To Beloit and Back Again

Tuesday we took a semi-spontaneous trip to Beloit to see my college friend Amy and her three wonderful children. The kids were excited to see the baby, and Libby drank in all of their attention. Piper and Avery were my trusty helpful companions throughout the visit, and Brooks was a constant source of entertainment -- even as he bravely fought off his fear of the ducks at our lunch restaurant ("Bite! Bite!")



Then yesterday was playgroup day, where -- alas -- I got few good pictures. Here's an adorable one of Leela and her mom Jay. An adorable one of Rachel and her Michelin Man arms. And only a so-so one of my own daughter. Oh, well.

Leela and Jay

Rachel, the crawling and standing queen

Queen Elizabeth, having a finger snack

California Dreamin'

We had a wonderful visit to California (although California was quite reticent with the sun, and most of our days were kind of gloomy and 60ish). Libby was absolutely an angel and slept most nights really well (although she wound up in bed with Mommy and Daddy a few times around 3 am). She took the changes to her schedule and the go-go-go like a real trooper!


Libby has affected this style of lounging in her stroller, and this laidback attitude fit in just right in Cali. That's right, Libster -- just kick back, put your feet up, and let Mommy do all of the work.


We hung out a lot with my friend Lorraine (who's been my friend for, oh, ever), her adorable daughter Lauren (who's 5 months old), and her also adorable husband Henry. I loved catching up with Lori and seeing her gorgeous family in action. They are truly terrific people. I wish they lived closer! Hey, guys -- have I mentioned how fun it is to live in Chicago?


Lauren proved to be a real trooper, too, and bravely fought off sleep so the mommies and daddies could enjoy a dinner out together.


Despite the fact that Lori kept protesting Lauren was "so crabby," I only heard a fussy whimper or two out of the kid. She might be the sweetest baby around. By the end of the trip, she was even letting me smother her in kisses and play with her without getting a boo-boo lip and looking around frantically for her mom or dad.


Libby and Lauren got along famously, and Libby only tried to pluck Lauren's eyeball out one time. Here they are at In-N-Out Burger. Yummmmm. In-N-Out Burger. Needless to say, the girls enjoyed their burgers tremendously. Or maybe that was Lori and I. Oh, well, either way, those burgers were darn delicious, and I'm an In-N-Out devotee for life now. (Hey, In-N-Out, have I mentioned how fun it is to live in Chicago?)


Now I'm not going to say that we wore the girls out or anything, but ...


Lorraine sent much better pictures than these; I'll try to post those soon. We miss the Lees already. Come visit us soon, guys!

100th Post

I just noticed this will be the 100th post. Wow! Time flies when you're blogging about your daughter (oh, yeah -- and raising her). I'll be posting California pictures soon (they're uploading now), but in the meantime, here's a picture for those of you desperate for a little Libby fix.

Swimming in Style

Aunt Kimmy sent Libby a new swimming ensemble for her to wear to swim classes and on our upcoming California trip.

Notice the two little pearly-white bottom choppers; we believe some upper ones will soon be joining them.

What a ham!

Now if I could just figure out a way for her to keep those adorable little sandals on her feet....

Busy, Busy, Busy

Why haven't there been any new posts? We've been busy. Doing what, I have no idea, but the time, she manages to fly anyway.

Actually, I guess I do kind of have an idea of what we've been up to:

We've gone to our first swimming classes (with Kelly and Airan and Evie and Sophie -- that's one bloggorific family).




We've gone out to lunch to celebrate Jill's birthday, who's a young 46 ... or 42 ... or 37. I don't know -- whatever she is, it's really old. (Sophia upon first spying Libby across the table shyly cried out, "Yibby!" Kelly and I were really excited.)

Libby was quite the vocal member of the lunching party and sang a beautiful song of raspberries to the birthday girl.



We've had friends over to play Puerto Rico. Aunt Julie was the big hero of the night when our stupid, rickety dining room chair collapsed ... with her in it ... while she was holding Libby. She cradled and protected Libby, who emerged with nary a scratch. Julie, however, came away with a big bruise and my eternal gratitude (and my shame for having such ridiculous chairs). Alas, Julie didn't win because I AM JUST TOO DARN AWESOME. Which is to say that I won.



And then Ms. Libby has spent a whole afternoon with Aunt Kelly and the girls. Thanks, Kelly! Libby had a wonderful time -- and Mommy made some money at a market research study. Cha-ching!

In case you don't know Kelly, her daughter Sophia (in the pink) could not look more like her mom in this picture above. Spitting image!

!Feliz Cumpleaños!

Today's a certain someone's birthday. I'm not going to name names, but it rhymes with Schmalejandro. Feliz cumpleaños, big guy! We can't wait to see you very, very, very soon.


I like the beginning of May. What a wonderful time for celebrations! We start off with Aunt Jill's birthday....


Then we go to Aunt Kandi's birthday (sorry I fell asleep before I could call you last night, Kandice).


And now today we have Alejandro to celebrate. What a wonderful world!