Forced Friendship

Ted doesn't know it, but Penny's expression makes it very clear.

6 months

teddy-boy is 6 months old.  it went fast and slow at the same time.  let's take a look back.

1.  he was creepy looking at 1 month old.
2.  he's loved his big sister from the moment he met her.
3.  we often hear things like, "his smile takes up his whole face!" or "his smile looks like the Joker's!" which means he looks like me (or at least a williamson).
4.  he's very strong--started rolling over at 2 months and sitting by 5.
5.  he's a people person. doesn't matter if he's poopy, bored, or hasn't eaten in 4 hours, as long as someone's by his side he's happy.
6. he's in awe of the world around him and anxious to be more engaged in it (just look at all those wide-eyed pictures).

in short, he's the perfect baby for this family.

For Asher: As Promised

Angry Bird socks = coolest present ever.  Thanks, cousin.
Love,
Teddy

Ted's Favorite Thing

 sucking on any and all fabric.  and then pretending he wasn't.

p.s. you may have noticed that my children are not in any pictures together.  that's because penny refuses to hold/sit by/touch/play with teddy.  how do i make my kids be friends?

Penini

For AsherMan

He's REALLY excited to meet you, Asher!

p.s. teddy is 5 months old today!

Summer Mornings

Penny playing in hose water. Seth doing yard work.  Me painting the playhouse...and Teddy just people-watching from his seat.

p.s. the playhouse exterior is now painted. pictures soon.

We Heart Auntie Kate

Kate is gone.

She lived with us for the past year while she finished school. And now she's done and moved out (and touring Europe for a month!). We will all miss you living here, but Penny especially.

You totally earned the title of "Favorite Aunt."

When the crap did my little baby become a little girl?

What Seth meant to say was, "When the crap did my little baby become a little girl AND where did she get that adorable dress?"

Well, let me tell you.  I made it out of my old t-shirt--one that I wore when I was pregnant with her.  The circle of life continues.

I Love America

Seth and I just finished reading "Escape From Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West." It was excellent and horrifying, and it made me so grateful to live in this beautiful country and the freedoms we enjoy. 

We celebrated our freedom by spending as much time with each other as we could ever want, and blowing things up.

(Our first family of four picture)

(Penny's Army man prize)

(Pop-it fight--Nat lost due to her jeggings)

(only one half of my sisters--we miss you Korean half)

(the makings of a new pyromaniac)

And while lighting fireworks doesn't nearly express how much I really do love our country, I hope I never take for granted even the smallest of freedoms.

Happy 4th of July!

The LAST time....promise.

Teddy had a well baby check-up today and the first thing the pediatrician said when he walked in:

"Wow! He's a beast!" 

Poor kid just can't shake the comparison.

It's Been A While: Update

June of 2011 was the last time Penny saw her Aunt Nat.  Natty moved to Georgia and then South Korea, but she comes home tomorrow night.  I think as soon as Penny remembers that Nat is her main supplier of dum-dums she'll be happy to have her back.

And I think Nat will be happy to see how much this little beauty has grown.

Nat's back!  And Penny's happy she is.

Besties

Did you think it was going to be Penny and Teddy?  I wish.  We're still working on it.

P.S. Look at those thighs!

A Week of Birthdays, Bumps, and Broken Bones

First up, Seth. My man turned 29 on Wednesday and the only thing I have to show for it is his awesome renewed driver's license picture.

 He thinks it looks like a hot mugshot. I think it just looks hot.  He's working on converting our shed into a playhouse for Penny, so all of his presents consisted of something to help him with that project.  I didn't think a can of paint would make for a very exciting blog photo.  We'll show you the finished product.

Next up, Penny turned two today.  What?!?  Yeah, my baby's two years old, and to celebrate she rolled out of her big girl bed and bonked her head on her dresser.  Behold:

(one bag of frozen peas to eat, one for her face)

Yikes.  But that monstrous bump didn't stop her from enjoying her new birthday gifts: an art easel from me, an antique piano from Seth (to go in her playhouse!), and a new book from her great grandma Bradford.

I'm happy to say my present was the favorite. The girl loves her some paint.

And yes, she's almost always wearing panties only.

She celebrated with a "lellow ca-pea" cake and loved it.

But mostly just to play with.  Happy birthday to my first two loves.

And lastly, I broke my toe walking into the corner of Penny's closet.

It's the first bone I've ever broken and the first summer I bought a pass to a swimming pool.  Now that's just plain old bad luck.

And that wraps up the week at the Packard home.  Pretty eventful for never leaving our house.

Me and my Boy

And my girl.