Life

This is just a hodgepodge of pictures from the last month or so. I can hardly believe summer is over! I'm a little sad. Enjoy the pictures!

Eden hanging out with Daddy.

Nathan and me.


Z took this picture of me.

We made a shield for Z, which he decorated himself. He LOVES it.

Even warriors need their naps.

About a week ago we had a fire in the backyard and roasted marshmallows.

Ooey-gooey yumminess!

Z wanted to put out the fire in all his fireman gear.

He did an excellent job!

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby?

She looks like an eggroll wearing ballet shoes.

There's a little smile!

I wanted a picture of her in these super cute overalls. They certainly make her eyes look blue (although now we think they're turning brown).

Z has learned to pedal his big wheel and loves riding it all over the USF campus.

Serious baby.

Z was very excited to have his apple juice in one of the special glasses.

Z riding the camel at the zoo. Last year he was a little too scared to try it, but this year it's one of his favorite zoo activities (as you can see!).

Z has his own garden in which he (we) planted cucumbers. This is just a small part of the harvest he is reaping now! It's the best cucumber results we've ever had!

Winter Thrills

Today Z asked me when winter would start. I told him probably in about 3 months (if we're lucky). His response was great joy. My response to that: puzzlement. When I asked him why he wanted it to be winter he said, "Because then I can wear my new boots that Steven gave me!"

Apparently still thinking about winter when we got home from our walk, he asked to see his Spiderman coat. We both were thinking it would be too small this year, but when we put it on him, it still fit! Z was thrilled -- just one more reason to look forward to winter. I left him looking at himself in the mirror and went to get dinner. When I came back a few minutes later to call him to the table, he was still gazing lovingly at his reflection. I told him to come to supper and he said, "Just a minute, Mama. I'm trying to see if I look awesome."

Summer Vacation Part 2: Mexico

After a week in Kansas, we went to Mexico to visit Lee and Cindy for just a little over a week. They live in a little village named Ajijic on Lake Chapala. Below are some pictures from our visit.

This is the street we stayed on.

Our little house had a very pretty little courtyard.

The inside was very comfortable.

Z looking out over the lake as we waited for our breakfast.

Eden looking startled about something.

Nathan and Z went for a hike with Grandpa. I think they're examining a dung beetle in this picture.

Z and Grandma.

Me and Cindy.

Nathan and Lee on a hike. The village is spread out below them.
(Yes, Nathan's shirt says "Buckbo.")

Z and Grandpa on the way down.

Z and Nathan.

Nathan and Z watching Airplane on TV. Z loved having a TV but could not figure out why we couldn't just fast forward over the ads. He kept saying, "Mama, I do not like these!"

Me and Eden.

Z on the lake. Unfortunately there was no swimming, but it was very beautiful.

We ate at what seemed to be a little hole in the wall restaurant, but once you got through the front door, it opened up into beautiful gardens with little tables scattered around. Z explored as we waited for our meal.

Nathan and Lee took a trip to Tequila and sampled its wares.

Z getting sunscreened up before swimming in the pool at Grandpa and Grandma's.

Fun times in the pool!

Grandpa and Grandma gave Z a birthday party since they wouldn't be able to be with him on his actual birthday. We had pizza and a tower of little fruit tarts. Delicious!

We also had a pinata. Of course. We were in Mexico, after all.

Looking for goodies.

Family portrait.

Eden's Stats

Eden had her 4 month doctor's appointment today. Here's what we found out:

Head size: 42 centimeters (75th percentile)
Height: 25 and 1/4 inches (77th percentile)
Weight: 13 pounds 6 ounces (33rd percentile)

Photo Shoot

Last week I decided to do a little photo shoot with Eden. Before she was born I bought her several very sweet little dresses, which she is now big enough to wear. Plus, she's very smiley these days. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to record on film my beautiful daughter and her cute little wardrobe.

Things didn't quite go as planned. In Eden's defense, it was very hot outside. (We were outside in an attempt to get some natural light.) Nonetheless, she was decidedly uncooperative.

First she refused to smile.

Then she stopped making eye contact.

Then she began gnawing on her fists. I don't know if she was trying to irritate her cameraman or was just feeling nervous.

And then it all went bad. The dress came up . . .

and the screaming started.

In the end she was just really ticked off.

Speaking of clothes we bought before she was born, here's the outfit Nathan purchased for her:

A close-up:

We both think this onesie is hilarious, but no one else does. They either don't get it or don't appreciate it . . . maybe both. All we've gotten so far are polite smiles and puzzled looks. I guess that's what happens when you're reformed and go to a pentacostal church.

Yeah, I can't get rid of this picture. Isn't that just like a crying baby?