Archie's First Piano Recital

Archie and I have been working on piano since the beginning of the school year. He had a chance to show off his efforts by playing the Doxology at our homeschool Share Fair. He was motivated to work harder by hearing some of the older, better kids play.

Man's Best Friend Rides in Style

Living in Bangkok always has its surprises. While my parents were visiting we found a dog that lives in the bike shop next door with its very own wheel chair!

My Dad really wanted some pictures and the owner was nice enough to bring it over one afternoon. Here are some photos:



Apparently the dog was hit by a car and the owner took it to a local Vet who SPECIALIZES in dog wheel chairs!

And here is a video of the wheel chair in action:

Garden Portrait Fun!

Since Hunt's parents are only going to be here a few more days (and Grace will only be a newborn for a few more weeks), I have this incredible and near-constant urge to take pictures. Everyone has been a good sport by donning the proper, color-coordinated clothes around my photo frenzied whims. These pictures were made in the hospital roof garden on the same floor Grace and I stayed after she was released from the NICU. Making pics here has become a Thailand tradition as my friend made Archie's 3 week portraits here and we took some family photos here last time the DeJs were visiting.

She really is Daddy's little princess:

She's so beautiful I can't take my eyes off her!

We had fun doing the balancing act to take this one.

All eyes on Baby Grace!

Just the ladies:

We love our grandparents!

Here's a closeup with her big beautiful brown eyes open!

The journey home!

Yesterday we brought Grace home from the hospital and made the first few pics of our new family.

Leaving the hospital:
Arriving by taxi: (Our taxi was pink, how cool is that for bringing home a baby girl?)

First picture of our family of four:

First time to be held by Grandma:

Reaching for Grace: Archie's going to be a good big brother. He hasn't quite figured out the whole baby thing, though. While he likes to point and say "Baby, Baby!" I don't think he's figured out Grace is here - in his house - to stay. He can also say "Grace" now. It's really cute!

Unbundled:

Grace's hospital pictures!

We were so happy to bring Grace home this morning after four days in the hospital! (We stayed so long since they were a little concerned about infection because first she was breathing too quickly and then she was running a mild fever. However, 72 hour blood cultures came back negative today for infection.)

Our camera has gotten a nonstop workout, but here are a few of my favorite pictures!


Minutes after birth! First picture:

Waking shots: I love getting her with her eyes open!



Sleeping shots: How precious!


Burping Baby: These are always funny pics!

While we were in the hospital, we didn't forget about Archie. He had a wonderful time at home with his grandparents, but we loved it when he came for visits. When we would hold him up to the nursery window, he would point and say "Baby, Baby!"

Last pregnant with Grace shot taken immediately before departure to hospital:

Running to meet Daddy:

Fun in Mama's hospital bed!

Christmas in July!

I feel like it's Christmas! Hunt's parents are finally here! That's the best present, of course, but they came laden with other goodies, which Archie is already enjoying.

Archie's first project with Grandpa was helping to open the suitcase. He says "key, key" and understands the concept but doesn't quite have the dexterity to turn it.

Unpacking new books with Grandma

Cousins Mack, Melanie, Amy and Laura sent this giraffe puppet. He was quite a hit! You can see how many pictures he's featured in. Thanks so much!

Meet the giraffe:

After awhile, Archie evidently decided he needed to defend himself from the wild animal and started chasing him with the broom. GIRAFFE ATTACK!

Archie's first backpack. Giraffe goes to school.

This is Archie approaching the giraffe (worn on Grandpa's hand) in utter delight.

Even with Grandpa and Grandma, there's still time for fun games with Daddy. He loves to be swung around. Preparing to launch!

Blast off!

This morning I proclaimed myself "fat and overdue." (Hunter jokingly asked me if that was going to be the title of my blog post.) Actually, I'm not overdue. Today is the magic day (supposedly) but still no Grace. We are planning to go to the hospital so our doctor can help her come out (induce) if she's not here by tomorrow. He assures us she's ready. I am, too, but I'm kind of glad we have one day to play with Grandpa and Grandma and for Archie to adjust to them (which only took a matter of moments) before Grace comes.

39 weeks and 6 days belly shots:

The Merry Monitors

Yes, it's roaming loose my friend. No cages, no safety bars. I feel just like a National Geo photographer inching closer while trying not to scare it away (or get eaten for lunch). What is it, you may ask? A monitor lizard. Some of the monitors that roam free in Lumpini Park are quite large - maybe four feet long. Others are so petite they're almost cute. What do they really eat? I've seen them devouring fairly large fish on the bank, but unfortunately couldn't sneak in any of those shots today.

And, at the same park with the Merry Monitors, there is a nice playground where merry children can also roam free. Archie certainly enjoyed the slide and the new Thai friends he made today.

And, the question of the day: Where is Grace? We kind of thought she'd be here by now as the doctor has assured us during the last two appointments everything's ready to go, but she's evidently wanting to wait a little longer to make her appearance. At this point, we're kind of hoping she'll hold off until her July 28 due date when her Grandparents DeJs arrive.