And here's a clip of some father-daughter quality time after Daddy came home from work the other day.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Horse Country
Sorry for the recent lack of posts. Have been traveling for work and busy trying to find us a new car when my lease comes due in 3 weeks.
Last weekend, we took Madeleine out to the countryside to see horses and other creatures for the first time. We went to the annual stable tour of farms in the Middleburg area - the heart of horse country in Northern by God Virginia. Grandma Molly and Grandpa Tom introduced us to the stable tour on a visit here two years ago -- and Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Rachel joined us for the fun.
The first rule of visiting stables that are nicer than any home I could aspire to own is - dress the part. My girls took care of that.
Hannah met another mom who had the same idea about how to spend a Sunday afternoon.
There's some sort of law that requires people to wear crazy hats around the horses.
Nothing like a nice nap after a long day in the car.
Right brfore bedtime, Daddy and baby enjoyed the breeze on the front stoop.
Last weekend, we took Madeleine out to the countryside to see horses and other creatures for the first time. We went to the annual stable tour of farms in the Middleburg area - the heart of horse country in Northern by God Virginia. Grandma Molly and Grandpa Tom introduced us to the stable tour on a visit here two years ago -- and Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Rachel joined us for the fun.
The first rule of visiting stables that are nicer than any home I could aspire to own is - dress the part. My girls took care of that.
Hannah met another mom who had the same idea about how to spend a Sunday afternoon.
There's some sort of law that requires people to wear crazy hats around the horses.
Nothing like a nice nap after a long day in the car.
Right brfore bedtime, Daddy and baby enjoyed the breeze on the front stoop.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Baby Boat Ride
Hannah, Madeleine and I joined some of our neighbors and our friend Matt on a weekend excursion to the new National Harbor development. They have a water taxi service that runs from the dock in Old Town Alexandria, and with picture perfect weather for once this spring, we decided that a boat ride would be fun.
We were pleasantly surprised by National Harbor and it's going to be a nice and family friendly additional entertainment option for us when it's completed. Also, we were impressed by the fact that the girl didn't get seasick on the (very nice and brand new) boat - a promising development for when we take her up to Maine this summer!
Meanwhile, we are continuing to slowly bring solid foods into the girl's diet. We ran out this weekend to pick up one of the last four of these special baby food processors in the Washington, DC area. Hannah has turned into a mush-producing whirling dervish, and we're planning to use it to feed the little one homemade baby food made with organic produce from local farms in our area. We figure, in the long-run, it's cheaper and healthier than Gerbers.
One downside of bringing in the solid food, though - the little one kept us up all last night because she was constipated and fussy as a result! Hopefully, as they say, "this too shall pass."
We were pleasantly surprised by National Harbor and it's going to be a nice and family friendly additional entertainment option for us when it's completed. Also, we were impressed by the fact that the girl didn't get seasick on the (very nice and brand new) boat - a promising development for when we take her up to Maine this summer!
Meanwhile, we are continuing to slowly bring solid foods into the girl's diet. We ran out this weekend to pick up one of the last four of these special baby food processors in the Washington, DC area. Hannah has turned into a mush-producing whirling dervish, and we're planning to use it to feed the little one homemade baby food made with organic produce from local farms in our area. We figure, in the long-run, it's cheaper and healthier than Gerbers.
One downside of bringing in the solid food, though - the little one kept us up all last night because she was constipated and fussy as a result! Hopefully, as they say, "this too shall pass."
Daddy Time
Came home from work at a reasonable hour tonight and got to spend some quality time with my girls.
There's nothing like picking the little one up and getting that first big smile after you've had a long day at the office.
Our baby loves to fly - she loves to be up high where she can look down on all of us.
She also likes getting kisses from Daddy.
One of her favorite things is to play with the baby who lives in the mirror in our living room. The other baby loves to smile back at Madeleine and they look remarkably similar!
There's nothing like picking the little one up and getting that first big smile after you've had a long day at the office.
Our baby loves to fly - she loves to be up high where she can look down on all of us.
She also likes getting kisses from Daddy.
One of her favorite things is to play with the baby who lives in the mirror in our living room. The other baby loves to smile back at Madeleine and they look remarkably similar!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mothers Day Update
We had a nice weekend in our first Mother's Day as a family.
On Friday afternoon, my girls came into work to meet my colleagues. Both girls were on their best behavior and flashed their million dollar smiles for everyone. The little girl even dressed up for the occasion with her Barney's outfit.
On Saturday, Mommy and Daddy got to sneak out as a couple for the first time in a long time last night, meeting up with our friends Krista and Paul to go to a baseball game at our new stadium. It wasn't much of a game but we had a great time. Hannah in particular was so excited to have adult conversation (insert joke about Daddy here). The little one was great with the babysitter, so at least we don't have to add separation anxiety to the list of medical issues in our house!
On Mother's Day morning, Daddy and Madeleine surprised Mommy with special presents. Madeleine gave her a lovely card and some beautiful earrings that had both Mommy's birthstone and Madeleine's birthstone. Although she can't write or spell yet, she even figured out how to sign the card herself. Daddy chipped in with a matching necklace.
