Weekend Pics

TWO TEEFERS!!!

Future gymnast?

Or future orator?

A mama Cardinal decided to make a nest in a bush right outside of our front door. We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the little ones, and here you can see her two baby birds that hatched a few days ago.

The Latest on Lily

There's so many little things that change on a daily basis with Lily that sometimes you just have to marvel at how extraordinary this little being is. Summed up in a word, I would say that Lily has become much more engaging. She communicates through sounds, gestures, and games in a way that is totally new. She is very ticklish, and you can pretty reliably make her "belly laugh", given that she is not too hungry or too tired. She loves when we imitate her noises and movements, and conversations are created through these repeated exchanges. We've been signing with her on and off for a while now without any expectation that she would understand or make any of the signs any time in the near future. However, she has been making the sign for "milk" lately. I highly doubt that she understands what it means yet, but I've been trying to reinforce the sign by feeding her, and when I do, she smiles. I honestly think that she's just amused that she has created an all-you-can-eat 24-hour buffet with a simple hand gesture.

Lily also engages other people but has increasingly become selective about just who exactly she wants to engage. I wouldn't say that we are experiencing full-blown stranger anxiety yet, but there are definite preferences about the company she keeps. Whenever she is unhappy with someone (or some situation, or some food, or some toy...), she sticks her tongue out while blowing, vocalizing, and getting teary-eyed, resulting in a "plu, plu, plu" plea for help. This can be considered a warning and if the unacceptable circumstance is not changed to her liking, a real-deal crying fit is guaranteed to follow.

Lily has seemingly stopped any progress in the crawling arena. She seems content to spin around on her belly, as if she were on a record on a turntable. She can slither up to an object that is slightly out of reach, as long as it is desirable enough (usually one of Terra's toys - the forbidden fruit). She can also push herself backwards, usually resulting in her legs going under the couch and becoming frustrated because she does not have enough clearance to roll over. She also has started to attempt to pull up on things and generally prefers to be held in a standing position.

In regards to eating, Lily has tried a couple of new foods with very different reactions. She gives papaya and applesauce a big thumbs up, while peas are about equivalent to a dirty diaper in her book. So far, the green veggies are not her cup of tea. We are going to try asparagus soon, and I can only imagine the reaction that I'm going to get. Related to this topic, Lily has also decided that she does not like her high chair. This is not surprising, considering the her school does not use them. The RIE philosophy is practiced in the infant cottages at her school which means that there is nothing in the classroom that confines or restrains children, including bouncy seats, swings, and high chairs. Lily eats in a little chair at a little table that is about 2 inches off the ground at school. It is pretty adorable to see; I'll try to get a picture of it to share with everyone. Although I very much like the philosophy, it has made dinner time a bit of a challenge. But, we adjust and move on.

And so it is that we are watching this amazing creature grow and change every day, and I'm so grateful to be along for the ride.

Strawberry Short-Stuff

Water Babies

Both the dog and the baby look at their respective objects of affection with baited breath.

...And they go for it! I think that Terra sees the pool as a large water dish, and Lily doesn't really care if she's in the water or not, she just wants to chomp on toys. Oh well; it's amusing anyway.(Thanks to Aunt Ingrid for the hip shades that Lily is sporting.)

Happy Father's Day....To My Daddy

I love you, daddy!!!

FOOTSTEPS

Walk a little slower, Daddy, said a child so small.

I'm following in your footsteps, and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;

So walk a little slower, Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up, you're what I want to be;

Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;

So walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you.

...To Grandpa Meyer

With the support of the union behind her, there's no stopping Lily.

...To Grandpa Deetz

Things are looking up for the University of Colorado with this fan behind them.

Beautiful baby

Probably my favorite picture ever.

Father/Daughter Look-Alike

Ingrid recently posted the picture above of Carl as a toddler. It's true that Lily seems to be showing more and more of a resemblance to Carl. He has been reveling in this development and making claims that his genes are stronger and more dominant than my weaker, recessive genes. But just wait until her personality comes shining through; then we'll see which parent has "stronger" genes :)

It's Bal'more, Hon!

