Six Months Old

Our sweet Eliza girl.

Look! No Training Wheels!

Last weekend Ben asked to take the training wheels off his bike. As soon as Jess gave him a push, he was off. He practiced a little while that first day, and then a little more yesterday. Such a classic childhood rite of passage. (Sorry - the video is sideways, but you get the idea.)

March Madness

March is just half-way through, but it feels like we've done a month's worth of activities already. To highlight a few ...

Ben had winter break a few weeks ago, so I took the kiddos to the aquarium. We hadn't been in so long, and Eliza had never been before. It was such a fun outing!

Noah took this pic - not bad by 3-year-old standards.

The boys just finished a round of swim lessons, so we all headed to the pool a couple weekends ago for them to practice their new skills. It was Eliza's first time swimming.

She loved the water!

We commemorated E turning 7 months old last weekend by introducing her to finger foods - some baby puffs. After a few attempts, she did finally get one into her mouth ...
however,
she was not real keen on it,
and it came right back out. We've been practicing all week and finally, just today, she did actually keep a few Cheerios in and "chewed" them up.

And last weekend Ben had his first soccer game of the season.
After a slow start, he really got in to it! He chased the ball up and down the field.
Go Giants!

And, finally, some random Ben, Noah, and Eliza goofiness ...

February Feats

It doesn't seem possible, but somehow Eliza turned 6 months old last weekend. And with that milestone came her first foray into solid foods. Oatmeal cereal - yummm (or at least she thought so).
" More, Daddy, more!"
"Y'all have been holding out on me!"

Another major event in our household has been the end of the paci era for Noah. We've been talking about giving them up for oh, about a year now, but things kept seeming to get in the way. We were adamant, though, that the pacis must go in the beginning of the new year. So, we concocted a scheme and convinced him that the new baby panda at the zoo NEEDED his pacis.
He happily holds them up just before handing them over to the panda.
He sets them down in front of the panda exhibit.
We explained that the keepers would come and give them to the panda. This all went surprisingly well ... until bedtime ... and every bedtime and nap since then. "I MISS my pacis!" he cries, "I don't want to be a big boy! I want to be a baby!" Not a fun process.

Ben has not had any major feats this month, per se, but he has had a ton of fun birthday parties and playdates.
He became a fire-breathing dragon at a friend's circus-themed birthday party.
And had a fun playdate at the zoo with his good pal Joanna.

Eliza Goes to Washington!

Jess, Eliza, and I spent a couple of days in D.C. earlier this week. Jess was supposed to have a business meeting, but it was cancelled, so we had the whole time free to see the sights. And did we! Eliza was such a trooper. We walked that girl ALL over the city, and it was coooold. We saw the Capitol, the White House, all the monuments and memorials (6 to be exact), and a ton of museums (6 to be exact).

With a Renoir at the National Gallery of Art.

At the gates of the White House. They were getting ready for Chinese President Hu's visit.

Washington Monument. These pics crack me up. We have a bunch of them at various historical landmarks - her sleeping in her stroller - just for the sake of capturing the fact that she was there.

Vietnam War Memorial Wall.

Eliza and I on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was neat to be there on MLK Day.

Jefferson Memorial

Smithsonian Natural History Museum

And there was no shortage of fun back home for the boys with Aunt Julie Ann. Thanks, Aunt Julie, for taking such good care of them!

Snowpalooza 2011

It started snowing late Sunday night, and by Monday morning, the city was shut down. We got a good 4-5 inches at our house ... Now, you Midwesterners might scoff, but that's a TON of snow down here. And to make things even more interesting, it started to freezing rain/sleet, which meant we weren't only snowed in, but ICED in as well. And still are, actually. We are on snow day #2. Nobody's working, the mail is stopped, roads are closed, and the stir crazies are starting to set in. Yesterday, though, was full of SNOW FUN!
Look closely - there really is a baby in there.
And this was the extent of Eliza's snow adventure. Not much fun when you can't even sit up yet.

The boys, however, had a blast.

Of course, there was snowman building.

And even sledding. We brought our garbage can lids down to the park, but some neighbors had actual sleds that they let us borrow. Give Southerners credit for their creativity. Some of my friends used recycling bins, planters, and even a water heater drain pan to sled!

The boys in action ... this was Noah's first run down the hill, and you can hear him screaming "the wrong waaaay!" as his sled spins around backwards ...

And while the boys were outside playing, Eliza was inside practicing her newest skill ...

We think she's gifted.

Christmas 2010

I forgot to post this pic last time. The boys were so proud of their little gingerbread train that could ... A couple days before Christmas we headed to Columbus for the day to celebrate with family there. It was a special treat to visit Aunt Julie Ann's boyfriend's family farm ... Justin helped Noah feed the donkeys.

Aunt Julie Ann and Noah explore the creek. When they got back to Grandpa's, it was present time.
Grandpa got lots of sweet Eliza love.

On Christmas Eve, the boys looked so handsome for church.

Of course, Eliza had to get dolled up too.

When we got home, Ben wrote a note for Santa and we fixed him and his reindeer a plate of goodies ...

And while sugar plums were dancing, the Big Man arrived!

Christmas morning brought lots of excitement, with Santa coming through on much of their wish lists.

Eliza slept through most of the gift opening frenzy, but when she finally woke up, the boys were happy to help her open her presents.

There was snow accumulation in Atlanta on Christmas day for the first time in over 130 years. Such a treat for the boys!

That night they took their new Jeep out for its inaugural ride.

What a perfect day!

The next day we flew to Michigan to celebrate with family there.

Boomma was so happy to see baby E!

We had a Christmas pool party with all the grandkids (9 of them) ...

Eliza with cousin Kelsey.

With cousin Ashley - the oldest and youngest grandkids.

On New Year's Eve, Eliza was obviously excited to ring in 2011. She's got big plans this year - solid foods, talking, walking - it's major.

The boys and their cousin Austin had a countdown at about 7 pm, which didn't dampen their spirits at all. Happy New Year, everyone!