Who Knew!?

That the favorite toy would be an orange cup! I put 6 toys in front of Taffe and he selected the cup. This isn't a random decision... he holds onto the cup and it has a variety of uses.
Like banging it banging the cup in the air and on everything around him.

And it's just plain fun to hold when out for a walk.

The cup really is a versatile object... Taffe also chews on it and when he drops it, the cup will roll away making it a great motivator for scooting.

Living it up!

Georgetown for cupcakes with Megan and Eastern Market for cookies with Lauren? This is the life!

The perfect end to a wonderful weekend. Thanks for hanging with us Megs and LB!

Three boys = 3 times the giggles!

Taffe has a new best friend... Colson. We went to visit Niki and her boys, Colson and Finley up in Lancaster, PA. Taffe couldn't get enough of Colson. Colson had Taffe giggling and smiling. Whenever Colson was in the room, Taffe would move and turn till he had a view of his new BFF. It was pretty remarkable to see a 7 year old boy be as sweet and patient as Colson was with Taffe. I couldn't think of a better role model for my baby boy!
The three boys...

Aunt Niki with Fin and Taffe. Fin is such a happy boy! He didn't mind sharing the spotlight with "Baby Taffe."

One more squeeze from our PA buddies. We miss you already!

Back to Burke

It is a comforting feeling to bring your baby back to your hometown. We went out to Burke today and visited some of the places that were a large part of my childhood. Taffe and I first popped in for a surprise visit to Grandma at White Oaks ES, which was my 1st school in Virginia, and it's also where my mom is the current principal. We then headed over to Burke Lake park, where you may remember me chugging along on the cross country course. But before my glory days as a runner, my family and I used to ride our bikes over to Burke Lake and enjoy the train and ice cream. Taffe LOVED the train. He was so peaceful and relaxed.

Afterwards we enjoyed a picnic in a nice shady spot which was also the started line of the XC course. Taffe was not up for a race today, instead he did some resting and some rolling around. What a perfect day.

Farewell Friend!

In honor of our friends Tracy and McKenna leaving mom's group (Tracy will be back in the classroom), we held our meeting at Haemin's house with good food and good company. Good company consisting of more babies than you can count on two hands...13!

We enjoyed a brunch, and Taffe and the younger McKenna enjoyed the cups.

Taffe and older McKenna's couch pose...don't you wonder what they're thinking about?

We will miss McKenna and Tracy!

Brushing Teeth

Taffe loves the sound of me brushing my teeth. He just stares the whole time. So this morning I gave him an extra toothbrush while I was getting ready. It turns out he also loves the toothbrush as it entertained him for 10 minutes. And one day I will be begging him to brush those pearly whites!

A Charming Dinner Companion

Just in case you were wondering what dinner conversation is like in the McG household. And yes, those are green beans on his face. Moving your head while mom is feeding you makes for a messy face.

A New Friend

Our dear friends, Ally and Christian welcomed their third child into the world last week. Casey Wallace was 7lbs 1oz of perfection. Just look at him!Taffe and I visited Ally and Casey on Thursday. Ally already looked wonderful and she was moving about the room. Not the case after I had Taffe! Taffe was all smiles for his Aunt Ally... he even gave her a wave hello!

On Saturday we had all the children together and needless to say, 4 kids.... it's a lot! They were all great and very excited about Baby Casey... can you imagine what it will be like when they are all walking? Here is new big brother Jack walking around in Uncle Christopher's shoes. He is too funny! Jack loves all the babies... he just wants to reach out and squeeze them!

Fun at the Fair

Our first trip to the Arlington County Fair was full of firsts for Taffe. Chris took Taffe on his first carousel ride. Taffe was all smiles and extremely relaxed on the ride.
A local petting zoo broght in some of their animals. The goats were not shy and kept trying to get nibbles of Taffe's tiny toes. One managed to get a nibble, but Taffe didn't seem to mind.

Taffe really seemed to want to get down on the grass and roll after the goats!

