Sunday, October 23, 2011

Susan & Bill visit Bellingham

When I had to go back to work full time after Luna was born, we were so lucky to have 2 wonderful moms, Susan and Karrie, watch Luna several days a week.  As hard it was to go back to work and leave my baby, I felt so fortunate to have experienced, caring moms taking care of my girl.  Luna got to hang out with older kids and take excursions all over town.  Susan & Bill moved back to the east coast last year much to our disappointment.  We were really lucky to get a chance to meet up with theml this weekend at Boundary Bay while they were on their way to a well deserved vacation in Hawaii.  Luna not only got to see Susan & Bill, but Karrie and her kids Serena and Decklan were there, too.  It was a great afternoon catching up with old friends.

Susan and Luna

Luna & Karrie

Luna couldn't decide where she wanted to sit


Gracie tried sucking on a carrot

Making silly faces


Like father, like daughter

Gracie, Brian and Lynnelle

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Gracie is 6 (almost 7) months old!

It is hard to believe that our new baby is now over 6 months old.  She is rolling everywhere, almost crawling, has 2 serious teeth and is turning into quite the babbler.  For those that haven't seen the babe in a while, enjoy the video below.  Nothing fancy, just a typical dinner conversation with Grace.  How fun!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Cutie Patootie

Gracie is starting to hold her bottle on her own


Showing off her 2 bottom teeth


Happy, happy girl


Monday, October 17, 2011

A little of this, a little of that.....

We haven't been super great lately at keeping up on the blog (sorry Gracie).  Here a few photos that didn't quite warrant their own post, but I wanted to share anyway.  

Gracie entertaining herself at the table.  We try to have her sitting with us at meal time, but she isn't eating her own food yet.

Luna smiling big for the camera


Yum, red block good

Look at what I can do!

Hanging out with Daddy is so much fun!

La Luna from our back deck

So happy to go to school

When Luna eats "noodles and sauce" we prefer her eating outside and naked.  Much easier to clean that way.

Both girls asleep in Mom & Dad's bed.  Sleep is so precious these days we're slacking on some of our rules.

Gracie laughs at everything Luna does.



Cupie Doll?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Some Thoughts...

So it's been a very long time since we last posted anything. I'm home sick today, nothing major, so I thought I'd sit down and share some things I have been thinking a lot about lately.We love the idea of the Blog, but it's so difficult keeping up with it. Once the school year begins, it's tough doing anything outside of the normal routine each day.

It seems like we're just keeping our heads above water all the time. Other teacher friends, do you feel that way, too, or is there something we're not doing right? Or is this just part of parenting? Am I in denial thinking that I will have some semblance of my old life, or does everything really change once kids arrive? Yes, I am still wondering this 3 years after having our first child. Some of you really seem to have it all together which makes me think I have got something wrong. I keep thinking there is a way I can get control of my life; instead (between September and June) I feel like I am just along for the ride. I'm not trying to complain, just thinking out loud. This is most certainly the life I chose for myself, and I am very happy. But it would be great to feel more in control. :-) If there is anyone wanting to weigh on this, your thoughts would most definitely be welcomed.

So all this said, it's been a wonderful few months. We feel incredibly fortunate to have the summer to spend together. Parenting is the most joyous and at the same time most frustrating experience I have ever had. I was standing outside the girls' room last night just watching them sleep, amazed at how wonderful they are, amazed that I am 40, married to the love of my life, and that I am a daddy. They are so precious; all 3 of my girls.

Luna continues to amaze us with how verbal she is and with her ability to do things that seem beyond a 3 year old. She loves to sing, dance (usually naked), tell stories, and talk, talk, talk. She still spends an enormous amount of time with books which is really exciting. If she is having trouble falling asleep, we'll find her in bed reading, making up stories to the pictures. We find her in the morning snoozing away with a pile of books in her bed. It's pretty cool. She ABSOLUTELY loves being a big sister. Her favorite thing to do is to make Grace smile or laugh. Oh my. And when the two of them get going, it is hilarious (another of Luna's favorite words these days).

Grace is growing so fast. I guess Luna did, too, but that seems very long ago now. Football hold is my favorite and Grace has almost outgrown it. My babies are growing up. Grace is reaching for things all the time. This is both fun and unnerving because you have to watch her constantly. No more drinking coffee and holding Grace at the same time. Rolling around on the floor is also very popular with Grace. We're going to have to find room for the Pack n Play somewhere in the house, so we can set her down without worrying what she will get in to. Talking seems like it might not be too far off. She has begun repeating "bah bah bah." And like her sister, she has the greatest belly laughs. After a very rough start, probably due to colic, Grace has become much more content. She is so observant and smiley. She still isn't sleeping through the night, but she does thankfully sleep in good chunks. Two little toophies have grown in on the bottom of her mouth. The rice cereal has made its first appearance but more of it found its way to her body than it did down her throat.

Hope you have enjoyed the little update. I/we will try to get some slide shows made of our adventures from this summer and fall.

Best wishes,
Brian

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Evening Walk

We try to get out and about in the neighborhood as much as possible.  The other night we were able to get out after dinner and enjoy the last bit of sunlight.  It has been fun "recycling" Luna's baby clothes with Gracie and tonight we resurrected the awesome viking cap that Aunt Emily bought.  Gracie looks pretty cute in it (for comparison, here was Luna sporting the Nordic helmet hat back in her infant days)




Happy Swedish baby

Pumpkin Patch!

It's that time of year. There is a chill in the air. The sky, when clear, has an incredible, intense blue color. Leaves have just begun to turn. And a trip to the pumpkin patch is in order. We wanted to try something a little different this year, so we made our way to Bellewood Acres, home of marvelous apples and a pretty decent pumpkin patch as well.