Hanging out with Aunt Dolly Rocks!

Rosemary and I had the BEST time in Salt Lake City this past week while James was in Sydney. We never get to hang out with Dolly, Felix, and Sadie and just do... nothing... but this was the ultimate luxury. We managed to get out to go sledding (in a blizzard) and to the amazing children's museum, but we mostly got to sit around, read, watch the babies play together (and they really did play together -- we learned that "parallel play" is a myth), and feed the babies (at least 70% of every day -- Rosemary tried shrimp and peanut butter for the first time). Patty Peach was there, which was a really nice treat too!

My daughter

Well, Rosemary finally yesterday started walking for "real." She just got up and started walking around the house, falling every once in a while but not very often. For months now she's been able to stand, squat (and then stand and squat), cruise, but she just didn't feel the need to walk. Pictures below from her "hike" over Thanksgiving might provide evidence as to why (she's enjoying her afternoon "latte" while being changed)

Thanksgiving, and Birthday Number Two

Rosemary is very lucky indeed to not have just one but TWO birthday parties. Last week, with the arrival of Mina's family (nine of us! Not counting Rosemary or "Torque." Or Xiaolum), we kicked off the week with a housewarming/birthday party for Rosemary. it was great to see all our friends which we haven't seen in a while since we've been so busy moving. Since Katie's cake was so amazing the weekend before I attempted replication, to mixed success. Rosemary was thrilled to have her Nana and Nani Suzan visit, they really made her laugh. And she very much enjoyed having all the attention of everyone singing to her. We enjoyed meeting Maureen's boyfriend Ben, eating amazing bacon-wrapped turkey, playing Scrabble and the story-telling game, and walking on the beach. By the way, that picture below of the red mountains is the view from our window. Yes!

Rosemary TURNS ONE

Rosemary has had quite the time the last month. She moved into her new house, then she went up to visit Aunt Katie & Uncle Cyrus & Henry, who gave her an amazing birthday party. Her dad gave a talk at Stanford, and then we all went to the San Francisco zoo and petted goats and rode the carousel. Then, the party! So many of our friends we haven't seen (and their babies we haven't met) came to help us celebrate her birthday -- the Nigam family, Mike, Harriet & Ann & Will, Kate & Kelly & Dustin, Kirsten & Paula & Kevin, and Libby & Ronen & Edna. Katie made the world's best chocolate cake and pumpkin pound cake, and James made delicious tandoori chicken. We had a really fun time -- there was a lot to celebrate.