Chicago Weekend

Bethany and Job feeding Carys oranges- she loves them. My love Elisabeth and I. The girls at Jenny's birthday.





Here are pictures from our quick trip to Chicago to pick up our D.C. friend Jacob. He took all these great pictures (thanks!). More pictures to come!

Happy 8 months Beauty.

There she is. My little girl. Not so little any more. She is doing SUCH big girl things. It is SOOO exciting. Every day there is something new. She's been able to crawl since Thursday, Sept. 18th at 4:30pm. Strange, I know, that I would have it documented that precisely, but I have been waiting and waiting for this momentous occasion! At first she would straighten her legs and do a modified 'downward dog.' That lasted a few days. Then fiiiinally her little knobby knees started to bend into something of a 90 degree angle. But not at the same time. It was usually her left leg/knee, and then her right would go out to the side of her body, making me jealous of her innate flexibility that she did NOT get from me.

Then she made it to all fours. And this was just so cute! It was like someone had placed her there in that position; she was as surprised as I was. Then- rocking. Which was hilarious. Back and forth and back and forth she would rock, as if she was getting up all the inertia in her body to propel herself forward. I loved it.

Then. Thursday. We were hanging out in the 'piano' room on her beloved pink 'Illinois stitch' quilt (from Joan Armstrong, thank you Joan) and it happened. Her little adorable knee moved. 1/4 of an inch...but it moved! More trepidatious wobbling and rocking, but then the other knee. AMAZING. My little girl, that I held just minutes after being born was now moving on her own. Absolutely incredible. I am just in awe of what our bodies can do. Innately. That's the amazing thing. As ridiculous as it, I'm sure, would look- the all the crawling, wobbling, imitating a bear thundering through the woods, all of that would never do much good for her. She had to figure it out on her own. And I sat there, biting my nails (figuratively) excitedly cheering her on to greatness.

And this is just the beginning. I love you Beauty.

P.S. In her 8 month picture we made her crawl to the pumpkin, but never expected her to pick it up for the picture. She now seems to pose for pictures- it's great. We'll be yelling, "Beauty..Carys..here Beauty..Carys, look over here...hey Bug Bug...Beeeeauty," all the while she be intently studying something with a furrowed brow, then at the last second she will look directly at the camera and smile. Precious.

7 month birthday picutre.

Here is Carys' 7 month picture. Her first reeeeal month of sitting up unsupported. Such a big girl!!!