What's for lunch, Mom?

Goodbye to Aunt Emmy

Clara and I flew to Orlando to say goodbye to Aunt Emmy before she left for Japan. My parents had a farewell ice cream social in her honor.

Clara and Miss Nikki

Clara and Great-Grammy

Clara and Aunt Barbara

Aunt Hildi and Aunt Andie also came to celebrate.

Goodbye Aunt Emmy!

(Photography credit to Grampy and Don Patrick)

Lazy River

She's earned her wings

Bath time movie by Emily

Artistic photos by Emily

Photos by Aunt Emmy

Aunt Emmy was delighted that Clara was so excited about the ice cream maker.

Somebody wants Mommy's attention.

Talking on the phone to Grammy.

First pony-tail.

Having fun in her most expensive toy.

Happy Birthday to us!

Emily and I embarked on an ambitious baking project for us summer birthday girls and boy. Ambitious because 1) it required Clara to be occupied for several hours. Ambitious because 2) it had thin layers of marzipan that were rolled out, cut into circles, and gently transferred between layers of apricot preserves and pistachio cake. Ambitious because 3) it called for 3/4 cup of peeled, unsalted pistachios and we had already purchased unpeeled, salted pistachios. Three quarters of a cup might not sound like very much, but pistachios are quite a bit smaller than I had recalled...their skins cling more tightly and their shells are more stubborn...and my nail beds are more tender. Ambitious because 4) it was to be decorated with tinted, hand-rolled marzipan roses. At this point in the project, ambition and reality clashed. We were three-quarters ambitious, so we just decorated the top with the now mostly-peeled pistachios.

First trip to the zoo

While Emily was here, we visited the Houston Zoo. The carousel was the highlight of the trip! We chose the stationary giraffe with Grammy in mind. Enjoy the blurry, twirly video!

Rock-a-bye Baby...

...in the tree top.
You're growing up,

8/10/08

Naps in the cradle must stop.
But your stuffed animals can sleep in this bed.

7/16/08

Be careful climbing in after them,

8/25/08

You might bump your head!

Aunt Emmy visits

Emily came to visit us for a week and a half in July.
She was great at putting Clara down for naps!

She had fun accessorizing the live baby doll.

Clara smiled lots of extra smiles...

...and got many, many, extra kisses and hugs!

Peek-a-boo Blueberry

Clara loves books and this is her newest favorite.




This is a 'teaser' post. I will eventually resume chronological posting, but I just needed to post something, anything, so I got over the hump of not having posted in a month and being about 2.5 months behind. Now, I just need to do the same with my dissertation....