The Christmas Tree

We went to Piney Acres Farm to get the perfect tree this year. It was a beautiful snowy day and I was giddy with the excitement of the first real snow of the season. Daddy is still sore from carrying Lizzy because it was snowy and muddy and the ground was uneven, so she refused to walk. Katherine fell asleep in the Moby (what's new?). The place was overwhelmed with business, so we waited for a while for the tractor to ride out and pick our tree, but ended up walking because it was too cold to wait. Good thing Daddy had thought to bring his own saw! The tractor never came, so on the way back in, Daddy carried Lizzy and the tree! While the tree was bagged to be put on the car (Daddy again!), Lizzy, Mommy and Katherine warmed up in the lodge, ate popcorn and drank hot chocolate. Mommy had fun all day, especially pulling out old ornaments to hang on the tree. Daddy liked putting the image of a fire on the TV and listening to holiday music on Pandora Radio through his computer. We are combining the old and the new and making new traditions!

Santa in Noblesville

We went to visit Santa tonight. It was chilly, but the shops were open on the square and we were able to warm up with some hot chocolate and playing trains in the toy shop.

We we finally got into Santa's house after an hour, Lizzy asked Santa for a bicycle and a blue elephant. I was quite surprised she had asked for a bicycle and expressed my disbelief to Jim after we left the North Pole. Then Jim told me that he had prepped her so she wouldn't clam up when Santa asked her what she wanted. So much for imagination...

Katherine is crawling

Katherine is going backwards on all fours, but has yet to manage a hand forward. However, today she went from tummy back up to sitting and Lizzy said, "She did it by herself. She's getting bigger." I think she can't wait until she is suddenly, "bigger," because I always say she'll be able play certain games, etc. with her at that time.

Still no teeth, but eating all types of food that we give her: mangoes, apples, pears, turkey, chicken, noodles-whatever is handy! She is developing quite good hand to mouth coordination!

ABCs

Lizzy has been singing almost non stop for the last week. While sticking to the rhythm and fairly close to the tune she's been making up lyrics about the things around her and segueing from one to another.

Lizzy loves to sing

I would love to catch her on video making up songs, and also singing the true words to "Now I know my ABC's, but her favorite thing to do is make up new verses to "The Wheels on the Bus." After I finished pumping this morning, Lizzy was singing, "The mommies on the bus go, pump, pump, pump, All through the town!"

Halloween 2010

Mommy sorted out the loot and Lizzy stuffs in chewy treats with no costume on (no sticky on the ladybug-we have to recycle it)

The girls play together

Fall picking in Indiana

Picking grapes at the vineyard and picking apples with Daddy. Lizzy likes to hide in the vines and the trees.

ZooBoo

We took the girls to the zoo this weekend for Zooboo. The zoo was decorated for Halloween and there were a few trick-or-treat stations. Lizzy didn't care that much, but wanted to see the animals as usual. We checked out the sharks and grizzly bears (only the tame animals for Lizzy) and then did a bit of trick-or-treating. I think she has the hang of it and will do really well getting treats in the neighborhood on Halloween.

Katherine's first feeding

Katherine's first food a couple days before she turned 6 months old. It was oatmeal cereal that I never opened with Lizzy! Katherine loved it and has moved onto acorn squash, green beans, sweet potato, and carrots. She likes to eat with the family and Lizzy likes to try to feed her, or at least pull her chair closer so she can lean on the tray.

Lizzy tricks Mommy

Somehow Lizzy has learned how to tease. We were in the car driving home from story hour and Lizzy had a little baggy of animal crackers. Naturally, Mommy needed to share so I reached my hand back and asked for one please. Lizzy said, "okay, " and then she put her hand in mine and pretended to put an animal cracker in there but just tickled my palm! We both laughed very hard and when I asked again seriously for one, she said okay again, but faked me out and ate it instead!

After bath tonight, we put on her pajamas. She said, "They came from Granny and Grandad. Thank you. They have stripes on it. And a teddy bear with blue on it."

She really is remembering things and repeating and even reasoning. We're in trouble now....

September update

Katherine rolled over from her back to front on September 5, one day before her 5 month birthday.

Lizzy does not need glasses, based on two pediatric ophthalmologist opinions. We hope that she did need the glasses and received a great benefit and treatment from wearing both pairs over the few weeks she wore them.

