Eight months old

Lyla turns 8 months old today. She's always in our minds & hearts and today we sent extra-loving thoughts across the continent and ocean that, for this short time, separate us. We're preparing special spaces in our home that we hope will provide restful and nourishing places for her in the early days that she's home, spaces that she will grow into as our family grows and evolves through our many years together.

Two years old!

Happy birthday, Dear Ivy! We're all recovering from colds, so we had a mellow celebration for Ivy's 2nd birthday. We went to Monty's Blue Plate Diner where Ivy ordered pancakes, HAM and milk for her birthday meal. She was especially thrilled when her milk arrived in a cup with a straw. Straws, pancakes and apple pie. Is there any better way to celebrate one's 2nd birthday?

In Daddy's arms

We recently celebrated K-Daddy's birthday. Last year the two of us spent his birthday talking about Ivy, hoping that she would soon be home, and imagining how it would feel to hold her in our arms. Now we can't imagine a time in our lives when we didn't know what it feels like to snuggle with her or comfortably carry her about on our backs and shoulders:

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

18 Months Old

Ivy turns 18 months old today. She continually amazes us with new words and insights and I learn so much from her. She teaches me to be patient and, above all, happy and joyful

We've been celebrating Ivy's 18 months for the past few days. One of the best ways to celebrate is by getting up early on Sunday mornings and swinging like a big girl on the swings at the Yahara Place Park. A year ago Ivy's Tia Lisa was here and we walked through this very same park on a foggy September night; mounted police officers silently emerged from the mist, exercising their horses and setting the tone for a magical weekend that we shared with a beloved friend. And, BTW, Lisa gave Ivy the sweet striped dress, er, tunic, that she's wearing in these photos.

Ivy and I spent the afternoon with crackers and crayons. We have luscious beeswax block crayons and I must admit that we were more interested in smelling these crayons than creating masterpieces with them.

Our girl is getting so big. I often have to look at photos from last winter to see how much she's grown and to realize how far we've come as a family.

Happy Birthday, Dear Cousins!

Ivy sends happy birthday greetings to her cousins, both of whom celebrate their birthdays today! She looks forward to many years of matching outfits and shared adventures. We love you, Mr. Six and Miss Four!!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Frank!

First I'll wrap you around my little finger and then I'll whisper sweet baby secrets into your ear:

Thanks for making the trip from Virginia to Wisconsin - I'm so happy to be with you on your 29th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa B.!

Thanks for knowing how to always make me smile.

(And thank you for always having noisy tic-tacs in your shirt pocket. Someday mommy will let me eat them with you.)

Beautiful Baby, part 1

Last weekend we celebrated Ivy's homecoming and first birthday with an open house for family, friends and neighbors. Ivy calmly handled being the center of attention and received everyone's love and good wishes with grace and good cheer. She wore her hanbok for part of the day, specifically for our toljabee ceremony. This is a traditional Korean first birthday ceremony in which a number of items are laid out on a table in front of a child and the first objects she chooses represent her future skills and talents. We adapted this ceremony and chose items from our home that represent our own lives. These are the items we presented to Ivy for her toljabee:

• Books (Global Babies and Sweater) and a pencil - successful scholarship
• Yarn spun by Ivy's mom - long life
• Money - wealth
• Ivy's great-grandpa's carpenter's ruler and knitting needles made by Ivy's grandpa - skilled with her hands
• Wooden spoon - enjoys cooking and welcoming friends to her table
• Paintbrush - artistic abilities
• Harmonica - musical talents

We placed Ivy on Kevin's lap for the ceremony and then the excitement began. After lightly touching many of the items, the first object she picked up (and put right in her mouth) was a knitting needle:

I was very pleased that she chose this needle that my dad made from lumber from a cedar tree that stood in my front yard for many years until a storm blew it down in the mid-1990s.

And then it was time to choose the 2nd and final item. To paraphrase our friend, Jeff (a wickedly talented photographer and, most importantly, HB's dad), I honestly resisted melding Ivy's mind and did not force her to choose a book for her 2nd item. We faced the table with renewed suspense:

But, what can I say? After lingering over Great-Grandpa Ottmar's ruler, our girl made her librarian-parents proud and grabbed one of her favorite books - Sweater by Kit Allen:

The ceremony was beautiful and touching and we thank Jeff for capturing so many memorable photos of the event. We also thank our other photographers, Eli and Steve for grabbing our personal cameras and documenting the special day. Ivy was surrounded by so much love that it's impossible to describe the entire day in one post, so please continue on to Part 2:

Beautiful Baby, part 2

Ivy's Wisconsin grandparents, Aunt Kersten, Uncle Jim and good friend cousins made the trip to Madison for Ivy's party. Everyone had a wonderful time and cousin Finnian showed us that, even though he had a fever, nothing would keep him from celebrating Ivy's homecoming:

Shortly after Ivy's toljabee we set her loose so she could play with her buddy, HB. They crawled toward each other and HB hugged her and gave her a big ol' kiss on the mouth:

Then HB promptly made a speedy get-away, leaving Ivy in his dust as she struggled to crawl after him in her cumbersome hanbok:

The party ended at the very late hour of 6 pm at which time we all crawled back to our house, where the girls put on comfy clothes and snuggled under the quilt that Grandma B. made for Ivy:

I think that we'll be ready for another celebration in May, when Grandma Pauline, Grandpa Frank and Auntie Christine visit us. Until then, we'll hold fond memories of last week's party deep in our hearts. Thanks to everyone for making our day a special one.

Birthday girl!

Today is Ivy's first birthday and we celebrated all day long.

There were many moments of great joy and laughter.

Ivy had her first taste of cake - and frosting.

Grandma & Grandpa B. celebrated with us and gave Ivy some awesome new shakers.

And we ended our day with a trip to Tar-Jay where Grandma & Grandpa bought us a splendid new stroller!

Today was beautiful.  When it was time to sing Happy Birthday we called Grandma & Grandpa K. in Norfolk and skyped with Aunt Kersten and Cousins Adalia & Finnian in LaCrosse.  Ivy delicately touched the frosting on her cake and then put her fingers in my mouth.  She was thrilled with all her wonderful presents and her daddy is especially excited to try out the new stroller when the weather warms up later this week.  Today taught me that there is more space in my heart than I ever imagined; my heart continues to grow and I continually thank my little girl for teaching me about love and compassion.

Happy Birthday, Auntie Kersten!

Let's get together to read books and pound on things for your birthday, Auntie Kersten!  You always know how to make me smile.