baptism

Finally, after many months of planning, Beatrice was Baptized. In a very unorthodox fashion, Beatrice was able to stand on the altar. [We thought she might be walking down the aisle too, but she's not quite there yet.]

Lucy brought her baby, Grace, to be Baptized too. Grammy bought both of the babies pretty white dresses for the occasion - Thank you Grammy!

It's nice to finally have Beettris Grace, [as the Priest pronounced it] Baptized. [Even though there is no fear of Limbo any more, I am sure her grandparents are pleased.]

By the way, can anyone tell me what white stands for?

and jax



In honor of this auspicious occasion, I got some baby Jax for Beatrice. Like a true member of our family, she thoroughly enjoyed them . . . and really, why wouldn't she?

donkeys, chicks, and bubbles

We went back to visit our old friends at the farm. Of course our day started with a visit with the animals. Lucy was a little shy of the big animals and didn't want to feed them cookies*. Trix, however, got right in there, and even wanted to eat the cookies herself. Lucy preferred to entertain them by blowing bubbles.

Lucy and Beatrice both loved the baby chicks! And liked patting them too. They really are soft and fluffy.

Lucy had a great time with her old friend, Marnie. She held her hand as she took her down to see the llamas; donkey; kittens; turkeys; and of course, Lucy's favorite - the chicks.

*cookies = dog biscuits

beach trip

We went to the beach for a few days. Both Lucy and Beatrice loved it!

Lucy is a regular beach bum and liked playing in the sand and water. She made lots of new friends and built all kinds of sand sculptures. She much preferred building crocodiles and water dragons to plain old castles.

Beatrice mostly enjoyed the people-watching.

month 9

This month has been a very busy one for Beatrice . . .

She has started to wave her arm to say “hi” or “bye.” And, she has started clapping and playing peek-a-boo.

Beatrice now crawls very well and nothing can stop her once she's got her eye on something [which usually ends up in her mouth].

Now, she is pulling up on everything - she can’t wait to get walking.

A quick Lucy update - She has taken off the side bars on her bed.

getting her dance on

Beatrice just can't contain herself when she hears Neil Sedaka's "Dinosaur Pet"



She did have a little help from Mommy to stand up.

open. shut them.

Lucy is singing a favorite song to Beatrice. As you can see, Beatrice is fully engaged in it.



Thanks to Auntie Linda for teaching us this song!

This movie was filmed from the iPhone so the image is a little stretched [I am still trying to figure out how to fix that . . . ]

another shout out

Everyone should know by now, how I feel about good customer service [or lack-there-of]. I have another story of phenomenal customer service that I need to share.

Grammy had bought Lucy an Oval Animal Bag [Stuffed Animal Storage and Soft Seat] for Christmas. I just thought this was a great idea and made quick use of it! We even incorporated the bag into Lucy's bed-time routine. Every night, she has an animal swap where she trades in last night's animals and gets new ones to sleep with that night.

Let me back up . . . Shortly after originally stuffing the bag, I noticed that one of the mesh windows was pulling away from the zipper. It started as a very small tear but over time, became larger and I feared that it would become something that Beatrice could get her head stuck in [not to mention, the animals would spill out of]

Anyhoo, I sent an email to the manufacturer, Boon, Inc., to tell them of the tear.

Hello customer service rep!

I received an oval animal bag as a gift for my daughter. After owning it for about a week or so, I noticed that the mesh panel on one of the "doors" is pulling away from the zipper.

I am concerned that my 7 month-old daughter will get her head caught in it. I have tried to think of ways I could repair it, but have come up with nothing. [Unfortunately, with an infant, tape is out of the question]

I would hate to think I need to take it away - it is such a great thing to have! We like to sit on it while reading stories, then my older daughter [3] likes to trade in stuffed-animals every night before bed and chooses a new sleeping buddy.

I do own and LOVE many of your products. And, they are always on the top of my gift-giving list.

Thank you for you help in this matter.

best,
kristin

To this, they responded:

Kristin,

Thank you so much for your email. I am so sorry to hear about your recent experience with the Animal Bag. That is definitely not the experience we want you to have when using Boon products.

I would like to replace this immediately so your child's stuffed animals have a home. At your convenience, please send me back the damaged portion of the zipper, as well as the Boon logo tag on the side of the Animal Bag. (There is no need to send back the entire bag). Please make sure a portion of the colored fur is showing so we make sure to send the correct replacement Animal Bag. Please also include your mailing address. These items can be returned to my attention at the address listed below in my name tag. Upon receiving the items mentioned, above, we will immediately send a new Animal Bag out in the mail for you.

