Summer into autumn

Since it's been ages since I've blogged, I'm overcompensating with about a million pictures for this post. They'll have to suffice till the Halloween crop.

Highlights: Lilia's started walking and Ryan's started kindergarten. We've gone from shorts to raincoats as fast as September cruised by.

Hope you're all enjoying autumn!


Loading up the bike trailer. Both kids fell asleep on the way home.


We got James to play hooky one afternoon so we could tour Seattle's new sculpture park.


Kids on sculpture.










Lilia has mastered American food. Since we adopted her she's gained four pounds.




Self portrait.


On the way to Bellingham, WA for Labor Day weekend.






Sampling the local cuisine.


Redecorating the beach.



We found the coolest sprinkler park. The kids' bathing suits were back at the hotel, so we were just going to let them get their feet wet. Silly parents.



Ryan likes to climb into Lilia's crib to keep her company in the morning.


For Columbus Day weekend, we rented a cabin near Lake Cle Elum, about an hour outside of Seattle. Nearest town was Roslyn, which was used for the exterior shots on Northern Exposure.


David joined us for the weekend, entertaining the wildlife with Latin themed trumpet music.



There were great toys out there: sand, rocks, sticks and water.

Ahhhh, summertime...

She stands, she walks! And babyfood? Fergetaboudit! On the big brother front, Ryan's been a day-camping fiend and counting down the days till kindergarten. August in Seattle, ain't nothing better.

Our princess.



How Ryan looks 50% of the time...



The rest of the time...



Hangin' with cousins Lexi and Megan.



Posing.



We're working on teaching Ryan not to hold Lilia by her head or neck.


Note, arm around neck...



Playing with Auntie Elizabeth.



As much as a photo can capture a personality, this one does it...

Day by day

A few pictures from the past two months...

Lilia practicing her stretches.


Hanging out.


Ryan's pre-school graduation.


Lilia making her snorty face.


Cousin Griffin came up for a visit (along with the rest of his family). We must've really tired Lilia out because she almost never sleeps in her crib during the day, much less with the distraction of another baby.

Sibling love.

Hello "regular" life, so long regular blogging...

From the delay between posts, you've probablly guessed that real life has taken over. The combination of jet lag and an ear infection left us pretty exhausted for a few days. Lilia's feeling much better now and is in constant motion, exploring her new surroundings. Ryan's very proud to be a big brother and assured his classmates and teacher that although "she looks like a boy now, we just have to give it time and her hair will grow out."

As you can see below, we're introducing Lilia to a high fiber diet. (You should see the full diapers it produces.)



Lilia's figured out a way to bathe herself anytime, anyplace.


With the super sunny weather we've been enjoying, we let Lilia use her new playpen while Ryan mowed the lawn with a pair of scissors and a grocery bag. We're a high tech family.

Since many of you will be meeting Lilia in the coming weeks, and since the ins and outs of diaper changes and feeding times don't make for compelling reading, we'll only be using the blog to post the occasional updates. Thank you all for joining us on our journey to add this wonderful little girl to our family. With your emails and messages, we never felt that far away.

Love,

Jeanne, James, Ryan and Lilia