Welcome to the Big Sister Show

Okay, so here's the deal. Before Mae was born every time someone said, "So how do you think Finley will be with Mabel?" I heard Mom and Dad's reaction, which usually went something along the lines of, "It's going to be a disaster," or "She's gonna be a nightmare" or "We just hope she doesn't leave Mabel on someone's front porch."

So what did old Finley Ames Skertich do? She went and turned the table on them, folks. Check out these pics for proof.

And then I told her how old I was.

A little backrub for Miss Mabel.

And here are some more good shots of just Mabel. But before we get to those I'm gonna brbl glbm rybapl

Sorry, I was saying before we get to those I'm gonna gobble up some pineapple. Okay, back to the Mabel photos.

And for more updated photos, CLICK HERE to go to Finley's Fotos Gallery.

New Food Rule

I made up a new food rule that has been voted on by Congress (Mom and Dad) and signed into law by the President of the House, who as you probably guessed is me.

Rule #16.4.8 of Finley's ManiFesto has to do with food and it is as follows:

When dining in Finley Skertich's house, eat as much pasta as you possibly can, and then you must wear your plate on your head like a beret.

First part of the rule

Last part

Let It Sled

So we got a lot of snow the other day and when Dad picked me up from school he had that Winter X-Games look in his eye, so we hit the slopes up in Grant Park.

First, though, it was time to get our snow gear on.

Then I boarded the sled.

Then we took a ride around the park to warm up.

We didn't take the camera to the slopes but you'll have to take my word for it - we went up high and we came down fast, even wiped out once and I got to taste some snow. And then, when we got home - Mom whipped us up some hot chocolate. Cheers, Dad, a sledding day well done - definitely gold medal worthy.

MJ's In The House

Yep, two days in a row, consider yourselves lucky. Anyway, here's the scoop on the name. In the hospital it was whittled down to two options until they finally decided the morning after Mabel was born.

That's when Mom turned to Dad and said, "Well, Dad, you could always call her MJ." This, as most of you probably figured, brought Dad to elation as he has conspired since before I was born how he could get one of his kids named after the legendary Chicago Bulls hoopster. Mabel and I royally screwed it up by being girls. Apparently there was even .04 seconds when I almost became Michael Jordan Finley... actually, knowing Mom it was probably less than that.

So without further ado, here are some more pics of MJ.

Wait, wrong MJ... Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Mabel Jane.

Here's a good shot of me with Mom & Mabel and then me with Dad & Mabel (I had to do Dad's hair before the photo, I like some elevation in Dad's hairdo).

And lastly, here's me, just tickled pink about my new little MJ.

Mabel Jane

So that's what all the fuss is about. World, say hello to my new sister, Mabel Jane Skertich, born Wednesday, February 3, at 2:49pm. She weighed 6 lbs and 5 ounces.

Here's the thing. I know this little gal is going to want to be like me, but check out her hairdo, I think she took it a bit too far. AND she tried to one up me because if you could see her now, with her hair washed, she's got highlights... I didn't get highlights til I was much older. I told her to take it down a notch - it's gonna take a lot more than a few highlights to overtake this old lady.

Anyway, here's a couple shots of me back when I was a few days old. (I know what you're thinking - "Finley, seriously, dudette, you're not gonna lead with photos of the new baby?" People, seriously, no, I'm not. This blog is not called Mabels Fabels, is it?)
And here's Mabel.
And here's a pic of me with little ol' Mabel. (Yes, I'm really happy she's with us, even if I pretend sometimes that I'm not).

Birthday 2-Fer

So we all know my birthday is coming up on February 10 but since Mabel was scheduled to make an appearance on the EXACT SAME DAY Mom decided to give me a celebration a couple weekends ago... and I actually got two parties in one day.

First, it was a jump/bounce/slide party at Pump It Up with my some of my toddler cousins and friends. Check out this slide, I conquered it quickly.

And a turn with Dad

Eli and I played hoops and fell down a lot.

Uh... did I mention there were donuts?

Then, after a short nap we headed over to Uncle Brian's house and I had my second birthday party of the day. This one I shared with Eli, whose birthday was last Sunday. The whole family gang was there and we had a lot of fun.

Here's my cake that Nana made and decorated, Shedd Aquarium style.

And for that, I thought she deserved a bite of my cake.

This is a trumpet that Aunt Suzy got me. For advanced players such as myself, we play this puppy upside down.

Oh man, I love my birthday.