A Day at the Fountains

On a hot and humid day there is nothing better than a dip in the fountain. Taffe loves to just stick his feet in and lean over as far as I'll let him go. He was all smiles after his dip.

Taffe splashed so vigorgously we had to do an outift change.

If you look closely you can see tooth number three pushing in on the top!

Play date!

Today we hosted some friends over for a play date. In total we had 6 moms and 7 kids. Needless to say, it was a little crazy! Taffe was very good at sharing his toys... or at least he was completely unfazed by the 5 big kids! Little Kayla entertained him with kisses and helping his chair bounce.
McKenna liked to show off how she can pull up, and pull out the toys for Taffe.

A picture capturing the madness. Brody and Cooper were demonstrating how big boys are into everything while Jordan showed how sweet 3 year girls can be! Taffe was very into the mommies as usual.

Thanks for coming over friends!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Taffe and I headed on down to Shirlington for a birthday swim with Grandma. Taffe was all smiles while showing off for Grandma and Grandpa. He splashed and did his big frog kicks. He kept wanting to put his face in the water, which would result in a very surprised and satisfied face. Thanks for the fun swim!

Kingston

After a very successful trip to Kingston in July, we knew we had to go back one more time this summer. Taffe was amazing once again on the plane, and actually he was wonderful the whole trip! He just loves to be outside and to be the center of attention, who wouldn't be the happiest baby at the cabins?

Splashing around with his favorite new boat.

The boat tastes better than you would think.

Hey! Look at the fun water spraying me! (Yes, I am bathing in the sink!)

And just to give you an idea of crazy cabin life, here are just some of the McGarrigal family members who were there this weekend:

Aunt Cecelia giving Taffe refloxology.

Nana and Papa with Taffe at the Rhinebeck festival.

Cousin Megan...she actually makes Taffe look big!

Cousin Kelsey...Taffe even had her as a babysitter! Thanks Kelsey!

Mohawk Men

When you have the locks, you gotta work your style. Taffe is learning all about styling hair from dad. Let's just hope Taffe doesn't mimic ALL of dad's hairstyles like the KrissKross braids from college... seriously!

Monday at Mason's

Before Jen heads back to work, we headed out to the country for a play date with Mason. Mason was kind enough to share his play room with Taffe... well, he wasn't too sure about Taffe being there. He really wanted to grab at Taffe, and boy, Mason is fast! Thanks for sharing big guy!

The look says it all... "Um, what are you doing here?"

Reagan & Carter's Dohl

Irish Festival on Saturday and a Korean-American birthday on Sunday.... oh Taffe is so worldly! We went to HeeBeen to celebrate Reagan and Carter's 1st birthday or dohl in Korean. Taffe loved the restaurant. There were so many colorful decorations and new people to look at...he didn't make a peep the whole time we were at the Korean dinner. The twins also chose gifts that would predict their futures; Reagan will be a wealthy athlete while Carter will be a intellectual techie. Even though we are 0% Korean, we may have to snag this fun tradition for Taffe's 1st birthday!

Don't I look like...

Chace Crawford, star of the hit tv series, Gossip Girl? Just wondering.

Irish Festival

As Taffe is 53% Irish, we took him down to the Alexandira Irish Festival. Both dad and Taffe wore their green! Taffe LOVED the bagpipes as they paraded in. He couldn't stop kicking his feet to the music.
It was very hot in the noon day sun, so we spent some time playing under the trees. A favorite past time of Taffe's is hitting and grabbing noses. Who knew a nose was so fun?

Swinging Together!

Today was one of the most beautiful summer days; perfect for a long stroll with Charlie and Aunt Ceci over to Lacey Woods park. It was Taffe's first time in a playground swing and he was a little unsure about the whole swinging operation.

Charlie absolutely loves the swing and was beaming the whole time!

Taffe was much happier once he could do his rolling around on the blanket. He actually kept trying to grab his little(well younger at least!) cousin's toes.