First Stitches

Knit stitches that is. My baby, ahem, I mean big girl, has been asking to learn to knit for quite some time. I wanted to start with finger knitting like any sensible mama, but she insisted on using needles. So learning she is... and quite quickly, too. She needs a bit of help holding the two needles together while she wraps the yarn... but, otherwise, she's doing it by herself!

She says she's knitting a scarf for her Nee Nee. This yarn has some sweet memories for me. It is the organic cotton I used to teach my self to knit two summers ago. I made a garter stitch scarf for Rory. I think she's picking it up quicker than I did, though :0

The Very Long Photos of the Baby Post

Thanks everyone for all the warm thoughts and well wishes!!! We are starting to settle in very nicely~~ Liam is more and more present every day... more with us here in this world. He spends quite a bit of time, for a four day old, quietly observing. You see in his eyes, he has an old soul. It has been quite amazing for us to watch him 'unfold', as that's what seems to be happening, a bit more each and every day~~ tiny little glimpses into his personality and who he might become. We are fascinated by our Little Man.

I haven't really spent any time editing these photos... so they're not the absolute best. But I wanted to get some more up in a *somewhat* timely manner. I've been waiting for a sunny day to get pictures of Liam in his special coming home outfit... hopefully today ;)

Oh, and for those that aren't familiar, "Nee Nee" is Aurora's very special 'other half'. A pink Bunny blanket buddy type thing that was given to her at birth by her Gran. She is never without Nee Nee, and we've come to consider her part of our family. Aurora had picked out this 'Orange Nee Nee' to give to Liam when he was born.

Liam, just arrived home. Aurora immediately brought over his orange Nee Nee for him and her purple fish. Then she bestowed on him the greatest gifts of all.... her own very special Nee Nee and Blanket.

Three Days Old

Big Sister!!

My Loves

Rory received a child sized Ergo, in the same print as ours, as an "Older Sister" gift. She loves to carry her Nee Nee and Liam's around on her back.

Nee Nee Friends: Aurora's Pink Nee Nee and Liam's Orange Nee Nee... Lovingly put to bed 'cozy next to each other' ~~ I think this is her way of showing her acceptance of Liam... Liam's Nee Nee is included in everything.

With Grandmommy

With Grandma and Grandpa

Block Play

Aurora's been rockin' the block area lately. It's by far her favorite place to play. And, as you can see in the picture below, it makes her very happy. Here, behind her, she's built a house for Nee Nee, complete with furnishings including games, a ball, and a bowl. Please ignore the rest of the clutter and randomly placed pajamas ;)


Ever since we got back from Disneyland in March, we see Micky popping up everywhere. These are Aurora's block renditions of Mickey and Minnie. As you can see, they both have the requisite ears, the block between the ears is a hat, the narrow rectangle on the wider one is a mouth, and at the bottom of course are legs.

A 'people' complete with eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs. In looking at young children's art, drawing a large head with protruding limbs is a clear developmental step. Aurora is far from this in her drawings, but I thought it interesting to find the same pattern emerge in her block play.

Aurora very proud of her fancy block 'shoes'. To the left is another Mickey, who's wearing fancy block shoes as well.

Thought this was a pretty cool little structure.... Now, I know I'm biased being her mama and all that, but I think, architectually, she's channeling a little I.M. Pei here a la Johnson Museum @ Cornell.
I look at the above picture and marvel at the mathmatical and spacial learning taking place there. Which then saddens me as I hear that block areas are more and more frequently being replaced by desks, worksheets and computers in kindergarten classrooms. Sigh.

Now, having spent a number of years working in early childhood education, I know that if you look into the block area of just about any preschool classroom, you will generally find mostly boys there. This is a divide that occurs naturally by the children themselves, and you will find dedicated teachers working to creatively draw the girls into the block/cars/manipulatives, and the boys over to the dress up/housekeeping/art. I have full faith that Aurora's teachers will be doing this this coming Fall. But, as we all know, despite much progress in many areas, there is still A LOT of gender stereotyping that takes place in our culture. And there's a part of me that's a little afraid, that despite all our encouragement, Aurora will walk into her classroom in September, see that the girls are all playing with dolls and only the boys are playing with the blocks and somehow feel that it's not okay for her to join them. And, man, do I hope I'm wrong. I just don't want to see her passion squelched, ya know?

Ah, well, steppin' down off the soapbox now ;)

BTW, Aurora's off happily building to her heart's content in our block area now :)

Some very special friends

NeeNee, Kitty and Doggie are three very special friends in Aurora's life right now. NeeNee was given to Aurora by Gran when she flew out the day after she was born and has been a constant companion since (and I really do mean constant). Aurora's Grandmommy made Doggie and Kitty for her 2nd birthday. They've become close friends, too. All three often join her for walks, naps, in her play kitchen, for stories and rides on her ladybug scooter- got to get a picture of that someday, it's quite the balancing act. It's so fun to watch as imaginary play begins to blossom for Rory- and these three friends have been the most frequent catalyst for that very important developmental play.