Again, I am very sorry for your experience. Thank you so much for taking the time to contact us and allowing us the opportunity to remedy this situation. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Katrina

I must say that cutting out the panel was a real leap of faith - what if they did not replace the bag? I would not just have a small hole but a large gaping one . . . and, we [I] really love this bag!

True to their word, a few days after sending back the panel, I did receive a whole new bag!!

[I honestly do own a bunch of their products and do give them regularly as gifts.]


Oval Animal Bag
Stuffed Animal Storage and Soft Seat
This oversized, plush bag is covered with large, zippered windows made out of transparent, durable mesh. Children can fill the bag with stuffed animals of all sizes, and then use the Animal Bag as a soft seat. Made from high quality, breathable fabrics, the Animal Bag is machine washable, or it can be dry-cleaned.

Boon, Inc

Hopefully, Auntie Janice can make something cool, on her quits, out of the fabric from the old bag - it's much to nice to just throw in the trash . . .

new cousin

Lucy and Beatrice met their new cousin, Freddie, today [Frederick Paul; 07.01.09; 7lb 15oz].

He is super cute and they just couldn't get enough of him.

Just think of the fun they'll have with him when he gets a little bigger and more interactive!

8 months

Beatrice has gotten 2 teeth and sleeps through the night.

She has moved into the vacant crib in Lucy's room - Lucy loves having her as a roommate!

little scribe

Lucy has been practicing her penmanship. She wrote this on her own, unprompted by me.

up notch

Although the curls have not come through in full earnest yet, Trix's hair is definitely long enough for Grammy's favorite hairstyle - the up notch.

She looks so different with the hair up off her face and out of her eyes.

trains and concerts

Lucy went on her first train ride today. She really liked taking the train/subway [though it may have been a little longer than it needed to be]. Her favorite part of taking the train was, "sitting on the green seat." [Really? You'd think her favorite part would be something a little more novel than that . . . ]

Anyhoo, we took the train to see the They Might Be Giants kids show. They really put on a fun show! Much different than Laurie Berkner, but just as enjoyable. They even brought out broom to sing [of all things] "I Am Not Your Broom." I loved the live version of "Seven Days Of The Week (I Never Go To Work)" they even brought out a special guest to play trumpet [who's name I cannot remember - but he was great - and either goes/went to Berklee].

Lucy loved the show and enjoyed dancing in the aisle. Daddy got her another concert t-shirt. [This one is really cute - I wish they had it in adult sizes. I will have to get a picture of her wearing it sometime.]

My only criticism would be that it was a little loud . . . is that just my age talking, or should we be more careful of their young, delicate ears? Either way, I can assure you, we'll be at the concert next year! [Maybe sporting ear plugs?]

curl!

. . . or bedhead?

summer in the "city"

When you can't get to the pool or beach, nothing beats singing in a puddle!

t-ball

Auntie Megan arrived today with a t-ball set. Lucy loved learning to play baseball and even gave Auntie Megan instructions on how to hit the ball, while she fielded.

Looking like she might bat lefty like her mother . . .

7 months

I can't believe another month has flown by. Perhaps it's all the excitement of firsts, or maybe the lack of sleep . . . hard to say.

Anyhoo, Beatrice is 7 months old. She is still a big baby - off-the-charts for height and 90th percentile for weight. She is able to stay sitting [that is, until her head gets too heavy and tips her over] and is trying desperately to crawl. She does manage to move around. With a series of rolling and scootching, she manages to get where she wants to be [of course, that is usually a place she sees something small to put in her mouth]

I'm looking forward to seeing what this month brings . . . maybe curls, teeth, a good night sleep?

more beatrice

Auntie Linda has asked for more pics of Trix, doing some of the things she does. OK, here ya go . . .

I call this one, "new hat"


and this one I call, "lunch"

I hope that satisfies you some - it's going to be hard to catch up to three years of Lucy . . .

big doin's

Lucy went to her cousin's house with Grammy [in the gold car] all by herself today. This was a big deal, usually she won't go anywhere unless Mommy come[s].*

I must admit, although I was very proud of Lucy, I felt a little sad as she drove away waving out the car window.

*One exception is if I am already out of the house - I was not this morning.

accepted

Lucy has finally been accepted to preschool after being wait-listed.

School in September, our little girl is growing up . . .

It's a 4-day program, 2.5 hrs a day - hopefully, not too much to handle [for me more than her . . . sniff]

princess of all media

Lucy has had her first voice-over gig, thanks to Nellie.

Listen for Lucy to say, "rounded fat-face." [It's in the first commercial.]



Watch out Howard Stern, Lucy is on her way . . .

If you're interested, you can buy the cool tiger t-shirt Nellie's wearing - she makes/sells them. mattsaundersbynellie.etsy.com