While in Belfast...

With Grandad in the garden.
With Great-Grandad and Great Auntie Di

Mommy, Daddy and Katherine went to Belfast for Owen and Mags wedding. Belfast was cold and I was totally unprepared with my summer clothing. However, the wedding was beautiful. We were out both nights late-3 am the night of the wedding! Thank goodness for the Moby!! Katherine was great the whole time except when we accidentally got a burning ember on her in the oldest brewery in Ireland. She was fine-almost everyone attending the wedding was a physician.

Lizzy stayed behind with Granny and Grandad and spent some wonderful days in the garden and park and visiting family.

In the Midlands

With Great-Granny
Cows and sheep being auctioned.

We took the train (1st class!) up to Loughborough. Surprisingly, Lizzy wasn't as excited as I was to have coffee, sparkling water and pastries on the train. She looked out the window for cows and sheep and took all the sugars and creamers out of the container. Katherine slept.

In the Midlands, we went to visit extended family. We went to the Melton-Mowbray Farm Market where they auction off the farm animals. Lizzy was fascinated and kept asking to go back to see the cows. On the way there, Lizzy got carsick all over the rental car. Nasty. We washed all over her seat (including hosing out the base) and Katherine's as well because she was sitting next to Lizzy.

On the way back from the farm, we stopped at a pick-your-own strawberry field. The strawberries were amazing and Lizzy really enjoyed them!

Katherine basically slept through everything in the Moby.

Columbia Road Flower Market

Auntie Rosie, Katherine and me at the market with a live band, terraced flats and loads of Londoners.

On Sundays in East London, everyone comes to the Columbia Road Flower Market to buy fresh flowers, listen to live music and have coffee and pastries. Lizzy started off the trip with an early morning ice cream (one of many on the trip) and I carried Katherine through the market, as I carried her throughout the trip. Lizzy was mesmerized by the upright bass.

On the airplane

Doing stickers on the way to England. We tried to save them for the long flight, but once she gets started... We have a book of 1000 stickers for the journey home!

Lizzy's first glasses

I can see!

Care Package treats

Lizzy tries out her new hair adornments from Auntie Amanda. Thank you for the care package! She hasn't even seen the doggy jammies yet, but she will be so excited!

Lizzy's first dentist visit

Lizzy did a great job at her first dentist appointment on June 14th. She got to wear sunglasses while the hygienist brushed her teeth (twice!) and then Dr. Charlie counted her teeth. She got two stickers and a toothbrush. Oh yeah, she got to help hold the giant toothbrush. All in all, a great experience. I wonder if they would take me there?

Hiking and Swimming Colorado June 2010

Colorado June 2010

Tiny Town, Colorado: Riding the train and in front of the Morrison Post Office replica.
Grandma, Mommy and Katherine go through boxes Grandma has saved for 30+ years...

I did it!! Katherine takes a bath in the sink after another blowout.

Chicago Wedding

We took the girls to Chicago over Memorial Day for a friend's wedding. They tried out the king sized bed, danced with Daddy, checked out the view from our hotel room and went to Fair Oaks farm to check out the cows. We even saw a cow give birth!

Lizzy sports her new role

Katherine One Month

Katherine is one month and a few days now. She was 9 lbs, 11.2 oz at her 4 week appointment. Needless to say, she is gaining well and continues to roll over and sleep well. Mommy and Daddy are happy. Photos? Oops, we'll try to be better!

Granny and Grandad are here!

Lizzy and Katherine have been having fun with Granny and Grandad, who are here from England for a couple weeks. Here is a rare photo of Daddy, Grandad and Lizzy making cookies.

Lizzy's Second Birthday

Lizzy's birthday was on April 17th. We went to the zoo and she had a great time at the dolphin show and looking for animals at all the enclosures. We opened some family gifts that day and she got roller blades, a truck and cars from Mommy and Daddy. Later in the week, she got a soccer goal from Grandma and Grandpa.

Her party was planned for a park near the house, but it rained more than it has all year, so we relocated to Chuck E. Cheese. The kids had a great time while the parents were exhausted from running after them for 2 hours. Contrary to last year, Lizzy ate 2 cupcakes, mostly just the icing, and reached for a third when Daddy stopped her! Lizzy got some great presents from her friends and had so much fun that she slept over 12 hours and I had to wake her in the morning!!