Update already

Man, there's so much to tell, so many fun adventures to share. Sorry it's taken so long. We have been battling the late sunset in this house. Getting to sleep has been holy torture, but we are happy to say after a long and fun day and no super enforced bedtime, Dalia effectively told us when she was sleepy and blissfully curled up in my lap to nurse herself to sleep in about 10 minutes. I feel like a new woman again. We'll surely be up at sunrise, so I better make this quick and get myself off to bed.

We have continued to enjoy springtime in Portland. It's so different with a toddler exploring and discovering everything for the first or 600th time.She enjoys repetition so much, but is really into adventuring into new things. She has realized that she can do things on her own now - her new favorite phrase, "Dalia own" while either pointing to herself or shoving my hand away. We went to Mt. Scott pool last week for the first time (what on earth took me so long?!). She was scared at first, but within minutes she was splashing around and laughing and within a half hour she was walking around the shallow part insisting I not touch her.This resulted in lots of falls and swallowing ample amounts of chlorinated water, but never with a tear (if only it was that easy to rinse her hair at bath time). She even enjoyed the major water slide, but we don't have a waterproof camera so you'll have to imagine the bliss that was experienced. We're excited for our neighborhood pool to open in June.

She has also become just about the sweetest, loving little girl. She hugs and kisses everything from characters in books to statues of bunnies in people's gardens to friends who have boo boos. She pats and rubs our backs and snuggles us all the time. And, of course, she kisses us only the way a toddler can - mouth wet and wide open.

She is growing like a weed. Tonight we had to cut the elastic part of her pajamas off the sleeves and pant legs so they wouldn't be too tight (I have to get out shopping this week).Dalia wanted me to pick her up while I was cutting the clothing with kitchen scissors (dull of course). Mark said, "hold on, honey, Mommy can't pick you up, she's sewing." My mother, the seamstress, was here and laughed her head off. I just pictured Cleatis the Slackjawed Yokel from the Simpsons.

As usual, we've had great days and evenings with friends. It's so good to be surrounded by so much love.I wish I could think of all the great stuff Dalia is saying and doing, but frankly, she's growing and changing so fast, I don't know where I would begin. Tonight she was working on saying "karate" and she reads books with Mark now, finishing the sentences with her sweet little voice. She still signs, but doesn't need it so much anymore. That said, she's got her fire streak too. Very independent and feisty.

Okay, so here are some photos from our adventures the last few weeks.

We started out with a bad cold. Really bad cold. Mommy and Dalia and eventually Gigi and Mark, too.Mark was out of town and I somehow talked Dalia into laying on the couch and watching a little television with her "moo milk".

We were homebound and quarantined with a cold that seemed to last forever, but the Cudworth boys braved the snot and came to visit.


We've spent a lot of time planting our summer garden and Dalia patiently waited for it to get warm enough for the pool. Think she's excited?


So, this is the neighbor's yard, where we go at least twice a day to visit the chickens (Dalia calls them "bock bock") She gets to help collect eggs when our neighbors are actually home. I really took this photo though cuz I thought her outfit was so cute and I wanted to show Ali and Jim what a cutie she is in their generous gifts.


Just about the greatest time at the park with Archer and Amy (I think maybe Dalia was art directing Amy's photoshoot of Archer)



Hanging out with Daddy

Mark got to meet the new addition to the Cooper family - sweet little Xavier. Dalia thinks he's pretty rad, too.


Steph brought over some dress up clothes (p.s. we've done a lot of house project stuff lately and that door is now a different color. )

Neva, Owen and Cecily came over for a much awaited bbq together. Dalia and Neva are a perfect fit.