Diaper Day

Heat and humidity have been the norm for the last couple of weeks. We can only really use our screened in porch for about 6 months of the year so I try to take advantage of the time we have. Which for us involves mornings (and entire days when possible) with the doors from the house to the porch wide open. But lately, with all the humidity, the doors have remained shut. One day last week we braved the humidity and kept the doors open most of the day. Maryn seemed most comfortable in just her diaper, so that's what she wore. She even enjoyed dinner and some books at the table afterwords clothes free.

Check Out My Shirt!

That's right, a little brother or sister will be joining the family in early 2011!

2 Carnival Rides & 2 City Friends

The festival comes to our village downtown every year bringing carnival rides within walking distance to our home ... how could we resist?

It started out slow, but that painted horse really picked up speed!

As the fun/speed increases her mouth seems to open wider. Watch out bugs!

L & L stopped by for a visit. Big brother L (who has the darker hair) wasn't a big fan of my camera so I had to try and sneak a shot w/o the flash.

Sensory Play

A baby pool full of beans and she is in heaven.

She loves to shift her weight forward and glide her hands over the beans until she's practically on her stomach. She enjoys putting them in the old yogurt tub and taking them out again sometimes stirring them with a large wooden spoon. She swishes them around between her fingers and lays back swinging her arms and legs ... sort of a modified snow angel. I bang the bottom or side of the pool and she giggles as all the beans dance to the same rhythm. We pile them on her ankle, foot or leg, rub them against her skin giving her a baby bean massage. I drop them slowly from above her head and she turns her face upwards, eyelids fluttering open and closed while laughing with delight.

When the weather is nice, like today, we put the pool on the deck in the backyard. It's much nicer than having stranded beans on the porch or in the house!

Bean play entertains her for much longer periods of time than I had anticipated. Now that I know she's a big fan I think we'll invest in more beans and lentils to cover the entire pool bottom.

Playing at the Zoo & Taking in the Parade

Celebrating Independence at the Pool