The Most Beautiful Sound In The World

Last night, when our house was very dark and still, I sensed Avery start to stir in her nursery. Then came her cry, clear and loud from the other end of the hall: "Mama!" And those two tiny syllables were the most heartbreakingly beautiful sound I'd ever heard.

Reason to Celebrate

We went to Coronado today to celebrate Grandma Debby's birthday. We were so happy to have Uncle David and Aunt Alison in town, and it was the first time they got to meet their neice. And, Aunt Alison's birthday was this weekend as well. That gave us a lot to celebrate, and a lot to be grateful for.

Merry Christmas to All

Our little Avery must have been a very good girl, because Santa brought her all kinds of goodies today. Here are some highlights from her first Christmas.

Christmas Morning

Avery's New Baby Doll

Dada's Christmas Present

You're a New Mom at Christmas When...

... you wait until the last possible moment to put on your party dress for fear you'll get spit up on.

... all you want for Christmas is a long winter's nap.

... you wrap presents, knowing full well the baby will like the wrapping more than the present.

... Christmas is better than it's been since you were eight years old.

Visiting the tree at the Hotel del Coronado

Makin' nice with the big guy

Holiday shopping with our friend Lexi

Back to Work

I’ve had my share of adventures. I’ve traveled through jungles and forests, deserts and canyons. I’ve slept in castles and in tents. I’ve had sushi in Japan, kava in Fiji, Guinness in Dublin, pasta in Tuscany and coffee in Costa Rica. I’ve seen the Crown Jewels, the Faberge eggs, and the fireworks over the Potomac. I’ve shopped on Rodeo Drive and met cowboys in Texas. I've kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland and a pair of dice in Las Vegas. I’ve been serenaded by a Venetian gondolier, a chorus of rain-forest dwelling animals, and an Englishman in a London pub. But none of my adventures have been as challenging, as rewarding, or wonderful as the past six months I’ve spent being a mom to our beautiful baby girl.

Day at the Zoo

Avery loves the zoo! Here are some shots from our trip today.

Happy Half-Birthday, Baby!

Avery is six months old today!

Maybe I Should Start a Franchise

Our living room has become a baby Curves. Just walking from the hall to the front door requires deft maneuvering through the circuit course created by Avery’s Exersaucer, Baby Einstein gym, Johnny Jump-Up and cradle swing.

Now that Avery’s nearly six months old, she craves constant sensory input. So I spend a lot of time at home shuttling her from one apparatus to the next, frantically folding laundry or putting away dishes before she reaches the limits of her 30-second attention span and starts fussing in protest. It actually works out great. She has fun, I get the house clean, and we both get plenty of exercise.