Charlotte has made two major advances since the last post. She has discovered "standing" (bearing her weight on her straight legs while we hold her steady) and she is in love with her new discovery. She shows her joy by squawking with a sound that reminds us of the sounds pterodactyls make in B movies. We remember that Audrey went through the same phase for a few weeks at about this age. It's very endearing. We can have entire conversations with our pet pterodactyl.
Charlotte has presented us with one more surprise: she has a neck! Along with standing she has started holding her head up higher and has revealed a cute little neck.
Audrey continues to enjoy her role as big sister. She is very sweet to Charlotte. She kisses her regularly and hugs her and loves playing with her. The new banquette arrived for the kitchen, and Audrey thinks it is her personal trampoline. She's slowly being trained that it is for sitting. She fell while jumping one of the first days we had it, which resulted in Audrey's first black eye.
The arrival of the banquette inspired us to finish that room. It now has a coat of lemony yellow paint; recessed lighting both over the table and over Carol's adjacent "baking center"; and new dining room chairs that we'll re-upholster with the same seat fabric as the banquette. Our friend Matt has made us a table top out of quarter-sawn white oak that has been "fumed" and stained dark. We are just waiting for table bases we ordered from a restaurant supply store and the room will be pretty much together. I'll put up before and after photos when it is complete.
Audrey is also becoming friends with two neighbor boys Justin (4) and Austin (6). They live in the house I was born in. They love hanging out with Audrey. When I got home from work this evening they were all having a great time in our sandbox. Their parents, Lynn and Cary, gave us a warm welcome to the neighborhood with a delicious dinner one of our first nights here and are becoming new friends, too.
Finally, writing the last post got me unstuck on the garage project. I took the following Monday off and had appointments with three plumbers, two electricians and a couple of concrete contractors to get bids. No big surprises in the cost, so we’re ready to start very soon. Our timing was a little off, because my brother-in-law Frank is going to excavate the old slab but he and Tricia just bought a house (down the street from their current house) that they are renovating in a month before they move in May 1. Our garage construction should start shortly thereafter. I’m excited to get started!
Monday, April 10, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Spring is Here
The temperature hit 68 degrees one day this week, which is a sure sign of spring. Sunrise is heading toward 6:00am, and Audrey wakes up with the Sun even though her windows are covered with dark blankets (blackout curtains are on the way!). We suspect the birds are waking her up.
In the winter, Audrey would sleep until 7:45 or so (well past my 7:00 departure time), which was nice for Carol. Now I get up with Audrey earlier than I normally would for work. The upside obviously is more time together. The hard part is making myself go to bed earlier.
Charlotte gets cuter every day. Last Sunday she rolled over from her tummy to her back several times. She's done it a couple of times since. That's a motor control milestone. She also is chattering a lot more and tells us long stories almost every day. She has a great smile and laugh.
Audrey never really showed any jealousy about Charlotte, but now she shows outright affection for her. In the morning Audrey can't wait to see Charlotte and wants to touch her and kiss her. As always, Audrey gets very concerned when Charlotte is crying. Charlotte is fascinated by Audrey and loves to watch Audrey play.
Carol and I are doing very well. Carol's former boss Debbie has volunteered to babysit one evening every other week, as has my sister Tricia. So suddenly we are babysitter-rich and Carol and I have been enjoying our dates. They are limited in length by the fact that Charlotte won't take a bottle (yet - we're working on it), but even an hour and half alone together is a treat.
I'm trying to get started with our garage construction. The plans are complete and we have the building permit in hand. Now I have to find and coordinate the necessary subcontractors. As an independent contractor myself every hour off work is income lost, but I'll have to bite the bullet soon and take a day off work to meet subs and get bids started. Tricia and Frank are standing by to help with the excavation and framing, but I have to resolve the underground plumbing and electrical plan before we can do the excavation and concrete.
The other piece of house news is that the custom banquette we ordered for the kitchen in November is going to be delivered Monday. Then we can finish the dining area. We're looking forward to creating a warm, cheery and comfortable space for eating and socializing.
In the winter, Audrey would sleep until 7:45 or so (well past my 7:00 departure time), which was nice for Carol. Now I get up with Audrey earlier than I normally would for work. The upside obviously is more time together. The hard part is making myself go to bed earlier.
Charlotte gets cuter every day. Last Sunday she rolled over from her tummy to her back several times. She's done it a couple of times since. That's a motor control milestone. She also is chattering a lot more and tells us long stories almost every day. She has a great smile and laugh.
Audrey never really showed any jealousy about Charlotte, but now she shows outright affection for her. In the morning Audrey can't wait to see Charlotte and wants to touch her and kiss her. As always, Audrey gets very concerned when Charlotte is crying. Charlotte is fascinated by Audrey and loves to watch Audrey play.
Carol and I are doing very well. Carol's former boss Debbie has volunteered to babysit one evening every other week, as has my sister Tricia. So suddenly we are babysitter-rich and Carol and I have been enjoying our dates. They are limited in length by the fact that Charlotte won't take a bottle (yet - we're working on it), but even an hour and half alone together is a treat.
I'm trying to get started with our garage construction. The plans are complete and we have the building permit in hand. Now I have to find and coordinate the necessary subcontractors. As an independent contractor myself every hour off work is income lost, but I'll have to bite the bullet soon and take a day off work to meet subs and get bids started. Tricia and Frank are standing by to help with the excavation and framing, but I have to resolve the underground plumbing and electrical plan before we can do the excavation and concrete.
