Hail to the Chief

So it's been a while since the DN has posted... These past few months have been difficult, and the DN is very grateful to have emerged with the help and strength of friends and family.

But enough of that. The DN is back, and, in the event that we still have any readers left (Guldes?), we hope to improve upon our posting frequency.

This isn't quite The Inauguration, but it is as close as I got, and it was a damn good time. My friend Kathy and I went to Grant Park on Election Night to party with Oprah and the President-Elect, and about 2 million other happy Chicagoans. It was really awesome.

Happy Birthday Gert.

We are pretty sure that Gertrude turned three years old the other day (the good people at the Detroit Humane Society were a bit sketchy about the circumstances of her birth). But the Donoghues don't need much of an excuse to bake chocolate cupcakes and don party hats. So this weekend, Charlie put on his apron and helped mommy make cupcakes. He insisted on breaking the eggs himself (check out the raw egg disaster on the granite countertop), and was very proud of the tasty cupcakes. Happy birthday Gert -- you are a good dog.

Hooray!

The other day we came home to find this happy message on our chalkboard. Auntie Sadie and Uncle Dave are due in the spring and we could not be more thrilled!

High Fashion in the Target Parking Lot

Charlie proudly models the must-have toddler accessory of the season: ladybug sunglasses.

Ruthie's latest trick -- the baby push-up

Crab Cake

Chicky-Butt

Pretty Ruthie

Happy Fake St. Patrick's Day

My camera was in the shop over St. Patrick's Day, so the kiddies got to celebrate their Irish heritage once more so momma could take pictures. The fake-holiday photo shoot has become a minor tradition in the Donoghue household. Witness the photos I took of Charlie in his Christmas bear sweater a few weeks ago, and the fake-Easter photos I have yet to take.

17 Weeks Old

Tuesday at the park

Hooray! The park down the street at Horace Mann has re-opened, and spring is finally (almost) here.

Lovin' me some Shamrock shake

Every year around this time I get all nostalgic for Shamrock shakes. I don't even like shakes, but something about the minty goodness of a Shamrock shake does it for me. And so the other day I was enjoying a tasty Shamrock shake in the nursery. You-know-who burst in, found it, and slurped it down. I went back to the drive-through three days later for another, and -- addict-style -- hid from my son so I wouldn't have to share. Does that make me a bad mom? Perhaps.

In the backyard --

-- Nana and Ruthie snuggle while Charlie stares at himself in the skanky reflection pool in the sandbox.

Welcome, Spring!

Spring has arrived, which -- in Chicago -- means more snow. Gert and Charlie make the best of it.

Taking the new big-boy trike out for a spin

Happy Baby on Playmat

Lil' Chemist

The other day I caught Charlie playing with -- of all things -- parts from my pump. That's right. My pump. He very carefully poured his clementine slices from one bottle to another with such studiousness and precision that I didn't have the heart to stop him.

Fun with Post-It Flags

A naughty two-year old broke into his mama's office supplies, found these fun, colorful post-it flags, and promptly decorated his baby sister with them as she got a bath from Nana. Ruthie was a good sport throughout her bath, but lost her good humor toward the end.

Charlie and Ruthie at CPK

Big Boy Haircut

Charlie bravely stood up in the yellow car and held onto Lambie tight while the nice lady snipped away at his blonde hair and gave him a sweet little boy haircut. We celebrated the big event at California Pizza Kitchen, then drove home in the snowstorm just in time for his nap.