Louise Takes the Met

Every New York baby should visit the Met attached to their mother. For Louise's first visit we saw Roxy Paine's Maelstrom on the roof then headed downstairs for the Francis Bacon show. Both were stunning though the Bacon show was creepy and X-rated enough that I was thankful for Louise's current state of obliviousness. Here you can see Lou on the Met's steps looking as cherubic and chubby-cheeked as any Renaissance era putti.

Another highlight was the Japanese women who came up to us and made owl-eye gestures with their hands to show me that they found Louise's eyes to be truly huge.

It Sits!

Early on during our 12 day vacation Louise sat up by herself, completely unsupported by pillow or person. Now there's no stopping her. She's moved effortlessly from the "Whoa, it's wobbly up here" stage straight into the "I can juggle both giraffe and wooden puzzle toy whilst sitting throne style" stage. Next up crawling and doing our taxes...

Endless Summer Vacation- Cape Cod

Endless Summer Vacation- North Haven Maine, Cecily and Jason's Wedding

Endless Summer Vacation- Walden Pond

Ditmas Park

I finally figured out how we can live in New York AND have a big shady yard and wrap around porch- Ditmas Park. It's a bit further out in Brooklyn but who cares? I'll take trees over train time any day. Plus Simon and Sam just moved to a nice apartment there and are expecting a playmate for Lou in just a couple of months.

Sitting on Top of the World

A baby's life is a series of stages. Before our eyes Louise is transitioning from floor creature to semi-upright creature. She can roll and shimmy around her crib with increasing swiftness and sometimes grunts and lifts her chubby legs and head simultaneously to exhibit her desperation for a new higher view point. I've taken to surrounding her with pillows so she can practice sitting up, which she loves. We even got her a small Ikea high chair, not so much for eating (though that's on the horizon) but so she can sit with mama at eye level and feel like she's part of what's going on. Mommy works on the computer and baby works on getting that crinkly barn toy completely in her mouth-everyone wins.

Jumping Bean

Last week a surprise present arrived from uncle Daniel. Inside the box was an amazing contraption that makes already bouncy babies a little more so. We rigged up Lou's new jumper in the bathroom door way so she could take it for a spin, but like her first encounter with the swing, this first jump was more of a sit and stare. As you can tell by her looks of fear and/or boredom it's a bit too big for her. We'll check back with it in a few weeks when she's bigger or braver, whichever comes first.

Independence in the Berkshires

Despite the Seattle like weather we've had lately, we managed to seize a few moments of sun to take Louise swimming. She loved splashing her feet and her parents and took happily to her new ruffle-bummed swimming dress.