Leah

I met Laura (Leah's mom) at work, we were in the same unit for a while, and realized we had a lot of things in common. I moved to another unit, and did not see her as much, but was excited when she told me she was pregnant, and due just a month after me. Leah and Cara met when they were just infants and we have been able to get together a few times to go walking or get something to eat. We discovered that we had even more in common with both having a baby girl and coming from similar parenting ideals. However, Leah is a travel queen and unfortunately we were not able to get together at all this summer. We did meet Laura and Leah for lunch yesterday and Laura told us they were moving to Boston. Even though we did not get to see eachother as often as I had hoped, Leah was Cara's very first friend, and I am sad that we didn't take advantage of the time they were here. I couldn't choose just one picture, so here are them all. We will miss you Laura and Leah! Now we have a reason to visit Boston.

Both looking at the camera.. good luck on getting this again!

Leah has much better manners than Cara and was very good at sharing.

I can imagine she is thinking, "Mom, why have you put me next to this monster!"

"See, she doesn't even ask before hugging."

"ok Cara, I need some space now."

Cara to Leah, "See, look at my shirt"

Friends

I am so bad at updating...

because I always feel like I need to have pictures when I post. Cara has been growing so much lately, she is turning into a little girl. She says lots of words and understands more and more everyday. The best part of being a parent of a toddler: when she says something and you didn't know she knew that word... like when she said "bus" or "8, 9, 10" or "truck" or "elbow" or "shoulder" or any of the other amazing words she knows. Cara is generally a well behaved child... you know, when she is sleeping! She tests my patience constantly, and I have to remind myself that I am the adult and she is the child and I cannot act the way she does. I read that somewhere and it has helped me get through the tantrums. Cara's interests are also expanding. She loves to go outside and will say, "people" when she wants to go for a walk. She loves other children and has recently started daycare one day a week to help with her social skills (and give Nana a break!)

Now... for the pictures:

Fingerpainting and sidewalk chalk (while watching "people" in the neighborhood)

Helping Daddy put some things in the attic (I didn't even know she could climb a latter! And, she even knew how to climb down when we told her to get down)

Coming in from a walk... and you can't see the third baby that is hidden behind those two!