JULY 2--TODDLER MEMORIES!

     My early toddler years were very carefully chronicled, because I was a FIRST CHILD, so my parents wielded the camera everytime I turned on my charm (which was always).

     Well, I had a busy, well-rounded time during these early years where I can't remember anything (see blog about my first memory, posted on June 30th).
      I have many pictures in the company of my younger (by one year) cousin Teri, who lived next door.  I was blessed with having extended family downstairs (I lived in a Chicago two-flat) and next door.  My Grandma and Grandpa, my mother's sister Aunt Ann (or "Tan") and her husband Carm (who was my Dad's best friend) along with their four kids.  
     My siblings and I had a cousin similar in age to each of us, and we shared the holidays and birthdays and just everything.  We thought that everyone could talk out their bedroom window into their cousin's kitchen window, right?
      Here's Teri and I, looking all so fetching and precious (note the coy poses) in our coats and matching bonnets (all the rage in the 40's):

 (Teri on the left, precious Me on the right).  I have to believe that the head-tilting was spontaneous....we were inherently unbelievably CUTE AND ADORABLE !

     Here we are again, just "hanging" in the back yard, probably watching my Grandpa plant his tomatoes and Melrose (sweet) peppers and basil (it was your typical Chicago Italian garden).  Note my cousin Teri's casual hair style--no blow drying then, just naturally curly hair and Chicago humidity.  I am sporting my signature LARGE WHITE BOW that seems to appear with many of my toddler ensembles, both casual, as here in the garden setting, and for other more formal occasions:

       When I needed to cool off during summer months, there was the wading pool at La Follette Park nearby.  Here I am running charmingly (what else?) to the wading pool, which had a fountain in the middle....that I do remember, but a few years later than when this PRECIOUS photo was taken.  Note the cutie-pie hands clasped behind my back:

      In getting out all my photos to conjure up these memories, I was struck by the similarity between some of these precious shots and those of my grandchildren as toddlers. (surprise, surprise)

     STAY TUNED FOR TOMORROW'S BLOG WHICH WILL SHAMELESSLY DISPLAY THESE PICTURES IN ALL THEIR COMPARATIVE CUTENESS!