Updates

We've had a good month since our last post. Nothing much really to report aside from some new photos. Emily loves her school. Last week's lessons were all about recycling (I think Earth Day was last week maybe). Recycling is something we do at home all the time so it wasn't a new concept to her.

Last week was the week of the young child here in town and we only made it to one activity where Horton Hears a Who was read and then the kids were able to explore a fire truck, an ambulance and a smoke house where a firefighter talked to the children about what to do if there's smoke in their house. Here are a few photos. As you can see in one shot, Emily was ready to get out of the smoke house. Brother was wearing her Horton hat. She covered her ears as Daddy rang the fire truck's bell. And we were lucky enough to run into our good friend from two houses down and they hung out together while we were there.

She likes making a beard of bubbles in the bath.

This past weekend we got together with a group of other folks around our state with kiddos from China (and one waiting family). We had an awesome bbq dinner then played on the playground. Emily told us all the way home that she didn't want to leave. I think she had a good time! On the playground, Daddy was on slipper slide duty.

This past weekend was also a reunion in Atlanta for all the families who were in my Hubei travel group 2 1/2 years ago. We share something pretty special with these families and little ones as we all met our daughters at the same time, in the same room. Unfortunately our family was not able to go this time. But one of the moms was kind enough to send me some photos of the girls. Here's one of them together. Pretty cute, huh? Hopefully we can attend the next reunion.

Benjamin had his six month appointment last week. He's actually nearly 7 months but that's okay. He's 17 lbs 3 oz and 27 3/4 inches long. Unlike his big sister, he is in the 95%tile for his height! Strange coming from parents who are 5'5" and 5'6" but that's genetics for you! The nurse called him long and lean. Not exactly my definition of his body type as you can see by the rolls of chubbiness on his legs! He still hasn't cut any teeth but based on his recent uncharacteristic grumpiness, I don't think it will be long. Here are some photos from the last few weeks...

Look at my big boy sitting up all by himself!

Picking posies...

Riding sister's bike--which did not go over well with sister when she saw him!

Two weeks later and he had already graduated to a really cool chopper!!!

Too Tired to Eat??

Here's something I've never experienced...falling asleep mid-meal! I guess learning how to do all this big boy stuff wears a guy out! By the way, after taking these shots I promptly wiped him off and put him in his crib for a big nap.

The BIG Six Months!

My little guy is six months old. So hard to believe how time is flying. He's now having rice cereal regularly about twice a day. We've tried carrots once and will likely try again soon. He's showing LOTS of interest in our food when we eat, sometimes to the point of crying when he we're eating and he isn't. All signs of a big boy ready to start on more solids. He's also rolling all over the place when he's laying down. He's doing pretty well on sitting up although still needs some assistance while doing so unless he's strapped in. And he's "talking" to us a lot now, too. Here are some photos of him when he was first born and now. What a change!!

I might add that he is almost too big for this car seat now!!

Big Sister is still enjoying school lots. Right now they are learning about weather and the days of the week. We are already looking forward to a class field trip to the zoo in early May. The whole family will be going. We attended her school carnival (the first of many we'll be attending no doubt) last weekend. I think she was a bit overwhelmed by all the people and noise but still had a good time and won some cool prizes!