Summer inspired me...

Look who's sitting!

This year, as any east coasters can attest, the solstice brought summer instead of spring.  Three glorious days, which culminated in 28 degree weather, and cloudless sunny skies. Something about the sun and warmth and the long walks and fresh air and bare legs and arms inspired me whip up a new post.  Plus, when Linden hit the big 5-month mark he decided it was time to join the ranks of the sitting, and I thought I should probably celebrate that as well!

Anyway, here are a couple of pictures from that 28 degree day, where we ate supper on the deck in our tank tops and sun hats, and the diapers were put out to dry on a makeshift clothesline.  It seems somewhat cruel to be thrust right back into cold, early spring.  Ah well - I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Eating Paprika Chicken with homemade pasta - Juniper's VERY favourite supper

Do you get any cuter than short overalls and sandals?

And finally, here is a video montage of Juniper entertaining her little brother.  Linden can't get enough of his big sister - he thinks she's hilarious.  This is a very good thing, because otherwise I'm sure he would not be putting up with all the rough handling he gets.
Example:
Scene opens.  Juniper performs her classic manouever, which is to sit behind Linden, as though she is "holding" him, and then, with her arms wrapped around Linden's waist, she lies down and brings him with her.
Tara: "Juniper!  Why did you make Linden lie down?"
Juniper: "He was tired of sitting.  He was getting cranky".
Tara: "No he wasn't!  He was very happy sitting there with his toy"
Juniper: "OK, sweetheart - you want to sit up?" Proceeds to grab him around the waist and wrestle him back to a sitting position, saying things like "whoa, buddy - you're a heavy boy!" and "well, OK.  Let's try it this way", before I can intervene.  He will be one tough cookie when he grows up!

 

March Madness

 

 Somehow, January turned into February, and suddenly, here it is - March.  Linden is 4.5 months old, and I don't think any of us can even remember what life used to be like as a family of three. Unfortunately, I also can't remember what it was like when everyone was healthy. I don't know what combination of weather, sleep deprivation, having a toddler, bugs, and stress has led to this state of affairs, but it has been a nasty, nasty fall and winter.  Just as an example:  Linden had a weird cheek and gum thing going on, so I take him to the doctor (scared of infection).  While there, the doctor checks me out, and it turns out I have pneumonia.  As I'm on a course of antibiotics to get rid of that, Clark takes off for Massachusetts.  That very night Juniper starts throwing up.  Then I start throwing up. Then Linden gets it.  Then a few days later, Clark comes home, and he gets it.  Then, just as he's getting better, Juniper and Linden get colds.  IT DOESN'T STOP.

As a result, I've never looked so forward to Spring.  I know that there's no health guarantee when the weather turns warmer, but I'm holding onto that faint hope that the veil may lift with the solstice.  I'll keep you updated.

Anyway, here's a little glimpse at some of the fun stuff that's been going on in the last couple of months:

1. Winter fun.
You know, this hasn't been much of a winter in terms of snow, but we have managed to take advantage in those few precious hours before the rain or high temperatures takes it away.

Juniper on her brand new skis! She was, much to Clark's delight, a natural.

This is essentially our back yard. A little industrial-looking, perhaps, but fun for exploring in the snow.

As snowy as humanly possible

Shoveling with daddy

On a park adventure with Calla

2. Visits.
People have come to us, and we've ventured out on the occasional outing as well:

Eva and Sylvie, doting on little Linden

At Ida's 3rd birthday party

Grandma and Grandpa stopped by en route to Florida

Mary and Bob come for an extended weekend

Bob reads Juniper a story in her "living room"

Kelli, Jamie, Sawyer, Ethan and Ali stop by and meet Linden for the first time

3. Some new duds:
For Juniper, I did a lot of sewing in the early days (and Linden is now wearing the not-completely-girly hand-me-downs), but for Linden I've been more into knitting.  Here are a couple of the more recent pieces:

Rainbow pants!

Matching vest and pants

4. Hodgepodge:
a) Here is the my birthday cake, for which Juniper obviously had a large hand in decorating:

... and I also got a lot of help blowing out the candles.

Blue steel!

Story time.  Juniper actually "read" Linden the entire book.

5. And finally - a little video montage from the last couple of months.