Baby Guacamole for Lucy!

Lucy had her first food this week. Mashed avocado + breast milk = baby guacamole!

My plan was to wait for Jesse to return but Lucy seemed very ready to try solid food. Jesse was able to be with us from Cyprus by FaceTime. Thank you, technology.

Elliott was excited for the action.

Yum :/

Pushing the first bite out.

Yuck! What is this lumpy stuff?

I'm used to sweet milk!

Again?!

Oh, Mama!

I just love these faces. 

Oh!

We've been giving her food for 5-6 days now and have also introduced squash. She is getting more interested with each day.

Snowy Sunday

Last Sunday may have been our last snowy one (knock on wood - NOW!). This has been a harsh winter. But, we have fared well mentally by taking advantage of all the winter fun. Tim and Laura came over for dinner last Sunday and we went for a walk/sled in the woods to exercise the dogs. [More like I pleaded with them to bring Tahawus so that Dutch would have a playmate.]

The snow is getting thin but there was enough for the kids to ride in sleds.

It was Lucy's first time in the sled and she loved it!!

Elliott has been talking all week about how Laura pulled him in the sled. "Which Gee pulled me? Wuara!" (Gee = Magee)

Rosy cheeks. She is wedged into this snowsuit. That was her last time fitting in that one!

Elliott and Lucy got cute pig pjs from Louise when we went to NYC in December. This was Lucy's first night in two-piece big girl pjs.

Cheeks are still rosy from being outside. I love this beautiful girl!

Play with Emma, Lucy's Six Month Checkup, Some Selfies

Lucy and I had a wonderful visit with Danielle and Emma last week. Danielle, Emma, Dutch, and I went for a walk to take in some much needed vitamin D. Lucy and Elliott napped under Poppy's care for a while but both were awake by the time we returned. These girls are already interested in each other. It is wonderful to see.

Holding hands and thrilled! A few days later at mommy-baby yoga, Lucy cozied right up to Emma and hugged her leg. We were good yoga students and didn't pull our phones out to take pictures but I wish I had!

Loving on Dutch. He is such a patient dog.

Poppy and Elliott were "napping like engines" in the Thomas book. I love this picture!

Look how similar their facial expressions are! Poppy and Elliott could read for days together.

More Dutch love.

That evening, Elliott insisted that Lucy sit next to him for dinner.

Lucy had her six month check up last week. She was such a hit in the office - all smiles and very few tears. She cried and cried when I got her dressed but barely made a peep when she got two shots. Tough girl!

Six month stats:

16 lbs, 4 oz (57th percentile)

27" (88th percentile)

She has exactly doubled her birth weight in six months.

We took some morning selfies to send to Jesse.

All of us in our PJs in Lucy's room.

Sibling cuddles. Elliott was working on a puzzle and Lucy was very interested.

Lucy - 6 Months & Elliott 2 1/2 Years

We celebrated milestone half birthdays last weekend. Lucy is six months old and Elliott is two and a half. The past six months have gone by so quickly. Long days, fast months. 

My two rascals.

Luce (Elliott calls her "Wuce" since he can't pronounce his "L" sounds).

She's a remarkably happy and easy baby (I write this as she's fussing in her crib).

"Hi Wucey!"

Elliott wants to see the pictures as I take them. "See a picture?"

Playing with the birdhouse she got for Christmas from Coco and Poppy.

Eating a lamb.

Playing with Friends and Sitting Up

Keeping kiddos healthy in the winter is a challenge. Elliott and his friends Tucker and Levi are all prone to respiratory issues so I keep our distance when any of them is sick. Finally, everyone is healthy so we can all be together, as we should! These kids love playing together.

Lincoln (9 months) and Lucy. He pulled himself up to see her.

Tucker and Elliott were very proud when they emptied the toy box and got inside.

Happy friends.

After I put Elliott down for nap that day, I came down to find my slippers occupied by some furry friends (a monkey and Rocky the seal).

Bedtime snuggles. Both kids are wearing hand-me-down PJs from Ned.

Elliott wanted to hold Lucy.

Lucy is quite the sitter these days. She can keep herself upright for a while and self-correct before toppling over. This was on 3/15/14. I took similar pictures of Elliott on 3/17/12. They seem to be hitting milestones at the same time.

Enjoying our last evening with Daddy before his trip.

Hi! Check out the second picture of Elliott in this post. Related?

The flashing toothbrush has been a game changer for Elliott. It flashes for a whole minute so we know how long to brush his teeth.

Jesse left on Sunday for two and a half weeks in Cyprus. My mom came down to watch the kids so I could take Jesse to the airport. Instead, I came down with a stomach bug and spent the day curled in the fetal position. My mom stepped in to make the airport run. Sorry, babe, that I couldn't see you off. 

In bed with my girl.

She loves playing with Elliott's toys.

Sitting and playing with Elliott's house keys.

Coco reading to the wiggleworms.

Lucy finally fell asleep after fighting a nap that afternoon. I love watching them sleep.

Ted's Birthday, Sibling Bonding, Shadows, Etc.

A spattering of activities from last week.

We went to the Ortmans' house to celebrate Ted's 38th birthday. He got lots of snuggles from the nieces and nephews. Here he is practicing the double hold for when he has twins. Lucy and Penny look very similar in size here!

The boys helped blow out the candles on these AMAZING dairy-free and gluten-free brownies. Thanks, sister, for making a yummy treat both Ted and I could enjoy! 

Blowing out the little bulldozer candle.

Penny loving on Lucy.

Elliott had a special request a few weeks ago. He wanted the horse on top of him. And his blanket on the horse. Whatever gets him to sleep . . . 

Elliott had a wonderful aha moment when he found his shadow at lunch one day.

"It's me!" This reminds me of the first time he found his shadow.

Lucy and Elliott have started playing together. It warms my heart. She is interested in many of his toys. Most of the time, he is great about giving her things to play with. But, we also have a lot of "mine!" moments.

When Elliott was little, we did not have a house full of toddler toys so he always played with age-appropriate toys. Lucy is an equal-opportunity toy lover, opting for a loader here.

We had our second blizzard of the year on March 12, 2014. Lucy went for a fancy dress, as she did on our first blizzard. 

My mother bought this dress for Holly in Lake Placid, NY in 1978. It has now been worn by Holly, me, Penny, and Lucy.

Reading books together. I love watching their bond grow!