Scenes around the pool

We met up with some buddies at Patterson a week or two ago.
I always love seeing these three together.

Not just because it has always been so sweet to see a blonde, brunette and redhead all in a row,

(Lexi, Tessa and Olivia in 2010 and 2011)

but also because they are such a sweet trio.
This time around, they jumped from the steps, swam to their moms,
made their silliest faces, dove for toys in the baby pool,
enjoyed their smoothies and grilled cheese,
and let their little siblings tag along.
My how our crew has grown.
And, baby boy Wellen is due any day now.

 Not quite as easy to get 6 to cooperate

Scenes around the Sound

 Lexi, Olivia and Tessa enjoying Southport Beach...

and determining who has the nerve to jump in the chilly water first

 I listened in on a bit of their sunbathing conversation.

It went a little like this.

"Do you go to school?"

"Yeah, I do, what about you?"

"Yeah."

"Let's try to burp."

"Okay, good idea."

Not only is the drive to Southport Beach one of the prettiest in the area,

with its beautiful beachfront homes, country gardens, 

church steeples and pristine harbor begging for your attention,

but the beach itself offers a lot this year.

They put out adirondack chairs and books to read

and added a permanent food stand that offers lobster rolls, 

fresh lemonade and italian ice for the kids. 

On weeknights, you can enjoy the sailing regattas in the background. 

No wonder visitors of all ages love to watch the sunset here.  

 A pretty good way to end a summer day

And over at Penfield...

 I met these ladies when we first moved to Fairfield. 

I took one look at Marci during a meet and greet and decided we would get along.

True story...and I was correct :)

Seven years later, 

it's so nice to watch the friendships our children have created with one another. 

On the move

I'm quickly discovering that Ryleigh likes to be on the go.
She wiggles and squirms and twists and turns these days when I hold her.
Put her in a sitting position, and she immediately lunges forward,
eager to explore.
And, either she is getting way too big for her infant car seat,
or else it is getting way too heavy for this momma to carry around.
So, I guess it's a good thing that my baby is learning to do this:

 and this:

Because my arms are TIRED!

See the video below of Ryleigh's first crawls/scootches :)

8 Months

Ryleigh-

Time is zooming right along these days.
Somehow, the months feel like they move so much more quickly
with a second child.
I want to sit in your chair and rock and read and snuggle,
but you want to twist and turn and wiggle and roll.

Things are BUSY around here as you turn 8 months...
mainly because all of a sudden, you are on.the.go.
While you can't totally crawl quite yet,
you cover serious ground in an inchworm kind of fashion.
Your daddy thinks it looks like you are "doing the worm"
as you scoot along day in and day out.

Little Monkey...does #8 taste any good?!

This is a new development,
and you are happiest on the floor, free to roll over, push onto all fours,
inch along, push back to a sitting position, fall onto all fours again, and on and on.
Mommy (and Lexi) are going to be very careful to make sure all
Barbie shoes, Critter House pieces, little legos, loose change, bracelet beads
(and generally anything else that may be hiding just out of sight)
gets put somewhere safely, pronto!

In addition to being on the go, you love:
splashing around in water, being in the pool, banging Lexi's musical instruments
along with the measuring spoons and going for walks in the double stroller.
You are putting just about everything you pick up in your mouth,
and I imagine that your first tooth can't be very far off.

You still love to eat.
We've starting giving you puffs and teething biscuits, and finger foods are on the horizon.
You bang your tray and moan and groan if we don't feed you fast enough.
You are starting to hold your own bottle, and you laugh when you hear me shaking it up.
You've been a bit more fussy this month as you've gone from three naps to two
and likely started teething, but your personality remains joyful.
You love your sister like no other.
You giggle at her more than anyone else (and boy do you have a great belly laugh)

You still love to stand, though you're not able to pull up on your own yet.
You've had several baby playdates this month, and you seem to like the interaction.
With your sister's school year looming,
I promise to strike a better balance between her needs/wants and yours.
Playdates, baby gym class, music class at the library, sign language at Giant Steps and naps in the crib...
these have your name all over them!
Happy 8 Months, Ryleigh Roo :)

Cousins in the tub

After a fun visit (and long car ride) to the Mystic Aquarium,
on the way back from the Cape,
we decided that all the cousins were ready to get out of the car.
Emma joined Ryleigh for some splashing in the tub
before continuing on to New Jersey with her mom and dad.
They had a wonderful time together.
Put Ry in any body of water, and she's happy as can be.
P.S. Check out that tan...she definitely seems to have her dad's coloring

Cape Fear

Terry and Don may have been experiencing a bit of that 

when we arrived at their house...this time with three kiddos in tow!

For the 8th summer in a row, Vic and I joined John and Kate

for a visit to their aunt and uncle's beautiful home in Cape Cod. 

Lately, it seems like there is a new addition each summer,

but the more the merrier :)

We spent the days by the beach and nights playing at their house, 

and even snuck in an adults' dinner too.

Hopefully it's a tradition that will continue, even when we're not just a car ride away.  

Twins at the beach

Lexi with her aunt, uncle and cousin Emma

A pretty good Friday night

Someone is a HUGE fan of the water this year

The ocean really never warms up as far north as the Cape, 

at least not by our standards.

But that didn't stop Lexi this summer.

She had Vic and I in there with her most of the day,

jumping waves, riding waves, chasing waves, splashing, etc.

I will admit that I enjoyed it as much as she did, goosebumps and all. 

Guess who's teething?

She's also quite a water baby like her sister

Back for more

Oh, and there were seals swimming right in front of us!

A little sandcastle action going on

This picture of Terry and Don might be my favorite from the weekend.

I was a second too late taking it - 

Terry had her hands propped on her hips just like her husband

Quick ice cream pit stop

Annual family pics

I'm convinced the babysitter thinks we are nuts 

with all the cameras, calling, organizing, etc. 

Thanks Smocked Auctions for the matching cousin dresses

As it turns out, Kate and I ordered them at the exact same time,

without even knowing it. 

Love these little girls 

(and I think they look a lot alike here)

The gang

Proof that our sassy Lexi

is actually very sweet with her little sister

To be a kid again...

Lexi snuck in 

Emma is in a big kissing stage - very sweet

"Do you think she'll notice if I make off with her Nantucket basket purse, ma?"

Dinner at the Wequassett Inn - annual photo op

Sister-in-laws (or Sisters-in-law?)

In either case, both are happy to be enjoying the wine this visit