Seven Months

Ian's had a big month...2 teeth, sitting, pushing himself into crawling position, and meeting new family members. Happy seven months little guy!

The Big Guy

Yesterday I asked Maya how she was feeling about Santa this year. She's been completely terrified of him the last few years. She thought maybe we could go see Santa, but she wasn't sure she would be ready to talk to him. Well, she did...and she asked him for a real kitty, some kitty toys, a ballerina music box, and a bike with her name on it. She's been carrying the picture around with her all morning and just asked me when we could see Santa again. I think he was a big hit!

Nutcracker surprise!

After they went to the Nutcracker ballet, Maya wanted to re-enact the scene where the Nutcracker breaks and Herr Drosselmeier magically repairs it under his scarf. It was the perfect setting for Steve to surprise Maya with a real nutcracker that she's been wishing for. This new nutcracker is now carried everywhere, danced with, and slept with. She is so thrilled!

Bath time

Trimming the tree

Three generations

Morning yoga session

Cookies with Grandma

We had such a nice visit with Grandma and Grandpa Price this last weekend. Even though we were all in some stage of the winter crud, we managed to squeeze in some special times. Making cookies, decorating the Christmas tree, the Nutcracker, the downtown light parade, a new bakery, and just sitting and talking in front of the cozy fire (it was COLD while they were here). As Andy put it "the good memories will linger long after the colds depart." Thank you so much for coming, and thank you for all the great photos. We'll be posting more as they come along!

Snow Swingin'

We went out with the hopes of building a snow kitty today, but the snow was just too fluffy and dry. So, after digging out the swings, we made a big pile of snow that Maya could jump in. Ian got his first taste of the cold, white stuff and had fun sitting in his little snow chair that we made for him.

Snow Angels

Baby, it's cold outside...

First Letter

Maya's been pretty sad this weekend, the house has been a little too quiet for her and she misses her cousins so much. We've talked a lot about other things to look forward to; Grandma and Grandpa's upcoming visit, Nana and Gramps' and Uncle Matty's visit, Christmas, Ann's wedding...we've talked about how it's ok to feel sad, it just means she had a good time. Yesterday I suggested that she could write a letter to Owen and Finn. I let her sound out the words so she could spell them phonetically, and tried not to interfere with correct spelling. I helped her a few times when she got stuck but she pretty much did this all on her own:
"DER OWEN FINN I WISH YOU CUD CUM TO R HOWS AFTR ANNS WEDEN LUV MAYA"

Flock of Turkeys

It was a tearful good-bye this morning as Michael, Jennifer, Owen, and Finn headed back home. We had such a great time with them. We pretty much didn't see the kids all week, they were so busy playing. They had slumber parties, secret conversations, art projects, hikes, walkie-talkie playing, and more. So nice to see them all developing and deepening their relationship with each other. The grown-ups all had a great time too! Thanks for coming to visit us, we miss you already!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! We really have so much to be thankful for.

Happy Half-Birthday!

Six months. Really, where does the time go? Ian is a happy, happy, baby (notice him here in the classic happy baby pose!). This last month he's figured out how to roll both directions, sits up by himself for short periods, can scoot around on his tummy and inch forward bit by bit. He's definitely interested in moving. He loves jumping, standing, and playing. Food has been introduced, veggies are his favorite by far. He sleeps 11-12 hours at night now (thank goodness). He's added so much to our lives already and we look forward to what the next six months brings.