Willow and Chloe Hangin' At The River

I took Willow to pick strawberries--she had an orgy, taking one bite out of each one and throwing it on the ground, only to grab another. This is what her shirt looked like when we got home.

July 2009

At a July 4th Celebration ... Willow got to play with Walter "Fritz" Mondale's granddaughter. To our good fortune, Charlotte and Willow hit it off, as they were the only kids at the party. Turns out they both have the same birthday (literally the exact same age).

Former vice president Mondale lives just up the River (and he is specifically responsible for our Country's Wild and Scenic Rivers Act). He and his family were at our neighbor's brunch (all were getting ready to participate in our town's parade).

Willow and our friend Tod, also watching the parade

The last month has brought forth an explosion of "talking"; Willow-bean has been gearing up for several weeks, for sure (warming up her tongue with delightful sounds like "mama" and "dada"). Now a light has gone on in that darling head. Much of it is still baby-babble, but she is also repeating words when we ask her, and making all the fun farm-animal sounds.

I should also mention that she's been learning words at pre-preschool: "no" + "no way." For example, "Willow, do you want to go inside"? No way. "Willow, lets put on our pajamas"? No way. Of course, her response makes me clue in to the fact that I am not asking the question in the correct format for conversing with a toddler. Here are some photos over the past couple of months....

NPS friends from Omaha camped at a nearby campground: Willow was invited to make her first campfire smores.

Willow (far left ... the gorgeous one with knobby knees) and other members of our local adoption group "Minnesota Red Thread". All gathered to attend the Dragon Boat Festival in the Twin Cities.

Hanging out along the banks of the St. Croix.

On a neighbor's porch, verlooking the St. Croix (just after this photo, two young Bald Eagles landed in a tree about 20 feet from us and were quite boisterous).

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times ....

I don't know how else to explain the last 8 months of my life.

After reading the short post below, you know that my Mom passed away. Well, three weeks later my brother Paul passed away as well (completely random and unexpected). Life just sucks sometimes, and my body and spirit were broken. I am not completely "me" yet, but life has continued at Willowing speed.

So friends, yet again I am adusting to a new reality. So much is wonderful and fill me with awe and thankfulness: Willow, a new life in a new state, new friends of profound generosity, a new home (twice), latte's at my fingertips.... But, what can you do when you are drowning because loved ones have moved on: their tandem passing haunts me when I least expect it.

I will end my pity-party for now and post some pictures of the good.

P.S. Blogspot isn't working so well, and photos and captions are sometimes awkward in placement ???

Our lovely bed-head, Mommy's teddy (made by my Mom for me 48 years ago), and pink teddy (who I made for Willow).

Listening to the baby monitor one day, I heard Willow wake up, but then immediate went quiet again. I thought she had fallen back to sleep until she called for me a while later: she grabbed the baby wipes and added each one to her crib decor.

Aboard the ferry on our way to Whidbey Island, in the Puget Sound (Washington), where my Mom was living (in the cottage Chris and I built for ourselves one day).

Willowing on the streets of Seattle ...

Pointing at the cameraman, outside of Grandma's cottage. The weather was beautiful every day (for those of you who think it always rains in this area).

The "sign" for tree.














Peekaboo Series (1)

























Peekaboo (2)

And ... the last image in the peedaboo series :)

Hiding in the stacks of Metsker's Travel Bookstore

Pointing at the globes on the ceiling ....

Along a garden path in the village of Langley, Whidbey Island.

More pictures soon. Promise.