Sunday Mornings

Almost every Sunday morning Josh and I make a point to make a nice brunch.

Now with Piper here this tradition seems even more important

and we're excited to involve her.

But she's not exactly excited yet.

Unless of course we let her do the cooking.

Going with the flow

Another week of teething here and as it keeps on Piper is getting more and more overtired. As she gets over tired she gets up (and stays up longer) in the middle of the night, wakes up earlier, takes 20 minute naps and on top of it all fusses and cries all day.

She's in pain. She's tired.

I feel for her, really I do. And I'm keeping my cool as I'm reminded that sometimes this will be hard. Thats okay. Its part of the journey and its what brings us closer together. Its not all easy all the time. But she's giving us gems to hold on to during those tough times...

In addition to the teething Piper is more aware of things. She's inquisitive. "Deadpanning" us all the time as she contemplates. I needed to amp up our play time as rolling around of the floor just wasn't cutting it. While she still gets overstimulated (particularly with overzealous people) she does like to go out and experience the world. Her Uncle Steve and I had a very interesting conversation about family genetics - nature vs. nurture. Seems he can sympathize with sweet Piper on the over zealous people aspect. He can clearly remember being overwhelmed by too much attention good or bad as he was growing up. So there you go - at 5 and a 1/2 months I would venture to say this may be in the genes. But hearing that helped get perspective on what she may be feeling. I mean what baby doesn't love the hugs of a super excited friend desperate to shower her with love and attention?

Um, This one.

Here's Piper checking out the welds to make sure the park swing is sound.

okay, cool- she can relax now...

Hanging out at the Baca Park. Honestly... not exciting enough.

But she humored the situation.

And we played in the dirt too

So Piper has two teeth now and is sitting on her own with a little assistance so that means...

Its Avocado time!

Big Hit!

When she's not fussing Piper has really come to enjoy her Daddy in a very big way. He can get her to laugh and I think they just "get" each other.

dancing she was so excited to see him...

Josh is not thrilled I caught this moment, he has to keep up his appearances and all...

Look at the two of them. Am I in for it or what?

I had a feeling I would be left in the dust, but look at this- they are a pair these two.

Lovin' her Daddy,

can't blame her.

Paonia

Whats the true sign of a good vacation?

Muddy Pjs

Well, not exactly a vacation. Josh had a job over in Paonia, CO for our friend Lucian. So we decided it was time to take Piper on her first real trip away from home. While Josh worked hard in the heat, Piper and I explored the local park and I worked during naps.

We left on the morning of her 5 month birthday at 5am and Piper napped in the car and played quietly.

Which is surprising, because for her birthday what did she get???

A Tooth!

(no photos yet, but feeling is believing)

She decided with her new tooth she should be able to launch into Dad's breakfast of Huervos Rancheros. She was seriously "into" his breakfast.

We spent a bit of time in the heat of the day just playing on the bed.

And just around the corner from Lucian's house was one of the most beautiful parks I had ever seen. Great grass and tree shade and various gyms for different ages.

She spent hours like this. She loves trees. Maple, Apple, Aspen...nothing (not event the grass) got her attention like the trees...

Her view.

Breaks to gaze into the mirror.

and practice sitting...

...and bounce in the apple tree in the backyard.

She's sitting really well these days and is rolling like crazy. Left her for a minute and she was under the couch.

The trip home was a little harder. We tried to time it with bedtime hoping she would sleep. But no go. She's never slept long in the car and she wasn't about to start. But after awhile she settled and snoozed and was thrilled when I placed her into her crib when we got home.

Gearing Up

Originally Mary Louise's from the Zen Center, it was passed to Alison and now to us- we inherited an awesome backpack! Thanks for spreading the outdoor love Ladies! We've been waiting until Piper's neck control got a little better, but we took it for a light spin across the street. We still have a few weeks to a month before we could really take her out for some good hiking- but it was fun none the less. For now we'll tread lightly.

Sophie gets to go, as teething and eating EVERYTHING is in full swing.

new backpack...mmmm...nom nom nom.

Ready to Go! Wait, where are we going?

Very intent, soaking it all up from so high up!

Look at them both turning away from the camera...sheeshhhh.

I get a spin!

Her Father's Child

So its been weeks now that Piper has been trying to consistently roll from tummy to back again. Once and awhile she'd do it, but not regularly.

This past week Josh stopped me in the kitchen and said, "Hey, I've been thinking. Lets not make such a big deal when she does roll and see what happens.

I think we're getting in the way. Making too big a fuss."

So the very next time she rolled I congratulated her but didn't make a to-do.

And whadaya know...

it worked.

For being almost 5 months old, she's an awful lot like her Dad.

But at least he can remind me not to smother her with praise, because it is a little hard not to when she accomplishes something she's been working on.

But I get it. Too much attention. I do live with Josh after all.

But I may have to try it out from time to time just to see if she's still like her Daddy.

Aunt Jenn and Uncle Dave bring Addy for a visit

We have been friends with Dave and Jenn for quite some time. I think over ten years now. We met in Boulder and they moved down to Crestone soon after we did. In the last few years they've moved back up to Boulder and we miss them dearly. Being so close it was an exciting surprise to hear they were expecting a little one just months after Piper was born. For the festival weekend they were in town and we had some time to visit and meet Adeline "Zizi"!

We marveled at how small Addy is while they marveled at how big Piper is. We commiserated over sleeping schedules and have the girls lined up to start a girl band sometime in their early teens. Between Piper's singing and Addy's love for music and late nights I think they might very well have a record deal in their futures.

Play Dates

Meet Giselle!

Giselle was born a week before Piper and she and her Mom, Missy surprised us with a visit.

So glad they did, such a good time!

Giselle is super duper mobile and is all over the place, Piper shared nicely and the girls seemed aware of each other. We look forward to more play dates in the future.