dandi-lion

More pictures from way back when... these are from Nona's last visit in August (I'm thinking I should get all those up before she comes to visit again... on Wednesday!).

Birthday Pictures

Tissues

Clara's back at it, after a long weekend with lots and lots of puking. Actually, Zach and I think she's back and better than ever. Is that possible? Maybe it's the contrast with how sick she was over the weekend. Or maybe she just grew up while she was sick?

It all started with an innocent drive down to see the grandparents on Saturday night. What's usually a 2 hour drive (I had the brilliant idea of driving after bedtime) ended up taking 14.

14 hours, really? Yes. An hour into the drive little Miss Clara started puking.

We pulled over several times to clean up (stopping at that ATM was not a brilliant idea, and that, um, group of young men marching through an intersection was a little sketchy). Finally, we stopped at a friendly local In'N'Out Burger and called the Kaiser Advice Nurse (thank EBRPD for great health insurance!). Verdict: classic stomach flu (it's going around y'all!) and the puking would likely continue for a while longer.

Feeling rather stuck, we decided to stay put at the not at all sketchy hotel nearby. Good thing, too, because the puking did continue through the night. I feel a little bad for the piles of pukey towels we left, but mostly I feel thankful that we are in a position that we could afford to stay at a hotel an hour away from home.

We did get down to Nana & Pa's house and enjoyed a lovely weekend with them (and really appreciated their help cleaning up a couple more rounds of vomit). The nice part was how much fun Molly had with them while Zach and I tended to Clara.

And it was amazing to see what a great attitude Clara had through this all. At night she was clearly just tired and wanted to go to sleep. And during the day she was really cheerful between rounds of vomit. It was a little disconcerting, but nice.

Of course, it was a stomach flu, and on the ride home Molly started her own round of vomiting, and that night I joined in. But we're mostly better now. Especially Clara.

Tedachment

Knick-Nock
scabetti (spagetti)
property (properly)
tedatch (attach)
Te-Rock Oh Bama (Barak Obama)

Is it terrible that I don't correct Molly when she says funny, precious mixed up words like this? There are so many more... if only I could remember!

Pictures from a trip to the park in late August: Clara's foot; Molly builds, Clara smooshes; Clara crawls; Hands-In-The-Air!; Molly found a place to build without Clara; Molly; Molly tries to stop Clara from crawling away (a big concern of hers - she used to just lay down on top of Clara to stop her, but now she tries to hold her back); I convinced Molly that Clara could go and I'd pick her up if she got too far; Molly lets her go, but is still nervous; Molly & Clara back with mama; Clara.

Autumn

recent pictures:
Molly rolling down the hill in Davis; Zach & Molly in Davis; Clara feeding a goat at the Little Farm; Clara feeding me at the Little Farm; Molly; Clara, standing, thinking about walking, but not; Clara & Molly negotiating transportation options; Molly, ready to go to school.

Happy Birthday Clara!

happy birthday clara!

It's been one heck of a year, hasn't it?

Now, as you turn one whole year old, you are moving full-speed ahead and ready to take on the world. You spend four days a week with Akiva (aka Kika) at the wonderful daycare around the corner. Akiva put it well today when she told me you were off and running as soon as you got to the park. Well, not literally running, but going all over the place exploring. Very independent. And fun.

As for that running, you'll be doing that soon enough. This past week we've all been on the edge of our seats ready for you to take your first steps. You're there. You're just going to do it one of these days and there will be no looking back. I think the biggest thing holding you back is that you can crawl way faster than you'll be able to walk at first.

Molly is more and more in love with you every week. Heck, we all are, but it's really neat to watch Molly's love grow and develop. The other day in the bike trailer when you were getting fussy I loved listening to Molly talk to you and give you Cheddar Bunnies (our current favorite snack) to help you.

And you, of course, are in love with her, as you have been from the minute you were born. It's neat, now that you're more mobile and able to do more things for yourself, you are also able to do more things with Molly.

Speaking of things you do for yourself, you've been signing for a while now, and recently you've been adding words ("Hi!" is a favorite), and you have other funny little tricks: "feeding" mama & dada, dancing to music, and you really like to play pass-the-ball (you're actually pretty good at it, too!).

It's been quite an adventure this year, and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us in the coming year.

We love you!

Mother Mother Daughter Daughter Daughter

Uh-oh. I'm really behind on these pictures! These are still more from Nona's trip in, um, August. We're still doing well here, enjoying the last of the dry season (it's supposed to rain at last!).

Below: Clara, Nona, Sofi, Molly on the prickly leaves below a Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) in Tilden; Sofi & Mary; Mama & Molly; Mama & Clara; Mama & Molly enjoying the sun; Mama & Molly enjoy a pine cone; Sofi, Molly, & the sky at the downtown farmer's market; Sofi & Molly enjoy the music at the downtown farmer's market; Sofi & Clara watch Molly in her swim class (that Clara desparately wants to be a part of); Mama & Molly after the swim class.