Thanks for the help!

Lily and Rio,
Last week Daddy went to Seattle to find a new house for us. Although I was excited for Daddy to find us a new place to live, I was not too excited about taking care of both of you without any help. Fortunately my friends lent a very much appreciated hand. Amy came over every night to help get you guys to bed. Christina, MaryKay, and Michael also came by to help out. It made such a difference and we actually had a lot of fun. Thanks!

Lily and Rio Hug

Lily, it takes you awhile to warm up to people, even your own family. It only took you five weeks to decide that we were going to keep Rio, so you figured it was cool to give him a hug for the first time.

Though it took you this long to give your little brother a hug, you have been a very helpful and loving big sister since Rio joined the family, helping with feeding, diapers, baths, and reassuring him when he's sad and cranky.

New haircut

First haircut

Lily,
Today you got your first haircut. Last week we went to get your hair cut but you were not ready. Today you decided that a lollipop would be worth enduring it. You did great! No tears at all. You look all grown up with your new hair! This picture is before the haircut. You chose to sit on the airplane.

Whatcha lookin' at?

Rio Update: 1 month

Dear Rio,
Today you are one month old!! You are a precious little baby. You have grown a lot in the past month and I'm fairly certain you are over 10 pounds. You still sleep much of the day although the past few days you have been awake for longer. You are generally an easy going baby. You don't cry too much but you are constantly making noises. You grunt and whine a lot but you are easy to calm down. You sleep well at night. You wake up every three hours to eat and then fall back to sleep. You don't need to be swaddled tightly like your sister did.

The past few days you have started to smile a bit. That smile makes mommy's heart melt. You are now easily able to track objects and turn your head from side to side. You sneeze all the time and get the hiccups every day. You are still so tiny. I can't wait to get to know your personality. You have so much growing to do and I am excited to be a part of every stage. I love you with all my heart sweet little Rio.

Love,
Mommy

Finally Some Open Eyes

Big sister

Backyard fun

July 4th Fun

Lily and Rio,
Lansdowne is a nice place to live for many reasons and for that it is bittersweet that we are leaving. We will really miss the township's enthusiasm for July 4th. We all went to the annual parade and picnic. Fun was had by all. Where else would there be an actually Ghost Buster's car or Mummers in a July 4th parade. Lily, you were very focused on the entire event. When parade walkers threw out candy you were very cautious and looked for permission to go into the street to pick it up. You also had your first piece of candy, a lollipop. There's no going back now.

Quiet Evening, So Far

Extreme Close Up!

Okay so now where do I

put the groceries?

Pool fun

Lily,
We are once again spending Fridays at the pool. This year you are not too keen on getting in the water. You are thoroughly disturbed by any leaf or bug that may have found its way to the water. Fortunately today, there was this giant penguin in the pool. You were very much okay with me pulling you around on the penguin. Your feet actually touched the water! Baby steps.

Just lounging

Rio,
Today we went to the pool. You must have really liked the warm air because you even continued to sleep when I put down on this lounge chair.

Little Melon

Dear Rio,
You're such a good eater and you're packing in the ounces, but you still weigh less than a personal sized watermelon. We'll work on that this week.
Love,
Dad

Your Mother's Son

Rio,

Here is a picture of you and of Mommy when you were both one day old. What a resemblance! Forgive the poor quality of Mommy's picture - photography was a new invention when Mommy was young.

Love,

Dad

Ice Cream Face

"Mommy, I have an ice cream face."

A Gift From Lily

Lily,
In all the excitement with Rio's birth and all the other things going on in our lives right now, I almost forgot to show everyone the Father's Day gift you made me. I love you to pieces, too! Thanks!

Love,

Dad