Future NIKE sponsored athlete

He wears it well. However, we're always keeping our options open for other sponsors who are willing to pay the big $$$$ to have this adorable face represent them!

Chocolate cake anyone???

Our dog Duce has an unbelievable sense of smell, and last weekend sniffed out a box with leftover birthday cake in it that my neighbors had set out in their driveway. While I'm standing out in my yard talking with my other neighbor the "Cake" neighbor came running around the corner of my house to apologize for leaving the cake out on their driveway instead of putting it in the trash where it should be. After laughing hysterically at the green frosting covered dog walking my way, I apologized for my dog helping himself to the leftover birthday cake. I was not happy, but could not help but laugh. Picture of the dog is after he had rolled around in the grass and rubbed off most of the frosting, but I was able to get a picture of the green frosting eyeshadow he had left on him.

Green means go!

Daddy was very excited to take lil' Manning out to the track for the first time. Manning met a lot of people that day. In the future Manning will probably be spending a lot of his days out at the racetrack. Doug's family has a long history of racing, and if Manning follows in his daddy's footsteps he'll too be a racer. Manning has 2 cousins who currently race quarter midget cars every weekend with the Topeka Quarter Midget club, so he'll have lots of chances to begin working on his techniques.

He took a few laps around the track, with the help of his cousin Mackenzie,to get a good feel for it.

He also took some time out of his socializing to check out the set up in the car. He was checking to make sure that daddy and Uncle Mike had it set up to run the quickest way.

The rest of the pictures are just fun shots from the track.

What does 32 look like???

Doug had his very first birthday as a father. Doug got to celebrate with family and friends and had a good time. Manning had a great time celebrating with his daddy.

Airplane is the name of the game

Manning loves it when his daddy flies him around. He loves the aerial view. He just smiles and giggles when they play this game. We're thinking that we might have free plane tickets for life b/c as much as he likes to fly he's bound to be a pilot.

Working 9 to 5

I headed back to work Tuesday of this week. I really did enjoy my time off with Manning, but knew that it unfortunately had to come to an end sometime. It was probably a little easier to go back b/c Manning is going to daycare at his Aunt Stacey's house, and there is the comfort of having him with family each day. We are very fortunate to have this situation b/c not everyone is so lucky. He had at great first day at daycare and came home completely tuckered out. I think there must have been more action at daycare than our usual routine of watching the dogs sleep and flipping through hundreds of channels of bad daytime t.v. Anyways, he was entertained all day and came home and slept all night. I took some pictures of his first day. I think mom was probably more sad than he was. I think I was partly sad about having to actually do some work for the paycheck.

I feel so loved "be-cousin"...

Pic 1- Shelly's neice, Courtney; Pic 2- Shelly's neice Makayla; Pic 3 - Shelly's neices' Christal & Kate; Pic 4 - Doug's nephews Macray & Calvin; Pic 5 - Doug's neice Madison; Pic 6 - Doug's neice, Mackenzie

So, Manning gets lots of love from all of his cousins. There are even more cousins than all of the above, but these are the only ones that we have pictures of so far. Pictures of more cousins to come.

I have friends in low places...

Welcome to Manning's small friend, Preston James. His mom and I have been friends for several years and were even roommates for awhile. When we were first introduced to each other it was kind of like looking in a mirror. We had a lot in common (& still do) and was often following in each others tracks. Now, we went on step further and ended up having boys almost one month apart. We were both on maternity leave at the same time and spent several afternoons walking the boys around the neighborhood. We expect that they will be the best of buds when they grow up, and knowing both Kathy & I, I think we'll both have our hands full with these two! ***Yes, in the picture with Kathy and I we swapped babies, so I'm actually holding little Preston.

Lots of "Grand" love...

Grandpa Don (Shelly's step-dad) - top Grandma Linda (Doug's mom) -2nd picture, Great-Grandma Shirley (Shelly's grandma) - middle, Grandma Sharon (Shelly's mom) - bottom.

H-A-P-P-Y

Manning has finally started breaking out some "big time" smiles and laughs. It is just heart melting and is a testament to what a happy baby he is. It just took mom a little while to capture them on camera.

Proud Papa & Mama

The shirt says it all

Boy meet Dog

Duce and Manning are still trying to figure each other out. There's no doubt in our mind though that by the time Manning is starting to eat food and probably throwing most of it on the floor they'll be the best of buds and will be able to help each other out.

Coach is #25 available?

We had our first recruitment trip to meet with coach Bill Self regarding Manning's future status with the Kansas Jayhawks. We discussed the contributions he could make to the team and even got the chance to show off his excellent dribbling skills.

March Madness!!!

Manning was so very excited to experience cheering on his Jayhawks in his first ever March Madness. Manning was tired of commercials and was anxious for game time.

What are little boys made of?

Snips and snails,And puppy dog tails,That's what little boys are made of.

Doctor, doctor, give me the news...

Manning's first doctor's visit was 1 week after he was born. It was also his first trip out of the house. In honor of the special occasion mother nature decided to give him a glimpse of his first snow. So, Grandma Sharon helped me bundle him up and take him to the doctor on the blustery winter day. What did the doctor order...gain some more weight and we'll see you in week!

Splish Splash!

Manning had his first bath about a week after being born. Doug did a good job with the bath keeping Manning warm the whole time and making it an enjoyable experience. He didn't cry at all and seemed to like the water. We are SO excited for summer to come so that he can start working on his swimming techniques!

Five days past the due date, It's A Boy!!!!

It all started on January 25, 2007 at 2:03 p.m. Manning Jackson Charles Urish was born and ready to start conquering the world! It was a cold winter day that was blessed with the arrival of such a handsome man. Both mom and dad were relieved at Manning's safe arrival.