5 months old

A few days with my bro

Meet my big bro, Andre. Isn't he cool?

He has a cell phone (I want one of those. I bet it would taste good.) and gets lots of calls/text messages... he's also got a cute girlfriend and is off to college in August.

He's allowed to eat ice cream with dad, nana and pops - which I'm really, really looking forward to.

During our time together, we went to the pool. He did some cool dives, while I stayed under the shade with mom.


I hope he comes to visit me in Seattle.

We'll miss you, Andre!

Foot in Mouth

It happened. There's no turning back...

Land of the Free

We made it. We're here. Phew.

The move is half-way over, and we're enjoying some transition time at Tim's parents house in Virginia. We flew from Munich to Dulles on June 1, and, drum roll.... Van was grrrreat!

Despite 'down-turned face' on his passport, he is a very happy flyer!

We had a short flight and stop over in London, where he was awake and loving all his new surroundings and the people watching - he is such a curious sort. Then, on the long leg from London to Dulles, it was our nighttime, and Van slept the whole way. I wish I could say I planned it that way when booking our tickets, it was such good timing. We also had bulkhead seats, thanks to our babe - double score!

Arriving in London.

On the way to Dulles.

Once we arrived, they lost Van's bag (of course!), but otherwise, we've been enjoying some crazy thunderstorms, warm weather and time with Nana and Pops. Upon meeting 'Pops', Van immediately gave his big gummy smile and it was love at first sight. Nana constantly says what a good, happy baby Van is and how his smiles melt her heart (I feel the same).

We were also mega-fortunate to have some wonderful, wonderful friends in the area who have loaned us a bunch of clothes, toys and baby gear for Van. It saved us having to pack and lug all of our own stuff around. Thank you, Bill & Michelle!

Van LOVES the exersaucer.

Van has not slowed down a bit, and has continued to change a ton in the last couple weeks. In the blink of an eye, he grows! He's started being a wiggly-jiggly baby and rarely sits still.

Here he is scootching out of his swing. Security straps are a must these days.

He also rolled from his back to front. I think it was accidental, as he was on the gymini and contorting himself into a 'U' shape on his side to see something above him, and when I looked back, he was on his belly. He makes me laugh daily with his inquisitiveness and ability to squirm to see something better, closer, or from a different angle (his big thing is to lean backwards and look at things upside down).

I'm hoping to work on our daytime routine and 'schedule' this month. Get us a little more organized. But we'll see how well that works out - admitedly, I'm still really tired from the time change and move, on top of daily life with a super cool baby.

Much love to you all!

Such. A. Trooper.

Van has been such a trooper through our move. The week leading up to the packers arriving was hectic. Then, two days before the movers arrived, we hit manic mode. Van was dragged all over for last minute doctor appointments, trips to the pharmacy, and back to the pharmacy, last chance shopping, meet-ups with friends for 'goodbyes', etc.

Napping, during all the pre-move hullabaloo.

He's been woken up from naps, been asked to wait 15 minutes longer to eat (if you have kids, you know 15 min is for-e-ver when they are hungry!), been forced to sit in my arms for hours (believe me, he really enjoyed being set down after that), and kept up and out too late (9pm! ha. such is our life these days - bedtime is usually 6:30).

Movers are almost done!

But still, he smiles, laughs and barely cries (only when I'm 'asking' him to wait for food). He is so awesome and we are so grateful he doesn't seem to hate us at this point.

Hotel living. It ain't so bad, when you can bring your toys with you.

Thanks, little man, for being so great.

Next up: Arrival in Virginia, and how did our wonder-baby do on the flights?