Christmastime

Mom and Dad Milne were able to visit from London for a long weekend - it was so good to have them! Iris has grown so much since Mom saw her and Dad met her for the first time. We kept them busy with museums, church, food and meeting some friends.
I have a cute video of Iris opening a present, but it isn't loading for some reason...another post.
Our 1st tree -
It didn't take long for Iris to get comfortable to Mom and Dad


Coincidence, or would Iris rather not be photographed on her nebulizer?

Mom and Dad's 4am departure - and look who is wide awake!

Late, but up

We had a great trip to Jay and Lisa's house - still missing them all. Here are some highlights.
Thanksgiving in Rochester

Uncle Jay and Iris

A brisk walk in Caz Park

Another chilly walk


The cousins

On her way back to DC

Yes we can!

Does this need to be reiterated?....for a blog with DC in the title, yes it does…
Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, the feel of President elect Obama’s victory was …(which word haven’t I heard a thousand times?)…right. The American people got it right this time and we matured as a nation in my opinion.

The optimism in DC was palpable on November 4th and still is. It was a beautiful and emotional thing to watch my kids get excited about the political process and see themselves represented in the highest office. Enough blathering, here are a few photos.
A bunch of blank white boards set up in front of the Lincoln Memorial for people to "write" to Obama.

I signed a supporting 2x4


This was Iris's 1st time seeing Lincoln.

This past weekend we went to PA for grandpa Terrell’s memorial service. We grieve for our loss but there was a true and honest sense of celebration for his life – recounted over and over again by his children, grandchildren, friends, in-laws, and friends of friends.
I will not do any one, or George justice, but words like love, integrity, humility, honesty, diligence, service, and hard work were repeated often, as well as an overall sense that George regarded others as better than himself and put others before him. His faith and sense of identity in Christ were evident from the actions of his life.

We are so grateful that Iris got to meet Granddaddy and be held by him on a couple of occasions.
Here is Grandma and Iris enjoying one another.



The whole family showed up.

Showing off her pipes

Halloween bear

She didn't get much loot this way.

YES!

Iris wouldn't be stopped from checking the scores.

A week of daycare under our belt.

I don't think about having gotten through a week of day care with any satisfaction, but mostly to say that we're adjusting. Iris seems her happy self.

The first day was rough and she was looking particularly cute.

post wedding

Corey - Beltsmith

We were in up-state NY this past weekend for Susie and Damians' wedding at the best time of year - fall. It was a beautiful wedding and a beautiful setting. Great to see family - Jay and Lisa + 3 girls made it and much of Al's family was there. Here are a few of the 275+ pictures we took.
We also celebrated Natalie's 6th b-day.


beautiful and happy

the girls...minus 2

the only 2

Iris and the Giraffe...pillow

7th week walk

We went for a long stroll around DC on Saturday. Here are a few photos.

Genius review

Last time I mentioned the diaper situation Iris wasn't fat enough for her bumgenius cloth diapers...but now that she has been wearing them for over a month I feel that I have gathered enough data to give a review.

Categtory/Grade
Leakage/B+ (happens every so often - I think this might have had to do with her more slender legs a few weeks ago or us not changing her often enough - oops)
Absorption/A (We've changed some very heavy diapers)
washability/A- (they come out almost always very clean looking)
style/A+ (very spiffy)

the outline of the removable liner can just be made out if you look closely

Happy Birthday Mom! (slightly overdue)

We worked on "happy birthday" for a little while, but this is the most that Iris could muster - I think its pretty decent.

a month +

Iris has changed so much in a month! She weighed in at 10 lbs 22 inches today. She's smiling, holding her head up a bit, following us around the room with her eyes and crying more loudly.

We went out to a screen on the green of sorts last night, but put on by "noma" (north of massachusets). They've been doing a summer series of James Bond movies and the location is odd - sandwiched between New York Ave and Florida, but it was very enjoyable and a perfect night - we've have a very uncharacteristic August in DC. Next week will be the last one, "Die Another Day" mmm, Pierce.

The Thermorest chairs are sweet - thanks Jay and Lisa! (i know that you gave them to use nearly 4 years ago, but we use them all the time)

4 weeks

Iris is doing great. As you can see from the pics below, she's eating well. It was tough returning to work this past week, but Al and Iris have had a good time...without me. But since I'm the one who's nuts with the camera, none of it was documented. From what I've observed recently...

Iris has a consistent routine after eating - closing her eyes, she throws her head back in exhaustion and flops contentedly.



showing off her smile toay

A Sad Sentimental Sensation

I'm not sure everyone has an attachment to the house that they grew up in, but as evident by this post, I do. Al, Iris, Mom Milne and I went to lunch at the Spring Street Deli while we were back in Saratoga and thought to stop by and see our old Regent Street house a few blocks away - we like to slowly drive by and lament how they cut down "our" cherry trees, tore out "our" arborvitae hedge and built a deck over "our" soccer field in the back yard. As we approached my heart dropped, my mouth dry and pasty, breathing became difficut - our house had been through a fire...


As far as I could tell, Iris wasn't upset...