playground and merry go round

The second day of our visit with cousins, we went to see a play and ride the carousel at a local park.

This is a bit out of order. I feel like the playground day (and riding the train day) was later in the week, but I didn't have many photos so I am putting them on this post!

All days that start with train rides...

...should end with cupcakes!

aunt gabi visits!

We were so lucky in July to get a visit from Aunt Gabi and her entire family! We had a wonderful week of Washington, DC outings planned, but we started off the visit with a fun get-together with the entire Yaunches clan. 

Kaya getting in her auntie hugs!

The blond cousins line up at the counter: Sammy, Leo and Liora.

Sammy and Liora introduce Kaya to the world of cousins!

We tried to take a family pic. Here we are with the kids waiting for the guys to put on their blue shirts and get out of the house.

Getting there...where's Paul?

Paul joins us, and Leo is ready for the camera with that wonderful face.

These two are the cutest together, only a couple months apart and great friends.

some family pics

The many loves of my life, exclusing one furry critter.

Liora's a dancer!

Kaya practicing laying around. It is a tough baby skill to master.

Two at a time.

 

no power

In June, we lost power for longer than a day, in extreme heat. The derecho crazy storm hit one night, and it scared me a lot! I woke up, grabbed the baby, woke up Liora, and pulled us all into the bathtub. I was a bit afraid it was a tornado. Adam was his usual self, trying to get a better view of the storm instead of heading for the safety of our tub. In the days that followed, we hoped for the best in terms of power. But we just didn't trust in our local electric company. So, we called up Aunt Diane and Uncle George and invited ourselves to their AC-filled house!

 

School was closed due to loss of power, and I was still on maternity leave. So, I spent a few days trying to fill them with fun things for Liora to do!

 

Lunch with cousins

Loving her corn on the cob.

Uncle George babysits Kaya.

painting pottery

Smiley baby!

Jumping at an indoor jumpy house place

 

After 5 days (!), our power returned and we went back to the house. When it came back on, I think I cried a bit. We are so lucky to have family around that we can turn to when the going gets tough. Thanks DiDi and George! You helped make a difficult time very enjoyable.  And made us all feel very welcome. 

some more beach

Last set of beach photos.

 

Adam created his owm float with noodles.

Kaya and I watched from the deck.

Liora's father's day gift from school, wearing daddy's shirt and tie.

At the local kids museum on one of the rainy days.

 

another day at the beach, sigh

Some more beach photos!

 

Hanging with daddy in the waves.

Look at that lift!

Sister hugs.

Hamptons fair

Just our luck, the Hamptons had a fair visiting the same time we were!

Liora was very happy to get the bunny to ride on the merry go round. It was one of the few things she was allowed on, due to her height. Next time, she'll be tall enough for most rides. We rode this thing like 5 times.

And this one.

Kaya slept through it, as she did with most things at that age.

kaya - month one

For an intermission from our beach trip, I give you some photos from Kaya's first month or so!



 

What you talking about mommy?

Loving sister.

Boo is an early friend. Kaya really liked sleeping on my lap in these early days.

Tutu and tiara, courtesy of MeMe!

Softest foot rest ever.

Getting her stripe on.

My summer window box still life with cats.

Hamptons (June 2012)

So, I guess it's no surprise if you're a parent that the blogging went by the wayside as mommy and daddy took to being parents to two little girls! While we were busy loving, growing with, and enjoying our sweeties, the blog has languished. While you may understand, I doubt Kaya will when she's older and she says "where are my blog posts mommy? You seemed to have stopped at my one month mark!" And since I've said much the same thing to my parents as the second child, I'm attempting once again to get with the program and make sure our second baby gets as much coverage as the first.

And so I take you back to a faraway time, back in the warmth of summer 2012 when the family headed to our yearly respite up in the Hamptons...

Our first visit to the beach, and we found a big pile o' sand.

Bathing beauty!

This makes a great slide. It also fills the bathing suit with sand from top to bottom.

Second day at the beach.

It was rather windy, so the umbrella was on its side to protect Kaya--well, really all of us.

She slept through most of it, except when she didn't, and then she was ready to go back to the house.

Our set-up, on the beach with a baby seat.

Daddy and Liora dig their first hole!

Success! And check out that empty beach. Ahh, I love it up there. I can feel the tension falling away as I remember the sound of those waves...

Right before mommy had to head back to the house...Kaya just wasn't too fond of the beach. But since she was just 2 months old, we gave her a pass this year. We're sure that next year, she'll be loving it and eating sand to her heart's content!