Max's Scratches

We are getting a new couch soon and knowing Max's affinity to stretch his toes on the sturdy structure of a big piece of furniture, we have been trying to train our cat to use other sources to satisfy his clawing urges. We've been giving him treats whenever he scratches on acceptable posts and we have a squirt bottle ready to fire should he choose something not appropriate. The only problem is that we don't have much right now that's not okay to claw on, so he hasn't gotten many doses of streaming water attacking him, and whenever he does claw something he shouldn't, he just flops over in a furry heap before we can negatively reinforce that bad-cat behavior.

In the picture above, Max is relaxing on the edge of his very own emery board, given to him by my mom. (Thanks, Mama!) It's specifically designed to help keep those sharp claws in a little duller shape. We also have a special pair of little kitty-claw scissors to trim those pointy daggers--and that's always a fun process we're still trying to master! No matter how much Max enjoys a good grooming session though, I wouldn't have thought he would be so happy to have an emery board or that he would even use it! He doesn't know the emery board's true purpose, you see. He thinks the texture is just awesome and that it has the amazing, magical ability to produce cat nip! He and the emery board are now quite good friends.

,,,,
Dawn

Hair Raising

This is what happened after Nathan went rolling and bouncing off the walls, couches, and carpet.

I patted and smoothed down the static-infused hair and then...


...this is what happened right after that.

Luckily,
Auntie Dawn

Justin's Slumber Shoot

During one of Justin's many naps, his mama dressed him in some adorable stripes and we positioned him carefully so I could photograph my newest nephew in all his pliable, cuddly cuteness.

Happily, he treated us with a smile! I like to think he smiled because of me, but I know better. However, I most definitely smiled because of him.


Justin's profile is much like his brother's was two years ago...just adorable.


Justin's lips look like a kiss. Or could he possibly have been dreaming of lemonade?

I can't help but nudge in as close as I possibly can to his darling features until I can no longer keep focus. He's just so sweet. Sleep, little boy. Don't mind me.

Will his hurricane-like, swirly cowlick remain? I'll keep checking.

And then he awoke. Hello there, baby! Maybe he heard my one hundredth-or-so shutter click.

Click, click!
Auntie Dawn

Justin's Birth Day

Here he is--Gayle and Mike's highly anticipated second baby boy, Justin Donald James Warren, born Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 5:46 AM. I'm so grateful I got to be present at his birth! Thanks, Gayle and Mike, and congratulations!

After a rough night of contractions, Gayle pushed out a healthy, beautiful baby boy with a hearty set of lungs.

All hands were on deck as I hovered near by to capture his first few moments of breathing in air through those lungs. He arrived at a whopping 9 pounds, 1 ounce and he measured up to a length of 20 inches long. I love his scrunched up face.

He and Nathan both have their daddy's mouth!

To see Nathan's "birth day" pictures to compare, click here: http://picturedawn.blogspot.com/2008/03/nathan-michael-martin-warren.html

Pretty similar, eh? But the more you hang around them, the more different they seem! It's pretty remarkable!

And this new little guy has his daddy's eyes and nose, too! I think he just might be an exact replica.

My sister seemed to be in heaven once she had her baby in her arms at long last. They bonded beautifully.

His little profile is pretty adorable, I think.

Here's my mama, affectionately known as, "Gee-Gee", (that's a "g" as in "green" and rhymes with "key") with her new grandson. She's so happy and proud!

And here's "Poppy" with his grandson! Oh, the potential in this boy! They'll be riding tractors together very soon, I'm sure!

He's so precious. I can't wait to get to know him better. Right now, I feel like I don't know much; only that I love him. One thing is for sure, he will feel the love from many.

Look at those dark eyes. What a handsome fellow.

That morning, I enjoyed a hot cocoa with sprinkles, in Justin's honor, of course. Happy Birthday, Justin!

Love Always,

Auntie Dawn

Drawn

Kurt's been an artist for as long as I've known him, but he's never drawn me before. He's always said it's harder to draw girls, and that he doesn't want to offend girls with his artistic depiction of them. I guess after nine-and-a-half years of being in a relationship together, we've come to a pivotal point where it's safe to draw me. Well, I love this sidewalk chalk drawing of us! Thanks, Kurtis!

drawn to him, too,
Dawn

The Joys of "Cold-Cold"

The moment we stepped inside of Cold Stone Creamery last November, Nathan was audibly giddy. "Cold-cold!" he cried, darting up to the display glass. His eyes were large with amazement at the colorful assortment of flavors, twinkling and shining like a treasure trove, sitting there waiting for him, quite brilliantly at Nathan's eye-level, and he giggled as he pressed his face against the glass. His daddy followed him, wiping up the drool left in Nathan's wake.

It was a riot! We chuckled at Nathan's charming antics. He was only illustrating the emotions we all feel for ice cream--the anticipation of the creamy, cold, exploding flavors livening up our spirits--only we've learned to control those outbursts and we don't show our true exuberance so readily. But I truly was just as happy to have my pumpkin flavored ice cream with graham cracker mushed up inside with whipped cream on top. Although, I wouldn't have enjoyed my cup of pumpkin goodness nearly as much if it weren't for my nephew.

Thanks, pumpkin!
Dawn

Keri and Matt

Keri and Matt are in love.


Keri and Matt are engaged.

Keri and Matt are stunning.

Keri and Matt are happy.

Keri and Matt like to share.

Keri and Matt are colorful.

Keri and Matt are a good match.

Keri and Matt are funny.

Keri and Matt are lovely.

Keri and Matt, congratulations.

Love,

Dawn