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.

3 Months

At three months old Teddy:
-smiles
-giggles
-rolls over from tummy to back
-hates being tickled, but can't help laughing
-loves Penny, Mommy, Daddy, and everyone else
-sits quietly in his bouncy seat for hours on end, which has resulted in flat-head, which has resulted in lots of tummy time
-wears the same size diapers as Penny
-kicks really hard
-eats a TON
-is super loved

Love Us Some Summer

When I Come Home . . .

New Family Portraits

 

The First Cut

Before:

During:

After:

Thanks Auntie Kate!  We love Penny's new 'do.

Not Just A Beast

He's a beauty, too.

And now I'm gonna stop all references to Beauty and the Beast, because it's making me feel lame and that's bad for my ego.