Besties

Stella has a best friend, Claire B. Chip ran across these pictures of the girls from February. Yes, we are still trying to get through February and what happened to March? Anyway, these two are a mess. Resemblant of sisters in the way they interact with one another, which makes sense having grown up together from babies to besties.

Do you see Stella's foot turned in? We (Chip) worry about this. She has this way that she has always slept where she tucks that foot under the calf of the opposite leg. No way to really break this, because she sleeps like this. Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

The persistence of children

Sometimes when children beg and beg and beg for something, it's a trying experience. Lots of whining and begging = lots of frustration and impatience for mom and dad.

But, in my brief time as a father, I've learned that sometimes the begging is simply an expression of how excited a child can be, which is why on Saturday morning, when Stella wouldn't stop crying and pleading, we finally gave in and took her to Madison, TN, for a photo opp with her favorite Atlanta Braves. Despite one momentary lapse of concentration when she wanted to play in a giant pink kayak, she was enthralled.

See?

From February, 2011

Alright, I'm kidding. After weeks and weeks of hounding, I finally caved and told Markana that I would take her. Females on her side of the family can be persistent and willful, to say the least.

:)

The Sun Came Out Today

I am over winter, so imagine our delight to be gifted the most beautiful, sunny day. We took advantage of the day and took Stella to play on the sprawling acreage on which her school resides. More pictures here.

Happy 2011!

We cram many things into our year-end celebrations - christmas, Markana's b-day, three anniversaries (ours, my parents, my youngest sister/brother), our new nephew's b-day, new years day, my mom's b-day - so we have many things to be happy and thankful for this time of year.

On M's birthday this year we had some great extended family time (thank you Xbox Kinect!), but the day began with an extra-special Young Jordan outing to the Georgia Aquarium...

...and the world's yummiest brunch at ATL's Flying Biscuit.

Happy birthday, Mommy. Here's to the end of 2010 and he beginning of a fantastic 2011!

Merry Christmas!

From December, 2010

Gymnastics

Stella had her first Gymnastics class last week. So much fun! It is a Mommy and Me type of class, so I get to be with her and get a first hand account of her skills. There was so much to do, that she just kind of stood there for a minute not knowing where to start first! She especially enjoyed the parachute (as seen in the background). We all stood around it and shook it up and down, then we raised it high in the air and all got underneath. The kids went nuts. They loved it!

Our friend Justine is an instructor at the gym and is treating Stella to the remaining classes in December. Thanks Justine!

Eat your heart out, Elaine Benes!

Happy Halloween

The wheels on the bus...

Markana had to meet a couple of friends tonight, so instead of leaving Miss Stella with some friends in the neighborhood, she visited my office and was treated to her first bus ride home with daddy! There have been several occasions where they've taken me to the bus stop in the morning, but this was the first time she's actually gotten to ride.

Like me, she was a bit concerned at first...

...but also like me, she soon relaxed and enjoyed the worry-free view. (Sorry for the blur. Camera phone.)

I started riding the bus for a few reasons - save gas money, reduce congestion, lower carbon footprint - but after a while I learned that it's also a great way to find an extra hour everyday. Passengers do all sorts of activities to pass the time: read a book, catch up on news, listen to music, answer some emails, get ahead of some work tasks, clean toes...

Pumpkinhead Tradition

This started two years ago...

Followed by this...

And today, this...

I love that little face.