The other piece of house news is that the custom banquette we ordered for the kitchen in November is going to be delivered Monday. Then we can finish the dining area. We're looking forward to creating a warm, cheery and comfortable space for eating and socializing.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Almost the End of Winter
Labels:
family
Charlotte is 3 1/2 months old now and generally sleeping through the night (as long as 8 hours sometimes!). That's a treat, especially for Carol. Charlotte seems to have come through her slight colic-y phase and is usually pretty happy these days. She still doesn't like to be left in a position where she can't see any action.
Audrey is doing well. She's very kind to Charlotte; she gives Vegas to Charlotte when Charlotte is upset. Audrey is talking a lot more (or at least a lot more in English) and is starting to put together real sentences. Her vocabulary is increasing rapidly. It's very nice that Audrey is starting to be able to ask for what she needs. Of course, her favorite word hasn't changed: "No!"
We've been making up for the social life we haven't had since Charlotte was born. In the last two weeks we've had several groups of friends over for meals and have gone out a few times with other friends. Our friends Barry and Rabih turned us on to a Greek restaurant (Vios) that is very kid friendly - it has a nice play area within view of the tables so we can eat and socialize and Audrey can play the whole time while we keep an eye on her.
I continue to bike to work most days and I've started getting out most weekends for the Saturday morning group ride I've enjoyed for several years. Carol is enjoying our new YMCA membership and she has signed up to do the Danskin Triathlon again in August with some friends.
Carol and I count our blessings every day. We feel extremely fortunate.
Audrey is doing well. She's very kind to Charlotte; she gives Vegas to Charlotte when Charlotte is upset. Audrey is talking a lot more (or at least a lot more in English) and is starting to put together real sentences. Her vocabulary is increasing rapidly. It's very nice that Audrey is starting to be able to ask for what she needs. Of course, her favorite word hasn't changed: "No!"
We've been making up for the social life we haven't had since Charlotte was born. In the last two weeks we've had several groups of friends over for meals and have gone out a few times with other friends. Our friends Barry and Rabih turned us on to a Greek restaurant (Vios) that is very kid friendly - it has a nice play area within view of the tables so we can eat and socialize and Audrey can play the whole time while we keep an eye on her.
I continue to bike to work most days and I've started getting out most weekends for the Saturday morning group ride I've enjoyed for several years. Carol is enjoying our new YMCA membership and she has signed up to do the Danskin Triathlon again in August with some friends.
Carol and I count our blessings every day. We feel extremely fortunate.
Monday, March 6, 2006
Showshoeing on Suntop Mountain
Labels:
outdoors
I obtained a special dispensation from the Mrs. to go snowshoeing with friend Chris Kilmer (thanks, Carol!). Well, I also had to give up half a day with the daughters. But neither Chris or I had been in the mountains in far too long. In fact, we both had trouble remembering what to wear and bring.
For example, we didn't bring a map or a good route description. My impression was that the entire route was on logging roads, but that's only true for the last part of the route. We reached the end of the road, which appeared to be about 100' vertical below the top of the mountain. But there was no continuing trail to be found. I'll have to head back in the summer and try to find the trail to the lookout.
I also forgot to bring a camera, so the only photo is taken with my crappy cell phone camera. With no tripod, Chris and I are standing together only through the magic of Photoshop.
The weather was nice and the snowshoeing was perfect. There were some few-day-old tracks part of the way, but we got to break trail the last half of the route. We had to turn around at 11:00am so I could get back for afternoon Daddy duty. And Carol got to go to a chick flick by herself on Sunday as compensation.
For example, we didn't bring a map or a good route description. My impression was that the entire route was on logging roads, but that's only true for the last part of the route. We reached the end of the road, which appeared to be about 100' vertical below the top of the mountain. But there was no continuing trail to be found. I'll have to head back in the summer and try to find the trail to the lookout.
I also forgot to bring a camera, so the only photo is taken with my crappy cell phone camera. With no tripod, Chris and I are standing together only through the magic of Photoshop.
The weather was nice and the snowshoeing was perfect. There were some few-day-old tracks part of the way, but we got to break trail the last half of the route. We had to turn around at 11:00am so I could get back for afternoon Daddy duty. And Carol got to go to a chick flick by herself on Sunday as compensation.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Audrey Turns Two
Audrey turned two on Feburary 2. We had a very quiet birthday (we didn't rent a stadium or even the Aquarium!). Carol made a cake for us and a special cupcake for Audrey. She enjoyed it very much, especially the frosting.
Audrey is definitely showing signs of being two years old. Of course it can be trying at times, but she's so darling 95% of the time. We'll see if I'm still saying that in six months.
Charlotte is almost three months old and becoming a lot more aware. She holds her head up pretty well now and smiles often. She loves attention but is also content to watch activity around her. Last checkup she was 95th percentile for weight, so she's getting plenty of nutrition!
Carol and the girls have a pretty good routine going: music class on Monday morning, working out at the YMCA on Tuesday and Thursday and Co-op preschool on Friday morning. Plus usually at least one play date a week with friends. Sounds like they have a lot of fun while I'm slaving away :)
Audrey is definitely showing signs of being two years old. Of course it can be trying at times, but she's so darling 95% of the time. We'll see if I'm still saying that in six months.
Charlotte is almost three months old and becoming a lot more aware. She holds her head up pretty well now and smiles often. She loves attention but is also content to watch activity around her. Last checkup she was 95th percentile for weight, so she's getting plenty of nutrition!
Carol and the girls have a pretty good routine going: music class on Monday morning, working out at the YMCA on Tuesday and Thursday and Co-op preschool on Friday morning. Plus usually at least one play date a week with friends. Sounds like they have a lot of fun while I'm slaving away :)
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