Dad's week

I've been lucky to have Erin at home with me most of this week. We play with her toys, 'read' books (eat them), listen to music, and bundle up for chilly walks with the dogs. Erin's got the hang of her jump-up, she bounces and squeals and spins around. Duncan doesn't know what to make of it. Fran has left the university hospital for the friendlier children's hospital, but unfortunately call still comes every 4th night. I start a week of overnights this Sunday. Grandma lent us her bottles of bubbles, and they were a hit! Erin likes to watch Duncan pop them with his mouth. Good times.





Erin used to only be interested in the extra length of uke strings near the tuning pegs, but now she isn't content unless she can play with the whole thing. I like the second picture, maybe she'll be a cellist!

Our not so little girl

Since her half-birthday 2 weeks ago, Erin is growing in front of our eyes. She can sit up on her own, but crawling is not her thing yet. From the moment she wakes up in the morning, she's all smiles, shrieks, and curious looks.




Laura (with Tom and Erin in this picture), has taken over a bunch of the daycare duty these days. Without Laura, Grandpa, and Grandma, we'd be in trouble and Erin would be spending more time as the rogue baby in the hospital nursery ("Hold on, this baby doesn't have an ID band... and she's in cloth diapers!")





Bath time is still a party for Erin. We've clung onto this white plastic tub long enough, and the puddles on the kitchen floor from her splashing telling us it's time to move to the real bathtub.

Thanksgiving is coming up, probably Fran's (and my) favorite holiday. We're looking forward to seeing Muggy and Paul again-- it will be fun for them to watch Erin's new achievements in person. Dinner is at Grandma & Grandpas... Erin's first "feast"!

Erin's 6 months old!

By the looks of it, she can hardly believe it either! So many new things in the last few weeks... We've got a more consistent sleep/nap schedule, a great eater of people food (apples, pears, rice cereal, and of course the blueberries above), and lots of smiles and squeals. She is so curious-- everything new needs to be examined, touched, and tasted. A wonderful age, for sure.

Erin's first Halloween was kind of anticlimactic as her 6:30 pm bedtime precluded extended trick-or-treating. Grandma and Grandpa came over to babysit while Mom and Dad went to a nearby party dressed in their last-minute costumes (not pictured).


rin's special embroidered green scrubs (a great baby gift from Jon & Katie) made for a pretty cute doctor costume, complete with blue rubber crocs. Look out ER!









Yesterday we got bundled up and took our first trip to the Como Zoo. Erin seemed to like the other kids and her reflection in the windows just as much (or maybe more) than the animals. I'm sure we'll be back. For the record, Dad's favorite was the monkey exhibit.

Erin and Fran scope out the tiger below.



I thought the zebra would make an artsy black and white photo... only to be spoiled by the stink eye from Erin.