Bassoon

Yesterday was the first time I played my bassoon since early in my pregnancy with Rory.  I wanted to see Rory's reaction and also get back into playing again.  I put Rory in his play saucer.  He was pretty tired at this point, but I decided to try anyway.  With the first notes, his bottom lip came out and he began to cry - shaking and tears and everything!  I picked him up, hugged him, then put him down on the floor near me and he had a much better reaction:

Rory above is 8 months, below are some pictures of Rosie, 7.5 months old,

with her first bassoon encounter:

Road trip!

On the first weekend in August, Rosie, Rory, my mom, and I set off on a road trip to Baltimore, MD.  One of my oldest friends Sabrina, who I've known since elementary school, was getting married.  We stayed with my wonderful friend, Shelley from grad school, and had a fun time with her, swimming, exploring the aquarium, and watching the Olympics.  On our way home, we stopped in PA to visit my great friend Becky from college, her husband Tim, and their four month old baby girl, Linnaea.  It was so fantastic to be able to see everyone!  Thanks to Shelley and Becky and Tim for their warm, welcoming hospitality!  And thank goodness for my mom, who did all the driving on the trip, so I could help the kids in the backseat get through the long drive.  Rosie did well; I brought lots of activities and books to keep her busy, but Rory wanted out of his car seat pretty early in the drive.  Needless to say, we stopped several times to stretch our legs! It was a whirlwind of a road trip, but definitely worth it too see some wonderful friends!

 Having fun with magnetic pom poms in the car.

 We saw lots of neat fish at the National Aquarium, but this one was my favorite!

 Shelley and Rosie checking out the dolphins after the show.

 Outside of the National Aquarium in Baltimore there was a small park that had these really cool xylophones.

 OT friends (and a baby)!

 Rosie nursing her baby.

 Rosie LOVED swimming and even though it had been a long time since she was in a pool, she did a great job swimming by herself. 

Rosie and Rory both loved the air mattress at Shelley's apartment!  Rory got the biggest kick out of watching Rosie jump, which in turn bounced him.  I wasn;t able to get a good video of him laughing hysterically while this happened, but I got this one of Rosie putting on a good show.  Rory was doing his best at being a back-up singer.

The traveling Crescentia's and Rory in the pool!

The beautiful bride and groom, Sabrina and Rick.  

Daisy, Susan, and I.  It was a beautiful wedding, and definitely fun to get out for the night.  Many thanks to my mom and Shelley who valiantly tried to keep Rory from crying while I was gone.  Rosie had a fabulous time swimming with Shelley, of course!  :)

Rory and Susan, my other fantastic friend from middle school :)

Rosie, putting her face in the water and blowing bubbles!!

Here Rory is playing baby Linnaea's piano.  You can also turn the keyboard so the baby can play with her feet!

 

Rosie loves babies, and little Linnaea was no exception!  She was very helpful, and was always checking on the baby when she was sleeping, helping Becky whenever she could, and Rosie never turned down an opportunity to hold Linnaea!  Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of Becky and Tim, so hopefully we'll be able to see them again soon to make up for it!  :)

Becky had these awesome blocks for Linnaea, that we all loved playing with!  They are two milk/juice cartons put together to make a sturdy block.  We already have five made here; it's a start anyway!  ;)

Linnaea and Rory checking each other out.

Video re-cap

Susan took this video of us at Rob's parents' house.  Rory was just beginning to sit up by himself. 6-23-12

Susan and Uncle Rick played several great games of Go Fish with Rosie, when we were in Kenmore at Grandma B's house.  She loved it! 6-27-12

Rory got the biggest kick out of me jumping up and down while Susan was wearing him, while we were in Buffalo.  It was worth looking ridiculous to hear his adorable laugh!  6-30-12

This is Rory talking to his giraffe.  :) 7-16-12

This is Rosie and her friends Kara, Kendra, Kaitlyn, and Kendra and Kaitlyn's mom, Kerry playing ring-around-the-rosey at Onota Lake.  7-18-12

Rory in the jolly jumper at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  His feet are always moving!  7-27-12

Rosie and Rory piano duet debut.  Rory takes the cookie monster approach in the finale and samples the piano.  7-27-12

Rosie's favorite music group is the Fresh Beat Band, and her favorite character is Marina, who plays the drums.  Therefore, Rosie has developed quite and affinity for playing the drums herself.  :)  7-29-12

Our garden

This year we planted a fairly big garden in the backyard.  We have peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers, basil, dill, and carrots.  The harvest has begun!!

July 17

July 20

 August 9

 August 18

Outside fun

More from July:

 Rory really likes to swing now, although he seems to like to hold on side-saddle.  :)

 A little help from big sister

 A hot day in July calls for a nice dip in our backyard kiddie pool!

 All three of us in the pool!

More swinging!  Behind the kids is our street.  It's so great to be so close to such a nice playground!

We went with some friends to Onota Lake in Pittsfield.  The water was warm and we had a beautiful shady spot, it was a great morning!  Rosie is here with her friend Kara from school, and Kara's sisters Caylie, Abbie, and Brooke.

Rory loved the water, too!

Onota Lake, Pittsfield, MA

 Aunt Susan came to visit!!  We had so much fun with her!  In the background of this picture, you can see a few of the jars we were experimenting with changing Queen-Ann's-lace flowers different colors.

We knew Aunt Susan would love Onota Lake, also, so we brought her there and had a blast!