Spring is Here

(bird nest that Aunt Mary knit for us filled with play-doh eggs! Thanks Aunt Mary!)

Yeah Spring! We are so excited that warmer weather is here and that the flowers are blooming and the grass is green. It's a bit gray and cold today, but Saturday was stellar and the rest of the week is supposed to be filled with warm, sunny weather. Dylan and I have been going on walks with the dogs lately - Dylan on my back in the carrier and dogs pulling us down the sidewalk. We stop and talk about flowers and trees. I would love to get a book about flowers and trees so that we can start calling them by their proper name. Right now there are these trees that are blooming white flowers. They are usually the first bloomers of the season (and it's not the bradford pear trees). I call them the "popcorn tree." So, that's what Dylan calls them now too. We will do some research to find out their real name - but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be as cool as "popcorn tree."

Dylan and I always read some books before naptime and bedtime. With familiar favorites she is now finishing the sentences for me. It's so much fun to see how much she is learning. I'm trying to speak French here and there since it seems that the language door is just wide open.

Penny is working on sitting up on her own. I'm pretty sure the bulky cloth diapers are holding her back a bit - but that's ok. She loves splashing in the bath - she starts laughing when she splashes herself. Loves "patty cake"and standing up (with some support of course). She's pretty easy so far - does that mean she is going to be a wild child? Who knows...We can't wait to start feeding her some solid foods. She is still milk only and I think she is about to go crazy watching us eat. Rice cereal, sweet potato, peas and pears are only a little bit more than a month away.

Charlie, my dad and I just finished our Knoxville half marathon yesterday. My dad blew the competition away - 5th in his age group. Sweet, huh? I felt good during the race - my dad definitely beat my time and I did not end up 5th in my age group. Charlie ended up turning his ankle over in the first two miles and finished the whole 13 miles after that. He was disappointed in his finish time, but I am amazed he had the tenacity to finish after sustaining an injury. He's amazing! Charlie's dad did the full marathon - and finished 1st in his age group! Incroyable et formidable!

Here's some pics -hope everyone we know across this wide world is doing well and has a smile on their face.

--Sarah

Four Months

As of a few days ago, Penny hit the four month mark. She changes daily, although it is hard for me to tell since I am with her every day. I do know that she is becoming much more vocal though. She is starting to make all kinds of noises - squeals, grunts, etc. She has rolled over many times in the middle of the night and insists on waking me up to come see. She promptly goes back to sleep after getting a bite to eat. She gnaws on her hand like I've put peanut butter on it or something tasty - but I haven't. I don't know if she is working on getting a tooth already or not, but it is definitely her favorite activity.

Dylan is talking up a storm. She repeats everything I say - so I really need to watch out! It was nice out the other day and we planted a bamboo plant, raked and watered all the plants in the yard. Dylan loves to play with the water hose. Sea and Sky get here this weekend and I know Dylan is going to have a blast with them. Here are a few pics that were taken recently.