The weather was kind of drizzly and cold, further shaking our belief in global warming, so our plans for a picnic in the park went by the wayside. But we did manage to sneak out for a nice lunch and a cup of coffee, as well as a trip to the bookstore.
When we got home and woke up from our naps, it was time for baby yoga.
The little critter has gotten really strong with her kicks - and one point during baby yoga she accidentally kicked Mommy's chin (Happy Mother's Day!). She's also starting to roll over (photographic evidence below).
After a video chat with Granny G, it was bathtime and storytime. Here's Daddy reading from Hannah's 2nd-favorite children's book, Binky.
On Friday afternoon, my girls came into work to meet my colleagues. Both girls were on their best behavior and flashed their million dollar smiles for everyone. The little girl even dressed up for the occasion with her Barney's outfit.
On Saturday, Mommy and Daddy got to sneak out as a couple for the first time in a long time last night, meeting up with our friends Krista and Paul to go to a baseball game at our new stadium. It wasn't much of a game but we had a great time. Hannah in particular was so excited to have adult conversation (insert joke about Daddy here). The little one was great with the babysitter, so at least we don't have to add separation anxiety to the list of medical issues in our house!
On Mother's Day morning, Daddy and Madeleine surprised Mommy with special presents. Madeleine gave her a lovely card and some beautiful earrings that had both Mommy's birthstone and Madeleine's birthstone. Although she can't write or spell yet, she even figured out how to sign the card herself. Daddy chipped in with a matching necklace.
The weather was kind of drizzly and cold, further shaking our belief in global warming, so our plans for a picnic in the park went by the wayside. But we did manage to sneak out for a nice lunch and a cup of coffee, as well as a trip to the bookstore.
When we got home and woke up from our naps, it was time for baby yoga.
The little critter has gotten really strong with her kicks - and one point during baby yoga she accidentally kicked Mommy's chin (Happy Mother's Day!). She's also starting to roll over (photographic evidence below).
After a video chat with Granny G, it was bathtime and storytime. Here's Daddy reading from Hannah's 2nd-favorite children's book, Binky.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
New Pix and Swingin' Baby Video
This is our house. The baby's room is on the second floor on the right. In our dreams. Actually, this the U.S. Ambassador's house in London.
Unfortunately, we're having more technical difficulties with Blogger so I can't post any other pictures today.
But we are able to post some new video of a happy baby in the swing.
Health and Travel Updates
Sorry for the (latest) delay in adding new posts. For the first time since my boo boo, I traveled for work for 5 days starting last Thursday. We went to London, Jerusalem and the West Bank. I'll try to post some photos later.
It was a good trip - but after all the walking around and the 15+ hours on the return flight, my bad wheel was definitely swelling up a bit.
I had my followup appointment with the doctor today and expected to get a lecture about overexertion. Instead, it was quite the opposite. He said that everything looks great and I'm right on track. He's recommending 2 more months of physical therapy and then we'll see where things stand. He also said I could be cleared to play sports before the end of the year - probably in about 6 months. Not that I would do anything foolish like that, of course!
Meanwhile, the not-so-little one and Mommy are fighting a war of attrition over sleeping through the night. The doctor says, since she's (considerably) over 11 pounds now, she should be able to sleep through the night. For a baby of Madeleine's age and weight, that's defined as a solid stretch of 6 hours without waking. So, we're using the Ferber method to try to get there. A few rough nights so far, but last night was better and a quick re-check with the doctors office assured Hannah that we're on the right track.
Hannah also has to take Madeleine to physical therapy for the next 4 weeks because, at her checkup, the doctor thought she was favoring one side of her neck more than the other. At the initial appointment this week, the therapist said that she's favoring it very, very slightly but that it's probably worth addressing (of course, what else would she say?). Hannah said the girl was NOT happy about the different stretches the therapist put her through. Daddy knows that feeling!
So, the B family medical bills may be the only thing propping up the economy right now.
It was a good trip - but after all the walking around and the 15+ hours on the return flight, my bad wheel was definitely swelling up a bit.
I had my followup appointment with the doctor today and expected to get a lecture about overexertion. Instead, it was quite the opposite. He said that everything looks great and I'm right on track. He's recommending 2 more months of physical therapy and then we'll see where things stand. He also said I could be cleared to play sports before the end of the year - probably in about 6 months. Not that I would do anything foolish like that, of course!
Meanwhile, the not-so-little one and Mommy are fighting a war of attrition over sleeping through the night. The doctor says, since she's (considerably) over 11 pounds now, she should be able to sleep through the night. For a baby of Madeleine's age and weight, that's defined as a solid stretch of 6 hours without waking. So, we're using the Ferber method to try to get there. A few rough nights so far, but last night was better and a quick re-check with the doctors office assured Hannah that we're on the right track.
Hannah also has to take Madeleine to physical therapy for the next 4 weeks because, at her checkup, the doctor thought she was favoring one side of her neck more than the other. At the initial appointment this week, the therapist said that she's favoring it very, very slightly but that it's probably worth addressing (of course, what else would she say?). Hannah said the girl was NOT happy about the different stretches the therapist put her through. Daddy knows that feeling!
So, the B family medical bills may be the only thing propping up the economy right now.
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