Hi everybody! You can see all the latest updates on the family on my Facebook page (Friend me!) or check out all the latest photos here.

Completed the Philly Marathon this morning. Had a good run (3:35:22… updated site now says 3:40:35? Boo.), beautiful day for a race. Great tour of our lovely city too. Go Philly!

Post-race adventure: After the race, Oona and Kelly drove home in her car, Juliette decided to come with me. We were going to get bagels on the way home. When we got to the car, battery was dead. (It was dark when I parked at 5:30am, left my lights on. I’m an idiot).

Juliette immediately started tearing up and asked what are we going to do. My response of, “I’m not sure, this really stinks,” did not help dry her tears or assuage her fears. I did not have a phone and we were not in the best section of West Philly. I was also a tad delirious.

Luckily, I flagged down the world’s greatest cab driver. He spent 20 minutes trying to jump my car (no go, his battery was old). Plan B. Juliette got to experience her first cab ride home to the burbs. She liked it, but told me I was silly and should take a shower. Later, she told Kel she made the “wrong decision” by going in my car. All is well, car is still in West Philly, but I’m chowing on bagels with my gals now and more fun at the Grandparents later today.

More Photos: Sunday Funday

Oona the Lion – 2009

Juliette the Lion – 2007

Click here to view this Photo Album>

October 20th is my mom’s birthday, and like most days, I will think about her a lot. Patty was a wonderfully loving mom, sister, friend and grandma. Juliette still brings her name up often and it makes me happy. It’s still hard to talk about Patty (without turning into a puddle) and even harder to believe she is no longer a phone call (or trip to the Fishing Club) away, but I’m always happy to hear people talk about my mom and recount all the fun stories. There were many.

Everyone who knew Patty remembers her abundance of warmth, caring, laughter, sense of humor and the ease in which she brought family and friends together and made sure everyone always had a rollicking good time. She and Don were amazing parents: selfless, supportive and loving. DJ and I were very lucky to have them. So was 10th Avenue.

Patty was my pal. She was the best. Her spirit and energy will be there for us always. Love ya, Mom.

Say cheese!

Say macaroni!

Mirror mirror on the playground, who’s the…?

Two Oos

Julie loves all dogs.

Guess who got new chalk?

We did!

Julie thought purple was the perfect eye color, I concur.

Juliette on a hike with mom and a little friend.

Tall trees, tiny girl.

Photo break!

…a very long hike!

Flower power!

Leafy!

Oona doing her best Jan Brady.

I love Juliette in Brown!

Um… uh-oh…

Juliette was thrilled on Valentine’s Day to go see Dora Live with her two big-girl cousins, Josie and Lucy. Juliette said it was just like watching it on a giant television. Afterwards, we went to Ruby’s for vanilla milkshakes.

Lucy was the original model for Dora.

Puppets, pajamas, and paper

The whole clan is feeling better now, especially Oona, who is on antibiotics with her first (double!) ear infection. She has also had teeth five, six, and seven break through, with eight soon to arrive! Julie’s preschool was canceled because of a “snowstorm” that turned quickly to slush, so we decided to try to have fun indoors (for the fifth day in a row).

Today Grandpa Bear was playing the part of the king.

Juliette has been rehearsing her most imperious looks.

She attempts to banish the baby princess.

It doesn’t work.

At the Please Touch Museum

The Lyons-Andrewses have been beset with a host of bugs and germs for the past two weeks, but the girls are emerging, none the worse for wear (although hoarse little Oona sounds like Susan Pleshette). Oona has reverted to her infant eating and sleeping habits (worse, she has reverted to JULIETTE’s eating and sleeping habits) but today she amazed me by building a three-block tower (watch video).  Oopsie Daisy built something! Hooray!

The light at the end of the tunnel

Stars in her eyes

Baby window hawk

Two goofballs and a blue bear

Two Juliettes

Sweet Oona

Today was little Oona’s belated 9-month visit. Oona’s vital stats: 46th percentile weight, 70th percentile length, and 98th percentile head size. That’s right — she pretty much has the proportions of a big-headed cartoon baby. The only surprise there was her relatively light weight (considering that she’s all head!). She doesn’t look like misses too many meals.

Not withstanding her current cold and the sleep schedule havoc caused by the holidays, she is a funny little ball of energy.

Oona at the barre