Okay, let me begin with something hysterical that happened today, then I'll get you caught up on the exciting events of the past several days. So, today was our weekly trip to Whole Foods. We strapped Josie on and off we went. The produce section was first and after picking up some new fruits & veggies for Josie to try this week, Lou & I decided on a bag of pre-cut and cleaned green beans. I went to put them into the cart, but Josie had ahold of them. I tried to take them away, but she let out a loud yelp so I quickly gave them back to her. Long story short, she carried that bag of green beans for an hour - all the way through the store. I tried to snatch them a couple of times, without much success, so I knew I was in for it when we arrived at the checkout. I waited until it was near the end and handed the beans to the girl who scanned them and tossed them in the pile to be bagged, Josie let out quite a scream, so I handed her back the beans - instant satisfaction. So we headed to the car, and Josie still wouldn't drop the beans. So, that's when taking this photo was in order:
Then we got into the car & I swapped out the beans for her giraffe, but that didn't work either. So I tossed the beans back into her carseat and she was all smiles again. Then we brought her upstairs. Time to put the groceries away - but not the beans. (My mom can attest to a crying Josie in the background when I took the beans away.) Then, it was time for Josie to eat and you guessed it - here she is with a bottle in one hand and her bag of beans in the other!
It wasn't until about a half-hour later that she finally got bored of the beans. Funny that we spend money on toys and a bag of green beans is the best toy she'd ever seen. (And I think Lou and I will even feel a little guilty when we tear open that bag and eat those yummy beans.)

So, onto the rest of our week. Since I last posted, we've had quite a few adventures. On Wednesday, my mom & dad came down and the four of us went to see RAIN- The Beatles Experience (which I highly recommend) at the Aronoff. "Supernanny" Carisa pulled a 15-hour shift and stuck it out until almost 11pm with Josie. She went to sleep for her perfectly and slept a full 8 hours before making a peep. It was SO much fun - although very strange to be out with my parents without Josie.
On Thursday, we headed out to the Blue Manatee to see our Hypnofriends after a long walk down to the river (where I had to breastfeed a screaming Josie on the Serpentine Wall). It was the largest group we'd had in a while, so we had to get another photo. My how they've all grown. The funny thing to me is that each baby is looking at his/her own mama. :)
And I had to get a photo of Josephine with her first little international friend Aoife (pronounced "Efa"). This is my friend Ciara's little darling. They're here from Ireland while her husband is doing research. She's been a much-welcomed addition to our mom group. Josie & Aoife seem to have a special little connection. She was the first baby that Josie really locked eyes and smiled at. They're also very similar babies with those big bright eyes, yummy cheeks and all over squishy-ness. :)
On Friday night we went to dinner with our friend Brad at Akash. I wasnt' feeling well, but Indian food never disappoints. It was an early night with some much-needed rest. After all, Saturday was a big day. We took Josie to her first parade! The annual St. Patty's Day parade is just around the corner, so we got bundled up and walked on over. We were both anxious to see how Josie would react to all the noise and all the people. In typical Josie fashion, she was completely unflappable - until the bagpipes approached. And, proving once again that she loves music, she started kicking her legs and waving her arms. Here we are amid a sea of green.
On Saturday afternoon, we headed out to Grandma & Grandpa Schneider's house for a visit. Josie was very amused by the cats, although they were much less amused by her. Louie made out like a bandit with a big steak lunch and I ate about 20 ginger cookies (I was still feeling icky & no, I'm not pregnant). Here's Josie with Phyllis just before she began treating her grandma like a human jumperoo.
And that brings us back to today and Josie's obsession with the green beans. But, I have one more thing before I go... little Josephine has found her BIG voice. Just listen to her squeal! (She's been doing this nonstop all weekend.) Maybe she's been watching a little too much Curious George! :) ENJOY.