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Digging Oliver's post-nap hair. Riding Amtrak home from Savannah.

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Watching a rousing game of croquet on Jekyll Island.

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Spotting dolphins while boating through Georgia's intercoastal
waterways. Beautiful. (And atempting to keep Oliver distracted from
his puffy, uncomfortable lifevest.)

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Getting ready for bed with cousin, Roman.

Oliver: 9 Months

Eeek!  Oliver is on-the-move!  No, he's not crawling.  No, he's not scooting.  He just moves, ever so slyly.  It's freaky and funny at the same time.  He likes to sit on the floor and play with toys.  Whenever I glance over at him, he's still sitting, just in a different spot.  I try and watch him--catch him in the act--buy he just reaches for toys, twists around, stretches and reaches some more.  I look away for 2 minutes and all of a sudden he's right by me!  I jump, "Whoa, where did you come from?!"  He just smiles, his huge, gummy smile.  I'm totally excited for him.  At the moment he's discovering how much easier it is to get around on the hardwood floor rather than the carpets I normally plunk him down on.

Now I'm thinking I should really be cleaning.  He's gotten much farther today than ever before!

Yes, this is terribly late, and not a great photo, but I have my excuses.  I'll spare you...this time!

Besides his super stealth moves he's also:

using his hands to communicate: waves "bye" and "all-done"
gets quite upset if you take something from him
loves to drink water, and spit it out
prefers watching his food fall to the floor instead of putting it in his mouth
laughs hysterically at his sister
often prefers sitting on the floor, playing with toys than being held
become more of a picky eater, but has fallen in love with cheese and crackers

Okay, he just got into the dirty laundry...

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Oliver is completely giddy over his first time in the swing. He has
been laughing the whole time (about 10 minutes). Although, when is
this kid NOT laughing?!

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Enjoying Jazz and sunshine.

Home!

We loved spending the last four weeks with family in California, but
it feels great to be home. The kids are absolutely gleeful when Daddy
is around! (Me too!) Brian had to work a little late tonight so we
met him for dinner and Isabella "worked" at his office. In her
leotard and tutu, of course.

Snow Play

Amazingly, we have successfully avoided 3 out of 4 major snowstorms that have hit New York City (so far) this winter.  Could I have planned this trip any better?!  Yesterday we did snow California style.  One of the many fabulous things about growing up in California's central valley was we were always 2 hours from everything: San Franscico, beautiful beaches, and majestic mountains.  Each winter we'd drive to the snow as a family.  Play hard until we were wet, cold and tired.  After hours of playing we would warm up in dry clothes, fluffy blankets, and hot chocolate as we drove back home to the warm valley.

Yesterday afternoon, Kayle, one of my older brothers, took us to a sledding park near Tahoe (just an hour drive).  We had so much fun climbing the hills and sliding down several times before it got dark.  Kayle was so sweet and patient with Isabella and her determination to do it herself.  We ended the trip by warming up with mugs of hot chocolate.  It's tradition, of course!

 

 

  

  

California!

I am so glad we followed the sun two weeks ago!  We have two weeks left of our stay in California and it really feels like a dream at times.  We spent yesterday afternoon outside, sitting in the green grass, on a blanket, in the warm sunshine, eating snacks and reading stories.  It was heavenly.  This trip I've learned: I am solar powered!

Here are just a few favorite photos--mostly with cousins--from the last two weeks.
 

 

  

  

  

 

Cousin Love

We are having a blast playing with cousins, soaking up the warm sunshine and running in deep green grass here in Northern California.

I'll share some photos from my camera soon, but for now here are some fun ones Emma took with photo booth last night.  Before these photos were taken we all had lots of laughs and wrestling with a full on ice-down-the-shirt-war.  Isabella was ruthless!

 

 

Lens Love

Brian got me a new 35mm lens for my Nikon D40.  I love it!

Oliver: 8 Months

He's such an easy laugher.  If he is crying we can usually make him laugh-cry.  It's pretty hilarious.

Last week he finally sprouted his first tooth and it was a doozy.  Two days of 101+ fever, tears, constant mama holding, head rolling, the works.  I was certain (or hoping) that such an episode would have resulted in more than just one tooth, but no such luck. 

He loves:
pinching mama
an open mouth--constantly (see above)
putting everything in his mouth
pulling mama's hair
pulling Isabella's hair
laughing, laughing, laughing
peas & plums--baby food style
anything we are eating
cheerios
watching daddy dance
screaming loudly, especially during quiet church meetings
making strangers make silly faces at him
blowing raspberries
sucking on his toes
making us all completely adore him

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Procrastination + Balloons

I should be putting the finishing touches on my talk for church tomorrow, but I really wanted to post these photos instead.

Brian and I are both speaking on "joy".  The one thing I feel like I'm really lacking is a good personal story.  I love it when others share a brief poignant story on the topic they are speaking about.  I have lots of little, personal examples I plan to share, so maybe that's enough.  My memory resembles mud pie lately, so if I've shared any experiences with you that might work, please remind me!

If anyone wants to come, please do!  Everyone is welcome!  The meeting is at 11am on Sunday.  The church is on Columbus & W 65th St.  Once inside the building go up to the 3rd floor.

Here are the photos...