Ducks-In-Training

Better than naked pictures when you're 15 ...

"Hold me, mommy. Hold me."

Milo @ 6 Months/Willa @ 6 Months

Guess who is sitting?

Yes, that would be Willa Bear!

Two Days to Vacation!!!

Rehoboth Beach, July 2007—when Milo was nine months old (and had very straight hair!)! Hard to believe we are now going back with a two year old and a six month old!

Oatmeal. Two stars.

Willa Bear got her first taste of oatmeal (Happy Baby) yesterday ... and seemed to be ... intrigued. This morning we mixed it with pears. That seemed a little better. Our meals are now messy. I miss tidy breastmilk.

South Comes North

Aunt Gail & cousin Brittnie came to see the kids. We just tagged along. We did Artscape, Farmer's Market, Hampden, carb cakes, Golden West, Federal Hill ...

Pre-Fridge

I think she likes it.

Willa gets her first taste of yogurt.

Big Girl Carseat

Talk to the Man

Every night when Milo goes to sleep he wants his little guys to talk to him. "Talk to the man, mommy" he says. (Or daddy.) So, the man tells Milo about his day and different adventures. Then he hops around the edge of the crib and usually dive bombs into the crib for the night.

Willa @ 6 Months

Wowowow. Where did the time go? Six months old? My little bugga bugga is a big girl. Literally. Today at your appointment Dr. W couldn't believe your weight gain! "Did you put rocks in her diaper?" she asked when she walked into the room.

Today you weighed 16 pounds, 12 oz. (50-75th%), height 26 inches (55-60th%) and head 42.3 cm (50th%) ...

What you are doing: Eating things like pears, sweet potatoes, carrots. Now we add other fruits and veggies, oatmeal, and yogurt! You are starting to sleep on your belly. Your brother loved to sleep on his belly with his tush up in the air. You LOVE to jump. So, now we have a jolly jumper in the bathroom doorframe. I don't think anyone has ever spent more time bouncing next to a toilet. (Maybe daddy?) You still love the office and your mat. And your new mirror. You are so in love with your brother. You've really noticed your dog. You can sit almost on your own. Dr. W was so impressed with your balancing. And you are almost on the move. Put you down on the mat and you always end up on the other side, rolled over, and facing backward. You were sleeping through the night ... but now you are not. You are now in your big girl carseat. Today. You fell asleep and were slumped and suspended ... we need to fix that. We are still breastfeeding some. (Mommy is still pumping.) And we are still warming up your bottle. You are pooping almost once a day. Almost. And maybe teeth soon.

Willa Flies Again

BWI to Austin to BWI

Did great on the way there (with help from grandma & poppy) and OK on the way back (ears were hurting) but lovely woman held Willa so mommy could pee. I don't think we both would have fit in the bathroom.

While the girls were away ...

Daddy & Milo went on a mini steam train ... and ran into friends Evan & Brenda and kids Jack & Benny. They also went on the Duck Tour, had a BBQ with the Esch's, and bonded on a manly level. I think they want us girls to get out of here more often ....

What Mommy Does

Willa Bear I Missed You

When mommy saw Milo for the first time after four nights away she couldn't wait to give him a million kisses. "Mommy mommy mommy I missed you." Lots of hugs & kisses. Then Milo spotted Willa. "Willa Bear I missed you." He ran over and gave her kisses. Be still my heart.

You say the cutest things ...

"I'm making art mommy."

Missing Milo

It was so hard to be away ... but also, very relaxing. Willa just goes to sleep. She doesn't talk back. I still get to pick out her clothes. She is mostly super really happy. I really enjoyed having all those days just with my girl (quiet morning snuggles, slow baths) ... but I really did miss my boy. That smile, that voice, the curiosity, the demands. On Sunday Milo said: "I miss mommy, daddy." All day Monday I couldn't wait to see him ... and I swear he grew. We celebrated our reunion with S'mores. (Since we were out of chocolate, we compromised and used a chocolate chip cookie on the top and a graham cracker on the bottom.)

Milo's New Shoes

"Rocket sneakers daddy ... helps me blast off."

When mommy asked Milo about his shoes he said, "daddy got them for me at the gift shop."

PhD or Bust

On Thursday, July 9th mommy & Willa flew to Austin with grandma and poppy for Aunt Beth's dissertation defense. Although mommy understood very little (except the acknowledgements) it was very exciting to be there! After Aunt Bethie "passed" she wanted champagne and doughnuts ... so we had that in the parking lot. Plus, a party. Willa experienced her first 105 degree weather (mommy too), dranks Turbos from Jo's, we shopped at our favorite Parts & Labour and Wee and ate lots of yummy food.

Post-Fireworks

Didn't love the fireworks .. but had a great day.