John & Devon in China

Our friends John & Devon are adopting a baby from China. It has been a long process for them and the waiting has been very difficult. But last week they got "the word" and they were off to China. They went one week early to visit some of the sites in China and too specifically see the location where there baby was born. I think it's beautiful that they have spent the time to get to know as much about their baby as humanly possible.

Anyway, John has been giving us all daily updates, via email. His emails are so amazing and filled with excitment. It's interesting too hear about the sites they have seen and how they remedied the fact that they did not pack warmly enough for the biting chinese chill. The solution was obvious; invest in some counterfeit Northface wear. As you can imagine, finding places to eat is a constant adventure. Upon entering one place they were able to make out enough mandarin to understand the staff say "the Americans are here."

Next week they will travel to the orphanage and meet their beautiful baby girl face-to-face and embark on a new beginning for them and for her. One thing is for sure she is already very loved.

Good luck John & Devon!!!

We be jammin'! (outfit courtesy of Maria and Eric Beller) 
If you have been following Finn, you'll remember that his love of music sprouted from the days when we'd put him in his swing and play Peter Tosh for him. It really brought a smile to his face and would sooth his cries.
Now that we have worn that album out completely, we listen to Positive Vibrations every Saturday morning on our favorite local station, KEXP. If you aren't in Seattle you can catch it too via the internet.

Cool commercial for new VW Golf

If you're like me and find poplocking to be fascinating (like the moonwalk was in the 80's), then check out the same talented guy in the commercial here.

It's been a rough few days...

Finn has been running a fever off and on of about 103 since wednesday night. The nights have been very long because fevers tend to spike at night. So he is up all night basically. We took him to the doctor today and it was confirmed that he has "the crud." I guess it's a bug that it making its way around the NW. So FInn isn't eating or sleeping and needs to be held all day long. Tonight may be different as he seems much cooler and calmer. I just hope it lasts until morning.

Baby Name Voyager

Have you ever wanted to track the popularity of baby names, or see how popular your baby's name was in 1910? Here's a great tool to do just that.

Just out of the bath and showing off his 4 new teeth. 

He latched on to the bottle I was holding like a hawk to a rabbit. 

This kid is so serious.  

Taking a little break. 

Look at that face! 

Kikkoman Rocks!

The Embarcadero

Lola is a celebrity

Lola's new found celebrity can be seen at ModernPooch.com. The author of Modern Pooch, which is a favorite of mine, also authors this blog. Thanks Andrea!

Library of Congress uploads civil war maps

These are pretty amazing. While growing up and living in the DC, MD, VA area I've visited a few historic civil war battlegrounds and the energy at these places is buzzing. The land has been preserved just as it was back in the day and if you close your eyes you can almost feel what it was like being there. Anyway, to get great detail on the maps download the MrSID version of the map you choose (at the bottom of the page of each map) and then download the MrSID viewer (downloadable here) to be able to see the finest creases in the paper. WOW! Once you view the map in the MrSID application you can create .tif images of portions of the map.

Missing Finn

I'm at work and trying to focus, but it's hard for me and I'll tell you why. Finn has just recently becoming more attacdhed to me in a way that breaks my heart when I have to leave the room, let alone leave for work. He gets a pouty face when I disappear and gets a smile when I appear. Anyway, I just keep thinking about the smile he's going to give me tonight, like he does everynight when I get home from work. It's the best part about being a parent.

Bonus Round

It seems like Finn has obtained enough new skills to go to the next round. Yesterday he took his first crawling strides and today he is a full fledged crawler. He crawled from one side of the room to the other. I put him down in the living room and went to the kitchen. A few moments later he was in the doorway to the kitchen. That is like 8 feet. Wow! He also learned how to wave "bye-bye" after watching us do it for a few weeks. He's a genius I tell you!

Level Up!

We started to let Finn feed himself about a month ago. It started with cheerios and progressed to pieces of banana and the above teething biscuts. It was scary while he was getting the hang of having solid food in his mouth. One time he put three cherioos inhis mouth and just didn't know what to do with them. He kind of gagged a little but then figured it out. It almost gave mommy a heart attack but he worked it out by spitting it out instead of inhaling it into his lung. He's pretty much got the eating without choking down, at least until we start him on ritz crackers and peanutbutter. 

Kids games from the NSA

Is this a recruiting tool? Hmmm?

Best CD for kids

We got the Putumayo Sing Along CD and it has the best songs on it. We love songs #8 and #9. Putumayo also has a great interactive website for kids. THANKS PUTUMAYO!

Baby's first Christmas

  Of course Finn had a mind blowing time opening presents. I think it's amazing how even though he's never unwrapped a gift before he knew what was instore the moment we sat him down infront of his pile of gifts. Check out more pics at the photo gallery.