for Baby Barnes to arrive!

A welcome snuggle for Momo. Jeannie swept her up to steal some sugar, and Carlyle gave into the rocking motion.

Several minutes later, and Carlyle almost fell asleep. (she only had a 45 minute nap earlier)

Reading a favorite book, "hat" with Aunt Mamey and Zuzu.

Careful... She will let you read all 56 pages to her.