Lowell Folk Festival

Last Saturday, we went to the Lowell Folk Festival in Lowell, MA (Joe went to college at UMass Lowell). The festival was huge and would have been great if it wasn't so hot with little to no shade. Well, the festival was great...we just didn't spend as much time there as we had hoped (I don't think Joe could take my complaining much longer).

ANOTHER face painting picture. At this point, it's obligatory. She loves getting her face painted at every festival and even better...it was free!

A kitty cat in her favorite colors, pink and purple.

The train that we didn't ride, but Hannah was excited to see.

Listening to some folk music.

And our little trooper Emme who slept through most of it in her stroller.

Emme - 4 months

Our little one is 4 month olds now and the good times continue.

Emme now weighs 14 1/2 lbs and is 25 inches long. She's been doing some good growing these last few months. The doctor was pleased with her development and finally got to see some of her personality (she slept through her entire 2 month exam with the dr.). She continues to be such a happy baby and loves to smile and giggle (which we try to get her to do every chance we get). And she has found her voice and loves to make squealing noises. She is also starting to move around a bit more. She has started rolling over from her back onto her side (hasn't quite made it all the way over yet and doesn't really seem to want to try...halfway is just right for her) and uses the slats of her crib to help her maneuver. Although this usually just gets her "caught" perpendicular to the crib until Mommy or Daddy come to help. She's still sleeping through the night for the most part and has even given up her 10p feed (while still holding onto the 4a feed). Such an angel!

Tummy time.

She likes to sit up and check out what's going on around her.

Moving on to her exersaucer. We still use the swing occasionally, but she'd much rather be sitting up. At first she was just happy to sit there, but now she has started to play with the many options of toys attached from time to time. (notice the shirt 1-800-grandma....wonder who gave her that??)

Emme has also started teething...no teeth to speak of obviously, but everything goes in her mouth and drooling is constant.

Hannah continues to be a great big sister. Jealousy still rears it's ugly head once in a while, but for the most part she is so helpful! She loves to help me change Emme's diapers (especially the poo ones...go figure) and play with Emme.

Aunt Sarah visits

After the wedding, Aunt Sarah came to visit us for a few days!

At the pool. Hannah loves playing in the water!

Emme, on the rare occasion, awake at the pool. Testing the water.

On Tuesday afternoon, we went to the Museum of Science in Boston. Most of it was a bit above Hannah's head, but there was a section for the little discoverers that she really enjoyed.

In a beehive.

Our little archeaeologist.

Hannah and Aunt Sarah exploring.

And at the main part of the museum.

We had a lot of fun and were sad when Aunt Sarah had to go back home.

Colleen and Josh's wedding

This weekend was Joe's cousin Colleen's wedding on Cape Cod. It was a sunny day and such a beautiful, fun wedding. Unfortunately, not too many pictures. Hannah looked adorable, but was so busy running around with all of the other kids that we didn't get many pictures of her.

Here's the little one with her Nana and Papa.

and Auntie Sarah.

and Daddy. Emme did so great the whole day and was in such a good mood!

Hannah dancing on the dance floor during dinner. Much to her Daddy's disappointment, she wanted nothing to do with him or dancing once the actual dancing started. The wedding was on a farm so there was lots of free space to run and play.

Of course we found her when it was time for cake.

Banana Split

Today we celebrated one of Hannah's milestones in the seemingly neverending quest of potty training. Her doctor suggested a game and so in this game that Joe and I developed, Hannah gets prizes (trinkets, treats, etc.) for going so many days without any accidents...the further into the game we get, the bigger the prize. For her halfway point, she got a yummy banana split from Kimball Farm. And she was even nice enough to share it with Mommy and Daddy.

Enjoying her treat.

Emme wishing she could get in on the banana split action. (OK, really just trying to take a picture of Mommy and Emme but to do so Joe had to put the camera on the table in front of us as she was mesmerized by the gingham tablecloth and wouldn't look anywhere else).

Before the banana split, we stopped to see Grandpa Katkin at the nursing home. It was such a nice day that we took him outside for some fresh air. He was in really good spirits and even held Emme, not bad for 101.

Emme and Grandpa.

Camp and 4th of July

Last week was our first trip to "camp" in Maine for the Summer. It was also Emme's first time away from home and she did great. The weather didn't cooperate very well, but we still had a great time! We were still able to do most everything we wanted to do and more importantly, relax! The only things Hannah wasn't able to do was jump off the dock into the water (too cold) and have s'mores on 4th of July (too windy).

Hannah and her pet dragon fly.

We took a boat ride around the lake; Emme's first. She did well, but eventually had enough. It wasn't exactly easy to hold a baby in a life vest. The boat ride itself was very quiet and nice! I think we saw one other boat the whole time.

Hannah driving.

Emme's 1st time meeting her Papa.

Also a first, Hannah bowling...and actually my first time candle pin bowling (smaller balls and pins). We all had such a great time, even Emme was awake and in a great mood the entire time.

The blind leading the blind.

Out for a paddle boat ride with Daddy. Hannah was doing all of the pedaling.

Nana and Emme time.

Silly Hannah with her crown. So into the goofy faces these days.

4th of July started out as a promising day and of course, as soon as Joe started to cook the lobsters and the table was being set, the sky opened up and it just poured. So here's Joe cooking the lobsters while everyone else moved indoors (I only ran out to take the picture).

Hannah and her lobster. This year we ordered one just for her and she literally all except for a few bites. It was super yummy!

On the swing. This year she figured out that she could stand and swing on the swing all by herself, no pushing neccessary. And she loved it!

Fireworks with Daddy. Usually Joe is in charge of our fireworks show, but this year everyone had their own idea of the best way to do it and so he decided it was much better to just be a spectator with his baby girl!

Now we just hope the next time we go to camp the weather will be a bit nicer so Hannah can jump in the water!