River Vacation

We just got back from a fabulous time in T I Park, NY (also known as The River, sine it is on an island in the middle of the St Lawrence River).

Here are a couple of our favorite shots and a link to all of the ones we liked.

Mia, CJ, and Mom looking at the River from the Pavillion

Mia playing in the flowers

Mia driving the boat

Mia, Dad, and CJ

Cousin Eleanor, Grandma, Grandpa, Mia and CJ

Uncle Matt and Cousin Eleanor

Oh, and Happy Birthday to Mommy today!

A Cross Country Play Date

Mia and CJ had a cross country play date with Christopher and Matteo, sons of our friends Mike and Michael, when they made a trip to DC on their east coast tour this month. It was great to see the kids playing together as they had only seen pictures of each other before. Mia and Christopher hit it right off and had a fabulous time together.

Michael had to protect Matteo's head from being squashed by the older kids as they raced around.

CJ and Matteo enjoyed sharing the play mat.


Christopher really enjoyed the fish.

Fun on a Rainy Day

Mia loves rainy days because it is a great excuse to put on her raincoat and boots, two of her favorite articles of clothing.

Here she is getting ready.

And then the puddle jumping begins!!

A Vineyard Visit at 5 Weeks?

Yes, CJ has already been to visit a vineyard.

We met up with Mommy's high school friends Megan and Jaime at Old House Vineyards, where Megan works. Jaime's son Connor and husband Rob (taking the picture) were able to join us, though Connor had a big of fun playing in the water fountain thus the lack of clothes for the picture. Megan is expecting her first child in September.

Just a Nice Sunday

Here are just some fun pictures of Mia from today.

A Lesson in Building with Blocks

We started out the morning with Mia and Mommy building a block bed for Bitty Baby.

Then, Mia decided that she could use a nap more than Bitty Baby.
Of course, Mia had to teach CJ all about blocks. We are very thankful that these are the lightweight cardboard kind that don't hurt when the fall over. Otherwise, CJ (and the rest of the family) would definitely have many more bumps and bruises.

And of course, Mia decided that CJ couldn't have Daddy's lap to himself so she had to join in the cuddle time.

Tummy Time

Christopher seems to dislike tummy time much less than Mia did. He was actually kind of happy when I ran to get my camera to get some video of him, but by the time I returned...

(The blanket on top of the play mat is the doll quilt Grandma made for Mia, but that Mia insists on CJ using.)

Hanging Out on a Hot Sunday Afternoon

On hot weekends, we get to enjoy Nina and Taid's pool. Mia is definitely turning into a little fish.



CJ enjoys sleeping in the shade.

Grandma Visits

Grandma came to visit for a week to meet CJ and help while Mia's day care was closed for summer vacation. As seems to be typical lately, we forgot to take lots of pictures, but we did get some just before Grandma left to go home.

Mia refused to sit down for a group shot.
We can't wait to see Grandma and the rest of the family at the River in just a few weeks!

Recipient of the Social Smile Award Goes to...

Mia!

Yes, Mia was the recipient of Christopher's first recognized social smile. (He has smiled and laughed a lot since birth, but not for/at a person until today.) Sadly, we didn't get a picture of it and both Mom and Dad were a bit jealous that Mia got the first one, but it is probably a good sign that despite the poking and prodding, Christopher seems to still like his big sister.

The Double Stroller

Since we like taking walks as a family and even walk to Nina and Taid's on occasion, we got a double BOB stroller. We loved our single one so much that we just couldn't pass up the smooth suspension and (almost) effortless push of the BOB.

After a long walk home one evening from Nina and Taid's, we pulled into the driveway with two sleeping children. Perfect bliss.

Fourth of July with the Extended Winn Family

Much of Dad's extended family came into town for the holiday weekend so CJ got his fill of meeting new people, Mom and Dad's arms got a rest, and Mia had tons of playmates.

Here is CJ meeting Aunt Barbara. (No, the color coordination was not intentional.) We don't have any pictures of them playing, but Mia and Aunt Barbara spent a lot of time together. More specifically, Mia towed Aunt Barbara all around Nina and Taid's house and yard. For days later, Mia kept asking, "Where Aunt Barbara?". Clearly, she misses her playmate.
Mia loves exploring Nina's gardens with Dad.

She and Jabber are finally becoming best friends. As many of you know, Mia seems to get nervous around dogs and takes a long time to warm up to them. Jabber is one of the calmest, most relaxed puppies ever, which has made their "getting to know you" period a lot easier for everyone.
We also got to spend a lot of time with the Bowmans, who live in DC, but life with little kids means that we don't get to see them as often as Mia would like. Mia loves playing with Sarah. Sarah likes laughing at Mia and especially likes her yellow rain boots.

The Fourth with the Gang

Our monthly get together with the toddler gang coincided with the kids birthdays and the Fourth.





CJ also had a great time meeting everyone.

A Visit to the Crib

CJ is currently sleeping in Mom and Dad's room, but eventually he and Mia will share a room. Mia decided to invite CJ into the crib to show him what it was all about.

(Don't forget to check out Mia's custom Olivia pillow case; a birthday present from Grandma.)
We think CJ looks a little frightened in this shot. We hope he doesn't think he and Mia will have to share the crib.

Trip to Zoo

Mia's day care is closed for their summer vacation for a week and a half so today, Nina came with us to the zoo to to help Mommy manage Mia and CJ. It worked out perfectly. Mia had a great time and was so exhausted by the end that she was asking for a nap.


We got to see the new baby gorilla play outside with its mom. Watching the baby climb all over its mother showed how much of a portable jungle gym she really is.

The lions and tigers were even out.