Visiting PA

WE'RE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES HERE IN PA. I'LL POST ALL THESE PICS AND THEN SORT AND PUT TEXT, AS WELL AS ADD MORE VIDEOS, LATER.

This weekend we took a road trip up to Pennsylvania to visit Pop pop and play with Simone's cousins. Simone needed a little time to adjust to Pop...

We took a walk. And the playing went a bit better.

Simone and Selester are just about the same size now.

A Tough Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend hit a few snags, but we pulled through. First the sun melted the lemons in the wreath on the front door.

Then came the flat tire... but no fear, Auntie Wendy came to the rescue and we were off to get the tire repaired.

Afterwards we stopped for pizza in the clocktower plaza. Simone chewed on a piece of crust which she loved...

Later that evening, Auntie Christel joined us and made a great dinner. Simone munched on the corn cob.

Grammy brought Simone a new car from Pennsylvania. She LOVED it...

Look dad, no hands!!!

Finally, check out Simone's high fashion bow. More to come on that!!

Sprucing Up for Summer

Well, we'ved been doing our best without you to get the outside in shape for the season. Take a look...


The new storm door...


Pink and yellow flowers around the stoop.

We put down new mulch.

They replaced the rotting wood on the corners and dug a new bed on the side of the house. I put down plastic mulch there.

Even cleaned up around the backyard bushes.











We got the plum tree pruned down a bit. And planted perennials under the dogwood. Look closely for them. By the end of the season they will be much bigger, covering the hole area.







I also had the overgrown shrubs by the kitchen window dug out. I have a hydrangea bush and a small evergreen to plant there now.










And finally, they replaced wood and repainted the bow window.

Pizza and Practice...

Finally some videos in which Simone doesn't just stop what she's doing and stare at the camera. Enjoy!
Here she is chomping away on some pizza crust. She was so proud that she was eating what mommy and grammy were eating...

And here she is in her crib (the only use she's found for it) practicing how to stand up. The clanking you might hear is her two little bottom teeth knawing on the iron bar. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING goes into her mouth these days. She tastes food, clothes, shoes, body parts, paper, plastic, furniture, windows...you name it.

Passing Away the Days...

Simone is growing faster than we can believe, and is working harder everyday to move around on her own. Here she is lounging in daddy's chair.

Some playtime on the floor. Just about every evening after dinner she rolls on the floor with her toys. She cracks herself up like this... If you have sound on this video, you'll hear her shreik. (p.s.--she's sitting on my lap as I load this and she is FASCINATED seeing herself on the screen.)




She also likes to stand on her own, although she doesn't realize she can't let go yet.






And here are the matching bracelets we bought when we visited you in South Carolina. Amazingly, Simone wears her's without chewing it.

Some new things

Hello again daddy,

We had a very busy day today. Mommy bought me some new toys and some new sandles for summer. Here are some pictures...










We also went to the commissary for groceries and to drop off the window screens to be repaired. And by the way, I'm starting to pull up onto my knees more and more. Like this...
I'll be crawling in no time!

I miss you so much!!!
Simone

Day 269...fine... whatever...

Yes, that's right 269 days until daddy gets home.

Today was a balmy 82 degrees and Simone wore her blue striped cherry dress, which made her eyes look even blue-er. Here she is looking pretty sleepy at only 7:00. Luckily, it's bath night which will give her her second-wind. She's had a few restless nights this week, hopefully tonight will be better.

Visiting Daddy in South Carolina

Tony's last stop before heading to Afghanistan was in training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC. So, we took Simone on a long road trip to visit him for the week before he left. Simone loved helping drive...












Once we arrived, Simone sported her sailor dress to support her dad...










We also had a full day of fun at the Riverbanks Zoo...
















By day's end, Simone was pooped...









Back at the hotel she had more hanging out time with daddy...







She discovered her toes...



And even went for her very first swim...

She's a natural




We had a great visit and by week's end it was hard to say goodbye. Simone decided to try to stow away in daddy's sea bag...











But, no worries, mommy stopped her. Afghanistan is no place for babies.