Last Saturday, Ingrid, Carl, Lily, and I went to the HonFest in Baltimore (think Hairspray!). Ingrid sent us some pictures that she took while we were there, and I thought that I would share.

Show-stopper

Lily, along with all the children in her school, was part of a Flag Day Parade. What fun!!

My Funny Face

Whaz up wit dat?

The concerned (or maybe just constipated) look

Thanks for visiting me Aunt Ingrid. I miss you already!!!

More Breaking News

Lily has a new baby cousin, born this morning at 6:12 am. Katherine (Katie) Kissock weighed in at 7 lbs. 14 oz. She is a healthy, blond-haired baby girl. I only have limited details about the event, but Suzanne's water broke this morning at 1:00 am (a first for the women in our family!). Unfortunately, the labor progressed so quickly that she was not able to have an epidural. But fortunately, it only lasted 5 hours. I think that they were a very long 5 hours, though. Hopefully, we will get more details and pictures soon. I think that Angela is going to try to update Suzanne's blog sometime in the next couple of days. We are so happy to welcome the newest addition to the Meyer clan into the world. Congratulations to Suzanne, Tim, and big sister, Mary Mackenzie!!!

Breaking News

Lily has her first tooth poking through her gums!!! It looks like her first official tooth will be located on the bottom, left side. I think that she has a second one soon to follow on the bottom, right side as well.

In other news, Carl had his first paper of his graduate school career published, "Human Vγ2Vδ2 T cells contain cytoplasmic RANTES", in the June 2006 edition of International Immunology. In addition, his first ever first-author paper, "Gamma Interferon Secretion by Human Vγ2Vδ2 T Cells after Stimulation with Antibody against the T-Cell Receptor Plus the Toll-Like Receptor 2 Agonist Pam Cys", will be published in the August 2006 edition of Infection and Immunity.

I am very proud of Lily and Carl for their respective accomplishments! Way to go, family!!!

More fun with hair accessories

You talkin' to me?

First Hair Bow

First Swim

Lily loves her new baby pool with floating toys. Like pretty much everything else, the toys are best appreciated by way of mouth.

Lily's Food Review

Mango. Absolutely delicious, could eat it every day, if mom would allow it. 5 Stars

Sweet potatoes. Maybe it's genetic. My mommy loves sweet potatoes and so do I! 5 Stars

Banana. The take-along fruit that works anytime, anywhere. A good, reliable stand-by. 4 Stars

Avocado. It's not just for garnish on Mexican food, folks. Fresh avocado, mashed into a delectable creamy texture, is a grand slam in my book. 4 Stars

Rice Cereal. Love its versatility. You can mix it with just about anything, and it is very filling on those days when you feel like you just need something extra. 4 Stars

Carrots. Granted, I've only had store-bought carrots because my mom worries about the nitrate levels in fresh carrots that are prepared at home. However, I'm not above it. I gladly accept the food of the masses. 3 Stars

Prunes. I have to admit that I was reluctant at first. However, after trying them a couple times, I have to say that they are quite tasty. Give them a chance. Prunes: they're not just for retirees. Try them; you'll see. 3 Stars

Pears. This rating may come as a surprise to some readers out there. There's just something about the texture - quite unappealing. Despite rave reviews by other babies, they really are not all that. If given the option between this fruit and others, definitely go with something with some color. Not only do colorful fruits taste better, but they look better in your hair, eyebrows, up your nose, on the highchair....you get the idea. 2 Stars

Nectarines. This is a temporary rating. Nectarines are not exactly in season yet, so the ones that I tried were a bit tart. We'll leave this one open for revision mid-summer. 2 Stars

Green beans. Quite possibly the world's worst food. Tastes like wet socks. If you see or smell these awful things, immediately begin spitting with tongue out and crank out some fake tears. Pathetic looks of extreme distress and a little gagging works well too. 1 Star

Look for my upcoming reviews on acorn squash, apricots, papaya, peas, peaches, and asparagus.